News- UK

Coronavirus UK live: Lockdown could shrink GDP by 35% and see unemployment rise by 2m, says OBR Coronavirus lockdown in the UK could last at least another month, as Dominic Raab says country has not passed the peakTwo of UK’s largest care home providers report 521 coronavirus deathsCoronavirus pushes England and Wales death rate to record highCoronavirus latest: at a glance Coronavirus global updates – liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.44pm BSTNicola Sturgeon has announced Tuesday’s daily figures for Covid-19: a further 291 positive cases, taking the total to 6358, and a further 40 deaths, taking that total to 615. She added that there was likely to be a lag in figures because of under-reporting over the Easter weekend. 12.42pm BSTSinn Féin president Mary ...

Growth in surveillance may be hard to scale back after pandemic, experts say Coronavirus crisis has led to billions of people around the world facing enhanced monitoring Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage The coronavirus pandemic has led to an unprecedented global surge in digital surveillance, researchers and privacy advocates around the world have said, with billions of people facing enhanced monitoring that may prove difficult to roll back.Governments in at least 25 countries are employing vast programmes for mobile data tracking, apps to record personal contact with others, CCTV networks equipped with facial recognition, permission schemes to go outside and drones to enforce social isolation regimes. Continue reading... Go to Source

Trump claims 'total authority' and attacks media in chaotic coronavirus briefing In a bizarre tirade, the president bristled at a suggestion by one of the media that his power was restrictedDonald Trump has declared in a White House briefing that his “authority is total” when it comes to lockdown rules during the coronavirus pandemic, and he denied that he was weighing firing Dr Anthony Fauci, the country’s foremost infectious diseases expert who sits on the coronavirus task force.After a weekend reprieve from presidential briefings that have been likened to Trump rallies for their uninterrupted flow of Trumpian id, the president returned to the lectern on Monday to deliver one of his most bizarre performances yet. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: cases worldwide near 2 million as Trump repeats WHO funding threat UK daily deaths likely to rise this week; France to ease lockdown starting 11 May; Russia told to prepare for ‘extraordinary’ crisis. Follow the latest updatesSpain relaxes lockdown as daily coronavirus death toll falls to 517Trump turned a briefing into a presidential tantrumAustralia coronavirus – liveCoronavirus latest: at a glance 6.55am BSTIn a televised address on Tuesday morning, prime minister Narendra Modi announced that India’s nationwide lockdown is to be extended till 3 May.The lockdown in India, imposed on its population of 1.3bn people, is the largest of its kind anywhere in the world and has been the cause of enormous amounts of human suffering since it was fi...

Medical unions warn UK stock of protective gowns is critically low Doctors performing highest-risk procedures on Covid-19 patients lack vital suppliesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSupplies of protective gowns used to safely treat coronavirus patients have become so depleted that they are no longer available to many doctors in high-risk roles, a medical union has warned.Only 52% of clinicians carrying out aerosol-generating procedures – those with the greatest risk of transferring the virus – said they had access to the kind of full-sleeve gowns that are mandatory for jobs such as intubating patients so that they can be treated with a ventilator, according to a survey by the Doctors’ Association UK. Continue reading... Go to Source

How coronavirus almost brought down the global financial system The crisis has brought the economy to a near halt, and left millions of people out of work. But thanks to intervention on an unprecedented scale, a full-scale meltdown has been averted – for now. By Adam ToozeIn the third week of March, while most of our minds were fixed on surging coronavirus death rates and the apocalyptic scenes in hospital wards, global financial markets came as close to a collapse as they have since September 2008. The price of shares in the world’s major corporations plunged. The value of the dollar surged against every currency in the world, squeezing debtors everywhere from Indonesia to Mexico. Trillion-dollar markets for government debt, the basic foundation of the financial system, lur...

UK missed three chances to join EU scheme to bulk-buy PPE Exclusive: Britain did not take part in €1.5bn order for kit to protect against Covid-19 despite shortages in NHSCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritain missed three opportunities to be part of an EU scheme to bulk-buy masks, gowns and gloves and has been absent from key talks about future purchases, the Guardian can reveal, as pressure grows on ministers to protect NHS medics and care workers on the coronavirus frontline.European doctors and nurses are preparing to receive the first of €1.5bn (£1.3bn) worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) within days or a maximum of two weeks through a joint procurement scheme involving 25 countries and eight companies, according to intern...

Raab suggests UK lockdown could last at least another month PM’s deputy backs chief scientific adviser, saying public must stay in until peak has passedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coveragePeople in Britain have been warned that there is “a long way to go” before lockdown measures to curb the spread of coronavirus are likely to be relaxed, with the UK’s chief scientific adviser suggesting they could last another month.As the country entered its fourth week of rules compelling the public to stay at home except for essential work, shopping or exercise, Sir Patrick Vallance said he expected the number of deaths from coronavirus to continue rising this week before hitting a plateau that could last up to three weeks. Continue reading... ...

NHS coronavirus app: memo discussed giving ministers power to 'de-anonymise' users Exclusive: draft plans for contact-tracing app said device IDs could be used to identify users Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage A draft government memo explaining how the NHS contact-tracing app could stem the spread of the coronavirus said ministers might be given the ability to order “de-anonymisation” to identify people from their smartphones, the Guardian can reveal.The health secretary, Matt Hancock, announced on Sunday that the UK planned to introduce an app that would enable people who developed Covid-19 symptoms to “anonymously” alert other users to whom they had been in close proximity. “All data will be handled according to the hig...

Coronavirus latest news: death toll in Italy passes 20,000; more than 1.87m cases reported worldwide Spain records another drop in daily death toll; Singapore sees biggest daily jump in infections; China reports highest daily cases in over five weeksSpain relaxes lockdown as daily coronavirus death toll falls to 517Half of coronavirus deaths happen in care homes, EU data suggestsUS coronavirus latest – live blogCoronavirus latest: at a glance 6.51pm BSTKey developments in the global coronavirus outbreak on Monday include: 6.37pm BSTBrazil’s health minister has publicly defied President Jair Bolsonaro over coronavirus, accusing him of sowing doubt in Brazilian minds over the need for physical distancing, Tom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro reports.In a Sunday night interview with ...

Coronavirus US live: Andrew Cuomo details 'horrific level of pain' as deaths pass 10,000 in New York Concerns US lawmakers are using briefings to make stock decisionsDeath penalty states urged to release stockpiled drugs for patientsLive global updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSupport the Guardian’s independent journalism. Make a contribution 6.46pm BSTThe White House said Trump has no intention of firing Dr Anthony Fauci, even though the president reshared a tweet last night that called for the health expert’s dismissal.NEW: WH Statement on Dr. #Fauci per @hogangidley45: “ The media chatter is ridiculous— President Trump is not firing Dr. Fauci.” pic.twitter.com/0HU2YptyW4 6.33pm BSTThe White House Correspondents’ Association has rescheduled it...

Experts divided over comparison of UK and Ireland's coronavirus records Analysis showing lower death rates in Ireland provokes debate on differences between two countriesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageComparing how the Covid-19 outbreak is playing out in Ireland and the UK is a complex task, researchers have said after a Twitter thread by a former historian on the issue went viral.Writer and researcher Dr Elaine Doyle penned a series of tweets comparing the situations in the UK and Ireland, noting that both countries had similar numbers of intensive care beds per 100,000 people before the crisis began. Continue reading... Go to Source

Have I already had coronavirus? How would I know and what should I do? Covid-19 symptoms, when they occur, vary widely and undertesting means many people have probably been unwittingly infectedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageCovid-19 symptoms vary widely, and undertesting in many countries means that many people may have already had the coronavirus without having received a positive diagnosis. Is it possible to find out, and how should you behave if you think you may have been infected? Continue reading... Go to Source

Ministers 'must be open with NHS about PPE shortages' Top hospital boss says frankness is only way to help service, even if opponents ‘weaponise’ admission Coronavirus – latest updatesIs protective equipment getting to NHS staff on the coronavirus frontline? Here’s the truth | Chris HopsonMinisters must admit when the NHS is heading for shortages of personal protective equipment for staff, even if opponents “weaponise” such openness, an influential hospital boss is urging.Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, wants the government to start alerting health service trusts when they are about to face a lack of equipment such as the ongoing dearth of gowns and visors that frontline staff need to repel Covid-19. Continue reading... Go to Source

NHS nurse from New Zealand 'blown away' by Boris Johnson's thanks Jenny McGee from Invercargill was one of two nurses praised by prime ministerCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA New Zealand nurse who was praised by Boris Johnson for her care of him has been “blown away” by the recognition, her brother said.The prime minister used a speech on Sunday to mention by name the medics who had looked after him, particularly “two nurses who stood by my bedside for 48 hours when things could have gone either way”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Documents contradict UK government stance on Covid-19 'herd immunity' List of possible interventions included simulating impact of allowing majority to be infectedUK government using confidential patient data in coronavirus responseCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe inclusion of “targeted herd immunity” as a possible UK government response to the Covid-19 pandemic – in a list of possible interventions considered for analysis by a contractor – appears to contradict strong denials by the health secretary 10 days earlier that it was any part of government policy.Matt Hancock gave that response on 14 March after two senior government officials had said publicly that achieving “herd immunity” was a key aim, prompting wide...

Pop-up bike lanes help with coronavirus physical distancing in Germany Road markings redrawn after cyclists demand more space to comply with Covid-19 rulesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageGerman cities are redrawing road markings to create “pop-up” cycle lanes for the duration of the Covid-19 lockdown, as cyclists demand more space to physically distance on their commutes to work.Local authorities in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin trialled a temporary widening of two cycle lanes on 27 March, arguing it would help cyclists keep the required 1.5-metre distance apart while car traffic was down owing to Germany’s coronavirus restrictions. Continue reading... Go to Source

Government criticised over PPE and tests as death toll hits 10,000 Official adviser says UK could end up with highest number of coronavirus fatalities in Europe Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government has been warned that Britain risks having the highest death toll from coronavirus in Europe as the total number of fatalities from the disease in UK hospitals rose above 10,000.As Boris Johnson left hospital on Sunday, criticism of the government’s response to the pandemic was mounting from senior medics and politicians, particularly over its failure to get enough personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing to NHS and care home workers.Prof Sir Jeremy Farrar, an adviser to the government and director of the Wellcome Trust, said the figures...

UK government using confidential patient data in coronavirus response Exclusive: Documents seen by Guardian show tech firms using information to build ‘Covid-19 datastore’Documents contradict UK government stance on Covid-19 ‘herd immunity’Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageTechnology firms are processing large volumes of confidential UK patient information in a data-mining operation that is part of the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, according to documents seen by the Guardian.Palantir, the US big data firm founded by the rightwing billionaire Peter Thiel, is working with Faculty, a British artificial intelligence startup, to consolidate government databases and help ministers and officials respond to the p...

Coronavirus live news: Pope gives Easter mass by live stream as global death toll passes 110,000 Italy, India, Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico extend lockdown; Britain pledges £200m to WHO; partner of Julian Assange calls for prison releaseSpain eases lockdown as rate of coronavirus infections hits new lowWHO official says virus will ‘stalk human race’US coronavirus updates – liveBoris Johnson leaves hospital as he continues recovery from coronavirus 6.48pm BSTGreece has registered five fatalities in the past 24 hours, raising the total to 98, authorities say. AP reports that all the victims were men. The country now has a total of 2,114 confirmed cases of the virus, with 33 added since Saturday afternoon.Authorities remain concerned that people will flout the country&...

Britons stay at home under lockdown despite Easter sunshine Police report deserted beaches and parks as public largely follow instructions and avoid travelCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA number of police forces have reported that the public are following instructions to stay at home and avoid travelling far, despite the temptations of warm Easter weather across Britain.Devon and Cornwall police posted a series of photographs of beautiful and deserted beaches that would usually be crowded in such good weather. Continue reading... Go to Source

Tim Brooke-Taylor dies at 79 after contracting coronavirus, agent says UK comedian became household name in 1970s as part of TV comedy trio The GoodiesMark Lawson on Tim Brooke-TaylorCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageTim Brooke-Taylor, a much-admired fixture of British comedy for five decades who became a household name as one third of The Goodies, has died aged 79.In a statement, his agent said: “It is with great sadness that we announce Tim’s death early today from Covid-19.” Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus statistics: what can we trust and what should we ignore? The flurry of figures, graphs and projections surrounding the pandemic is confusing. Two experts guide us through the mazeCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe past few weeks has seen an unstoppable epidemic … of statistics. The flood threatens to overwhelm us all, but what do all these numbers mean? Here are eight statistics you may see, with some warnings about how much we might trust them.1 The number of new cases each day This can be a very poor reflection of the number of people who have actually been infected, as it depends crucially on the testing regime – up to 9 April, 1.3 million tests had been carried out in Germany, versus 317,000 in the UK. Continue reading... ...

UK could have Europe's worst coronavirus death rate, says adviser Daily death toll shows situation is comparable to other badly hit countries, says Jeremy FarrarCoronavirus – latest global updatesCoronavirus – latest UK updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK could end up with the worst coronavirus death rate in Europe, one of the government’s leading scientific advisers has said.Prof Jeremy Farrar, the director of the Wellcome Trust and a pandemics expert on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said the figures of almost 1,000 daily deaths showed the UK was in a similar situation to other European countries that have been badly affected. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: Julian Assange at risk from virus, says partner as she pleads for release Stella Moris says Wikileaks founder should be freed fromBelmarsh prison; Christians adapt to Easter without ceremonies; Italy, India, Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico extend lockdownCoronavirus latest: at a glance2,000 deaths a day in US as Italy and India extend lockdownAll the US developments - liveBoris Johnson’s darkest hour 6.42am BSTFrom Reuters: Indonesia has imposed curbs on public transport ahead of the annual exodus to home villages that marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the government said on Sunday.About 75m Indonesians usually stream home from bigger cities at the end of Ramadan, due this year at the end of May, ...

UK political parties unite to demand recall of parliament As virus death toll nears 10,000, Labour leader Keir Starmer calls for talks with Speaker• Coronavirus – latest updates• See all our coronavirus coverageThe government faces a chorus of cross-party calls on Sunday for the urgent recall of parliament in “virtual” form as MPs and peers demand the right to hold ministers to account over the escalating coronavirus crisis.The demands from leaders of all main opposition parties, as well as senior Tories, came after the death toll from Covid-19 in the UK approached 10,000. Deaths from the virus rose by 917 on Saturday compared with Friday to a total of 9,875. Continue reading... Go to Source

'I owe them my life': how Boris Johnson's illness shook him, and the nation For a time, the prime minister’s life appeared to be in danger. Will this brush with mortality change his attitudes?Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage“I can’t thank them enough, I owe them my life,” said Boris Johnson.His short statement, issued on Saturday night, paying tribute to NHS staff, followed a nerve-racking few days when he was rushed to hospital, later admitted to intensive care, given oxygen, before being released back on to the ward to begin his slow recovery. Continue reading... Go to Source

Priti Patel says ‘sorry if people feel there have been failings’ over PPE Home secretary also launches campaign to tackle domestic abuse during lockdown Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe home secretary has said she is sorry if people feel there has been a failure to supply sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) to NHS staff, as it was revealed that 19 UK health workers had died after contracting coronavirus.Speaking at the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing, Priti Patel was asked twice if she would apologise about the lack of PPE being provided to frontline workers. “I’m sorry if people feel that there have been failings,” she said. “I will be very, very clear about that.” Continue reading... Go to Sourc...

Coronavirus: US overtakes Italy as country with most deaths American death toll set to reach 19,000US is first country to report 2,000 deaths in a dayCoronavirus – live US updatesLive global updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe US has suffered more confirmed coronavirus deaths than any other country and on Saturday was poised to soon reach 19,000 Covid-19 fatalities, new data indicated.By Saturday afternoon, Johns Hopkins University’s tally of US Covid-19 fatalities was at 18,860. Italy followed with 18,849. The US was also the first country to report 2,000 deaths in a single day, with 2,108 people dying in the previous 24 hours. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus UK live: Matt Hancock under fire over PPE comments - live updates Health secretary accused of suggesting healthcare workers are abusing or overusing protective equipmentCoronavirus – latest global updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageCoronavirus: who will be winners and losers in new world order?Britons warned to stay at home as temperatures set to hit 26C 12.52pm BSTNews that a coronavirus vaccine could be ready by September should be treated with “cautious optimism”, a medical expert has said. Professor Stephen Evans, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, warned on Saturday that there are “a number of hurdles to before you get to the point where the population is protected”. Cautious optimism is entirely justified in these...