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UK coronavirus adviser Neil Ferguson resigns after breaking lockdown rules Key expert in coronavirus response resigns from Sage after admitting ‘error of judgment’Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageProf Neil Ferguson, the epidemiologist whose modelling helped shape Britain’s coronavirus lockdown strategy, has quit as a government adviser after flouting the rules by receiving visits from his lover at his home.Ferguson runs the group of scientists at Imperial College London whose projections helped persuade ministers of the need to impose stringent physical distancing rules, or risk the NHS being overwhelmed. Continue reading... Go to Source

Rishi Sunak preparing to wind down furlough scheme from July UK chancellor set to scale back job retention measure as coronavirus lockdown easesThe chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is preparing to wind down the coronavirus wage-subsidy scheme for workers from July as part of government plans to gradually remove lockdown measures.In a sign of the mounting costs to the exchequer with almost a quarter of employees in Britain furloughed in the past fortnight, the chancellor is expected to announce that the Covid-19 job retention scheme will be steadily scaled back as restrictions on business activity are lifted. Continue reading... Go to Source

Calls for inquiry as UK reports highest Covid-19 death toll in Europe Government’s handling of pandemic under scrutiny as UK becomes worst-hit European countryCoronavirus – latest UK updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritain has the worst coronavirus death toll in Europe, official figures showed on Tuesday, prompting calls for an inquiry into the handling of the pandemic.The government’s tally of fatalities across the UK reached 29,427 for those who tested positive for coronavirus, exceeding the 29,029 recorded in Italy – until now Europe’s worst-hit country. Italy’s total does not include suspected cases. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK could relax lockdown for millions if over-70s are shielded, say scientists Plan involves beefing up protection for vulnerable people while easing controls on othersCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritain could exit the coronavirus lockdown by relaxing restrictions on more than half of the population and beefing up protection for those over 70 and vulnerable people, scientists have said.The strategy from researchers at Edinburgh University, known as “segmenting and shielding”, is intended to create leeway for ministers to ease the lockdown on those least at risk from the virus while ensuring that vulnerable people only come into contact with carers and family members who are free from infection. Continue reading... Go to Source

Why No 10's Covid-19 death toll slides don't tell the whole story Charts are regular feature of daily press briefing but there is little scrutiny of data Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAs the UK’s official death toll from Covid-19 passed Italy’s for the first time, it is worth noting that one month ago, government sources were privately sceptical of a study by world-leading disease data analysts that projected the UK would be the worst-affected country in Europe. The study anticipated 66,000 deaths by August. The total figure on Tuesday, which is certain to be an underestimate, was already more than 32,000. Related: UK coronavirus death toll rises above 32,000 to highest in Europe Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: Raab says it would not be safe to reopen all schools; official death toll rises to 29,427 Testing falls below 100,000-a-day target for third day in a row as UK deaths rise by 693 and trial begins for new contact-tracing appUK coronavirus death toll rises to highest in EuropeToo early to reopen schools in Scotland, Scottish government saysBoris Johnson boasted of shaking hands on day Sage warned not toGlobal coronavirus updates – liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 6.30pm BSTHere are the main points from Dominic Raab’s press conference.In terms of the comparison you’re suggesting ... I don’t think we’ll get a real verdict on how well countries have done until the pandemic is over and particularly until we’ve got comprehensive inte...

Number of key workers getting Covid-19 overtakes positive tests in hospitals Figures prompt renewed calls to ensure health and social workers have PPE needed The number of key workers and members of their families who are testing positive for Covid-19 has overtaken the number of sick people testing positive in hospitals.New figures showing that 2,067 key workers had tested positive at a new daily count prompted calls for a greater focus on how and why health and social workers were contracting coronavirus and for assurances that they are continuing to have the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed. Continue reading... Go to Source

Virgin Atlantic to axe a third of jobs and shut Gatwick operations Airline fights for survival as coronavirus pandemic puts industry in jeopardyCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageVirgin Atlantic plans to cut more than 3,000 jobs and shut its operations at Gatwick airport in the latest sign of the chaos caused in the airline industry by the coronavirus.The 3,150 planned redundancies represent almost one in three of Virgin Atlantic’s workforce of 10,000, prompting calls from unions and Labour for the government to step in to save the jobs. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: WHO urges countries to investigate suspicious early cases after French find Austria says easing lockdown has not led to spike in infections; Macron says major foreign travel will be limited this summer; global deaths pass 250,000Inflation around the world collapses amid pandemic Rise in Russian medics falling prey to Covid-19Coronavirus latest: at a glanceUK coronavirus updates - liveUS coronavirus updates - liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 6.46pm BSTDelta Air Lines said it was putting a limit to seating capacity in its airplanes, as the US carrier looks to provide a safe flying experience to customers amid the coronavirus crisis. The airline aims to keep a plane’s seating capacity at 50% in the first class and 60% for other ticket categories through 30 ...

Why has eastern Europe suffered less from coronavirus than the west? Most important reason for discrepancy appears to be implementation of early lockdownCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe coronavirus map of Europe makes one thing clear: the richer nations of western Europe have suffered more from the virus than countries in the eastern half of the EU, almost without exceptions.Comparing figures from different countries can be fraught with difficulty, and many factors can potentially skew the numbers. But the comparison between western Europe on the one hand, and central and eastern Europe on the other, shows a difference in coronavirus rates that is too stark to ignore. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus death toll rises above 32,000 to highest in Europe ONS figures show UK has overtaken Italy as worst-hit European countryCoronavirus – latest UK updatesCoronavirus – latest global updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK now has the highest death toll in Europe from coronavirus after new official figures revealed that more than 32,000 people have died from the virus.The Office for National Statistics said 29,648 deaths were registered in England and Wales by 2 May with Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificates. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: Australian PM says virus 'most likely' came from Wuhan market WHO, Fauci and intel sources reject China lab theory; global deaths pass 250,000; Hong Kong suffers deepest economic contraction. Follow the latest updatesFive Eyes network contradicts theory Covid-19 leaked from labGerman cases ‘may be 10 times higher than official figures’Australia coronavirus updates - liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 6.54am BSTFewer than 300 people out of the 18.1 million who entered the UK in the three months prior to the coronavirus lockdown were formally quarantined, figures reveal. Related: Just 273 people arriving in UK in run-up to lockdown quarantined 6.50am BSTTuesday’s GUARDIAN: “Anger over plans to ease lockdown that ‘risk putting workers...

Matt Hancock launches contact-tracing app with Isle of Wight trial Concerns raised over privacy, but health secretary claims there is ‘huge enthusiasm’A new contact-tracing app for managing the coronavirus outbreak will be piloted on the Isle of Wight this week, the health secretary has confirmed, despite concerns its centralised setup carries privacy risks and will reduce uptake.Matt Hancock said there had been “huge enthusiasm” on the island off the south coast of England for the idea of trying out the new app, which will alert users if they have been close to someone with the Covid-19 virus. Continue reading... Go to Source

Just 273 people arriving in UK in run-up to lockdown quarantined Exclusive: Home Office figures cover period when 18.1m people entered countryCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageFewer than 300 people out of the 18.1 million who entered the UK in the three months prior to the coronavirus lockdown were formally quarantined, figures reveal. Passengers on three flights from Wuhan, in China, the source of the Covid-19 outbreak, and one flight from Tokyo, Japan, that was carrying passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, were taken to government-supported isolation facilities between 1 January to 22 March. Continue reading... Go to Source

Anger at UK lockdown easing plans 'that could put workers at risk' Unions criticise guidance and say staff may refuse to turn up unless safety is guaranteedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWorkers may refuse to turn up or stage walk-outs unless the government helps guarantee their safety, trade unions have warned amid anger over guidance designed to ease the lockdown.As ministers prepare to urge the country back to return to work, Labour joined a string of trade unions in criticising draft guidelines for being vague, inadequate and putting staff at risk because employers can choose how closely to follow them. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: WHO and Five Eyes reject Chinese lab theory as global deaths pass 250,000 French hospital discovers Covid-19 case from December; Italy’s death toll higher than reported; leaders pledge $8bn to fight virus. Follow the latest updatesFive Eyes network contradicts theory Covid-19 leaked from labGerman cases ‘may be 10 times higher than official figures’Australia coronavirus updates - liveSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.49am BSTApple Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google on Monday said they would ban the use of location tracking in apps that use a new contact tracing system the two are building to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Reuters reports. Apple and Google, whose operating systems power 99% of smart phones, said last month they would...

Five friends, five victims: how Covid-19 tore a hole in one Pakistani community Loved by their 41 grandchildren, the men died within 17 days of each other. Their loss highlights the virus’s brutal toll on minoritiesIn photographs together and with their families, the five men smile, or hold their loved ones close. All 50 or older, their friendships ranged over decades, their passions running from philanthropy to cycling, their duties from activism to business. A little over two weeks ago, they were pillars of the Pakistani community in the small pocket of Birmingham in which they all lived, with 41 grandchildren between them. Now they are all dead, victims of coronavirus.“We will be lost without them,” said Amer Awan, 44, whose 67-year-old father Nazir is among the dea...

PHE to review how ethnicity affects vulnerability to coronavirus Deprivation, age, gender and obesity will also feature in review of thousands of health records A review will analyse how factors such as ethnicity, obesity and gender can affect people’s vulnerability to coronavirus, health leaders have said.Public Health England (PHE) said thousands of health records of people who have had Covid-19 will be examined to establish more “robust” data on what can have an impact on the number of cases and health outcomes for different groups within the population. Continue reading... Go to Source