thedailyecho--2020-04-02--Coronavirus: 569 more people die in hospital, bringing total to 2,921

ANOTHER 569 people with coronavirus have died in hospitals in the UK , bringing the total to 2,921 , the Department of Health has announced .
As of 9am on Thursday , a total of 163,194 people have been tested , of which 33,718 tested positive .
The news comes as the outbreak of coronavirus has seen a surge in demand for surgical masks to cover the mouth and nose , and they are a common sight on UK streets .
But up until now , the World Health Organisation has said only those with Covid-19 symptoms and those caring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance is set to be reviewed following new evidence .
A study from Hong Kong appears to show surgical masks can help protect the public from the spread of the virus , so is it time to stock up ?
Here 's the guidance on masks as it stands .
The WHO says that only those with symptoms of coronavirus such as a persistent dry cough , a fever or difficulty breathing need to wear a mask .
Masks worn by sick people protect others from the infection by the droplets that come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People caring for them should also cover up whenever they are in the same room as the patient to prevent the spread of the virus .
It says surgical masks can only help when used with other preventative measures such as frequent hand washing .
-Why is the WHO 's guidance being reviewed ?
A study from Hong Kong appears to indicate that the use of face masks can slow the rate of infection among the general population .
The data was shared confidentially with the WHO but is expected to be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , said on Thursday : `` As always , when new evidence becomes available , WHO will be considering its face mask policies as a routine activity this week and next .
`` Recommendations will be taken from many different advisory groups , including the external advisory group that I chair , and then WHO will decide if there is enough evidence to merit any changes in policy . ''
He said the WHO 's decision would also have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globally .
- How often should a mask be replaced ?
The WHO warns that masks can give a `` false feeling of protection '' and can even be a source of infection if used incorrectly .
Surgical masks should only be used once and should be disposed of in a closed bin as soon as they become damp .
Those using a mask should avoid touching it while wearing it and remove via the elastic straps that go over the ears and immediately wash their hands once it has been removed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortages of masks are causing huge problems within the service .
A nurse at a Bristol hospital said a lack of masks meant staff sometimes wearing the same one for the duration of their 12-hour shift .
The nurse told the PA news agency masks are usually worn for about 15 minutes at a time before being disposed of , adding : `` If we pick up anything from a patient , we are potentially carrying it around in our masks all day . ''
She described the masks as `` a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be better off with nothing '' .
- Are there enough masks ?
Health officials have promised that more personal protective equipment ( PPE ) is on its way to the frontlines , but many health professionals said they had resorted to ordering their own supplies .
This week , Gateshead Foundation NHS Trust issued a plea on social media asking for local businesses to donate protective equipment while some GPs reported placing orders on Amazon .
Social care charities have reported suppliers hiking prices on face masks by as much as 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vets are among businesses asked by local councils to help by donating masks and gloves .
Dr Jenny Harries , deputy chief medical officer for England , said on Tuesday the UK had `` sufficient stocks '' but the logistics of getting PPE to where it is most needed had been difficult .
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said there was a `` military operation '' ongoing to move stocks around the country , with national distribution companies drafted in to help .
Some Asian countries and a handful of European nations have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the basis that many people infected with the virus show no symptoms .
In Europe , just Austria , Slovakia , the Czech Republic and Bosnia-Herzegovina have introduced these measures .
In the Philippines , residents now have to wear a mask in public , and the same is true in some of the worst-affected provinces in China .
Meanwhile , in Hong Kong , South Korea , Thailand and Taiwan the majority of citizens are sporting a mask anyway and it is also common to do so in these regions anyway because @ @ @ @

As of 9am on Thursday, a total of 163,194 people have been tested, of which 33,718 tested positive.
The news comes as the outbreak of coronavirus has seen a surge in demand for surgical masks to cover the mouth and nose, and they are a common sight on UK streets.
But up until now, the World Health Organisation has said only those with Covid-19 symptoms and those caring for them need masks, but this guidance is set to be reviewed following new evidence.
A study from Hong Kong appears to show surgical masks can help protect the public from the spread of the virus, so is it time to stock up?
Here's the guidance on masks as it stands.
-Who should wear a mask?
The WHO says that only those with symptoms of coronavirus such as a persistent dry cough, a fever or difficulty breathing need to wear a mask.
Masks worn by sick people protect others from the infection by the droplets that come out when they cough or sneeze.
People caring for them should also cover up whenever they are in the same room as the patient to prevent the spread of the virus.
It says surgical masks can only help when used with other preventative measures such as frequent hand washing.
-Why is the WHO's guidance being reviewed?
A study from Hong Kong appears to indicate that the use of face masks can slow the rate of infection among the general population.
The data was shared confidentially with the WHO but is expected to be made public soon.
David Heymann, Professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said on Thursday: "As always, when new evidence becomes available, WHO will be considering its face mask policies as a routine activity this week and next.
"Recommendations will be taken from many different advisory groups, including the external advisory group that I chair, and then WHO will decide if there is enough evidence to merit any changes in policy."
He said the WHO's decision would also have to factor in the availability of face masks globally.
- How often should a mask be replaced?
The WHO warns that masks can give a "false feeling of protection" and can even be a source of infection if used incorrectly.
Surgical masks should only be used once and should be disposed of in a closed bin as soon as they become damp.
Those using a mask should avoid touching it while wearing it and remove via the elastic straps that go over the ears and immediately wash their hands once it has been removed and disposed of.
But NHS staff say shortages of masks are causing huge problems within the service.
A nurse at a Bristol hospital said a lack of masks meant staff sometimes wearing the same one for the duration of their 12-hour shift.
The nurse told the PA news agency masks are usually worn for about 15 minutes at a time before being disposed of, adding: "If we pick up anything from a patient, we are potentially carrying it around in our masks all day."
She described the masks as "a total placebo" adding, "we would be better off with nothing".
- Are there enough masks?
Health officials have promised that more personal protective equipment (PPE) is on its way to the frontlines, but many health professionals said they had resorted to ordering their own supplies.
This week, Gateshead Foundation NHS Trust issued a plea on social media asking for local businesses to donate protective equipment while some GPs reported placing orders on Amazon.
Social care charities have reported suppliers hiking prices on face masks by as much as 1,000% while tattooists, nail bars and vets are among businesses asked by local councils to help by donating masks and gloves.
Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England, said on Tuesday the UK had "sufficient stocks" but the logistics of getting PPE to where it is most needed had been difficult.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said there was a "military operation" ongoing to move stocks around the country, with national distribution companies drafted in to help.
-Are some countries making people wear masks?
Some Asian countries and a handful of European nations have already made face masks compulsory in public on the basis that many people infected with the virus show no symptoms.
In Europe, just Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Bosnia-Herzegovina have introduced these measures.
In the Philippines, residents now have to wear a mask in public, and the same is true in some of the worst-affected provinces in China.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan the majority of citizens are sporting a mask anyway and it is also common to do so in these regions anyway because of air pollution.


thedailyecho--2020-04-02--Aldi relaxes restrictions on beer and pasta - here’s what’s the supermarket has changed

German supermarket cgain Aldi has relaxed restrictions on the number of items shoppers can purchase in store during the coronavirus pandemic .
Last month , the budget supermarket chain announced that it would be implementing limits on the amount of any one item shoppers were allowed to purchase in-store .
This policy was designed to prevent stockpiling among shoppers , ensuring everyone could access what they needed during the UK 's coronavirus lockdown period .
What are the new limits on items ?
However , as of March 31 , Aldi has decided to ease some of the temporary restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , customers will only be limited to purchasing four units of the following products : Baby formula , antibacterial hand gel and UHT milk will be limited to two units per customer .
The supermarket chain says that product availability in-store is currently good , and that this new easing of restrictions will make it easier for people to shop on behalf of vulnerable people and those who are self-isolating .
In spite of this easing of restrictions , the supermarket chain says it would still like to encourage shoppers to only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus measures have supermarkets put in place ?
Alongside limits on the number of items shoppers can purchase , Aldi has also introduced other measures to keep customers and staff safe and minimise risk of viral transmission .
Across all its UK supermarket branches , for instance , protective screens will be installed at tills to protect staff and customers from droplet transmission of coronavirus .
This policy is also being implemented by several other supermarkets .
The majority of UK supermarkets will also be enforcing social distancing between shoppers and staff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do this , to placing markings on the floors to tell customers where to stand safely .
Other protective measures implemented by supermarkets include cleaning regularly-handled equipment , such as trollies , and offering dedicated shopping hours to NHS staff and vulnerable customers .

Last month, the budget supermarket chain announced that it would be implementing limits on the amount of any one item shoppers were allowed to purchase in-store.
This policy was designed to prevent stockpiling among shoppers, ensuring everyone could access what they needed during the UK's coronavirus lockdown period.
SHOPPING: Inside an Aldi supermarket. Picture: Aldi
What are the new limits on items?
However, as of March 31, Aldi has decided to ease some of the temporary restrictions previously put in place.
From now on, customers will only be limited to purchasing four units of the following products:
Antibacterial wipes
Hand wash and soap
Shower gel
Bleach
Toilet tissue, kitchen towel, tissues
Nappies
Pasta
Canned tomatoes, canned beans and sausages
Part baked bread
Beers, wines and spirits
Baby formula, antibacterial hand gel and UHT milk will be limited to two units per customer.
The supermarket chain says that product availability in-store is currently good, and that this new easing of restrictions will make it easier for people to shop on behalf of vulnerable people and those who are self-isolating.
In spite of this easing of restrictions, the supermarket chain says it would still like to encourage shoppers to only purchase what they need.
What other coronavirus measures have supermarkets put in place?
Alongside limits on the number of items shoppers can purchase, Aldi has also introduced other measures to keep customers and staff safe and minimise risk of viral transmission.
Across all its UK supermarket branches, for instance, protective screens will be installed at tills to protect staff and customers from droplet transmission of coronavirus.
This policy is also being implemented by several other supermarkets.
The majority of UK supermarkets will also be enforcing social distancing between shoppers and staff, with policies ranging from using marshals to do this, to placing markings on the floors to tell customers where to stand safely.
Other protective measures implemented by supermarkets include cleaning regularly-handled equipment, such as trollies, and offering dedicated shopping hours to NHS staff and vulnerable customers.


thedailyecho--2020-04-03--Southampton nurse has car smashed with rocks as she works 13 hour shift in A&E

A SOUTHAMPTON nurse 's car was smashed with rocks while she completed a 13 hour shift in A & E .
On April 1 , a nurse , understood to be a senior sister in A & E at the University Hospital Southampton , returned to her car on Tremona Road after a 13 hour shift .
She arrived to find that the back right-hand window had been completely shattered after an unknown offender reportedly struck the windows with rocks .
A witness reported the incident to police and told officers that a man on a bike was looking into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocks .
The incident is said to have happened between 4.30pm and 4.40pm .
It is not known if any items where stolen from her vehicle .
Now , police are appealing for the public to come forward with any information they may have on the incident .
A spokesperson from Hampshire Police said : `` We have received a report that between 4.30pm and 4.40pm yesterday ( 1 April ) a car was broken into on Tremona Road .
`` A man on a bike was seen looking into the car window @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If anyone witnessed anything or has any information please call us on 101 quoting 44200118152 . ''
It comes just days after a Southampton emergency department senior sister was racially abused and threatened by a group of teenagers as she walked home from a 12 hour shift on Monday , March 23 .
• Southampton nurse threatened and told to 'go home to China' The nurse , who has asked not to be named and is from the Philippines , was told “ you brought coronavirus to our country ” , “ go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re awful ” .

On April 1, a nurse, understood to be a senior sister in A&E at the University Hospital Southampton, returned to her car on Tremona Road after a 13 hour shift.
She arrived to find that the back right-hand window had been completely shattered after an unknown offender reportedly struck the windows with rocks.
A witness reported the incident to police and told officers that a man on a bike was looking into the car window before smashing it with rocks.
The incident is said to have happened between 4.30pm and 4.40pm.
It is not known if any items where stolen from her vehicle.
Now, police are appealing for the public to come forward with any information they may have on the incident.
A spokesperson from Hampshire Police said: "We have received a report that between 4.30pm and 4.40pm yesterday (1 April) a car was broken into on Tremona Road.
"A man on a bike was seen looking into the car window before smashing it with rocks.
"If anyone witnessed anything or has any information please call us on 101 quoting 44200118152."
It comes just days after a Southampton emergency department senior sister was racially abused and threatened by a group of teenagers as she walked home from a 12 hour shift on Monday, March 23.
The nurse, who has asked not to be named and is from the Philippines, was told “you brought coronavirus to our country”, “go home to China”, and “you’re awful”.


thedailyecho--2020-04-03--Numbers of police officers being spat at during the coronavirus outbreak are on the rise

HAMPSHIRE Police Federation has reporting a rise in the number of police officers being spat at during the coronavirus crisis .
Federation chairman Alex Charge has called for prison sentences to be handed down to anyone found guilty of the assaults .
He said : `` We ’ ve had an increase in spitting assaults .
It is just so disgraceful that in this climate where police officers are out trying to protect the public , people are spitting at them and threatening to spit at them and give them and potentially their families Covid-19 .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that where people are convicted of those assaults that the criminal justice system works and those people go to prison .
“ They need to be made an example of by the criminal justice system , it ’ s that simple .
If they don ’ t go to prison , it ’ s not acceptable.
” Mr Charge hopes the Criminal Prosecution Service ( CPS ) and Home Office will shortly agree on recommended sentencing .
This follows two offenders elsewhere in the country being punished with prison sentences .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Home Office are working around seeking to get those sort of sentences handed out .
“ It ’ s very heartening that the two I ’ m aware of resulted in prison sentences for offenders .
That ’ s what we want to see .
That gives a clear message to people who think they might spit or threaten to spit at police officers , and that ’ s what we ’ d expect from the criminal justice system ; to look after us .
“ They ’ ve got family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends , they ’ ve got relatives , and they don ’ t want to catch Covid-19 while at work and bring it back into their families .
“ We have had some cases of coronavirus .
We ’ ve got quite a number isolating , and the force has been very good in terms of freeing up people who have got family in high-risk groups .
“ The force has some advanced plans about people ’ s welfare and keeping people safe the best they can.
” Hampshire Police Federation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s disgusting .
It shouldn ’ t be tolerated at all .
Spitting has always been an issue for police officers – before this , heroin addicts and people who knew they were infected with hepatitis have used it as a weapon .
People should be dealt with ; the courts should deal with them as robustly as they can .
”

Federation chairman Alex Charge has called for prison sentences to be handed down to anyone found guilty of the assaults.
He said: "We’ve had an increase in spitting assaults. It is just so disgraceful that in this climate where police officers are out trying to protect the public, people are spitting at them and threatening to spit at them and give them and potentially their families Covid-19.
“It’s disgusting, and we are very keen that where people are convicted of those assaults that the criminal justice system works and those people go to prison.
“They need to be made an example of by the criminal justice system, it’s that simple. If they don’t go to prison, it’s not acceptable.”
Mr Charge hopes the Criminal Prosecution Service (CPS) and Home Office will shortly agree on recommended sentencing.
This follows two offenders elsewhere in the country being punished with prison sentences.
He said: “I know nationally the CPS and the Home Office are working around seeking to get those sort of sentences handed out.
“It’s very heartening that the two I’m aware of resulted in prison sentences for offenders. That’s what we want to see. That gives a clear message to people who think they might spit or threaten to spit at police officers, and that’s what we’d expect from the criminal justice system; to look after us.
“They’ve got family at home, they’ve got friends, they’ve got relatives, and they don’t want to catch Covid-19 while at work and bring it back into their families.
“We have had some cases of coronavirus. We’ve got quite a number isolating, and the force has been very good in terms of freeing up people who have got family in high-risk groups.
“The force has some advanced plans about people’s welfare and keeping people safe the best they can.”
Hampshire Police Federation’s Vice-Chair Zoë Wakefield added: “It’s disgusting. It shouldn’t be tolerated at all. Spitting has always been an issue for police officers – before this, heroin addicts and people who knew they were infected with hepatitis have used it as a weapon. People should be dealt with; the courts should deal with them as robustly as they can.”


thedailyecho--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Live updates and news from across Hampshire

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thedailyecho--2020-04-03--PHOTOS: Coronavirus virus lockdown empties Southampton streets

SOUTHAMPTON residents have been living in lockdown for almost two weeks .
Prime Minister , Boris Johnson previously announced that people can only leave their homes under special circumstances .
This includes buying necessities such as food and medical supplies , to get medical help , to exercise once a day and to provide care and assistance .
People may also travel to and from work `` where absolutely necessary '' .
Southampton 's usually busy streets are now deserted following the measures which were announced on March 23 .
With most employees now working from home the pavements are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the roads .
The PM has ordered all shops selling non-essential goods to close .
Meanwhile , the Government has said that every citizen must comply with the new measures .
Police now have the powers to enforce these `` through fines and dispersing gatherings where people do not comply '' .
Supermarkets have restricted the number of shoppers entering at one time , Boris Johnson is still showing signs of coronavirus , Downing Street has said .
However , he will end his seven days of self-isolation end on Friday but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the Downing Street flat where he has been staying .
It comes as 2,961 people were confirmed to have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Wednesday .
The youngest person who died without underlying health conditions was aged 25 .

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson previously announced that people can only leave their homes under special circumstances.
This includes buying necessities such as food and medical supplies, to get medical help, to exercise once a day and to provide care and assistance.
PHOTOS: Coronavirus virus lockdown empties Southampton streets
People may also travel to and from work "where absolutely necessary".
Southampton's usually busy streets are now deserted following the measures which were announced on March 23.
With most employees now working from home the pavements are empty and there are far fewer cars on the roads.
The PM has ordered all shops selling non-essential goods to close.
Meanwhile, the Government has said that every citizen must comply with the new measures.
Police now have the powers to enforce these "through fines and dispersing gatherings where people do not comply".
Supermarkets have restricted the number of shoppers entering at one time, Boris Johnson is still showing signs of coronavirus, Downing Street has said.
However, he will end his seven days of self-isolation end on Friday but it is unclear whether he plans to leave the Downing Street flat where he has been staying.
It comes as 2,961 people were confirmed to have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Wednesday.
The youngest person who died without underlying health conditions was aged 25.


thedailyecho--2020-04-03--A further 27 coronavirus patients die within a day in Hampshire

A FURTHER 27 coronavirus patients have died in Hampshire within the last day .
The NHS has revealed that a further 13 people have died at the University Hospital Southampton , just days after it was announced that 11 patients with the virus had passed away taking the Southampton death toll up to 24 .
A further five died in Portsmouth and nine in Winchester .
As of 5pm yesterday , there were a total of 33,718 cases of coronavirus across the UK , rising by 4,255 cases in just 24 hours .
A further 569 people cross the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,921 .
All of the patients were aged between 22 and 100-years-old and 44 of them had no underlying health conditions .
In Hampshire , the total number of cases was at 699 and there were a reported 105 confirmed cases of the virus in Southampton .
To tackle the outbreak University Hospital Southampton has increased its ventilated intensive care unit capacity from 50 to 150 and there are plans to increase this number to 200 .
A hospital spokesman said : `` Our planning at University Hospital Southampton is advanced .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready and have a clear plan for the weeks ahead .
`` We would like to thank our teams for their outstanding professionalism and commitment to delivering the best possible care under these difficult circumstances .
`` We are doing everything we can so we would urge everyone to do their bit to support our staff through good hand hygiene and social distancing . ''
Regarding Boris Johnson 's diagnosis the Prime Minister 's official spokesman told a Westminster briefing : `` The Prime Minister continues to have mild symptoms , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he would be leaving self-isolation on Friday , the spokesman said : `` We 're following the guidelines from Public Health England ( PHE ) and from the chief medical officer which state that you need to self-isolate for a period of seven days , so no change in that . ''
Number 10 said work was ongoing with nine potential suppliers on developing an antibody test which would show whether people have had the virus .

The NHS has revealed that a further 13 people have died at the University Hospital Southampton, just days after it was announced that 11 patients with the virus had passed away taking the Southampton death toll up to 24.
A further five died in Portsmouth and nine in Winchester.
As of 5pm yesterday, there were a total of 33,718 cases of coronavirus across the UK, rising by 4,255 cases in just 24 hours.
A further 569 people cross the UK died taking the national death toll to 2,921.
All of the patients were aged between 22 and 100-years-old and 44 of them had no underlying health conditions.
In Hampshire, the total number of cases was at 699 and there were a reported 105 confirmed cases of the virus in Southampton.
To tackle the outbreak University Hospital Southampton has increased its ventilated intensive care unit capacity from 50 to 150 and there are plans to increase this number to 200.
A hospital spokesman said: "Our planning at University Hospital Southampton is advanced.
"We have done everything possible to be ready and have a clear plan for the weeks ahead.
"We would like to thank our teams for their outstanding professionalism and commitment to delivering the best possible care under these difficult circumstances.
"We are doing everything we can so we would urge everyone to do their bit to support our staff through good hand hygiene and social distancing."
Regarding Boris Johnson's diagnosis the Prime Minister's official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: "The Prime Minister continues to have mild symptoms, but he does still have symptoms."
Asked if he would be leaving self-isolation on Friday, the spokesman said: "We're following the guidelines from Public Health England (PHE) and from the chief medical officer which state that you need to self-isolate for a period of seven days, so no change in that."
Number 10 said work was ongoing with nine potential suppliers on developing an antibody test which would show whether people have had the virus.


thedailyecho--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Southampton and Hampshire councils launch helpline

HAMPSHIRE councils have launched a helpline to support the most vulnerable amid the coronavirus outbreak .
Residents who do not have support from families or friends and who need urgent assistance with essential food , household supplies and collection of medication , or who are at risk of loneliness can now call the new helpline set up by the local authorities .
Southampton City Council , Hampshire County Council and the 11 borough and district councils across the county have joined forces with volunteers to support local residents .
The county council ’ s helpline called Hantshelp4vulnerable is available seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5pm to provide advice and information , as well as co-ordinate requests for practical help .
Residents ’ requests will then be passed through to the appropriate Local Response Centre across the 11 districts .
The service is available for all county residents except from those living in Portsmouth , Southampton and the Isle of Wight , where different arrangements have been made .
Graham Allen , county council ’ s director of adults ’ health and care , said : “ Many have trusted friends , family and neighbours they can call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not the case , local public , private and voluntary sector partners are urgently working together to ensure that people ’ s needs are met , so that the right help reaches people at the right time.
” Southampton City Council has also launched its own helpline to support residents across the city .
It will be open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm and will provide emergency food and social contact , if needed , to those who have registered for support .
It will also connect people to voluntary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an appropriate service .
The authority has also launched a Southampton Community Support Hub for those whoare unable to rely on family or friends for adequate practical support .
City councillor Steve Leggett said : “ We know there are some households who may be struggling to access support and our community hub will aim to address this gap.
” The council said it is also working with NHS Southampton City CCG and Saints Foundation to co-ordinate the collection and delivery of medications for those who do not have a family or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The county council helpline can be contacted on 0333 370 4000 .

Residents who do not have support from families or friends and who need urgent assistance with essential food, household supplies and collection of medication, or who are at risk of loneliness can now call the new helpline set up by the local authorities.
Southampton City Council, Hampshire County Council and the 11 borough and district councils across the county have joined forces with volunteers to support local residents.
The county council’s helpline called Hantshelp4vulnerable is available seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm to provide advice and information, as well as co-ordinate requests for practical help.
Residents’ requests will then be passed through to the appropriate Local Response Centre across the 11 districts.
The service is available for all county residents except from those living in Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, where different arrangements have been made.
Graham Allen, county council’s director of adults’ health and care, said: “Many have trusted friends, family and neighbours they can call on for support, but where this is not the case, local public, private and voluntary sector partners are urgently working together to ensure that people’s needs are met, so that the right help reaches people at the right time.”
Southampton City Council has also launched its own helpline to support residents across the city.
It will be open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm and will provide emergency food and social contact, if needed, to those who have registered for support .
It will also connect people to voluntary organisations and community groups and link residents to an appropriate service.
The authority has also launched a Southampton Community Support Hub for those
whoare unable to rely on family or friends for adequate practical support.
City councillor Steve Leggett said: “We know there are some households who may be struggling to access support and our community hub will aim to address this gap.”
The council said it is also working with NHS Southampton City CCG and Saints Foundation to co-ordinate the collection and delivery of medications for those who do not have a family or friends network in place for support.
The county council helpline can be contacted on 0333 370 4000.
For the city council helpline call 023 8083 4800.


thedailyecho--2020-04-03--Health Secretary describes 'unpleasant' experience of having Covid-19

THE Health Secretary has described having coronavirus as a `` pretty unpleasant experience '' , as cases of Covid-19 topped one million worldwide .
Matt Hancock said he has now fully recovered from the `` nasty '' illness , which saw him suffer sleepless nights and an `` incredibly '' sore throat .
He said Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who has `` been working throughout '' after he also tested positive for the virus , is a `` bit under the weather '' but is also `` up and about and on the Zoom conference calls a huge amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of his own symptoms , Mr Hancock said : `` It was a pretty unpleasant experience , I went downhill on Thursday last week and for a couple of nights it was very hard to sleep , incredibly painful throat , it was like having glass in my throat . ''
He said he had also suffered a `` bit of a cough '' and lost half a stone in weight .
It comes as the John Hopkins University in the US , which is tracking the global picture , said Covid-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
Meanwhile , two siblings of Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab , the 13-year-old who died after testing positive for coronavirus , have also developed symptoms , according to a family friend who launched an online appeal .
The development means Ismail 's mother and six siblings are forced to self-isolate and can not attend his funeral in Brixton on Friday , Mark Stephenson said .
Elsewhere , the NHS Nightingale Hospital at the ExCel centre in east London is due to open , while two other temporary hospitals have also been announced for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radio 4 's Today programme , Mr Hancock said it is unclear whether he is now immune to Covid-19 .
`` I took advice on that and the advice is it 's highly likely that I am now immune , or have a very high level of immunity , '' he said .
`` But it 's not certain .
`` And so , like everybody else who has been through it , I am social distancing , just like everybody else .
`` We have a stream of work under way ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having immunity certificates , so that if people have been through it , and when the science is clear about the point at which they are then immune , that people can then start getting back to normal even more because they have been through it .
`` One of the big challenges in this is to know how long immunity lasts for . ''
Mr Hancock said the virus is expected to peak in the UK in the next few weeks , adding : `` It 's very , very sensitive to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines . ''
He said there are around 35,000 front-line NHS staff who are not currently in work due to coronavirus , but he added the testing figures for health staff `` should '' rise to thousands a day in the next few weeks .
On Thursday , the Cabinet minister pledged England would hit 100,000 tests per day by the end of the month following widespread criticism of the Government 's testing strategy .
Mr Hancock said the goal can include antigen tests , which tell people whether they currently have Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see whether people have previously had the infection .
A version of the latter has yet to be approved for use in the UK but several are undergoing rigorous testing .
Mr Hancock said the commitment to get to 250,000 tests a day - as set out by Boris Johnson - `` still stands '' but he had wanted to `` put a very clear timeline '' on the goal to get to 100,000 by the end of the month .
He said currently no antibody tests have been `` pencilled in '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but `` if we do find one that works , obviously that will be great '' .
Mr Hancock said it is `` frustrating '' the first antibody tests to undergo testing have not worked , but more are coming , with many produced in China and some domestically .
He stressed `` money is no object '' in the UK 's coronavirus fight , adding work is ongoing to harness expertise in pharmaceutical firms that are not traditional testing companies .
`` Money is no object here , what matters is getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly as possible , '' he said , insisting testing is an important tool when looking to ease the lockdown .
In New York , members of the public are being urged to wear face masks or face coverings if they go outside after the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) said it would look again at whether they are effective .
However , US officials stressed this should not lead to complacency as people can still contract the virus via their eyes , and there is a continued need to keep hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newly-planned temporary hospital sites have been agreed at the University of the West of England and the Harrogate Convention Centre .
They will join other sites due to open at Birmingham 's National Exhibition Centre and Manchester 's Central Complex .
More than 6,000 additional beds are also being created by field hospitals erected in leisure centres and stadiums across Wales .
And construction of a temporary hospital called the NHS Louisa Jordan is under way in Glasgow .
So far , 163,194 people in the UK have been tested for Covid-19 - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latest data shows 2,921 people were confirmed to have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Wednesday .

Matt Hancock said he has now fully recovered from the "nasty" illness, which saw him suffer sleepless nights and an "incredibly" sore throat.
He said Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has "been working throughout" after he also tested positive for the virus, is a "bit under the weather" but is also "up and about and on the Zoom conference calls a huge amount, and on the phone".
Of his own symptoms, Mr Hancock said: "It was a pretty unpleasant experience, I went downhill on Thursday last week and for a couple of nights it was very hard to sleep, incredibly painful throat, it was like having glass in my throat."
He said he had also suffered a "bit of a cough" and lost half a stone in weight.
It comes as the John Hopkins University in the US, which is tracking the global picture, said Covid-19 cases have now passed one million across the world.
Meanwhile, two siblings of Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, the 13-year-old who died after testing positive for coronavirus, have also developed symptoms, according to a family friend who launched an online appeal.
The development means Ismail's mother and six siblings are forced to self-isolate and cannot attend his funeral in Brixton on Friday, Mark Stephenson said.
Elsewhere, the NHS Nightingale Hospital at the ExCel centre in east London is due to open, while two other temporary hospitals have also been announced for Bristol and Harrogate.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Hancock said it is unclear whether he is now immune to Covid-19.
"I took advice on that and the advice is it's highly likely that I am now immune, or have a very high level of immunity," he said.
"But it's not certain.
"And so, like everybody else who has been through it, I am social distancing, just like everybody else.
"We have a stream of work under way... on immunity, with, potentially, having immunity certificates, so that if people have been through it, and when the science is clear about the point at which they are then immune, that people can then start getting back to normal even more because they have been through it.
"One of the big challenges in this is to know how long immunity lasts for."
Mr Hancock said the virus is expected to peak in the UK in the next few weeks, adding: "It's very, very sensitive to how many people follow the social distancing guidelines."
He said there are around 35,000 front-line NHS staff who are not currently in work due to coronavirus, but he added the testing figures for health staff "should" rise to thousands a day in the next few weeks.
On Thursday, the Cabinet minister pledged England would hit 100,000 tests per day by the end of the month following widespread criticism of the Government's testing strategy.
Mr Hancock said the goal can include antigen tests, which tell people whether they currently have Covid-19, as well as antibody tests to see whether people have previously had the infection.
A version of the latter has yet to be approved for use in the UK but several are undergoing rigorous testing.
Mr Hancock said the commitment to get to 250,000 tests a day - as set out by Boris Johnson - "still stands" but he had wanted to "put a very clear timeline" on the goal to get to 100,000 by the end of the month.
He said currently no antibody tests have been "pencilled in" as part of the 100,000 figure, but "if we do find one that works, obviously that will be great".
Mr Hancock said it is "frustrating" the first antibody tests to undergo testing have not worked, but more are coming, with many produced in China and some domestically.
He stressed "money is no object" in the UK's coronavirus fight, adding work is ongoing to harness expertise in pharmaceutical firms that are not traditional testing companies.
"Money is no object here, what matters is getting the country out of this situation as quickly as possible," he said, insisting testing is an important tool when looking to ease the lockdown.
In New York, members of the public are being urged to wear face masks or face coverings if they go outside after the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it would look again at whether they are effective.
However, US officials stressed this should not lead to complacency as people can still contract the virus via their eyes, and there is a continued need to keep hands clean.
In the UK, two newly-planned temporary hospital sites have been agreed at the University of the West of England and the Harrogate Convention Centre.
They will join other sites due to open at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre and Manchester's Central Complex.
More than 6,000 additional beds are also being created by field hospitals erected in leisure centres and stadiums across Wales.
And construction of a temporary hospital called the NHS Louisa Jordan is under way in Glasgow.
So far, 163,194 people in the UK have been tested for Covid-19 - roughly 0.2% of the population.
Latest data shows 2,921 people were confirmed to have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Wednesday.


thedailyecho--2020-04-03--Funeral of young Hampshire girl limited to just 10 people because of coronavirus

THE FUNERAL of a young Hampshire girl “ who was so prevalent in the community ” was limited to just 10 close family attending due to the coronavirus pandemic .
As previously reported , 11-year-old Brooke Leavey passed away with her parents by her side at their home in Hedge End on March 14 , after almost a year battling with an aggressive cancer known as DIPG , which left her with an inoperable tumour on her brain stem .
Hundreds of family , friends and people in the local community where set to flock to the streets for Brooke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but due to government guidelines and social distancing rules , the service was gradually reduced in size .
On the day , only ten close family members were allowed to attend the service at Wessex Vale Crematorium , with a few close friends being alowed to wait outside of the service .
Helen Patten , a close family friend of Brooke , said : “ It was a lovely service , but it wasn ’ t what was planned .
We were going to have a massive send off .
People donated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and effort since Brooke was diagnosed and people would have lined the streets .
But because of social distancing , the service got smaller and smaller and only ten members of her closest family could attend .
“ For a child that was so prevalent in the community , to have such a locked down service is awful .
So we are going to fundraise again and host a big celebration of her life when all of this is over .
In 11 short years , she made a massive impact on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Brooke ’ s parents , Daniel and Lisa , are social distancing like the rest of us , but we are all desperate to see them .
The best thing for them now is to see people that care about them and to be lifted up , but we ’ re not allowed.
” Despite only being here for 11 years , Helen said that Brooke made “ such an impact ” on those around her , and hundreds of people fundraised to allow her to receive care in the USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kingdom .
However , despite medical treatment , the 11-year-old succumbed to the rare illness .
As previously reported , pupils from Brooke 's school , Berrywood , raised more than £3,500 by throwing a fashion show to fund specialist treatment , while a “ Do it for Brooke ” campaign raised over £168,584 .
Once the government restrictions are lifted , Brooke ’ s family are planing to continue fundraising , so they can hold a festival in her honour , where everyone who knew her can celebrate her life .

As previously reported, 11-year-old Brooke Leavey passed away with her parents by her side at their home in Hedge End on March 14, after almost a year battling with an aggressive cancer known as DIPG, which left her with an inoperable tumour on her brain stem.
Hundreds of family, friends and people in the local community where set to flock to the streets for Brooke’s funeral on Friday March 27, but due to government guidelines and social distancing rules, the service was gradually reduced in size. On the day, only ten close family members were allowed to attend the service at Wessex Vale Crematorium, with a few close friends being alowed to wait outside of the service.
Helen Patten, a close family friend of Brooke, said: “It was a lovely service, but it wasn’t what was planned. We were going to have a massive send off. People donated so much money, time, love and effort since Brooke was diagnosed and people would have lined the streets. But because of social distancing, the service got smaller and smaller and only ten members of her closest family could attend.
“For a child that was so prevalent in the community, to have such a locked down service is awful. So we are going to fundraise again and host a big celebration of her life when all of this is over. In 11 short years, she made a massive impact on our lives and we want to honour this.
“Brooke’s parents, Daniel and Lisa, are social distancing like the rest of us, but we are all desperate to see them. The best thing for them now is to see people that care about them and to be lifted up, but we’re not allowed.”
Despite only being here for 11 years, Helen said that Brooke made “such an impact” on those around her, and hundreds of people fundraised to allow her to receive care in the USA that wasn't available in the United Kingdom.
However, despite medical treatment, the 11-year-old succumbed to the rare illness.
As previously reported, pupils from Brooke's school, Berrywood, raised more than £3,500 by throwing a fashion show to fund specialist treatment, while a “Do it for Brooke” campaign raised over £168,584.
Once the government restrictions are lifted, Brooke’s family are planing to continue fundraising, so they can hold a festival in her honour, where everyone who knew her can celebrate her life.


thedailyecho--2020-04-03--Eastleigh community group launched to help vulnerable during coronavirus outbreak

A COMMUNITY group with almost 500 members has been set up to help the elderly and vulnerable residents in the Eastleigh area during the coronavirus crisis .
As many residents face significant periods of self isolation , residents in Eastleigh are coming together to make sure the vulnerable are supported , with hundreds of people having joined the “ Eastleigh Community Aid Support ” Facebook page .
This page was set up as a “ central hub ” for people who want to volunteer in their community , as well as people who need assistance until the coronavirus blows over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which allows the organisers to match up volunteers from each area , with the people that need help .
The group aims to provide accurate information to those who need it , encourage volunteers to physically help the vulnerable with tasks such as shopping , and offer emotional support to people self-isolating by talking to them on the phone to reduce loneliness .
Josh Constable , 23 , who helped set up the group , said : “ We set this group up to act as a central hub , trying to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help with volunteering in the community .
“ The whole point is to bring the community together and this will be hugely important moving forward .
We have a big opportunity to stop some suffering before it gets started .
This is what communities do in times of crisis .
“ Our focus is to connect people with those near them and let them help neighbours and friends through this crisis . ''
The group organisers are appealing for more volunteers to help out around the borough , and even a 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help people get through this ” .
Eastleigh MP , Paul Holmes believes this idea is “ comforting and reassuring ” for the community .
He said : “ At this time of national emergency , it is comforting and reassuring to see residents pulling together .
We have a great sense of community locally , and I am not surprised to see people stepping up to be counted .
“ The role of volunteers in the coming weeks and months will be crucial in supporting vulnerable people .
It is vital that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice though.
” To become a volunteer , visit the website at https : //eastleigh-aid.uk , where there will be instructions on how to register and access the volunteer spreadsheet .

As many residents face significant periods of self isolation, residents in Eastleigh are coming together to make sure the vulnerable are supported, with hundreds of people having joined the “Eastleigh Community Aid Support” Facebook page.
This page was set up as a “central hub” for people who want to volunteer in their community, as well as people who need assistance until the coronavirus blows over and a spreadsheet has been created, which allows the organisers to match up volunteers from each area, with the people that need help.
The group aims to provide accurate information to those who need it, encourage volunteers to physically help the vulnerable with tasks such as shopping, and offer emotional support to people self-isolating by talking to them on the phone to reduce loneliness.
Josh Constable, 23, who helped set up the group, said: “We set this group up to act as a central hub , trying to get as many Eastleigh residents involved as possible to help with volunteering in the community.
“The whole point is to bring the community together and this will be hugely important moving forward. We have a big opportunity to stop some suffering before it gets started. This is what communities do in times of crisis.
“Our focus is to connect people with those near them and let them help neighbours and friends through this crisis."
The group organisers are appealing for more volunteers to help out around the borough, and even a 15 minute call to a neighbour “can help people get through this”.
Eastleigh MP, Paul Holmes believes this idea is “comforting and reassuring” for the community.
He said: “At this time of national emergency, it is comforting and reassuring to see residents pulling together. We have a great sense of community locally, and I am not surprised to see people stepping up to be counted.
“The role of volunteers in the coming weeks and months will be crucial in supporting vulnerable people. It is vital that our volunteers stay safe and following medical advice though.”
To become a volunteer, visit the website at https://eastleigh-aid.uk, where there will be instructions on how to register and access the volunteer spreadsheet.


thedailyecho--2020-04-03--Police receive more than 40 scams to donate to NHS amid virus

A POLICE force have received more than 40 money scams amid the coronavirus outbreak .
Hampshire Constabulary announced they have @ @ @ @ @ scam email purporting to be from HM Government asking for donations to the NHS .
@ @ @ @ @ `` We have received 41 reports of a scam email purporting to be from HM @ @ @ @ @ the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak .
`` This is a fake email and your @ @ @ @ @ in the hands of a criminal .
`` The NHS will never ask you to @ @ @ @ @ bank account .
If you would like to donate to the NHS you can do @ @ @ @ @ or your local NHS Trust .
`` Do n't click on the links or attachments @ @ @ @ @ respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details . ''

Hampshire Constabulary announced they have had 41 reports of a scam email purporting to be from HM Government asking for donations to the NHS.
A police spokesperson said: "We have received 41 reports of a scam email purporting to be from HM Government asking for donations to the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak.
"This is a fake email and your money will only end up in the hands of a criminal.
"The NHS will never ask you to send money directly to a bank account. If you would like to donate to the NHS you can do so via their official channels or your local NHS Trust.
"Don't click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details."


thedailyecho--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: 684 more people with coronavirus die in the UK, taking total to 3,605

A TOTAL of 3,605 patients across the UK have now died after testing positive for coronavirus .
The number means that another 684 people with Covid-19 died in the 24 hours leading up to 5pm on Thursday , the Department for Health said .
That number marks a rise on the 24 hours leading up to 5pm on Wednesday , in which 569 people died .
The news comes as the Government announced it is ready to take action to clamp down on `` unscrupulous '' traders seeking to exploit the coronavirus outbreak by charging sky-high prices for essential items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 said officials were in daily contact with retailers about the `` minority '' of outlets which had ramped up prices of goods in heavy demand .
At the same time the Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ) is continuing to talk to Amazon and eBay about the actions they are taking against online sellers on their sites .
`` We are facing a health emergency and nobody should be seeking to exploit that for financial gain , '' the Prime Minister 's official spokesman said .
`` Amazon and eBay have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfairly priced listings and .
suspending or terminating the accounts of unscrupulous sellers .
`` We will look at whether further action is necessary to tackle this issue .
People are obviously trying to exploit the situation we find ourselves in and that must n't be allowed to happen . ''
A recent survey by Which ?
found some online traders were advertising items such as anti-bacterial hand gel , digital thermometers and disinfectant for many times their normal price .

The number means that another 684 people with Covid-19 died in the 24 hours leading up to 5pm on Thursday, the Department for Health said.
That number marks a rise on the 24 hours leading up to 5pm on Wednesday, in which 569 people died.
The news comes as the Government announced it is ready to take action to clamp down on "unscrupulous" traders seeking to exploit the coronavirus outbreak by charging sky-high prices for essential items.
In a fresh warning, No 10 said officials were in daily contact with retailers about the "minority" of outlets which had ramped up prices of goods in heavy demand.
At the same time the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is continuing to talk to Amazon and eBay about the actions they are taking against online sellers on their sites.
"We are facing a health emergency and nobody should be seeking to exploit that for financial gain," the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.
"Amazon and eBay have been taking actions, removing and blocking unfairly priced listings and. suspending or terminating the accounts of unscrupulous sellers.
"We will look at whether further action is necessary to tackle this issue. People are obviously trying to exploit the situation we find ourselves in and that mustn't be allowed to happen."
A recent survey by Which? found some online traders were advertising items such as anti-bacterial hand gel, digital thermometers and disinfectant for many times their normal price.


thedailyecho--2020-04-03--Chris Packham loses legal bid to prevent work on ancient woodlands

CHRIS Packham has lost a High Court bid to prevent work on ancient woodlands as part of the HS2 project .
The TV presenter was seeking an emergency injunction to stop works that he claimed would cause destruction or `` irreversible and irreparable loss '' to such sites .
Packham applied for the order as part of an attempt to bring a legal challenge over the Government 's decision to give the green light to HS2 .
But at a High Court hearing on Friday , two senior judges refused Packham permission to bring a claim against the Government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Announcing the court 's decision , Lord Justice Coulson said : `` This application has no realistic prospect of success , so we do not grant permission to bring judicial review proceedings . ''
He also said that , even if the court had thought the application had a realistic chance of success , they `` would not have favoured granting the injunction '' .
Packham , a well-known environmental campaigner , was seeking to bring a legal challenge against the Government on the grounds that the decision to give the go-ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it relied on a review process that did not fully take into account issues such as the environmental costs of the project .
The injunction focused on preventing `` clearance works '' at ancient woodlands , which Packham alleged would cause damage and destruction to the sites , as well as disturb species of animals protected under EU law , as well as nesting and breeding sites and resting places .
David Wolfe QC , representing Packham , told the court that the ancient woodlands are `` hundreds of years old '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that there was concern about the `` irreplaceable damage '' that could be done to these sites and that the `` balance is in favour of pressing the pause button while the issues are considered '' .
The Government argued that Packham 's legal challenge did not have a real prospect of success and should not be allowed to proceed .
HS2 is a new high-speed rail network that , when completed , should connect London , Birmingham , Manchester and Leeds , along with other points in the country .
Lord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full reasons for its decision in a written ruling at a later date .
Packham said : `` The High Court 's decision today is hugely disappointing .
`` Not just for me - but for the future of the natural world .
`` I had so hoped that we could go into this weekend safe in the knowledge that our precious ancient trees and all the life they support would still be there on Monday .
`` But as a result of this decision some of the most beautiful organisms we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever as HS2 Ltd moves in with its chainsaws to hack into our ancient trees .
`` As the ecological and climate crisis deepens , our future depends on what we do today .
`` Together we will battle on .
`` This might be David against Goliath but I am not giving up after just one slingshot .
`` We are considering an appeal .
`` That decision will be made on Monday when the judges publish their reasons . ''
A Department for Transport spokesperson said : `` We are pleased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our current priority is combating the spread of coronavirus , we must continue our work to level up the country .
`` HS2 will be crucial to that ambition , boosting capacity and connectivity across our rail network . ''

The TV presenter was seeking an emergency injunction to stop works that he claimed would cause destruction or "irreversible and irreparable loss" to such sites.
Packham applied for the order as part of an attempt to bring a legal challenge over the Government's decision to give the green light to HS2.
But at a High Court hearing on Friday, two senior judges refused Packham permission to bring a claim against the Government's decision and did not grant the injunction.
Announcing the court's decision, Lord Justice Coulson said: "This application has no realistic prospect of success, so we do not grant permission to bring judicial review proceedings."
He also said that, even if the court had thought the application had a realistic chance of success, they "would not have favoured granting the injunction".
Packham, a well-known environmental campaigner, was seeking to bring a legal challenge against the Government on the grounds that the decision to give the go-ahead to HS2 was "unlawful" because it relied on a review process that did not fully take into account issues such as the environmental costs of the project.
The injunction focused on preventing "clearance works" at ancient woodlands, which Packham alleged would cause damage and destruction to the sites, as well as disturb species of animals protected under EU law, as well as nesting and breeding sites and resting places.
David Wolfe QC, representing Packham, told the court that the ancient woodlands are "hundreds of years old" and are "simply irreplaceable."
He added that there was concern about the "irreplaceable damage" that could be done to these sites and that the "balance is in favour of pressing the pause button while the issues are considered".
The Government argued that Packham's legal challenge did not have a real prospect of success and should not be allowed to proceed.
HS2 is a new high-speed rail network that, when completed, should connect London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, along with other points in the country.
Lord Justice Coulson said the court would give full reasons for its decision in a written ruling at a later date.
Packham said: "The High Court's decision today is hugely disappointing.
"Not just for me - but for the future of the natural world.
"I had so hoped that we could go into this weekend safe in the knowledge that our precious ancient trees and all the life they support would still be there on Monday.
"But as a result of this decision some of the most beautiful organisms we have living in the UK will be gone forever as HS2 Ltd moves in with its chainsaws to hack into our ancient trees.
"As the ecological and climate crisis deepens, our future depends on what we do today.
"Together we will battle on.
"This might be David against Goliath but I am not giving up after just one slingshot.
"We are considering an appeal.
"That decision will be made on Monday when the judges publish their reasons."
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "We are pleased with today's verdict.
"While our current priority is combating the spread of coronavirus, we must continue our work to level up the country.
"HS2 will be crucial to that ambition, boosting capacity and connectivity across our rail network."


thedailyecho--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Man fined for leaving home and flouting isolation measures

A MAN who was stopped by police while in Winchester has been fined for breaking isolation measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
After the Coronavirus Act came into force , police were granted powers to enforce rules on staying at home .
Officers from Winchester ’ s Neighbourhood Policing Team saw and spoke to the man several times in the city centre yesterday morning ( April 2 ) .
The man , in his 30s , was understood to not have a reasonable excuse for being away from his home , as detailed under the act .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A male in Winchester will be receiving a fine after being spoken to and engaged with on three previous occasions this morning by Neighbourhood Officers .
“ A complete disregard to the guidelines set that so many are respecting.
” A police spokesperson added : “ Our priority is to reduce the spread of infection and protect the NHS , and our role is to engage , explain and encourage people to follow the regulations .
“ People in Winchester have been doing fantastically well so far .
We will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play our part in keeping people safe .
”

After the Coronavirus Act came into force, police were granted powers to enforce rules on staying at home.
Officers from Winchester’s Neighbourhood Policing Team saw and spoke to the man several times in the city centre yesterday morning (April 2).
The man, in his 30s, was understood to not have a reasonable excuse for being away from his home, as detailed under the act.
A post on Winchester Cops Twitter said: “A male in Winchester will be receiving a fine after being spoken to and engaged with on three previous occasions this morning by Neighbourhood Officers.
“A complete disregard to the guidelines set that so many are respecting.”
A police spokesperson added: “Our priority is to reduce the spread of infection and protect the NHS, and our role is to engage, explain and encourage people to follow the regulations.
“People in Winchester have been doing fantastically well so far. We will continue to be out in our local communities to play our part in keeping people safe.”


thedailyecho--2020-04-04--Public raise more than £33k as part of campaign for Southampton Hospital

A CAMPAIGN backed by the Daily Echo to help support the NHS has raised more than £33k .
A total of £33,129 has been raised by the public to support NHS staff who work at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust ( UHS ) .
The money has enable organisers to fund wellness packages with hand creams , food supplies and mental health support information .
They have also ordered coffee machines to be distributed across the hospital sites and are in the process of securing milk , refreshments and paper deliveries which is especially important now that many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site .
In a video message sent to the Daily Echo , UHS Interim Co-Director , Jeneen Thomsen , said : `` I 'm absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to thank you on behalf of everyone at the charity and University Hospital Southampton for all your support that you have given up over the last few weeks to ensure that staff at the hospital are receiving everything that they need to help support them in these difficult times .
`` Thank you so much . ''
However , there is still so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still need iPads for the Occupational Health colleagues enabling them to do interactive sessions with staff whilst remaining off site .
They are also hoping to get tablets for UHS staff so that they can connect safely with loved ones at home whilst working long shifts or isolating themselves .
Campaign organisers have also identified a safe space for staff but the room needs remodelling in order to support their needs .
It comes after the Daily Echo backed a Southampton Hospitals Charity campaign for help following an increased demand for services and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
IT forms part of the Daily Echo # ThereWithYou to support residents and commit to shine a light on unsung heroes in our community .
To donate visit www.southamptonhospitalscharity.org/NHSheroes or text NHSHEROES 3 to 70460 to donate £3 ; NHSHEROES 5 to 70460 to donate £5 ; NHSHEROES 10 to 70460 to donate £10 .

A total of £33,129 has been raised by the public to support NHS staff who work at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS).
The money has enable organisers to fund wellness packages with hand creams, food supplies and mental health support information.
They have also ordered coffee machines to be distributed across the hospital sites and are in the process of securing milk, refreshments and paper deliveries which is especially important now that many of the shops and restaurants have closed on site.
In a video message sent to the Daily Echo, UHS Interim Co-Director, Jeneen Thomsen, said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to thank you on behalf of everyone at the charity and University Hospital Southampton for all your support that you have given up over the last few weeks to ensure that staff at the hospital are receiving everything that they need to help support them in these difficult times.
"Thank you so much."
However, there is still so much more that is needed.
Organisers still need iPads for the Occupational Health colleagues enabling them to do interactive sessions with staff whilst remaining off site.
They are also hoping to get tablets for UHS staff so that they can connect safely with loved ones at home whilst working long shifts or isolating themselves.
Campaign organisers have also identified a safe space for staff but the room needs remodelling in order to support their needs.
It comes after the Daily Echo backed a Southampton Hospitals Charity campaign for help following an increased demand for services and frontline staff at UHS due to the coronavirus pandemic.
IT forms part of the Daily Echo #ThereWithYou to support residents and commit to shine a light on unsung heroes in our community.
To donate visit www.southamptonhospitalscharity.org/NHSheroes or text NHSHEROES 3 to 70460 to donate £3; NHSHEROES 5 to 70460 to donate £5; NHSHEROES 10 to 70460 to donate £10.


thedailyecho--2020-04-04--Plans lodged for 24 staff parking spaces in a Hampshire hospital

PLANS for more staff parking spaces in a Hampshire hospital has been submitted .
The proposal , submitted to Test Valley Borough Council , is to add 24 new spaces to Romsey Hospital .
Councillor Dorothy Baverstock , who represents Cupernham on the borough council , visited the site earlier this year .
She said : `` I think it is absolutely brilliant .
Anything that is put in place to keep the hospital up and thriving is a great benefit for Romsey .
`` It should help alleviate some space for staff parking and will clear up the outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for patients to park .
`` It will all help move it round . ''
Councillor Baverstock is glad the move is being implemented by friends of Romsey Hospital .
The proposal allows for an additional 24 car parking spaces bringing the total of available spaces in this area to 39 .
The applicant states that thee present ground levels on site allow surfacing to be installed using a no-dig form of construction and will reduce disruption .
Romsey League of Friends wish to clear semi-mature trees and scrub from two adjacent areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the site .
These will then be surfaced as new parking bays .
Romsey hospital is situated off of Winchester Hill , Romsey .
The deadline for the proposal to go in front of planning chiefs is Wednesday , May 20 2020 .

The proposal, submitted to Test Valley Borough Council, is to add 24 new spaces to Romsey Hospital.
Councillor Dorothy Baverstock, who represents Cupernham on the borough council, visited the site earlier this year.
She said: "I think it is absolutely brilliant. Anything that is put in place to keep the hospital up and thriving is a great benefit for Romsey.
"It should help alleviate some space for staff parking and will clear up the outside car park which will make it easier for patients to park.
"It will all help move it round."
Councillor Baverstock is glad the move is being implemented by friends of Romsey Hospital.
The current staff car park can hold 15 cars.
The proposal allows for an additional 24 car parking spaces bringing the total of available spaces in this area to 39.
The applicant states that thee present ground levels on site allow surfacing to be installed using
a no-dig form of construction and will reduce disruption.
Romsey League of Friends wish to clear semi-mature trees and scrub from two adjacent areas in the south and southeast corners of the site.
These will then be surfaced as new parking bays.
Romsey hospital is situated off of Winchester Hill, Romsey.
The deadline for the proposal to go in front of planning chiefs is Wednesday, May 20 2020.


thedailyecho--2020-04-04--Campaign launched to host street party in Romsey after coronavirus

A CAMPAIGN is underway to have a street party in a Hampshire town to celebrate the end of the coronavirus pandemic .
A number of Romsey residents have asked Town Centre manager , Mark Edgerley , to host a street party once the pandemic comes to an end .
One call on Facebook was from Romsey Abbey Deacon , Paul Hollingworth .
He said : `` There has been a lot of enthusiasm for a town centre street party when we come out the other side of Covid-19 .
`` Is this possible and if so how do we go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mark Edgerley has responded to the idea of a Romsey street party .
He said : `` It is certainly possible once there are all clear sounds on crowds .
`` We are holding back on plans at the moment but I have already heard from number of organisations that will help make it happen .
`` Currently my view is keep it simple “ big picnic ” perhaps with a stage with comedy and music acts .
`` Budget will be a consideration as will location given potential size of event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 mist clears '' I would anticipate that some restrictions will be lifted before others and the big group one will be last I suspect because risks are highest . ''
Paul Hollingworth added : `` When we get to the end of the restrictions there will have been many hardships and fears along the way and we will all need to let this go and restart life but perhaps in a different way to that which we knew .
`` It is my wish that not only do we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrate , we need to say thank you to all those who kept things going for the rest of us by giving them a place of honour in some way and to give thanks together for getting through such a terrible time .
`` Lastly my overwhelming hope and prayer is that such an event will consolidate how we feel and work together as an entire society especially within our wonderful town of Romsey , which as always had a strong community spirit . ''
One resident said : `` It would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where everyone brings their own stuff . ''
This comes as a number of events have been cancelled throughout the town and surrounding villages due to the rapidly-spreading coronavirus .

A number of Romsey residents have asked Town Centre manager, Mark Edgerley, to host a street party once the pandemic comes to an end.
One call on Facebook was from Romsey Abbey Deacon, Paul Hollingworth.
He said: "There has been a lot of enthusiasm for a town centre street party when we come out the other side of Covid-19.
"Is this possible and if so how do we go about it when the time comes?"
Mark Edgerley has responded to the idea of a Romsey street party.
He said: "It is certainly possible once there are all clear sounds on crowds.
"We are holding back on plans at the moment but I have already heard from number of organisations that will help make it happen.
"Currently my view is keep it simple “big picnic” perhaps with a stage with comedy and music acts.
"Budget will be a consideration as will location given potential size of event. But these can be sorted when the Covid-19 mist clears
"I would anticipate that some restrictions will be lifted before others and the big group one will be last I suspect because risks are highest."
Paul Hollingworth added: "When we get to the end of the restrictions there will have been many hardships and fears along the way and we will all need to let this go and restart life but perhaps in a different way to that which we knew.
"It is my wish that not only do we have a need as a town and country to celebrate, we need to say thank you to all those who kept things going for the rest of us by giving them a place of honour in some way and to give thanks together for getting through such a terrible time.
"Lastly my overwhelming hope and prayer is that such an event will consolidate how we feel and work together as an entire society especially within our wonderful town of Romsey, which as always had a strong community spirit."
One resident said: "It would be a great idea - an outdoor picnic/concert where everyone brings their own stuff."
This comes as a number of events have been cancelled throughout the town and surrounding villages due to the rapidly-spreading coronavirus.


thedailyecho--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Police remind residents to follow government guidelines over Easter holidays

OFFICERS have reminded families to stick to the government guidelines as Easter weekend approaches .
This weekend marks the beginning of the Easter holidays for families across Hampshire , and with it an upturn in weather is expected .
Police say normally , the Easter holidays would include catching up with family and friends and spending time outside in the many open spaces , beaches and national parks in Hampshire .
However in these unprecedented times , the public , as well as the police , are continuing to adjust to the new measures put in place by the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assistant Chief Constable Scott Chilton , said : “ As we all adjust to these new measures , it has been reassuring to see how well people have adapted to quite unique and challenging circumstances .
And I want to thank you for that .
“ We appreciate that everyone will want to take advantage of the expected upturn in weather and visit local green spaces , beaches and national parks .
“ But right now , our main priority is to protect our local communities , and as such we would urge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay at home to prevent the spread of infection and keep our loved ones safe .
“ We will continue to be out this weekend to ensure social distancing is happening and everyone is staying safe.
” Police have reminded to only leave their houses for essential trips , in line with the coronavirus government guidelines .
ACC Chilton added : “ We are trying to engage , explain and encourage everyone to follow the advice being issued by my officers .
“ We may need to ask you about your circumstances if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelling so please continue to consider if your journey is essential .
“ However , where people do not comply , then we will direct people to go home , and , if necessary , we will issue a fine .
We see this as a last resort , but we will use our powers if we have to .
“ Each and every one of us can find a way to interpret the law to suit our individual circumstances .
The whole purpose of these measures is to avoid unnecessary contact and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all have a part to play in that .
”

This weekend marks the beginning of the Easter holidays for families across Hampshire, and with it an upturn in weather is expected.
Police say normally, the Easter holidays would include catching up with family and friends and spending time outside in the many open spaces, beaches and national parks in Hampshire.
However in these unprecedented times, the public, as well as the police, are continuing to adjust to the new measures put in place by the UK Government due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Assistant Chief Constable Scott Chilton, said: “As we all adjust to these new measures, it has been reassuring to see how well people have adapted to quite unique and challenging circumstances. And I want to thank you for that.
“We appreciate that everyone will want to take advantage of the expected upturn in weather and visit local green spaces, beaches and national parks.
“But right now, our main priority is to protect our local communities, and as such we would urge everyone to follow the government advice; stay at home to prevent the spread of infection and keep our loved ones safe.
“We will continue to be out this weekend to ensure social distancing is happening and everyone is staying safe.”
Police have reminded to only leave their houses for essential trips, in line with the coronavirus government guidelines.
ACC Chilton added: “We are trying to engage, explain and encourage everyone to follow the advice being issued by my officers.
“We may need to ask you about your circumstances if we see you out and about or travelling so please continue to consider if your journey is essential.
“However, where people do not comply, then we will direct people to go home, and, if necessary, we will issue a fine. We see this as a last resort, but we will use our powers if we have to.
“Each and every one of us can find a way to interpret the law to suit our individual circumstances. The whole purpose of these measures is to avoid unnecessary contact and reduce the spread of infection. We all have a part to play in that.”


thedailyecho--2020-04-04--Hundreds of Hampshire prisoners 'doubled up' in cells meant for one person

Hundreds of inmates at Winchester prison are doubled up in cells designed to hold one person , figures reveal .
Pressure is being put on Justice Secretary Robert Buckland to allow convicted criminals to head home to prevent more deaths in England and Wales ' crowded prisons , after Northern Ireland signalled it would let out more than 10 % of those behind bars .
Ministry of Justice figures show that of the 577 prisoners at HMP Winchester in 2018-19 , 292 ( 51 % ) were living in crowded conditions .
Of those , 273 were prisoners doubled up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 were living in cells with more than one other inmate .
Calls for action from human rights groups and a prisons watchdog came as the Ministry of Justice confirmed that 65 prisoners had tested positive for coronavirus in 23 different prisons , as of Monday ( March 31 ) .
Jails across England and Wales have been put on lockdown with all visits cancelled , however , it 's feared that prison crowding could lead to jails becoming overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic .
Staff numbers in prisons are already stretched , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tenth of the workforce , currently in self-isolation due to Covid-19 .
Nationally , the prison overcrowding rate fell to 22.5 % in 2019 , from 24.2 % in 2018 .
Crowding was particularly concentrated in male local prisons , which usually serve a court in the local authority area and predominantly hold remand and short sentence prisoners .
The rate of crowding at Winchester in 2018-19 was down from 51.2 % in 2017-18 .
But a decade earlier , in 2008-09 , the rate was 59.7 % .
The Independent Advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be only for `` serious and violent offenders '' at this time .
Juliet Lyon , IAPDC chairman , said : `` Ministers and officials are faced with some of the most difficult decisions they have ever had to make , about balance of risk and the best ways to keep people safe .
`` In an unprecedented public health crisis , it is not fair or proportionate to commit prisoners , and staff responsible for them , to try to survive in insanitary , overcrowded institutions devoid currently of independent oversight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amnesty International UK , said that decreasing the prison population and the number of people in immigration detention centres is a `` crucial means of slowing the spread of Covid-19 '' .
At the end of March , the Government announced that pregnant women in custody who do n't pose a high risk of harm to the public would be temporarily released from prison on an electronic tag , to protect them and their unborn child from coronavirus .
A Prison Service spokeswoman said : `` We have robust and flexible plans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff , prisoners and visitors , based on the latest advice from Public Health England and the Department of Health and Social Care . ''

Pressure is being put on Justice Secretary Robert Buckland to allow convicted criminals to head home to prevent more deaths in England and Wales' crowded prisons, after Northern Ireland signalled it would let out more than 10% of those behind bars.
Ministry of Justice figures show that of the 577 prisoners at HMP Winchester in 2018-19, 292 (51%) were living in crowded conditions.
Of those, 273 were prisoners doubled up in a single-occupancy cell, while another 19 were living in cells with more than one other inmate.
Calls for action from human rights groups and a prisons watchdog came as the Ministry of Justice confirmed that 65 prisoners had tested positive for coronavirus in 23 different prisons, as of Monday (March 31).
Jails across England and Wales have been put on lockdown with all visits cancelled, however, it's feared that prison crowding could lead to jails becoming overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Staff numbers in prisons are already stretched, with around 3,500 employees, representing about a tenth of the workforce, currently in self-isolation due to Covid-19.
Nationally, the prison overcrowding rate fell to 22.5% in 2019, from 24.2% in 2018.
Crowding was particularly concentrated in male local prisons, which usually serve a court in the local authority area and predominantly hold remand and short sentence prisoners.
The rate of crowding at Winchester in 2018-19 was down from 51.2% in 2017-18. But a decade earlier, in 2008-09, the rate was 59.7%.
The Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody said prisons should be only for "serious and violent offenders" at this time.
Juliet Lyon, IAPDC chairman, said: "Ministers and officials are faced with some of the most difficult decisions they have ever had to make, about balance of risk and the best ways to keep people safe.
"In an unprecedented public health crisis, it is not fair or proportionate to commit prisoners, and staff responsible for them, to try to survive in insanitary, overcrowded institutions devoid currently of independent oversight."
Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said that decreasing the prison population and the number of people in immigration detention centres is a "crucial means of slowing the spread of Covid-19".
At the end of March, the Government announced that pregnant women in custody who don't pose a high risk of harm to the public would be temporarily released from prison on an electronic tag, to protect them and their unborn child from coronavirus.
A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "We have robust and flexible plans in place to protect the lives of our staff, prisoners and visitors, based on the latest advice from Public Health England and the Department of Health and Social Care."


thedailyecho--2020-04-04--Hampshire's history celebrated as previously unseen films published

A NEW online project enabling people , including those with dementia , to enjoy local film archive footage spanning from the 1910s to the 1970s has been launched by the county council .
Hampshire County Council ’ s Wessex Film and Sound Archive is introducing ‘ 100 Days of Film ’ which will publish clips from across the county , many of which not been seen publicly before .
The motion pictures include 1920s beach outings to Milford-On-Sea , complete with cloche hats and drop waisted dresses ; New Forest scenes in the 1920s – Bolton ’ s Bench and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dell in colour back in the 1930s ; and Aldershot Military Show in the 1960s , to name just a few .
The county council ’ s executive member for recreation and heritage , Cllr Seán Woodward , said : “ At a time when many are staying at home , Wessex Film and Sound Archive has curated a fantastic , free collection of local film footage , revealing how residents lived their lives across the last century .
“ Among these are clips made available to help those living with dementia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , photographs , treasured objects and favourite songs can all help stimulate fond thoughts of the past , and allow individuals to recall their own histories .
Now everyone can enjoy them from the comfort of their own home through their computers , tablets and smart phones.
” Film clips will be shared each day at 9am via the Archive ’ s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/WessexFilmArchive and also on the Hampshire Record Office Facebook page and @ HantsArchives Twitter feed .
Cllr Woodward continued : “ While Hampshire Record Office is currently closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ striving to make sure that residents and visitors can still access the brilliant material we have on Hampshire ’ s heritage and history .
I would encourage everyone to follow ‘ 100 Days of Film ’ – it ’ s a remarkable project which , even though many of us are physically apart , connects all of us online in an exciting new way.
” Wessex Film and Sound Archive is keen to add to its cataloguing – so if people notice something that is not captured in the description , please leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records will be updated .

Hampshire County Council’s Wessex Film and Sound Archive is introducing ‘100 Days of Film’ which will publish clips from across the county, many of which not been seen publicly before.
The motion pictures include 1920s beach outings to Milford-On-Sea, complete with cloche hats and drop waisted dresses; New Forest scenes in the 1920s – Bolton’s Bench and Rufus Stone; Saints playing at the Dell in colour back in the 1930s; and Aldershot Military Show in the 1960s, to name just a few.
The county council’s executive member for recreation and heritage, Cllr Seán Woodward, said: “At a time when many are staying at home, Wessex Film and Sound Archive has curated a fantastic, free collection of local film footage, revealing how residents lived their lives across the last century.
“Among these are clips made available to help those living with dementia, as we know that interaction with film, photographs, treasured objects and favourite songs can all help stimulate fond thoughts of the past, and allow individuals to recall their own histories. Now everyone can enjoy them from the comfort of their own home through their computers, tablets and smart phones.”
Film clips will be shared each day at 9am via the Archive’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/WessexFilmArchive and also on the Hampshire Record Office Facebook page and @HantsArchives Twitter feed.
Cllr Woodward continued: “While Hampshire Record Office is currently closed during the coronavirus outbreak, we are striving to make sure that residents and visitors can still access the brilliant material we have on Hampshire’s heritage and history. I would encourage everyone to follow ‘100 Days of Film’ – it’s a remarkable project which, even though many of us are physically apart, connects all of us online in an exciting new way.”
Wessex Film and Sound Archive is keen to add to its cataloguing – so if people notice something that is not captured in the description, please leave a comment on the post itself and records will be updated.


thedailyecho--2020-04-04--Send us pictures of your flowers and plants

Send us pictures of what you 're growing below .
IT ’ S that time of year when we watch in wonderment as shoots burst through soil , trees and bushes blossom and plants flower .
Formerly bleak and unattractive landscapes transform in an explosion of veritable colour , beautiful scents and an influx of life .
Bees busily buzz by on their quest to find and gather pollen and nectar , while migratory birds make these lands their home once again .
While many of you are planting and caring for what you ’ re growing - why not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonders of nature with our readers ?
We want to see what you ’ ve planted , what you have blossoming , flowering or fruiting - even the entire garden you take pride in .
Reader Katie Belo Dos Santos sent through images of her flowers and suggested that other readers do the same - so view hers and others in the gallery above .
With so many shops closed , it can be difficult to find seeds , compost , pots and other supplies - so if you know of anywhere local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms that currently deliver , why not let others know in the comments below .

IT’S that time of year when we watch in wonderment as shoots burst through soil, trees and bushes blossom and plants flower.
Formerly bleak and unattractive landscapes transform in an explosion of veritable colour, beautiful scents and an influx of life.
Bees busily buzz by on their quest to find and gather pollen and nectar, while migratory birds make these lands their home once again.
While many of you are planting and caring for what you’re growing - why not send us pictures and share the beautiful wonders of nature with our readers?
We want to see what you’ve planted, what you have blossoming, flowering or fruiting - even the entire garden you take pride in.
Reader Katie Belo Dos Santos sent through images of her flowers and suggested that other readers do the same - so view hers and others in the gallery above.
With so many shops closed, it can be difficult to find seeds, compost, pots and other supplies - so if you know of anywhere local to find such things, or know firms that currently deliver, why not let others know in the comments below.