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UK coronavirus live: Nightingale hospitals in Manchester, Sunderland and Harrogate on standby to take patients UK coronavirus live: north-east England to be in tier 2, council leaders told, leaving pubs and restaurants open
(32 minutes later)
NHS England medical director Professor Stephen Powis says hospitals preparing to take patients; Boris Johnson to reveal plan for country to be graded in three tiers of restrictions Measure means it would be unlawful for two households to meet indoors; Boris Johnson to reveal plan for country to be graded in three tiers
Politicians in Greater Manchester - both MPs and local leaders - have been very vocal in opposing the closure of hospitality businesses as part of the imminent tightening of lockdown measures. That’s because they do not accept that most of local infections derive from pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Lucy Powell, the MP for Manchester Central, says that data from local test and trace suggests just 9% of recent Covid infections in Manchester came from hospitality settings. “The vast majority of infections here happen in households, which includes student halls of residence,” she said.
In nearby Stockport, that figure is just 2%, according to William Wragg, the local Conservative MP for Hazel Grove.
Powell was scathing about a slide shown to northern MPs last week by a cabinet office official. The slide, which carried the capitalised health warning “THIS DATA IS UNPUBLISHED, EARLY ANALYSIS”, suggested that hospitality accounted for 30% of common exposure settings (including workers in such venues).
“Even the guy presenting that slide didn’t really buy it,” said Powell. She called on the government to produce evidence to prove that hospitality is a significant source of infections. She said:
Closing Greater Manchester’s hospitality industry would affect thousands of businesses. According to research from Altus Group, in Greater Manchester there are 1,809 pubs, 1,174 restaurants, 143 wine bars, 258 hotels and guest houses, 12 casinos and gambling clubs, 277 betting offices, 22 cinemas and 308 gyms.
Pubs, bars and restaurants will be allowed to remain open in the north-east of England under the new restrictions due to be announced by Boris Johnson this afternoon.
The Guardian has learned that council leaders in the north-east were told by the communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, and Sir Eddie Lister, one of the prime minister’s closest aides, that they will be in the tier 2 restrictions due to be outlined later.
Tier 2 restrictions mean it will be unlawful for two households to meet in any indoor setting, including pubs and restaurants, and people will be advised to use public transport in only exceptional cases.
The prime minister is expected to announce significant new powers for local authorities to take enforcement action against businesses that are not Covid compliant. A new “public health provision” will be brought into force allowing environmental health officers to quickly close premises - such as pubs and bars - that are not sticking to the rules.However, some council leaders in the north-east were left disappointed after being told there would not be any new financial support for areas in tier 2. One local leader on the call said:
At this stage, it is thought that Merseyside will be the only place in England where the stricter tier 3 measures will apply – meaning pubs and bars have to close.
However, this has yet to be confirmed and much has already changed in the past 72 hours. MPs in other parts of the north were this lunchtime being briefed on what to expect in their areas.
The Welsh government looks likely to introduce regulations to stop people travelling from Covid hotspots in England travelling to Wales.
Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething said legal advice on how to effectively shut the border to some people had been taken.
He said he was “deeply disappointed” that Boris Johnson had not stopped people from travelling out of English hotspot areas.
Speaking at a press conference in Cardiff, Gething said he would meet with the first minister, Mark Drakeford, to discuss the next move later today.
He said there had been examples when Covid had been brought into Wales from England.
Gething said that Covid was “waking up for the winter” and infections could reach the same level as the spring peak in the next couple of weeks. He said the R number was 1.37 in Wales and 330 people were in hospital with Covid-19 – up by 100 from last week.
Gething said more measures were being considered to combat the virus including the same sort of tiered system that is being introduced in England. He said a national lockdown or the sort of “firebreak” that had been launched in Scotland were also being considered. Gething said this was a “particularly important week”.
In a statement the Welsh government said:
Gavin Williamson, the education secretary for England, is going to delay GCSEs and A levels for three weeks next summer to allow more time for catch-up teaching, Newsnight’s Lewis Goodall reports.
In Scotland National 5 exams, the equivalent of GCSEs, have already been cancelled for next summer. Highers and advanced highers are going ahead, but slightly later than usual.
Nicola Sturgeon said the majority of new cases were in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where the health board confirmed that a ward at Scotland’s flagship super-hospital, the Queen Elizabeth University hospital in Glasgow, has been closed to new admissions following “a number of positive cases”.Nicola Sturgeon said the majority of new cases were in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where the health board confirmed that a ward at Scotland’s flagship super-hospital, the Queen Elizabeth University hospital in Glasgow, has been closed to new admissions following “a number of positive cases”.
Following the first weekend of the temporary national shutdown of indoor drinking, Sturgeon said that early anecdotal evidence from the police was that compliance has been good.Following the first weekend of the temporary national shutdown of indoor drinking, Sturgeon said that early anecdotal evidence from the police was that compliance has been good.
Sturgeon said that she had come from a Cobra meeting with the prime minister and leaders of other devolved governments. The main topic was the three-tier system of alerts being brought in for England. She said that the Scottish government intends “to develop our own tiering framework and take that to parliament after the October recess”. This will coincide with the ending of the temporary hospitality restrictions, and she said that she would be “aiming for alignment” with the four nations.Sturgeon said that she had come from a Cobra meeting with the prime minister and leaders of other devolved governments. The main topic was the three-tier system of alerts being brought in for England. She said that the Scottish government intends “to develop our own tiering framework and take that to parliament after the October recess”. This will coincide with the ending of the temporary hospitality restrictions, and she said that she would be “aiming for alignment” with the four nations.
It is worth noting that Sturgeon refers to the current restrictions – which are particularly tough in the central belt – as “reset restrictions”. There was consternation on Sunday after cabinet secretary for tourism, Fergus Ewing, warned that there was no guarantee that pubs and restaurants in central Scotland would reopen after the 16-day shutdown.It is worth noting that Sturgeon refers to the current restrictions – which are particularly tough in the central belt – as “reset restrictions”. There was consternation on Sunday after cabinet secretary for tourism, Fergus Ewing, warned that there was no guarantee that pubs and restaurants in central Scotland would reopen after the 16-day shutdown.
At the start of her briefing Nicola Sturgeon also announced the latest coronavirus figures for Scotland.At the start of her briefing Nicola Sturgeon also announced the latest coronavirus figures for Scotland.
She said 961 people had tested positive. That was 17.1% of people getting a test.She said 961 people had tested positive. That was 17.1% of people getting a test.
Yesterday the equivalent figures were 956 and 14.9%. For much of last week the daily number of people testing positive was over 1,000.Yesterday the equivalent figures were 956 and 14.9%. For much of last week the daily number of people testing positive was over 1,000.
Sturgeon said that 487 patients were in hospital with coronavirus in Scotland, up 38 on yesterday, and 36 people were in intensive care, up one from yesterday.Sturgeon said that 487 patients were in hospital with coronavirus in Scotland, up 38 on yesterday, and 36 people were in intensive care, up one from yesterday.
These hospital figures are the highest so far in Scotland this autumn.These hospital figures are the highest so far in Scotland this autumn.
And Sturgeon also said six further deaths had been registered since Friday, taking the total to 2,550.And Sturgeon also said six further deaths had been registered since Friday, taking the total to 2,550.
A hundred of Scotland’s top hoteliers have written to the Scottish government warning that thousands of jobs will be lost without a change in the new rules which came into force last Friday evening for two weeks.A hundred of Scotland’s top hoteliers have written to the Scottish government warning that thousands of jobs will be lost without a change in the new rules which came into force last Friday evening for two weeks.
In a letter printed in the Scotsman, the signatories call on hotels to be allowed to serve alcohol to guests, following the nationwide crackdown on indoor drinking announced by first minister Nicola Sturgeon last week.In a letter printed in the Scotsman, the signatories call on hotels to be allowed to serve alcohol to guests, following the nationwide crackdown on indoor drinking announced by first minister Nicola Sturgeon last week.
There was also anger from the hospitality sector on Sunday after the cabinet secretary for tourism, Fergus Ewing, warned that there was no guarantee that pubs and restaurants in central Scotland would reopen after the 16-day shutdown.There was also anger from the hospitality sector on Sunday after the cabinet secretary for tourism, Fergus Ewing, warned that there was no guarantee that pubs and restaurants in central Scotland would reopen after the 16-day shutdown.
Businesses have already complained about confusion around the original restrictions and what sorts of premises they applied to after a last-minute exemption for cafes led to uncertainty about the difference between a cafe and a restaurant.Businesses have already complained about confusion around the original restrictions and what sorts of premises they applied to after a last-minute exemption for cafes led to uncertainty about the difference between a cafe and a restaurant.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is giving her daily briefing now.Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is giving her daily briefing now.
She says she has been participating in a UK government Cobra meeting this morning. She says she was given details of the three-tier system being introduced for England.She says she has been participating in a UK government Cobra meeting this morning. She says she was given details of the three-tier system being introduced for England.
The Scottish government will take the plans away and look at them, she says.The Scottish government will take the plans away and look at them, she says.
She says Scotland will introduce its own tiering system for when the current 16-day restrictions on pubs and restaurants end.She says Scotland will introduce its own tiering system for when the current 16-day restrictions on pubs and restaurants end.
She says at a strategic level it will make sense to align the Scottish system “as closely as possible” with what is happening in the rest of the UK.She says at a strategic level it will make sense to align the Scottish system “as closely as possible” with what is happening in the rest of the UK.
But she says Scotland will be able to decide for itself what rules apply where.But she says Scotland will be able to decide for itself what rules apply where.
Here are the main points from Prof Jonathan Van-Tam’s briefing.Here are the main points from Prof Jonathan Van-Tam’s briefing.
Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, insisted that the coronavirus surge was a “nationwide phenomenon”. It was not just limited to the north of England, he said. Rates were increasing across the UK. (See 11.10am and 11.44am.)Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, insisted that the coronavirus surge was a “nationwide phenomenon”. It was not just limited to the north of England, he said. Rates were increasing across the UK. (See 11.10am and 11.44am.)
He said further deaths were inevitable because of the rising cases already recorded. He said:He said further deaths were inevitable because of the rising cases already recorded. He said:
Prof Stephen Powis, the medical director of NHS England, said three Nightingale hospitals were being placed on standby to take patients. He said:Prof Stephen Powis, the medical director of NHS England, said three Nightingale hospitals were being placed on standby to take patients. He said:
Other Nightingale hospitals might also be placed on standby, he said. In the spring seven emergency Nightingale hospitals were equipped in England to be ready to take coronavirus patients, but largely they were not used. In the early summer they were either mothballed, or used for other purposes.Other Nightingale hospitals might also be placed on standby, he said. In the spring seven emergency Nightingale hospitals were equipped in England to be ready to take coronavirus patients, but largely they were not used. In the early summer they were either mothballed, or used for other purposes.
Powis said the NHS was introducing regular testing for staff in high-risk areas even when they don’t have symptoms.Powis said the NHS was introducing regular testing for staff in high-risk areas even when they don’t have symptoms.
Van-Tam implicitly backed plans to close pubs in places with very high rates of infection. This has been contentious because critics of the plans says there is no medical evidence to justify this policy. Asked about the scientific evidence to justify hospitality closures, Van-Tam said he did not want to pre-empt what the PM might say. But he quoted Japanese government advice saying people should avoid the three-Cs: closed spaces, crowded places and close contact. Van-Tam said he would add two other risk factors: the duration you spend in a place, and the volume at which you talk. All of which sounded like a roundabout way of saying pubs pose a risk.Van-Tam implicitly backed plans to close pubs in places with very high rates of infection. This has been contentious because critics of the plans says there is no medical evidence to justify this policy. Asked about the scientific evidence to justify hospitality closures, Van-Tam said he did not want to pre-empt what the PM might say. But he quoted Japanese government advice saying people should avoid the three-Cs: closed spaces, crowded places and close contact. Van-Tam said he would add two other risk factors: the duration you spend in a place, and the volume at which you talk. All of which sounded like a roundabout way of saying pubs pose a risk.
Van-Tam played down the impact of opening schools on the resurgence of the virus. He said:Van-Tam played down the impact of opening schools on the resurgence of the virus. He said:
Margaret Ferrier – the suspended SNP MP who travelled by train from London to Glasgow after a positive diagnosis of coronavirus - claims that senior SNP officials drafted her statement apologising for her rule breaches and ordered her to refer herself to the police.Margaret Ferrier – the suspended SNP MP who travelled by train from London to Glasgow after a positive diagnosis of coronavirus - claims that senior SNP officials drafted her statement apologising for her rule breaches and ordered her to refer herself to the police.
Ferrier told the Sun that she felt railroaded into releasing the statement by party officials and was given just five minutes to warn family and friends that it was being released. She said:Ferrier told the Sun that she felt railroaded into releasing the statement by party officials and was given just five minutes to warn family and friends that it was being released. She said:
Yesterday, Ferrier told the Sun on Sunday that she “panicked” after receiving the positive test result in her Westminster office after speaking in the Commons, and insisted that she would not resign, despite cross-party calls for her to step down.Yesterday, Ferrier told the Sun on Sunday that she “panicked” after receiving the positive test result in her Westminster office after speaking in the Commons, and insisted that she would not resign, despite cross-party calls for her to step down.
Q: What new evidence emerged over the weekend that changed your view of the spread. (See 11.10am.)Q: What new evidence emerged over the weekend that changed your view of the spread. (See 11.10am.)
Van-Tam says he does not want to imply Covid is a problem in the north but not in the south.Van-Tam says he does not want to imply Covid is a problem in the north but not in the south.
He says it has picked up faster in the north. But that is because it never dropped so much in the north.He says it has picked up faster in the north. But that is because it never dropped so much in the north.
Now all areas of England are showing rates of Covid picking up. See 11.10am.Now all areas of England are showing rates of Covid picking up. See 11.10am.
He says the spread of coronavirus is a “nationwide phenomenon”.He says the spread of coronavirus is a “nationwide phenomenon”.
Q: Aren’t you already testing NHS staff?Q: Aren’t you already testing NHS staff?
Powis says the NHS has been testing staff with symptoms, and staff in places where there have been infections.Powis says the NHS has been testing staff with symptoms, and staff in places where there have been infections.
But it is going to start testing asymptomatic staff more extensively. It won’t just be the health staff, he says. Porters and others can be affected. And he says they want to extend this testing to other health staff, like GPs, he says.But it is going to start testing asymptomatic staff more extensively. It won’t just be the health staff, he says. Porters and others can be affected. And he says they want to extend this testing to other health staff, like GPs, he says.
And that’s it. The briefing is over.And that’s it. The briefing is over.
Q: Are we in a better or worse position that you expected us to be at this stage? And will more Nightingale hospitals be needed?Q: Are we in a better or worse position that you expected us to be at this stage? And will more Nightingale hospitals be needed?
Powis says we are in a better position than we were in March and April. For example, having dexamethasone makes a big difference. Doctors have better knowledge about when to use ventilation. And they have been preparing for winter.Powis says we are in a better position than we were in March and April. For example, having dexamethasone makes a big difference. Doctors have better knowledge about when to use ventilation. And they have been preparing for winter.
But R is above one. That means infections will continue to rise.But R is above one. That means infections will continue to rise.
The key thing is to keep community transmission under control, he says.The key thing is to keep community transmission under control, he says.
On the Nightingale hospitals, he says some have been asked to go on to a higher state of readiness. (See 11.22am.) That will happen in other areas if needed, he says.On the Nightingale hospitals, he says some have been asked to go on to a higher state of readiness. (See 11.22am.) That will happen in other areas if needed, he says.
Q: Test and trace was meant to avoid the need for local lockdowns. Has it failed?Q: Test and trace was meant to avoid the need for local lockdowns. Has it failed?
Van-Tam says it is always hard to build a system and run it at the same time.Van-Tam says it is always hard to build a system and run it at the same time.
And test and trace will always be more challenging as the number of infections picks up.And test and trace will always be more challenging as the number of infections picks up.
We would be in a worse position without it, he says.We would be in a worse position without it, he says.
Van-Tam is now taking questions.Van-Tam is now taking questions.
(Medical and health specialists have been invited to ask questions.)(Medical and health specialists have been invited to ask questions.)
Q: [From Fergus Walsh from the BBC] Will non-Covid treatments have to be suspended?Q: [From Fergus Walsh from the BBC] Will non-Covid treatments have to be suspended?
Powis says during the first wave operations were cancelled. He says this time they will do as much as they can to avoid that. In different areas different approaches will be used. Private hospitals, and Nightingale hospitals, will be used.Powis says during the first wave operations were cancelled. He says this time they will do as much as they can to avoid that. In different areas different approaches will be used. Private hospitals, and Nightingale hospitals, will be used.
But the key thing is to control infection in the community, he says.But the key thing is to control infection in the community, he says.
Q: Is there scientific evidence that shutting bars will slow transmission?Q: Is there scientific evidence that shutting bars will slow transmission?
Van-Tam says it would not be right to pre-empt what the PM will announce later.Van-Tam says it would not be right to pre-empt what the PM will announce later.
But he says we know the virus thrives on human contact.But he says we know the virus thrives on human contact.
He refers to the Japanese advice about the three Cs: closed spaces, crowded spaces and close contact are all factors that help the virus.He refers to the Japanese advice about the three Cs: closed spaces, crowded spaces and close contact are all factors that help the virus.
He says he would add noise too, because it makes people shout.He says he would add noise too, because it makes people shout.
Jane Eddleston, an intensive care consultant from the Manchester Royal Infirmary, is speaking now.Jane Eddleston, an intensive care consultant from the Manchester Royal Infirmary, is speaking now.
Some patients need to go on ventilation soon after being admitted. It is a very serious virus, she says.Some patients need to go on ventilation soon after being admitted. It is a very serious virus, she says.
Powis says we have to tackle the increase in Covid infections so that the NHS is still able to treat other patients.Powis says we have to tackle the increase in Covid infections so that the NHS is still able to treat other patients.
The final slide show how long it takes on average to move from one stage of Covid to another.The final slide show how long it takes on average to move from one stage of Covid to another.
Powis says hospitals are better placed to treat Covid patients than in the spring.Powis says hospitals are better placed to treat Covid patients than in the spring.
But new measures are being introduced.But new measures are being introduced.
First, there will be regular testing for NHS staff in high-risk areas - even if they do not have symptoms.First, there will be regular testing for NHS staff in high-risk areas - even if they do not have symptoms.
Second, the NHS is putting the Nightingale hospitals in Manchester, Sunderland and Harrogate on standby to open for patients.Second, the NHS is putting the Nightingale hospitals in Manchester, Sunderland and Harrogate on standby to open for patients.
This shows hospital admissions by age.This shows hospital admissions by age.
And here are the figures for theAnd here are the figures for the