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Scientists concerned that coronavirus is adapting to humans Researchers have observed mutations in some strains that may help the virus spreadCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageScientists have found evidence for mutations in some strains of the coronavirus that suggest the pathogen may be adapting to humans after spilling over from bats.The analysis of more than 5,300 coronavirus genomes from 62 countries shows that while the virus is fairly stable, some have gained mutations, including two genetic changes that alter the critical “spike protein” the virus uses to infect human cells. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: China reports possible new wave of cases; Greece extends migrant camp lockdown Germany sees infections rise again after easing lockdown; France to end lockdown on Monday; White House advisers self-quarantineBolsonaro attends floating barbecue as Brazil deaths top 10,000‘People feel a bit nervous’: France braces for end of lockdownCoronavirus latest at a glanceUS coronavirus updates - liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.57am BSTThis is where we’ll close this live blog. To keep following global rolling coverage of the pandemic, head over to our new blog here. Related: Coronavirus live news: Johnson's UK lockdown plans spark confusion as parts of Europe ease limits 12.05am BSTHere are some of the key points from over the last six hours. Contin...

'Recipe for chaos': union leaders sound warning over return to work Boris Johnson’s call for those who cannot work at home to return to workplace sends ‘mixed messages’ Boris Johnson has been warned by trade unions that ordering many people back to work from as early as Mondayis a “recipe for chaos” in the absence of urgent action to safeguard workers’ health.The prime minister said on Sunday that anyone who cannot work from home should be “actively encouraged” to return to their jobs from Monday. Detailing plans to gradually reopen the British economy after more than a month of tough controls during the health emergency, he said those in manufacturing and construction jobs in particular should be encouraged to return. Continue reading... ...

Johnson address shows he has been swayed by hawks in his cabinet PM attempted to strike a balance, but slogan change and back-to-work pledge will please libertarian rightCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBoris Johnson famously dislikes disappointing the people around him.The result is this weekend’s barrage of confused messaging over whether the lockdown is ending, as he tries to please both sides in the battle raging within the Tory party about how to respond to the coronavirus crisis. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: Scotland to stick with 'stay home' advice as Johnson due to announce alert system Contact tracing app may not work with Apple and Google phones; only 50% of Britons would download NHS tracing app, says pollSturgeon leads criticism of UK ‘stay alert’ adviceMore people think UK has handled pandemic worse than Spain and ItalyCoronavirus: at a glanceGlobal coronavirus updates - liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.50pm BSTHealth professionals have issued a new legal challenge demanding an urgent inquiry into the government’s failure to provide PPE for frontline workers. A pre-action letter sent by the Doctor’s Association UK (DA) and the Good Law Project (GLP), who responsible for bringing the challenge, provides a list of “recurrent and...

Coronavirus live news: three White House Covid-19 taskforce members go into self-quarantine Anthony Fauci and top advisers from CDC and FDA to work remotely because of potential exposure to Covid-19; global cases pass 4 million; Russia cases approach 200,000. Follow the latest updatesRussia becomes new hotspot as South Korea shuts barsNew York warns of children’s illness linked to Covid-19 Hundreds queue for food parcels in wealthy GenevaCoronavirus at a glanceAustralia – live news 6.49am BSTThree members of the White House coronavirus taskforce have placed themselves in quarantine after contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. 6.42am BSTNew Zealand police have been busy over the weekend as Kiwis break lockdown in record numbers on the eve of an announcement f...

Johnson to announce coronavirus warning system for England Prime minister expected to outline ‘roadmap’ to new normality in address on Sunday Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBoris Johnson is expected to unveil a coronavirus warning system for England when he outlines his plans to gradually ease the lockdown.The prime minister will drop the “stay home” slogan and instead tell the country to “stay alert, control the virus and save lives” when he outlines his “roadmap” to a new normality during an address to the nation on Sunday. Johnson is planning to tell workers who cannot do their jobs from home to begin returning to their workplaces while following social distancing rules. Continue reading... Go to So...

Trades unions tell Johnson: no return to work until we feel safe Leaders of Unison, Unite, the GMB and Usdaw join TUC in calling for radical overhaul of health and safety in the workplace• Coronavirus – latest updates• See all our coronavirus coverageBritain’s biggest trades unions have warned Boris Johnson that they will not recommend a return to work for their three million members until the government and employers agree a nationwide health and safety revolution as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.In a letter to the Observer, leaders of the “big four” – Unison, Unite, the GMB and Usdaw – together with the Trades Union Congress, say many of their members have already lost their lives “transporting people and goods, protecting the pu...

More people think UK has handled coronavirus worse than Spain and Italy, poll shows Only US is judged to have dealt with it worse, after it was reported the UK has the highest death toll of any country in EuropeCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMore people in this country now believe the UK has performed worse than Italy, Spain and France in the Covid-19 crisis than say it has done better than its European neighbours, according the latest Opinium poll for the Observer.The data shows that only the United States is judged by a majority of people in the UK to have fared worse. While two weeks ago more people thought that the UK had done better than Italy and Spain, now the reverse is the case. Continue reading... Go to Source

Back to work: 'capacity of transport network will be down by 90%' Transport secretary announces £2bn package to get UK walking and cycling insteadCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe enormity of the challenge of getting the UK back to work was laid bare on Saturday, as the government acknowledged that the capacity of Britain’s transport network will be reduced by 90%.The transport minister, Grant Shapps, said at the daily Downing Street press briefing that even if a full public transport service is restored, the government’s two-metre physical distancing rule will mean 10% of the usual number of passengers will be able to travel. Continue reading... Go to Source

Global report: Russia becomes new hotspot as South Korea shuts bars Belarus defies coronavirus concerns with VE Day parade, mayor of Milan issues warning, while football returns ... in the Faroe IslandsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAs coronavirus infections approached 4 million worldwide, and Russia became a new hotspot for the outbreak, Belarus defied worries to hold a parade marking the 75th anniversary of victory over the Nazis, with thousands of people in attendance including elderly veterans.South Korea, which is trying to relax physical distancing regulations, on Saturday shut down more than 2,100 clubs and bars in the capital after a new cluster of cases emerged, apparently linked to a single individual who had gone out while infected. Continue...

UK coastguard urges people to stay home after increase in calls Meanwhile police in London say they’re ‘losing the battle’ as people gather in parks despite coronavirus lockdownCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe coastguard has urged the public not to ignore the government’s stay-at-home message after recording its highest number of distress calls in a single day since the lockdown began.The rescue service said it dealt with 97 incidents on Friday, more than one and a half times the daily average over the previous month. Continue reading... Go to Source