News- UK

Number of people with coronavirus in England remains stable, says ONS Snapshot finds 137,000 had virus between 4-17 May, slightly down from previous fortnightCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe number of people with coronavirus in England has remained stable since the end of April, according to new data, with nearly 140,000 people infected in the last two weeks.The second snapshot of Covid-19 rates in the community, taken by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), found that 137,000 people – 0.25% of the population – had coronavirus at any given time during the two weeks from 4-17 May. Continue reading... Go to Source

Did the UK government prepare for the wrong kind of pandemic? Britain’s highly rated disease preparation failed on coronavirus – possibly because ministers followed a plan for fluCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWhen the coronavirus struck, the British government repeatedly said it was among the best-prepared countries in the world – with some justification. As recently as October, an international review of pandemic planning ranked the UK the second best prepared country in the world (behind the US). Two months on, any breezy confidence has evaporated. The government is facing growing complaints over a series of policy missteps that critics say are responsible for the worst death toll in Europe. Continue reading... Go to Source

Dyson's UK staff revolt against order to return to work Engineering firm cancels order for staff to return to the office after employee mutinyCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe engineering firm Dyson told staff who were able to work from home to return to the office this week, in apparent contravention of government advice, then cancelled the plan after a mutiny among dismayed employees, the Guardian understands.Government guidelines state that people should “work from home, if you can”, with employers told to make every possible effort to allow staff to do so. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: global cases pass 5m as Wuhan bans eating wild animals World sees largest daily rise in cases; IOC warns over further Tokyo Olympics delay; Trump considers in-person G7EU virus response chief: ‘Europe should brace itself for second wave’Global report: don’t count on a vaccineUK coronavirus updates - liveAustralia coronavirus updates – liveCoronavirus latest: at a glance 12.46pm BSTMadrid will reopen some of its biggest and most famous parks if the region is allowed to enter the second phase of lockdown de-escalation next week, the city’s mayor has said, writes Sam Jones, the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent. At the moment, the capital and the surrounding area remain in phase 0, while 70% of the country has been permitted to enter...

Mind the gap: 2 metres apart and masked in Hackney – a photo essay Gideon Mendel photographed people at Ridley Road food market in Hackney, east London, during the coronavirus lockdown. The red markings on the road were painted by the council to indicate the 2 metres of physical distance that shoppers are advised to maintain for their safetyOriginally commissioned by Cortona on the Move for The Covid-19 Visual ProjectShortly after the imposition of lockdown, I came across a team of workers painting red lines all the way down Ridley Road. They started at dusk and had to work through the night to complete the task. I was intrigued by the addition to the street iconography and developed the idea of making portraits to include both masks and these new lines of separation.Most of the people ...

Global report: don't count on vaccine, US scientist warns, as cases near 5 million Brazil reports nearly 20,000 infections in one day; Trump says he’ll stop taking hydroxychloroquine in two days; Lufthansa in rescue talksCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA top US scientist has said that people should not count on a Covid-19 vaccine being developed any time soon, as global infections were set to pass 5 million after surges in Latin America, including Brazil, which has recorded nearly 20,000 new cases.William Haseltine, the groundbreaking cancer, HIV/AIDS and human genome projects researcher, has said the best approach to the pandemic is to manage the disease through careful tracing of infections and strict isolation measures whenever it starts spread...

Coronavirus live news: global cases near 5m as EU health chief warns of second wave ‘The question is when and how big,’ says Europe CDC chief; world sees largest daily rise in cases; Trump considers in-person G7. Follow the latest updatesEU virus response chief: ‘Europe should brace itself for second wave’Largest daily rise in Covid-19 cases prompts WHO warningGlobal cases near 5 millionAustralia coronavirus updates – liveCoronavirus latest: at a glance 6.40am BSTThursday’s GUARDIAN: “NHS and care staff to be offered virus antibody test within days” #BBCPapers #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/WzO7YAhb9XThursday’s INDEPENDENT Digital: “NHS app won’t be ready for start of next month” #BBCPapers #TomorrowsPapersTo...

Holidays within UK could return by July, says minister Culture secretary Oliver Dowden says government has ambitious plans to revive tourism sectorCoronavirus – latest updatesBrits flock to beaches as lockdown easesHolidays within the UK could return as early as the beginning of July, the culture secretary has announced, saying that the government had ambitious plans to revive the tourism sector.Speaking at the daily Downing Street briefing, Oliver Dowden said any return of domestic holidays would have to be done cautiously, as reopening the industry only to close it again would be more damaging. Continue reading... Go to Source

Healthcare staff to get coronavirus antibody tests from next week Exclusive: experts warn of risk of positive results producing false sense of security Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageNHS and social care staff will be given antibody tests revealing whether they have had coronavirus from next week, ministers are to announce on Thursday.In a move designed to reduce frontline workers’ anxiety and provide data on how many people have had Covid-19, hundreds of thousands of workers will be offered access to the blood tests, which must be processed in laboratories. Continue reading... Go to Source

Greece to restart tourism from 15 June – as it happened Country plans to allow international flights from 1 July; Spain makes face coverings compulsory; global cases hit 4.9m. This blog is now closedFollow the latest global coronavirus live blog hereGreece to restart tourism industry from 15 June 12.27am BSTWe’ve launched a new blog at the link below – head there for rolling coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, as cases worldwide increase by the highest one-day total so far: Related: Coronavirus live news: global cases near 5m as EU health chief warns of second wave 12.13am BSTMinisters responding to the coronavirus pandemic have on 11 occasions ordered their departments to override formal objections from their most senior civil servant, a report by Whitehall’s spen...

Global report: largest daily rise in Covid-19 cases prompts WHO warning Infection rates in Latin America growing rapidly as lockdowns ease in EuropeCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe World Health Organization gave a stark warning on Wednesday that the coronavirus pandemic is far from over, after 106,000 new cases were recorded worldwide over the past 24 hours – the most in a single day so far.Speaking in Geneva, the WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the virus was spreading in poorer countries, just as wealthier nations were emerging from lockdown. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK scientists must not be blamed for giving advice, says Royal Society head Exclusive: intervention comes after minister appeared to scapegoat scientists over Covid-19 errorsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageScientists must be allowed to take independent decisions without fear of recriminations, the head of the Royal Society has warned after a cabinet minister appeared to blame “wrong” science for mistakes made in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.The work and pensions secretary, Thérèse Coffey, made the comments while being challenged on the government’s response to the crisis, including what was done – or not - to protect care homes. She told Sky News: “If the science was wrong, advice at the time was wrong, I...

Coronavirus live news: Greece to restart tourism from 15 June Country plans to allow international flights from 1 July; Spain makes face coverings compulsory; global cases hit 4.9mEU virus response chief: ‘Europe should brace itself for second wave’Brazil’s deadliest day as Trump calls US cases a ‘badge of honour’UK coronavirus updates – liveUS coronavirus updates – liveCoronavirus latest: at a glance 6.48pm BSTThe discovery of new coronavirus cases in two students has marred the reopening of schools in South Korea, Reuters reports.Seventy-five high schools turned pupils away on Wednesday, amid fears among some teachers that it was unsafe for classes to resume. 6.43pm BSTOxfam International is to lay off almost 1,500 staff and close operations ...

Europe should brace for second wave, says EU coronavirus chief Exclusive: ‘The question is how big,’ says Dr Andrea Ammon, who thinks March skiing breaks were pivotal to spreadCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe prospect of a second wave of coronavirus infection across Europe is no longer a distant theory, according to the director of the EU agency responsible for advising governments – including the UK – on disease control.“The question is when and how big, that is the question in my view,” said Dr Andrea Ammon, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Continue reading... Go to Source

Oxfam to close in 18 countries and cut 1,500 staff amid coronavirus pressures More cuts in the UK expected as global funding crisis follows Haiti sex-abuse scandal and charity shop lockdown closuresOxfam International is to lay off almost 1,500 staff and close operations in 18 countries – including Afghanistan where it has worked for 50 years – after it emerged that the global aid organisation had been bleeding cash during the coronavirus crisis.The agency has seen its funding model hit by an accumulation of crises. Continue reading... Go to Source

Who do you trust on coronavirus? From Trudeau to Piers Morgan | A new normal What do we want life after lockdown to look like? As part of a new series, A new normal, Guardian journalist Iman Amrani asks viewers what their hopes are for the future. While there are a lot of uncertainties and anxiety looking beyond Covid-19, there is also an opportunity to reshape the world we live in, from the environment, to working practices, to relationships. In this first episode, Iman asks who the most reassuring voices have been during this time, from Jacinda Ardern and the Queen to Piers Morgan, and what this might mean looking ahead Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson clashes with Keir Starmer at PMQs over track and test system Justice secretary Robert Buckland says government policy was to protect NHS ahead of care homes due to limited testing capacity in March and AprilUK universities facing £760m hit as one in five students plan to deferMPs fear ‘two-tier’ Commons if lockdown lifted in UK parliamentFears over capacity for social distancing as England faces 29c weatherCoronavirus global updates – liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.38pm BSTThis is what Boris Johnson said to Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs when he committed to having a contact tracking system in place by 1 June. Johnson said: I can tell him also that by June 1, already we have recruited 24,000 trackers and by June 1 we will hav...

Coronavirus live news: Russia passes 300,000 cases; Spain mandates face masks for those over six UN chief praises Africa’s efforts to stem virus as Brazil sees record daily deaths; global cases hit 4.9mBrazil’s deadliest day as Trump calls US cases a ‘badge of honour’Ardern flags four-day working week as way to rebuild New ZealandUK coronavirus updates – liveCoronavirus latest: at a glance 12.45pm BSTMore than 90,000 people in Africa have been infected with the coronavirus, according to the latest daily update from the World Health Organization’s regional office for the continent. On Wednesday, Antonio Guterres praised the “brave prevention measures” imposed by African governments to curb the spread of the virus, after a the kind of widesp...

UK universities facing £760m hit as one in five students plan to defer Exclusive: undergraduates to delay enrolment if classes stay online and activities are curbedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritish universities face a potential £760m blow to their funding after about one in five students said they would not enrol in the next academic year if classes were delivered online and other activities curtailed.A survey of students applying for undergraduate places found that more than 20% said they were willing to delay starting their courses if universities were not operating as normal due to the coronavirus pandemic, which would mean there would be 120,000 fewer students when the academic year begins in autumn. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK plans for contact-tracing in doubt as app not ready until June Deputy chief scientific adviser suggests track-and-trace stopped in March due to lack of capacityPlans to introduce coronavirus tracing have been hit by fresh uncertainty as it emerged that a mobile tracking app will not be ready until June.Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said last week that the app would be “rolling out in mid May” across England, but on Tuesday ministerial sources tried to downplay a system considered critical to control the disease as the country emerges from lockdown. Continue reading... Go to Source

Up to 1,500 English primary schools to defy 1 June reopening plan Coronavirus rebellion by councils forces government to say it will not sanction themCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageUp to 1,500 primary schools in England are expected to remain closed on 1 June after a rebellion by at least 18 councils forced the government to say it had no plans to sanction them.As the backlash escalated over the government’s policy of lifting the coronavirus lockdown on schools in a fortnight, a number of new local authorities said on Tuesday they would not force primary schools in their area to follow the plan. Councils joining those already in opposition included Birmingham, Calderdale council in Yorkshire, and Conservative-controlled Solihull. In total they re...

TUC boss calls for new council to build fairer economy after Covid-19 Exclusive: Frances O’Grady says working people ‘can’t pay the price againFrances O’Grady: ‘this crisis has made us question everything’See all our coronavirus coverageThe leader of the Trades Union Congress has declared “the state is back” as the UK’s biggest unions urged the government to form a national recovery council in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.The TUC, which represents 48 unions in England and Wales, has called in a report for the establishment of the body, which it argues would bring together government, unions and employers to create a greener and fairer economy. Continue reading... Go to Source

Thousands of cancer patients could die early due to coronavirus delays, study finds Researchers warn suspended surgery and treatments will lead to some cases becoming incurableCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThousands of people with cancer could die early because so many hospitals have suspended surgery for the disease while the NHS battles the coronavirus, experts warn today.The pandemic will have “a terrible indirect impact on the lives of cancer patients” for months to come, on top of the devastation for families who have lost a loved one to Covid-19, according to research by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). Continue reading... Go to Source

President calls negative hydroxychloroquine study 'a Trump enemy statement' – live Trump falsely claims hydroxychloroquine ‘doesn’t harm you’Vice-president says he is not taking anti-malaria drugTrump says he’s taking hydroxychloroquine despite FDA warningsStrikes erupt as US essential workers demand protection amid pandemicCoronavirus – latest global updatesGet a fresh perspective on America – sign up to our First Thing newsletter 12.45am BSTPatrick Wintour and Julian Borger report: Member states have backed a resolution strongly supportive of the World Health Organization, after Donald Trump issued a fresh broadside against the UN body, giving it 30 days to make unspecified reforms or lose out on US funding. Related: Member states back WHO after ren...

Distanced drop-offs and protective bubbles: England's new school rules The schools reopening from 1 June will look very different to the ones that closed in MarchThe journeyChildren in nursery, reception, year one and year six in primary schools in England, who are due to start a phased return to school from 1 June, will be asked to get to school by foot, bike or car, avoiding public transport as much as possible, accompanied by just one parent or carer. Continue reading... Go to Source

Lockdowns trigger dramatic fall in global carbon emissions Responses to coronavirus crisis cause sharpest drop in carbon output since records beganSteep fall in emissions during coronavirus is no cause for celebrationCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageCarbon dioxide emissions have fallen dramatically since lockdowns were imposed around the world due to the coronavirus crisis, research has shown.Daily emissions of the greenhouse gas plunged 17% by early April compared with 2019 levels, according to the first definitive study of global carbon output this year. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: excess deaths reached almost 55,000 in early May, says ONS Overall deaths in England and Wales in week up to 8 May were down for the third week in a row, at 12,657Children in England to return to school before contact tracing app rolled outJobless claims soar by nearly 70% in AprilCoronavirus latest: at a glanceGlobal coronavirus updates - live 12.45pm BSTIn her opening statement at the press conference Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, also said that the Scottish government was spending an extra £33m on measures to get people back to work. Most of the money would go to Fair Start Scotland and would be used to support young people, disabled people and lone parents, she said. 12.40pm BSTNicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, has just star...

UK coronavirus home test kits run out as eligibility list is expanded Apparent shortage comes day after Matt Hancock expanded list of people who can get testCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe NHS appeared to run out of its daily allocation of home testing kits within hours on Tuesday morning after Matt Hancock said anyone aged five and over with symptoms could get tested for coronavirus.Those trying to order a home test kit were left disappointed as the NHS website said they were not available as early as 10am, while a recorded message on the government’s 119 line said: “We’re very sorry. The available allocation has already been issued at this time.” Continue reading... Go to Source

Nancy Pelosi fears for 'morbidly obese' Trump after hydroxychloroquine admission The US House Speaker says president should not be taking a drug that has not been approved to ward off coronavirusCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageHydroxychloroquine and coronavirus: a guide to the scientific studies so farPodcast: the story behind Trump’s ‘miracle’ drug hydroxychloroquineNancy Pelosi has led a chorus of surprise and alarm after Donald Trump said he was taking the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to ward off coronavirus.Trump’s own government has warned that the drug should only be administered for Covid-19 in a hospital or research setting due to potentially fatal side effects. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: Trump says he may quit WHO, claiming lack of independence from China WHO chief promises review of global response; IMF head says full economic recovery unlikely in 2021; Italy records lowest deaths since MarchTrump says he’s taking hydroxychloroquine despite FDA warningsUK coronavirus updates - liveAustralia coronavirus updates – liveCoronavirus latest: at a glance 12.49pm BSTEleven more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Zambia. The southern-central African country has so far reported 772 cases of coronavirus and seven deaths from Covid-19. Daily #COVID19 update: in the last 24 hrs, #Zambia recorded 11 new cases out of 644 tests. Cases are from Chirundu (4), Nakonde (3), Solwezi (1), Kasama (1), Isoka(1) and Mungwi (1). Cases include truck...