News- UK

Medical experts denounce Trump's latest 'dangerous' suggestion to treat Covid-19 Doctors warn president’s musings on disinfectant as a cure for coronavirus could lead to deathCoronavirus – latest US updatesCoronavirus – latest global updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDonald Trump has stunned viewers by suggesting that people could receive injections of disinfectant to cure the coronavirus, a notion one medical expert described as “jaw-dropping”.At Thursday’s White House coronavirus task force briefing, the US president discussed new government research on how the virus reacts to different temperatures, climates and surfaces. Continue reading... Go to Source

Hospitals sound alarm over privately run virus test centre at Surrey theme park Exclusive: Frontline staff complain over ‘lost Covid-19 test results’ from Chessington drive-in siteCoronavirus latest: at a glanceHospitals sought to take over the operation of a flagship government coronavirus testing centre from the accounting firm Deloitte after severe failings in the service led to the test results of NHS staff being lost or sent to the wrong person, the Guardian can reveal.The drive-through centre, at Chessington World of Adventures, in Surrey, was among the first in what will be a network of about 50 regional facilities, trumpeted by the health secretary, Matt Hancock, as key to delivering on the government promise of 100,000 tests a day by the end of April. Continue readi...

Emails reveal doctor's plea for PPE before Covid-19 death Dr Peter Tun’s messages show he warned Royal Berkshire hospital about lack of vital equipmentCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAn NHS doctor who died of Covid-19 had pleaded in vain for his hospital to provide protective equipment in the days before he caught the virus, emails shared with the Guardian by his family show.Dr Peter Tun, from Reading, died on 13 April. Three weeks before his death, he warned Royal Berkshire hospital that unless they supplied the vital kit he and his colleagues needed to avoid becoming infected, “it will be too little and too late”. Continue reading... Go to Source

First trial for potential Covid-19 drug shows it has no effect WHO draft put online states remdesivir does not benefit severe coronavirus patientsCoronavirus latest: at a glanceRemdesivir, a drug thought to be one of the best prospects for treating Covid-19, failed to have any effect in the first full trial, it has been revealed.The drug is in short supply globally because of the excitement it has generated. It is one of the drugs Donald Trump claimed was “promising”. Continue reading... Go to Source

US may never restore funding to World Health Organization, says Mike Pompeo - as it happened Unemployment in US up by 4.4 million to a total of over 26 million; world has ‘a long way to go’, warns WHO chief; Iran reports lowest new daily infections for a month. This live blog is now closed –follow our new live blog belowFollow the latest coronavirus blog for live news and updates 12.42am BSTWe are closing this blog now. You can stay up to date with all our coverage on our new live blog below Related: Coronavirus live news: US passes $480bn relief bill as Ramadan begins 12.28am BSTWe will be closing this blog shortly and moving to a new live blog (I will give you those details shortly), but you can stay up to date on all of our latest coverage with our latest At a Glan...

Who will be entitled to a coronavirus test under new rules? Matt Hancock is aiming for 100,000 tests a day after including English key workers in target Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe health secretary, Matt Hancock, has expanded the criteria for who qualifies for a free test for coronavirus, so who will this include and how will the ramped-up testing regime work? Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus testing to be offered to England key workers and families Millions of workers and relatives will be able to book appointment online from FridayCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageTesting for coronavirus is to be made be available to millions of key workers and their families in England, with appointments available to be booked online from Friday, the health secretary has announced.The system, unveiled at Downing Street’s daily press conference, involves a dramatic increase in who can be tested for the virus, as the government continues to try to reach its target of 100,000 daily tests by the end of April. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: US may never restore funding to World Health Organization, says Mike Pompeo Unemployment in US up by 4.4 million to a total of over 26 million; world has ‘a long way to go’, warns WHO chief; Iran reports lowest new daily infections for a monthGerman states lifting lockdowns too quickly, warns MerkelUS unemployment applications reach over 26mClashes predicted over trillion-euro aid as EU meets onlineCoronavirus latest: at a glanceUK Covid-19 updates - live blogSee all our coronavirus coverage 6.44pm BSTThe number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Turkey increased to 101,790 on Thursday, the Turkish health minister said. The country registered 115 Covid-19 deaths and 3,116 new cases in the past 24 hours, Fahrettin Koca said on his official Twitter accoun...

Coronavirus pandemic is becoming a human rights crisis, UN warns Report released on authoritarian responses, surveillance, closed borders and other rights abusesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe coronavirus pandemic must not be used as a pretext for authoritarian states to trample over individual human rights, or repress the free flow of information, the UN secretary general António Guterres warned today in a fresh attempt to bring the UN’s influence to bear on the crisis. He said what had started as a public health emergency was rapidly turning into a human rights crisis.Government responses to the crisis have been regarded as disproportionate in countries including China, India, Hungary, Turkey and South Africa. Continue reading... G...

'Less than 10th' of PPE order arrives in UK, despite downpayment NHS paid deposit for 400,000 protective gowns last Friday, but only 32,000 are believed to have been flown inCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe NHS paid a deposit last Friday in an attempt to secure the delivery of 400,000 protective gowns – but only 32,000 are believed to have arrived in the first part of the delayed shipment.Initial estimates were that a quarter of the order had been brought back from Istanbul by the RAF on Wednesday, but the Health Service Journal reported that the number of gowns received was 32,000, which amounts to only a few hours’ supply. Continue reading... Go to Source

Why the UK is finding it so hard to reach 100,000 Covid-19 tests a day A slow start, a top-down approach and long-term cuts to local services meant target was always going to be ambitiousCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage On 2 April, the day he emerged from quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19, Matt Hancock stood at the Downing Street podium for the daily coronavirus press conference and made an announcement that was greeted in some quarters by a sharp intake of breath.“I’m now setting the goal of 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month. That is the goal and I’m determined we’ll get there,” said the health secretary, who had tested positive around a week earlier. Continue reading... Go to Source

German states lifting lockdowns too quickly, warns Angela Merkel Scientists say country could ‘gamble away’ Covid-19 successes and trigger new waveCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageGermany risks damaging its recent achievements in subduing the spread of Covid-19, Angela Merkel has warned, admonishing regional leaders and party representatives for trying to rush their way out of lockdown restrictions.Some smaller, non-essential stores reopened their doors in Germany this week as state authorities started to ease physical distancing measures introduced a month ago. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus UK live: Scotland publishes framework for leaving lockdown and coping with 'new normal' Scotland may cycle in and out of strict lockdown; UK ministers under pressure to offer ‘hope’ about return to normality; advice expected to recommend public wear a scarf or face covering Global Covid-19 updates - live blogGerman states lifting lockdowns too quickly, warns MerkelOlder people ‘could face extended coronavirus lockdown’Coronavirus latest: at a glanceSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.41pm BSTA total of 1,120 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up by 58 from 1,062 on Wednesday, the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said.Speaking at her daily coronavirus briefing at the Scottish government headquarters in Edinburgh, she...

Coronavirus live news: US states start to reopen as detained Wuhan journalist reappears World has ‘a long way to go’, warns WHO chief; Singapore cases pass 10,000; first case among Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Follow the latest updates. Coronavirus latest: at a glanceRamadan in a time of plague: ‘The best thing is to stay home, stay quiet’Australia coronavirus updates – liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 6.55am BSTGUARDIAN: Revealed: scale of coronavirus’s deadly toll on ethnic minorities #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/mYntYpDCynArmy of thousands to help trace virus victims#TomorrowsPapersToday@hendopolis pic.twitter.com/HvDrfJZEXtTomorrow's @independent front page #tomorrowspaperstoday To subscribe to the Daily Edition: https://t.co/XF8V...

China coronavirus cases might have been four times official figure, says study More than 232,000 could have been infected in first wave, compared with then-official total of 55,000, as US envoy calls for rethink of US-China relationshipCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMore than 232,000 people might have been infected in the first wave of Covid-19 in mainland China, four times the official figures, according to a study by Hong Kong researchers. Related: 'I'd love everything open': Las Vegas mayor's coronavirus interview sparks ire Continue reading... Go to Source

Test, trace, contain: how South Korea flattened its coronavirus curve As life begins to return to something like normality in Seoul and beyond, other countries are asking what lessons can be learnedLate last week millions of South Koreans queued patiently at polling stations to cast their votes for a new national assembly. If any uttered words of frustration from behind their masks, they were out of earshot of their fellow voters, kept at a distance by duct tape marking appropriate intervals.As they waited to wash their hands and pull on disposable plastic gloves before entering the booths, some may have allowed themselves to contemplate life beyond exercising their democratic right: an imminent return to work, a round of golf or, at last, a chance to shop for something more indulgent t...

Hancock's department 'warned No 10' not to publicise PPE shipment Exclusive: Department of Health ‘strongly advised’ Robert Jenrick not to make promise but was overruled, sources sayCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDowning Street ignored a firm warning from Matt Hancock’s Department of Health that ministers should not publicise the expected shipment of protective kit for NHS staff from Turkey in case it backfired, a senior departmental source has told the Guardian.In a sign of deepening tensions between the Department of Health and Downing Street, the source said that Hancock’s Cabinet colleague Robert Jenrick was “strongly advised” not to mention the consignment at the government’s coronavirus media briefing las...

Ethnic minorities dying of Covid-19 at higher rate, analysis shows Exclusive: ministers urged to recognise racial inequality and race are risk factors for diseaseAnalysisCase study: ‘What’s happening is not normal’The government has been urged to recognise that race and racial inequalities are a risk factor for Covid-19 after Guardian research which has revealed that ethnic minorities in England are dying in disproportionately high numbers compared with white people.The revelation that people from minority groups appear to be over-represented among the coronavirus deaths, by as much as 27%, “confirmed the worst fears” of campaigners who said there was now no question of an excessive toll. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: Some 'disruptive' lockdown measures set to remain in force for rest of year, says Whitty UK hospital death toll rises to 18,100 as health secretary says 15 social care staff are among those to die with Covid-19Starmer grills Raab over care home deathsCoronavirus latest - at a glancePrivate firm running UK PPE stockpile was sold in middle of pandemicCoronavirus – latest global updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage 6.22pm BSTThe most striking thing from that press conference was what Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, said about the so-called “exit strategy” from the lockdown. Downing Street has reportedly banned the use of the term “exit strategy” from its planning. That is because it is getting harder to ...

GP calls for action after 125 of her care home patients die of Covid-19 Lack of coherent strategy for coronavirus fuels fears of devastating death tollCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage “I am really angry about this,” said Dr Anna Down, scanning her computer for figures to show how coronavirus has ravaged her patients living in nursing homes.“One home had 23 deaths, another lost 19, and another 13,” the Ealing GP said. “In two units 50% of residents died in the space of 10 days.” Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: world has 'a long way to go', warns WHO chief Trump to halt immigration for 60 days initially; 256m people could starve, says UN; cases worldwide pass 2.5 millionCoronavirus latest: at a glanceRamadan in a time of plague: ‘The best thing is to stay home, stay quiet’UK coronavirus updates – liveUS coronavirus updates – liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 6.50pm BSTIt seems that everyone got something different out of today’s World Health Organization coronavirus press conference. Reuters focused on the funding issues caused by Donald Trump’s decision to withhold US payments to the global health body. The agency reports: The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that he hoped the Trump administration would...

Spain backs down on children’s walks as EU lockdowns begin to ease UN official says crisis disproportionately affecting poor, and Germany begins vaccine trialCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageChildren in Spain are to be allowed to take walks outside for the first time in nearly six weeks from Sunday after the government bowed to pressure to go further in its plans to ease lockdown measures.As EU leaders prepared for a summit to assess the damage Covid-19 has done to economies and agree a plan to revive them, the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, told MPs on Wednesday that any relaxation of the rules would be “slow and gradual”. Continue reading... Go to Source

EU turns up pressure on Matt Hancock over Covid-19 PPE scheme Brussels says UK was briefed on bulk-buying plan and given ‘ample opportunity’ to joinCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe health secretary, Matt Hancock, is facing fresh pressure over the protection offered to NHS staff after the European commission said the UK had been given “ample opportunity” to join an EU scheme bulk-buying masks, gowns, gloves and goggles.After a day of confusion in Westminster over the UK’s lack of involvement in the EU’s joint procurement of equipment, a spokesman for the commission appeared to bolster the claim that ministers had taken a “political decision” to opt out. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: Raab faces Starmer at PMQs, as EU denies UK claim over ventilator scheme Latest on UK coronavirus crisis as part of a PPE consignment arrives and Keir Starmer quizzes Dominic Raab in Labour leader’s first PMQsPrivate firm running UK PPE stockpile was sold in middle of pandemicDelayed plane carrying PPE from Turkey lands in UKCoronavirus – latest global updatesCoronavirus latest: at a glanceSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.46pm BSTA total of 1,062 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19, up by 77 from 985 on Tuesday, the first minister Nicola Sturgeon said.The figures are lower than the 1,616 deaths given earlier by the National Records of Scotland (see 12.22pm) as they do not include suspected and probable coronavirus infect...

Coronavirus live news: UN warns of 'biblical' famine as Trump reveals 60-day immigration halt Trump to halt immigration for 60 days initially; 256m people could starve, says UN; cases worldwide pass 2.5 million. Follow the latest updates. Coronavirus latest: at a glanceNetherlands and France plan to re-open primary schoolsPandemic causing some anti-vaxxers to waverAustralia coronavirus updates - liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 6.47am BST Related: Coronavirus latest: at a glance 6.36am BST“With so many coronavirus deaths, Labour should not be holding back,” writes Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former director of communications. It has been both a curse and a blessing for Keir Starmer that he has become Labour leader amid a global pandemic.A curse because in norm...

Government misses out on 16m face masks for NHS in four weeks Companies say their offers to supply much-needed PPE have been met with silenceCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government has missed opportunities to secure at least 16m face masks for NHS staff in the past four weeks, amid growing frustration from companies who say Britain is losing much-needed equipment to other countries.As ministers faced relentless questions over a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals, suppliers said their offers to deliver UK-standard face masks were being met with silence from the government. Continue reading... Go to Source

Nurse shortage causes Nightingale hospital to turn away patients Exclusive: Covid-19 patient transfers to new London facility cancelled owing to lack of ICU nursesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDozens of patients with Covid-19 have been turned away from the NHS Nightingale hospital in London because it has too few nurses to treat them, the Guardian can reveal.The disclosure comes amid a growing belief among hospital management in the capital that the Nightingale, built to great acclaim over just nine days, was becoming a “white elephant”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: global confirmed cases pass 2.5m but Italy sees first significant fall in infections Singapore extends lockdown after cases rise; Donald Trump signals immigration ban; Oktoberfest cancelled; US oil market collapsesWHO warns few people have developed coronavirus antibodiesPandemic causing some anti-vaxxers to waverUS coronavirus updates - live UK coronavirus updates - liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 6.28pm BSTDonald Trump has been accused of “xenophobic scapegoating” after announcing he will order a temporary ban on immigration into the US to combat the coronavirus pandemic, writes David Smith, the Guardian’s Washington DC bureau chief.There were no other details on the timing, scope or legal basis of the president’s proposed executive ...

Scientists join calls for UK public to wear homemade face masks outdoors Old T-shirt combined with kitchen paper enough to help reduce spread of coronavirusCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe public should wear homemade masks when they venture outdoors to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, according to scientists who claim Britain’s masks policy does too little to prevent infections. Related: How to make a non-medical coronavirus face mask – no sewing required Continue reading... Go to Source

France urges Apple and Google to ease privacy rules on contact tracing Government becomes first to call for invasive measures in effort to combat coronavirusCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageFrance has become the first country to call publicly for Apple and Google to weaken privacy protections around digital contact tracing, after its government admitted that its current plans would not work without changes to smartphone operating systems.The criticism comes two weeks after a landmark collaboration between the two companies to build technology enabling digital contact tracing apps, which would track contacts between users in an attempt to help slow the spread of Covid-19. Continue reading... Go to Source