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UK coronavirus live: former 'red wall' Tory MPs demand lockdown exit strategy for northern England UK coronavirus live: Covid-19 death toll passes 61,000
(32 minutes later)
55 MPs sign letter to PM expressing fears that government’s ‘levelling up’ for the north is being abandoned Total number of deaths from Covid-19 across UK reaches 61,116; 55 MPs sign letter to PM expressing fears that government’s ‘levelling up’ for the north is being abandoned
Drivers are being warned to expect a second surge in collisions with deer due to the latest coronavirus restrictions, PA Media reports.
The British Deer Society and the AA said the combination of quieter roads, a twilight rush-hour and seasonal migrations has led to a “new danger”. Empty roads are believed to lull animals into a false sense of security.
The latest government figures show that car traffic is down to 85% of pre-pandemic levels, amid measures such as the 10pm curfew for hospitality venues.
In May, emergency services in the South West warned of more deer activity on the roads during the first coronavirus lockdown.
An AA poll of 13,800 drivers suggested that 16% have seen an increase in deer or other wildlife on roads during or since lockdown. This figure rises to 42% for 18 to 24-year-olds, who are the most likely to drive in the evening for sport and social activities.
The British Deer Society’s chief executive David McAuley urged drivers to be especially careful, particularly on roads with wildlife warning signs and when driving through rural areas, as road traffic accidents involving deer are especially frequent in autumn and winter during the breeding season.
Motorists are advised to reduce their speed and watch out for deer on the edge of roads, especially at dawn and dusk. If they see a deer crossing in front of their car, they should slow down and expect more to follow.
The AA’s president Edmund King warned early-morning and evening drivers to be on their guard, as during lockdown there was a greater incidence of deer and other wildlife “being spotted on roads you would not normally expect to see them, such as closer to and even within villages and other places of human population”.
The Covid-19 death toll across the UK has exceeded 61,000 deaths.
The total number of deaths registered by the three statistical agencies across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland now stands at 59,927.
However, more up-to-date UK government figures show that 1,189 deaths have occured within 28 days of a positive test since the figures were registered in each nation: 1,044 in England, 62 in Scotland, 47 in Wales and 36 in Northern Ireland.
This brings the number of deaths across the four nations of the UK to 61,116.
There were 670 Covid-19 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to 16 October, new data from the ONS revealed.There were 670 Covid-19 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to 16 October, new data from the ONS revealed.
This is an increase of 53% on the previous week, when 438 deaths were reported, and indicates the widespread increase in new coronavirus cases seen in recent months is leading to an increase in fatalities.This is an increase of 53% on the previous week, when 438 deaths were reported, and indicates the widespread increase in new coronavirus cases seen in recent months is leading to an increase in fatalities.
It means that the number of deaths registered in England and Wales continues to double every fortnight from 139 in the week ending 18 October to 321 two weeks later and 670 today.It means that the number of deaths registered in England and Wales continues to double every fortnight from 139 in the week ending 18 October to 321 two weeks later and 670 today.
Deaths involving Covid-19 in hospitals as a proportion of all deaths in hospitals increased from 8.4% in Week 41 to 12.0% in Week 42.Deaths involving Covid-19 in hospitals as a proportion of all deaths in hospitals increased from 8.4% in Week 41 to 12.0% in Week 42.
Covid-19 deaths increased across all English regions but were highest in the North West, which saw 229 deaths.Covid-19 deaths increased across all English regions but were highest in the North West, which saw 229 deaths.
The numbers of deaths from all causes in hospitals remained below the five-year average, but deaths in private homes remained high, with 776 excess deaths. Care homes reported 90 more deaths than the 5-year average.The numbers of deaths from all causes in hospitals remained below the five-year average, but deaths in private homes remained high, with 776 excess deaths. Care homes reported 90 more deaths than the 5-year average.
Boris Johnson is preparing to give councils extra money for holiday clubs to to be extended so children could be provided with at least one free meal a day outside term time - a suggestion made by the government’s food tsar, Henry Dimbleby - the Daily Telegraph (paywall) reports.Boris Johnson is preparing to give councils extra money for holiday clubs to to be extended so children could be provided with at least one free meal a day outside term time - a suggestion made by the government’s food tsar, Henry Dimbleby - the Daily Telegraph (paywall) reports.
Ministers are examining Dimbleby’s proposal and reports suggest the government could combine the scheme with extra study time for children still catching up after schools were closed during the spring.Ministers are examining Dimbleby’s proposal and reports suggest the government could combine the scheme with extra study time for children still catching up after schools were closed during the spring.
This political manoeuvring would, my colleague Sally Weale reports, enable the government to mitigate the damaging impact of its refusal to accede to Marcus Rashford’s campaign without appearing to perform yet another u-turn.This political manoeuvring would, my colleague Sally Weale reports, enable the government to mitigate the damaging impact of its refusal to accede to Marcus Rashford’s campaign without appearing to perform yet another u-turn.
The HAF was trialled across 17 local authorities over the summer, catering for 50,000 disadvantaged children.The HAF was trialled across 17 local authorities over the summer, catering for 50,000 disadvantaged children.
Rashford has backed some of the recommendations made by Dimbleby, who leads the National Food Strategy and has called for the extension of the HAF across England to help an additional 1.1 million children.Rashford has backed some of the recommendations made by Dimbleby, who leads the National Food Strategy and has called for the extension of the HAF across England to help an additional 1.1 million children.
Dimbleby told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the government “isn’t doing enough” to address the issue of child hunger and called for urgent action:Dimbleby told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the government “isn’t doing enough” to address the issue of child hunger and called for urgent action:
He said that “in-kind support” through holiday clubs, providing food and education, had been shown to have a better impact than putting the same “small amount of money” into Universal Credit.He said that “in-kind support” through holiday clubs, providing food and education, had been shown to have a better impact than putting the same “small amount of money” into Universal Credit.
Nicola Davis reports that the proportion of people in England with coronavirus antibodies dropped by more than a quarter in the space of three months, fuelling concerns over reinfection.Nicola Davis reports that the proportion of people in England with coronavirus antibodies dropped by more than a quarter in the space of three months, fuelling concerns over reinfection.
The findings come from the React-2 study, which is based on home finger-prick antibody test results from random participants across all 314 local authorities.The findings come from the React-2 study, which is based on home finger-prick antibody test results from random participants across all 314 local authorities.
The first results, based on data from 100,000 people, were released in August, revealing that about 6% of the population of England had the antibodies – protective proteins produced in response to an infection – although the team say that could be a slight underestimate.The first results, based on data from 100,000 people, were released in August, revealing that about 6% of the population of England had the antibodies – protective proteins produced in response to an infection – although the team say that could be a slight underestimate.
The new work – not yet peer-reviewed – extends this with more testing in two fresh cohorts, each yielding results from more than 100,000 adults.The new work – not yet peer-reviewed – extends this with more testing in two fresh cohorts, each yielding results from more than 100,000 adults.
The results reveal that just 4.4% of those tested in the most recent round, between 15 and 28 September, had detectable coronavirus antibodies.The results reveal that just 4.4% of those tested in the most recent round, between 15 and 28 September, had detectable coronavirus antibodies.
Graham Cooke, co-author of the report and professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, said:Graham Cooke, co-author of the report and professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, said:
The Liverpool city region mayor Joe Anderson has said he would back tier 4 restrictions “if necessary” to bring infection rates down.The Liverpool city region mayor Joe Anderson has said he would back tier 4 restrictions “if necessary” to bring infection rates down.
The city is one of five northern locations currently under the nation’s strictest level of lockdown measures due to a surge in coronavirus cases.The city is one of five northern locations currently under the nation’s strictest level of lockdown measures due to a surge in coronavirus cases.
In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Anderson, whose brother Bill was one of 61 people in the city to die after contracting the virus in one week, said he is not opposed to the introduction of “tougher measures if necessary”.In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Anderson, whose brother Bill was one of 61 people in the city to die after contracting the virus in one week, said he is not opposed to the introduction of “tougher measures if necessary”.
He told the programme:He told the programme:
Anderson added he would review the results of the current tier 3 restrictions in 14 to 16 days’ time to determine whether they had gone far enough in halting the spread of the virus.Anderson added he would review the results of the current tier 3 restrictions in 14 to 16 days’ time to determine whether they had gone far enough in halting the spread of the virus.
Good morning. Leading the front pages today is the letter sent to the prime minister by more than 50 Conservative MPs in parts of the north of England - many from former “red wall” seats won in the last election - that have been hardest hit by the pandemic, demanding a “clear roadmap” for exiting lockdown restrictions and arguing that Covid-19 “has exposed in sharp relief the deep structural and systemic disadvantage faced by our communities”.Good morning. Leading the front pages today is the letter sent to the prime minister by more than 50 Conservative MPs in parts of the north of England - many from former “red wall” seats won in the last election - that have been hardest hit by the pandemic, demanding a “clear roadmap” for exiting lockdown restrictions and arguing that Covid-19 “has exposed in sharp relief the deep structural and systemic disadvantage faced by our communities”.
More regions were placed under the toughest coronavirus restrictions on Monday, meaning 8.2 million people in England – one in seven – will soon be living under tier 3. Of these, 92% are in the north of England. In the letter, the 55 MPs express fears that the government’s “levelling up” is being abandoned and warn of economic hardship “with no end in sight” without a regional recovery plan.More regions were placed under the toughest coronavirus restrictions on Monday, meaning 8.2 million people in England – one in seven – will soon be living under tier 3. Of these, 92% are in the north of England. In the letter, the 55 MPs express fears that the government’s “levelling up” is being abandoned and warn of economic hardship “with no end in sight” without a regional recovery plan.
Here is our north of England editor Helen Pidd’s report:Here is our north of England editor Helen Pidd’s report:
Throughout the day please feel free, as always, to get in touch with me as I work if you have a tip or story to share. Your thoughts for coverage are always welcome!Throughout the day please feel free, as always, to get in touch with me as I work if you have a tip or story to share. Your thoughts for coverage are always welcome!
Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_