news--2020-03-07--Fallen star fund manager Woodford courts investors in comeback bid

Neil Woodford , the former star fund manager whose empire imploded spectacularly last year , is canvassing interest from British investors about a potential bid to snap up some of his old investments .
Sky News has learnt that Mr Woodford and a number of colleagues from Woodford Investment Management ( WIM ) have held talks with institutional and wealth managers in recent weeks about assembling a new venture for sophisticated investors .
The principal idea pitched to prospective investors was the creation of a vehicle to buy back some of the unquoted WIM stakes in companies such as BenevolentAI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beam therapy specialist Rutherford Health and Immunocore , a biotech company which aims to treat serious diseases .
Sources said that Mr Woodford was mulling putting together an offer for the stakes held in the Woodford Equity Income Fund ( WEIF ) - which could cost in the region of £500m - at a discount to their net asset value .
Mr Woodford has also floated the possibility of creating a new fund to manage dozens of new holdings in London-listed companies .
Several sources said he had separately indicated a willingness to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the companies with which he had had a long association , such as the litigation funder Burford Capital .
A person close to Mr Woodford said this weekend that the prospect of the last of those ideas bearing fruit was `` extremely remote '' .
An ally of arguably Britain 's best-known stock-picker said that his discussions in recent weeks had been prompted by `` inbound interest '' in canvassing his views and possible involvement in a new vehicle .
The prospect of a return to active fund management for Mr Woodford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , with stock markets plunging in the last fortnight as investors have taken fright at the implications of the global coronavirus outbreak .
It was unclear this weekend what the prospects were for Mr Woodford to resurrect his career by attracting new backers .
A source close to him insisted that while he had been meeting prospective backers , any fund that he established would be focused on professional , rather than retail , investors .
Mr Woodford 's firm had been in talks with advisers about finding buyers for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into difficulties last year .
At his zenith , Mr Woodford managed funds with more than £15bn of investors ' money , much of it entrusted to him by hundreds of thousands of ordinary savers .
He made his name during a stellar period at Invesco , the Henley-on-Thames-based fund manager , where he attracted a cult-like following .
However , a string of poorly timed bets on public companies such as the construction group Kier , haulier Eddie Stobart Logistics , and Capita , the outsourcer , combined with large sums tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Woodford 's firm into crisis .
The catalyst for his implosion was a decision last June by Kent County Council to withdraw a £263m investment mandate from WIM .
Mr Woodford immediately 'gated ' his £3.7bn WEIF , preventing investors from selling their holdings and sparking one of the City 's bitterest rows for many years .
During the remainder of last year , Mr Woodford was stripped of his responsibility for running the funds which carried his name by Link Financial , their administrator .
The various WIM funds have since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to big City institutions such as Aberdeen Standard Investments and Schroders .
Blackrock , the world 's biggest asset manager , was handed the quoted part of the WEIF portfolio to sell , which includes shareholdings in companies such as Purplebricks , the online estate agent .
Investors now face losing as much as half their money as the funds ' holdings are liquidated by their new managers - although the scale of the losses will in some cases be lower .
In December , Bloomberg News reported that Mr Woodford and Craig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were in China for talks about an unspecified new venture .
The meetings with Chinese investors are not thought to have progressed significantly , possibly as a consequence of the coronavirus crisis which gripped the company earlier this year .
However , the news that Mr Woodford is now holding talks with UK-based financiers will inevitably draw intense scrutiny .
It emerged in January that Mr Woodford and Mr Newman had reaped £13.8m in dividends during the financial year prior to WEIF 's suspension , deepening the outcry over the firm 's implosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial year before the Equity Income fund was suspended , '' a WIM spokesman said at the time .
`` We can confirm that the partners did not take any profits or income during the fund 's suspension , nor was any management fee earned from managing Woodford Patient Capital Trust . ''
During his funds ' suspension last year , WIM continued to charge customers management fees .
WIM 's demise was the fund management sector 's most dramatic since New Star collapsed during the financial crisis , and sparked fury among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now facing intense scrutiny from regulators and lawyers who believe there may be scope to take action against him .
The approaches to him about the WEIF holdings became particularly pronounced following the conclusion of an exclusivity period within which WG Partners , a merchant bank specialising in life sciences , had the opportunity to conclude a deal , according to the person close to Mr Woodford .
Other holdings in the unquoted portfolio , which are being sold by the investment bank PJT Park Hill , include AMO and Oxford Nanopore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now expected to be sold individually - unless Mr Woodford or another investor can agree a larger deal .
Speaking late last year , Mr Woodford said : `` I personally deeply regret the impact events have had on individuals who placed their faith in Woodford Investment Management and invested in our funds . ''

Neil Woodford, the former star fund manager whose empire imploded spectacularly last year, is canvassing interest from British investors about a potential bid to snap up some of his old investments.
Sky News has learnt that Mr Woodford and a number of colleagues from Woodford Investment Management (WIM) have held talks with institutional and wealth managers in recent weeks about assembling a new venture for sophisticated investors.
The principal idea pitched to prospective investors was the creation of a vehicle to buy back some of the unquoted WIM stakes in companies such as BenevolentAI, a drug discovery start-up, proton beam therapy specialist Rutherford Health and Immunocore, a biotech company which aims to treat serious diseases.
Sources said that Mr Woodford was mulling putting together an offer for the stakes held in the Woodford Equity Income Fund (WEIF) - which could cost in the region of £500m - at a discount to their net asset value.
Mr Woodford has also floated the possibility of creating a new fund to manage dozens of new holdings in London-listed companies.
Several sources said he had separately indicated a willingness to explore the idea of taking private one of the companies with which he had had a long association, such as the litigation funder Burford Capital.
A person close to Mr Woodford said this weekend that the prospect of the last of those ideas bearing fruit was "extremely remote".
An ally of arguably Britain's best-known stock-picker said that his discussions in recent weeks had been prompted by "inbound interest" in canvassing his views and possible involvement in a new vehicle.
The prospect of a return to active fund management for Mr Woodford comes amid turmoil for asset managers around the world, with stock markets plunging in the last fortnight as investors have taken fright at the implications of the global coronavirus outbreak.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:17 Coronavirus market crash: Behind the numbers
It was unclear this weekend what the prospects were for Mr Woodford to resurrect his career by attracting new backers.
A source close to him insisted that while he had been meeting prospective backers, any fund that he established would be focused on professional, rather than retail, investors.
Mr Woodford's firm had been in talks with advisers about finding buyers for the unquoted stakes even before his firm ran into difficulties last year.
At his zenith, Mr Woodford managed funds with more than £15bn of investors' money, much of it entrusted to him by hundreds of thousands of ordinary savers.
He made his name during a stellar period at Invesco, the Henley-on-Thames-based fund manager, where he attracted a cult-like following.
However, a string of poorly timed bets on public companies such as the construction group Kier, haulier Eddie Stobart Logistics, and Capita, the outsourcer, combined with large sums tied up in illiquid private companies to plunge Mr Woodford's firm into crisis.
The catalyst for his implosion was a decision last June by Kent County Council to withdraw a £263m investment mandate from WIM.
Mr Woodford immediately 'gated' his £3.7bn WEIF, preventing investors from selling their holdings and sparking one of the City's bitterest rows for many years.
During the remainder of last year, Mr Woodford was stripped of his responsibility for running the funds which carried his name by Link Financial, their administrator.
The various WIM funds have since either been placed into run-off or handed to big City institutions such as Aberdeen Standard Investments and Schroders.
Blackrock, the world's biggest asset manager, was handed the quoted part of the WEIF portfolio to sell, which includes shareholdings in companies such as Purplebricks, the online estate agent.
Investors now face losing as much as half their money as the funds' holdings are liquidated by their new managers - although the scale of the losses will in some cases be lower.
In December, Bloomberg News reported that Mr Woodford and Craig Newman, WIM's chief executive, were in China for talks about an unspecified new venture.
The meetings with Chinese investors are not thought to have progressed significantly, possibly as a consequence of the coronavirus crisis which gripped the company earlier this year.
However, the news that Mr Woodford is now holding talks with UK-based financiers will inevitably draw intense scrutiny.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:24 Coronavirus fears wipe £200bn off FTSE
It emerged in January that Mr Woodford and Mr Newman had reaped £13.8m in dividends during the financial year prior to WEIF's suspension, deepening the outcry over the firm's implosion.
"The accounts relate to the financial year before the Equity Income fund was suspended," a WIM spokesman said at the time.
"We can confirm that the partners did not take any profits or income during the fund's suspension, nor was any management fee earned from managing Woodford Patient Capital Trust."
During his funds' suspension last year, WIM continued to charge customers management fees.
WIM's demise was the fund management sector's most dramatic since New Star collapsed during the financial crisis, and sparked fury among savers and politicians.
Mr Woodford is now facing intense scrutiny from regulators and lawyers who believe there may be scope to take action against him.
The approaches to him about the WEIF holdings became particularly pronounced following the conclusion of an exclusivity period within which WG Partners, a merchant bank specialising in life sciences, had the opportunity to conclude a deal, according to the person close to Mr Woodford.
WG remains interested in striking an agreement.
Other holdings in the unquoted portfolio, which are being sold by the investment bank PJT Park Hill, include AMO and Oxford Nanopore, two other healthcare companies.
The stakes are now expected to be sold individually - unless Mr Woodford or another investor can agree a larger deal.
Speaking late last year, Mr Woodford said: "I personally deeply regret the impact events have had on individuals who placed their faith in Woodford Investment Management and invested in our funds."
Mr Woodford declined to comment on Saturday.


news--2020-03-07--Coronavirus: Hotel used for quarantine collapses in China killing four

A hotel being used to house people in coronavirus quarantine has collapsed in China , killing four people and trapping dozens more .
It happened in the city of Quanzhou , in southeastern Fujian Province , the city government said on its website .
So far , at least 47 people have been rescued , according to state media outlet People 's Daily .
The South China Morning Post reported that the five-storey Xinjia Express Hotel collapsed just after 7pm local time ( 11am UK time ) .
It quoted sources that said it was one of two quarantine hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people who have had close contact with those who have tested positive for coronavirus , or the disease that causes its symptoms COVID-19 .
Fujian has been relatively lightly hit in comparison with some Chinese provinces , such as Hubei , the epicentre of the outbreak .
So far , according to official figures , there have been 296 confirmed cases in Fujian , compared with a total of 80,651 across the whole of China and 3,070 deaths .
Quanzhou is Fujian 's largest city with a population of more than eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government said it had recorded 99 new cases of coronavirus , its first daily increase of less than 100 since January 20 .
The government also reported 28 new deaths .
The country 's clampdown on movement to control the virus has brought a shock to the economy .
China reported exports had shrunk by nearly a fifth year-on-year for the first two months of 2020 .

A hotel being used to house people in coronavirus quarantine has collapsed in China, killing four people and trapping dozens more.
It happened in the city of Quanzhou, in southeastern Fujian Province, the city government said on its website. So far, at least 47 people have been rescued, according to state media outlet People's Daily.
The South China Morning Post reported that the five-storey Xinjia Express Hotel collapsed just after 7pm local time (11am UK time).
Image: Several people have been rescued already. Pic: Weibo/Emergency Management Department
Image: About 70 people were trapped. Pic: Weibo/Emergency Management Department
It quoted sources that said it was one of two quarantine hotels in the city's Licheng district, for people who have had close contact with those who have tested positive for coronavirus, or the disease that causes its symptoms COVID-19.
It opened in June 2018.
Image: The collapse happened in the city of Quanzhou. Pic: Weibo/Emergency Management Department
Fujian has been relatively lightly hit in comparison with some Chinese provinces, such as Hubei, the epicentre of the outbreak.
So far, according to official figures, there have been 296 confirmed cases in Fujian, compared with a total of 80,651 across the whole of China and 3,070 deaths.
Image: Authorities posted photos of the rescue operation. Pic: Weibo/Emergency Management Department
Image: The hotel opened in June 2018. Pic: Weibo/Emergency Management Department
Quanzhou is Fujian's largest city with a population of more than eight million.
On Saturday, China's government said it had recorded 99 new cases of coronavirus, its first daily increase of less than 100 since January 20. The government also reported 28 new deaths.
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The country's clampdown on movement to control the virus has brought a shock to the economy. China reported exports had shrunk by nearly a fifth year-on-year for the first two months of 2020.


news--2020-03-06--Coronavirus: Premier League to consider empty stadiums and over-70s ban

Major sporting events including Premier League football matches could be played in empty stadiums as the coronavirus outbreak spreads .
Sports authorities and broadcasters have been summoned by the government to Monday 's meeting to discuss contingency plans in case the virus spreads further .
On what could happen to the Premier League , Sky News ' sports correspondent Martha Kelner said : `` The Premier League is prepared for the possibility that Public Health England will advise that some fixtures this season will have to be played behind closed doors , as has been the case in other European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is understood that the preference in the case of advice that the season be postponed or played behind closed doors would be that it continues without fans permitted inside stadiums . ''
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce fears it is `` pretty inevitable '' Premier League games will be played behind closed doors as a result of the outbreak .
He said at his pre-match press conference on Friday : `` It 's hard to imagine , is n't it ?
But obviously , they 're doing it now in Italy and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face ... '' People 's lives are at stake and we 've got to go by the authorities .
But it looks pretty inevitable that could be on the cards . ''
The Premier League is also considering other possible contingency plans .
Kelner added : `` That may include advising against , or even a possible ban , on over-70s - the demographic considered to be at highest risk from the spread of COVID-19 - coming inside stadiums . ''
Such a ban may affect the former England and current Crystal Palace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sky News also understands that the Premier League would consult with broadcasters about televising more matches in the event that COVID-19 causes games to be played behind closed doors .
Ministers will go over a wide range of scenarios for all sports in the hope of reaching agreements about a plan to protect the public .
The Premier League has so far not changed any football fixtures but has scrapped the traditional pre-match handshake between players .
Italy , the worst affected country in Europe with more than 4,636 coronavirus cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already forced all top-flight Serie A games to be played without fans for a month in an attempt to curb the outbreak .
In France , Paris St Germain 's Ligue 1 game away to Strasbourg has been postponed following a `` prefectural order '' issued on Friday by the Grand Est region .
The Six Nations have postponed this weekend 's Scotland v France women 's match at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow after one of the Scotland players tested positive for coronavirus .
The team had recently returned from northern Italy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-isolating .
It follows the postponement of the men 's match between Italy and England in Rome , which had been scheduled for 14 March .
And this weekend 's clash between Ireland and Italy , due to be held in Dublin , is also off .
Meanwhile , players from Danish Super League clubs Brondby and Lyngby are in isolation after they met and hugged former Denmark international Thomas Kahlenberg , who has since tested positive for the virus .
• Twenty-one people stranded on a cruise ship off the coast of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sports authorities and broadcasters are to meet officials for discussions on UK coronavirus contingency plans • Globally , the number of coronavirus cases has passed 100,000 and there have been 3,400 deaths worldwide • London 's FTSE-100 has seen its biggest fall of the coronavirus crisis • Boris Johnson pledges an extra £46m for research into coronavirus vaccines and rapid diagnostic tests in the UK • Donald Trump has signed a bill to provide $ 8.3bn ( £6.4bn ) to bolster the capacity to test for coronavirus and fund other measures in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Health Organisation , says it was `` a false hope '' coronavirus would disappear in the summer like flu • Officials in the US city of Austin have cancelled the South by Southwest arts and technology festival • A 43-year-old British man tests positive for COVID-19 in Thailand , while the Vatican confirms its first case • Iran 's death toll from the virus jumps to 124 , as more than 1,000 new cases are diagnosed over 24 hours • The death toll in Italy rose by 49 to 197 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatalities • Mainland China had 99 new confirmed cases of infections on Friday , down from 143 cases a day earlier : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker

Major sporting events including Premier League football matches could be played in empty stadiums as the coronavirus outbreak spreads.
Sports authorities and broadcasters have been summoned by the government to Monday's meeting to discuss contingency plans in case the virus spreads further.
On what could happen to the Premier League, Sky News' sports correspondent Martha Kelner said: "The Premier League is prepared for the possibility that Public Health England will advise that some fixtures this season will have to be played behind closed doors, as has been the case in other European leagues like Italy and Morocco.
"It is understood that the preference in the case of advice that the season be postponed or played behind closed doors would be that it continues without fans permitted inside stadiums."
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce fears it is "pretty inevitable" Premier League games will be played behind closed doors as a result of the outbreak.
He said at his pre-match press conference on Friday: "It's hard to imagine, isn't it? But obviously, they're doing it now in Italy and it's something we're probably going to face...
"People's lives are at stake and we've got to go by the authorities. But it looks pretty inevitable that could be on the cards."
The Premier League is also considering other possible contingency plans.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 13:31 Coronavirus: How worried should we be?
Kelner added: "That may include advising against, or even a possible ban, on over-70s - the demographic considered to be at highest risk from the spread of COVID-19 - coming inside stadiums."
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Such a ban may affect the former England and current Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson, who is 72.
Sky News also understands that the Premier League would consult with broadcasters about televising more matches in the event that COVID-19 causes games to be played behind closed doors.
Image: The Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and England in Rome's Stadio Olimpico has been postponed
Ministers will go over a wide range of scenarios for all sports in the hope of reaching agreements about a plan to protect the public.
The Premier League has so far not changed any football fixtures but has scrapped the traditional pre-match handshake between players.
Italy, the worst affected country in Europe with more than 4,636 coronavirus cases and a death toll of 197, has already forced all top-flight Serie A games to be played without fans for a month in an attempt to curb the outbreak.
In France, Paris St Germain's Ligue 1 game away to Strasbourg has been postponed following a "prefectural order" issued on Friday by the Grand Est region.
Image: A possible stadium ban, on over-70s, is also set to be discussed
The Six Nations have postponed this weekend's Scotland v France women's match at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow after one of the Scotland players tested positive for coronavirus. The team had recently returned from northern Italy.
Seven members of management and players are self-isolating.
It follows the postponement of the men's match between Italy and England in Rome, which had been scheduled for 14 March.
And this weekend's clash between Ireland and Italy, due to be held in Dublin, is also off.
Meanwhile, players from Danish Super League clubs Brondby and Lyngby are in isolation after they met and hugged former Denmark international Thomas Kahlenberg, who has since tested positive for the virus.
In other developments:
Twenty-one people stranded on a cruise ship off the coast of California have tested positive for coronavirus
Sports authorities and broadcasters are to meet officials for discussions on UK coronavirus contingency plans
Globally, the number of coronavirus cases has passed 100,000 and there have been 3,400 deaths worldwide
London's FTSE-100 has seen its biggest fall of the coronavirus crisis
of the coronavirus crisis Boris Johnson pledges an extra £46m for research into coronavirus vaccines and rapid diagnostic tests in the UK
Donald Trump has signed a bill to provide $8.3bn (£6.4bn) to bolster the capacity to test for coronavirus and fund other measures in the US
Dr Mike Ryan, from the World Health Organisation, says it was "a false hope" coronavirus would disappear in the summer like flu
Officials in the US city of Austin have cancelled the South by Southwest arts and technology festival
A 43-year-old British man tests positive for COVID-19 in Thailand, while the Vatican confirms its first case
Iran's death toll from the virus jumps to 124, as more than 1,000 new cases are diagnosed over 24 hours
The death toll in Italy rose by 49 to 197 on Friday, the largest daily increase in fatalities
Mainland China had 99 new confirmed cases of infections on Friday, down from 143 cases a day earlier
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 1230 weekdays


news--2020-03-06--Threat of COVID-19 pandemic prompts thrill of entrepreneurial enthusiasm

The rapid rise in cases of COVID-19 has met with fear , uncertainty and panic in countries across the world - with one exception : certain corners of the tech sector .
There , the threat of pandemic has prompted a thrill of entrepreneurial enthusiasm .
`` While we hate the reason for it , we 're excited , '' Michael Helmbrecht , chief operating officer at video conferencing company Lifesize , told Sky News .
With non-essential travel banned and office staff encouraged to work from home , Lifesize has seen a surge of interest in its free and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video solutions '' for remote meetings .
`` We 've seen an explosion of interest and usage of our service since the middle of January , '' [ when COVID-19 cases first emerged ] said Mr Helmbrecht .
`` In Asia alone , minutes of usage on our service are up 100 % in that time .
They 're up a third just in the last week as it continues to grow .
`` We 're also seeing similar , but not quite as high growth , in Europe and North America .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of growth rates . ''
Lifesize is not the only video conference company benefiting from the epidemic .
US firm Bluejeans claims to have seen `` increases in video conferencing traffic on our network from January to February of 4x in China and 3x across Asia Pacific '' .
As the market plunged in February , shares in online meeting company Zoom shot up 50 % .
Big tech firms have been quick to scent an opportunity .
Google announced on Tuesday that it would be giving away free access to its advanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a move quickly followed by Microsoft .
Could this be the start of a shift towards remote working ?
`` When there was a Tube strike a few months back a lot of people took different routes , but when the strike was over they stuck with those routes , '' says Sam Dumitriu , research director for The Entrepreneurs Network .
`` It 's a test case for a lot of people : can you make remote working work in your office ?
Because this is something that 's been promised for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ materialised . ''
Not everyone is a fan .
`` In our opinion it is n't as good as face-to-face long-term , '' said Chris Lee , chief financial officer at global marketing company Jellyfish , which has had to close its Hong Kong , Italy and Singapore offices in response to the coronavirus outbreak .
`` It 's great as an interim , it really helps give people flexibility .
But long-term we 're a huge believer in collaboration and people collaborate best face-to-face . ''
If the virus spreads , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit .
Data gathered for Sky News by mobile analyst Sensor Tower has assessed consumer behaviour by tracking app installs on China 's App Store .
It found downloads of business , productivity and education apps surging as workers and students worked from home .
Between 1 January and 18 January 2020 , for instance , Alibaba 's remote work app , DingTalk , was downloaded 670,000 times ; then COVID-19 struck .
Since then , the app has been downloaded more than 17 million times in China .
Chinese tech giant Tencent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downloads at the end of January to more than 9 million by the end of February .
Overall , downloads on the Chinese App Store for all apps increased by approximately 48 % in February 2020 year-over-year from February 2019 .
Other apps that performed well in China included grocery delivery apps and gaming apps , which gained users as people spent more time indoors .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker But the data from China shows that not all tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - the Chinese equivalents of Uber , Gett and Bolt - experienced what Sensor Tower called `` a meaningful decline '' , dropping 75 % in installs between the weeks beginning 13 January and 10 February .
`` As people start returning to their places of work , you can expect behaviour to start returning to normal .
However , as our data estimates show , such as those for ridesharing , for example , a return to normality looks to be slow , '' says Sensor Tower co-founder Oliver Yeh .
Add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply chains in China and it 's clear that not every firm is looking at the situation with optimism .
But overall , COVID-19 looks likely to increase our reliance on digital technology - much like everything else .

The rapid rise in cases of COVID-19 has met with fear, uncertainty and panic in countries across the world - with one exception: certain corners of the tech sector.
There, the threat of pandemic has prompted a thrill of entrepreneurial enthusiasm.
"While we hate the reason for it, we're excited," Michael Helmbrecht, chief operating officer at video conferencing company Lifesize, told Sky News.
With non-essential travel banned and office staff encouraged to work from home, Lifesize has seen a surge of interest in its free and paid-for products, which offer high-resolution "video solutions" for remote meetings.
"We've seen an explosion of interest and usage of our service since the middle of January," [when COVID-19 cases first emerged] said Mr Helmbrecht.
"In Asia alone, minutes of usage on our service are up 100% in that time. They're up a third just in the last week as it continues to grow.
"We're also seeing similar, but not quite as high growth, in Europe and North America. Those are also setting records in terms of growth rates."
Lifesize is not the only video conference company benefiting from the epidemic. US firm Bluejeans claims to have seen "increases in video conferencing traffic on our network from January to February of 4x in China and 3x across Asia Pacific".
As the market plunged in February, shares in online meeting company Zoom shot up 50%.
Advertisement
Big tech firms have been quick to scent an opportunity. Google announced on Tuesday that it would be giving away free access to its advanced video-conferencing capabilities until 1 July 2020 - a move quickly followed by Microsoft.
Could this be the start of a shift towards remote working?
"When there was a Tube strike a few months back a lot of people took different routes, but when the strike was over they stuck with those routes," says Sam Dumitriu, research director for The Entrepreneurs Network.
"It's a test case for a lot of people: can you make remote working work in your office? Because this is something that's been promised for a long time but has never quite materialised."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:37 Coronavirus test kits delivered to cruise ship
Not everyone is a fan.
"In our opinion it isn't as good as face-to-face long-term," said Chris Lee, chief financial officer at global marketing company Jellyfish, which has had to close its Hong Kong, Italy and Singapore offices in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
"It's great as an interim, it really helps give people flexibility. But long-term we're a huge believer in collaboration and people collaborate best face-to-face."
If the virus spreads, it's not just video conferencing that may benefit. Data gathered for Sky News by mobile analyst Sensor Tower has assessed consumer behaviour by tracking app installs on China's App Store.
It found downloads of business, productivity and education apps surging as workers and students worked from home.
Image: DingTalk has been downloaded more than 17 million times in China since COVID-19 struck
Between 1 January and 18 January 2020, for instance, Alibaba's remote work app, DingTalk, was downloaded 670,000 times; then COVID-19 struck. Since then, the app has been downloaded more than 17 million times in China.
Chinese tech giant Tencent's meeting app went from 250,000 all-time downloads at the end of January to more than 9 million by the end of February.
Overall, downloads on the Chinese App Store for all apps increased by approximately 48% in February 2020 year-over-year from February 2019.
Other apps that performed well in China included grocery delivery apps and gaming apps, which gained users as people spent more time indoors.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
But the data from China shows that not all tech companies stand to benefit. Rideshare apps - the Chinese equivalents of Uber, Gett and Bolt - experienced what Sensor Tower called "a meaningful decline", dropping 75% in installs between the weeks beginning 13 January and 10 February.
"As people start returning to their places of work, you can expect behaviour to start returning to normal. However, as our data estimates show, such as those for ridesharing, for example, a return to normality looks to be slow," says Sensor Tower co-founder Oliver Yeh.
Add those tech companies to the ones with supply chains in China and it's clear that not every firm is looking at the situation with optimism. But overall, COVID-19 looks likely to increase our reliance on digital technology - much like everything else.
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 1230 weekdays


news--2020-03-07--Coronavirus: China tries to go back to work to heal illness-inflicted economy

The world 's workshop is trying to get back to work .
But not only does China have to make up for lost time - a month for most companies - it 's still subject to strict coronavirus restrictions .
To get her workers back to the factory , Kate Wong , chief executive of vape company RELX , paid them 20 % extra .
They are still two weeks away from full capacity .
Speaking to Sky News , she said that due to coronavirus : `` The production side had a lot of impact .
`` Production got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the workers have to stay at home for quarantine to come to the factory . ''
Some of RELX 's suppliers are in Hubei province - the epicentre of the outbreak - and meant new sources had to be found .
Despite this , Ms Wang remains optimistic .
She said : `` We think the recovery is going to be strong .
I think we can catch up but we 're definitely one month behind our original forecast . ''
Weeks spent on lockdown has throttled the economy in China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchasing managers index ( PMI ) - a measure showing the direction in which the economy is heading .
A reading above 50 on the index represents growth , whereas anything below , is a contraction .
It went from 50 in January to just 35.7 a month later - even worse than the previous low recorded during the financial crisis of 2008. : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Other metrics are also down , with the transport ministry saying on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ railways and trains had fallen nearly 80 % in February .
As a result , China faces a difficult balancing act between restarting the economy and containing the spread of COVID-19 .
Rushing people back to work , or easing off the cumbersome , ubiquitous restrictions , could lead to a second wave of a virus that appears to be diminishing here .
State media this week highlighted the fact that President Xi Jinping chaired a working meeting about the state of the economy during coronavirus , which marked a rare economic intervention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show business is getting back to normal that it invited Sky News on a tour of two sites in Beijing - a milk production facility and a power plant .
The propaganda message was clear : that businesses are being productive while also taking precautions .
Sun Li Feng , the manager of Hua Dian power plant , said : `` We have confidence to keep our staff healthy and provide enough electricity for our society . ''
But even propaganda can be revealing .
The government wanted to show journalists the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to make a show of that betrayed their anxiety .
Others , especially in the private service sector , are struggling .
Mr Zou , who runs a communications company in Beijing with 11 staff , said : `` As a service provider , this virus has caused a devastating impact .
`` That is to say , if clients do n't give us commissions , we wo n't have any financial source or income . ''
When the outbreak began , Mr Zou chose not to renew the lease on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home .
If the squeeze continues , he will lay-off staff and consider bank loans .
`` If it does n't get better by April , my company will face financial and economic issues , '' he said .
`` Small companies ca n't face having no businesses for six months , because this means we will definitely face our death . ''

The world's workshop is trying to get back to work.
But not only does China have to make up for lost time - a month for most companies - it's still subject to strict coronavirus restrictions.
To get her workers back to the factory, Kate Wong, chief executive of vape company RELX, paid them 20% extra. They are still two weeks away from full capacity.
Speaking to Sky News, she said that due to coronavirus: "The production side had a lot of impact.
Image: Kate Wong said production at her company has been delayed
"Production got delayed by 15 days. The reason is the workers have to stay at home for quarantine to come to the factory."
Some of RELX's suppliers are in Hubei province - the epicentre of the outbreak - and meant new sources had to be found. Despite this, Ms Wang remains optimistic.
She said: "We think the recovery is going to be strong. I think we can catch up but we're definitely one month behind our original forecast."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:18 COVID-19 quarantine hotel collapses in China
Weeks spent on lockdown has throttled the economy in China. The country recently released its latest manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) - a measure showing the direction in which the economy is heading.
A reading above 50 on the index represents growth, whereas anything below, is a contraction.
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It went from 50 in January to just 35.7 a month later - even worse than the previous low recorded during the financial crisis of 2008.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Other metrics are also down, with the transport ministry saying on Saturday that passenger volume on the roads, railways and trains had fallen nearly 80% in February.
As a result, China faces a difficult balancing act between restarting the economy and containing the spread of COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 13:31 Coronavirus: How worried should we be?
Rushing people back to work, or easing off the cumbersome, ubiquitous restrictions, could lead to a second wave of a virus that appears to be diminishing here.
State media this week highlighted the fact that President Xi Jinping chaired a working meeting about the state of the economy during coronavirus, which marked a rare economic intervention.
The government is so keen to show business is getting back to normal that it invited Sky News on a tour of two sites in Beijing - a milk production facility and a power plant.
The propaganda message was clear: that businesses are being productive while also taking precautions.
Sun Li Feng, the manager of Hua Dian power plant, said: "We have confidence to keep our staff healthy and provide enough electricity for our society."
But even propaganda can be revealing. The government wanted to show journalists the economy was fine. But the fact they needed to make a show of that betrayed their anxiety.
Others, especially in the private service sector, are struggling.
Mr Zou, who runs a communications company in Beijing with 11 staff, said: "As a service provider, this virus has caused a devastating impact.
"That is to say, if clients don't give us commissions, we won't have any financial source or income."
Image: Mr Zou is concerned about his communications business if things don't improve by April
When the outbreak began, Mr Zou chose not to renew the lease on his office and asked his employees to work from home. If the squeeze continues, he will lay-off staff and consider bank loans.
"If it doesn't get better by April, my company will face financial and economic issues," he said.
"Small companies can't face having no businesses for six months, because this means we will definitely face our death."


news--2020-03-07--Coronavirus: Chaos as Italy suddenly puts 16 million people on lockdown until April

Around 16 million Italians have been quarantined under drastic government measures to try to stop the rapid spread of the coronavirus .
There was panic and confusion as the lockdown - across the entire Lombardy region and 14 provinces in four other northern regions - came into force after the number of people to test positive for COVID-19 increased by 1,247 in a single 24-hour period .
The total number of coronavirus cases in the worst affected country in Europe has jumped to from 5,883 to 7,375 - and a further 133 people have also died , taking the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented decree , that affects more than a quarter of Italians , forbids anyone from leaving or entering the new red zones except for exceptional circumstances until at least 3 April .
It applies to some 10 million residents in Lombardy - which includes the financial capital Milan - and another six million in the provinces of Modena , Parma , Piacenza , Reggio Emilia , Rimini , Pesaro and Urbino , Alessandria , Asti , Novara , Verbano-Cusio-Ossola , Vercelli , Padua , Treviso and the tourist hotspot of Venice .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of China - the origin of the deadly disease - to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
As word spread about the new restrictions on late Saturday evening , there was chaos and confusion in Padua in the Veneto region .
Packed bars and restaurants quickly emptied as scores of people rushed back to their apartments to grab their belongings and head to the railway station .
Travellers with suitcases , wearing face masks , gloves and carrying bottles of hand gel shoved their way on to trains .
Worried students wrapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitisers , and sat on their suitcases in the aisles on full trains .
`` I read two hours ago that they may be putting out an urgent decree putting Padua in the red zone .
Because I would like to return down south to my relatives , I decided to go earlier , '' said one student , Roberto Pagliara , heading to his hometown of Puglia in southern Italy .
Crowds also packed into the central railway station in Milan .
One student who had decided to go home to Venice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was heading from one red zone to another , but told Italian news agency Ansa : `` I hope to be able to leave .
I already have the ticket .
I did not want to risk it . ''
Another pair of students were trying to get home to Florence .
`` We did not expect it , '' said one of the people in the lockdown , adding : `` We are worried because we do n't know if we will be able to leave . ''
`` It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' added another hopeful rail passenger , heading for Naples with his brother .
Local politicians reacted angrily to the measures , which were leaked to the media before regional civic leaders were alerted about the action .
The head of Lombardy , Attilio Fontano , said the proposals `` go in the right direction '' , but were a `` mess '' .
The head of the neighbouring Veneto region , Luca Zaia , added : `` We have seen these measures at the last minute .
We did not help to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being asked to give our assent almost at once .
It is literally impossible . ''
Stefano Bonaccini , president of the Emilia Romagna region , said parts of the decree were confusing .
The mayor of Asti , in the Piedmont region , posted a video on Facebook attacking Rome for not keeping regional leaders in the loop .
`` Nobody told me , '' wrote Maurizio Rasero , adding that he had received hundreds of messages on his mobile phone from alarmed citizens .
`` It 's incredible that information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come out in the newspaper first , '' he said .
But as southerners stranded in the north attempted to return home as soon as they could , civic leaders in the south urged them to stay put .
Michele Emiliano , the governor of Puglia , made an impassioned plea on Facebook : `` I speak to you as if you were my children , my brothers , my nephews and nieces : stop and go back .
`` Get off at the first train station , do not catch planes ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your buses .
Do not bring the Lombard , Veneto and Emilia epidemic to Puglia . ''
Jole Santelli , the president of Calabria , added : `` The government must block an exodus to Calabria , which risks triggering a disastrous bomb .
`` Returning from the north in an uncontrolled manner endangers our land and our loved ones .
Do n't do it .
Stop . ''
An estimated two million people have left southern regions and settled down in the north to further their education or in search of work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Italy .
Measures including restricting people from visiting the elderly in nursing homes were brought in earlier this week , while older people have been urged to stay at home .
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed the decree just after midnight .
He said : `` For Lombardy and for the other northern provinces that I have listed there will be a ban for everybody to move in and out of these territories and also within the same territory .
`` Exceptions will be allowed only for proven professional needs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are facing a national emergency , '' he added .
`` We have to limit the spread of the virus and prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed . ''
Antonio Pesenti , head of the Lombardy regional crisis response unit , told the Corriere della Sera newspaper the health system in Lombardy was `` a step away from collapse '' .
Shops , cafes and restaurants will be allowed to stay open between the hours of 6am and 6pm - but only on condition they can guarantee customers keep to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new decree also extends closures to museums , cinemas , theatres , pubs , gyms , betting shops , spas , leisure centres and swimming pools .
Weddings and funerals have also been suspended , and holiday cancelled for all healthcare workers .
Mr Conte said the military and police forces would be responsible for ensuring the containment measures are respected and would have the powers to stop and check on those who try to move from their towns .
Meanwhile , Pope Francis gave his Sunday address via video online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St Peter 's Square , as is tradition .
The Vatican said the move was aimed at preventing crowds gathering outside and to help stop the spread of the coronavirus , adding the Wednesday audience would be handled in the same way .
The 83-year-old Pontiff had part of one lung removed due to an illness decades ago and has cancelled most of his audiences in recent weeks .
When he appeared at the window last Sunday 's blessing , he paused twice to cough .
He was similarly seen coughing and blowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier .
A spokesperson would not confirm or deny reports the pontiff had tested negative for coronavirus , but said he was recovering from the cold and has no other pathologies .
It comes after the Vatican confirmed its first coronavirus case on Friday after a patient tested positive for COVID-19 at a clinic within the city-state .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker • A hotel being used to house people in coronavirus quarantine has collapsed in China , killing 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ships are looking for safe harbour on four continents amid fears they are spreading the virus that has infected more than 105,000 people worldwide • Moscow authorities announce a prison sentence of up to five years for anyone who fails to self-isolate • IranAir has stopped all flights to European destinations , the state-controlled IRNA news agency reports • Argentina reports its first coronavirus death , while both Australia and Hong Kong confirm their third fatalities • Two more people die in the United States , taking its death toll to 19 - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency • Paraguay and Moldova confirm their first cases of the coronavirus • South Korea reports 272 new cases which takes its total to 7,313 • Bulgaria confirms its first four cases of the coronavirus , Bangladesh its first three and the Maldives its first two • Greece bans school trips and sports events with spectators for two weeks • Bahrain 's Formula One race this month will be run without spectators , Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad says • European Central Bank tells most of its 3,500 staff to work from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cope with a shutdown • Two French cycling teams confined to an Abu Dhabi hotel have left quarantine , state news agency WAM reports • Globally , the number of coronavirus cases has passed 107,000 and there have been more than 3,600 deaths worldwide

Around 16 million Italians have been quarantined under drastic government measures to try to stop the rapid spread of the coronavirus.
There was panic and confusion as the lockdown - across the entire Lombardy region and 14 provinces in four other northern regions - came into force after the number of people to test positive for COVID-19 increased by 1,247 in a single 24-hour period.
The total number of coronavirus cases in the worst affected country in Europe has jumped to from 5,883 to 7,375 - and a further 133 people have also died, taking the total number of deaths to 366.
The unprecedented decree, that affects more than a quarter of Italians, forbids anyone from leaving or entering the new red zones except for exceptional circumstances until at least 3 April.
It applies to some 10 million residents in Lombardy - which includes the financial capital Milan - and another six million in the provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Rimini, Pesaro and Urbino, Alessandria, Asti, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Vercelli, Padua, Treviso and the tourist hotspot of Venice.
The clampdown represents the most widespread effort outside of China - the origin of the deadly disease - to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Image: People rushed to catch trains before the lockdown in Padua
As word spread about the new restrictions on late Saturday evening, there was chaos and confusion in Padua in the Veneto region.
Packed bars and restaurants quickly emptied as scores of people rushed back to their apartments to grab their belongings and head to the railway station.
Travellers with suitcases, wearing face masks, gloves and carrying bottles of hand gel shoved their way on to trains.
Advertisement
Worried students wrapped scarves around their heads, shared hand sanitisers, and sat on their suitcases in the aisles on full trains.
"I read two hours ago that they may be putting out an urgent decree putting Padua in the red zone. Because I would like to return down south to my relatives, I decided to go earlier," said one student, Roberto Pagliara, heading to his hometown of Puglia in southern Italy.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:32 Uneasy calm in Milan during virus lockdown
Crowds also packed into the central railway station in Milan.
One student who had decided to go home to Venice earlier than he had planned, acknowledged he was heading from one red zone to another, but told Italian news agency Ansa: "I hope to be able to leave. I already have the ticket. I did not want to risk it."
Another pair of students were trying to get home to Florence. "We did not expect it," said one of the people in the lockdown, adding: "We are worried because we don't know if we will be able to leave."
"It is incredible... the infections are spreading," added another hopeful rail passenger, heading for Naples with his brother.
Local politicians reacted angrily to the measures, which were leaked to the media before regional civic leaders were alerted about the action.
The head of Lombardy, Attilio Fontano, said the proposals "go in the right direction", but were a "mess".
The head of the neighbouring Veneto region, Luca Zaia, added: "We have seen these measures at the last minute. We did not help to draw them up, and now we are being asked to give our assent almost at once. It is literally impossible."
Image: Milan's Piazza Duomo is deserted as the coronavirus outbreak spreads
Stefano Bonaccini, president of the Emilia Romagna region, said parts of the decree were confusing.
The mayor of Asti, in the Piedmont region, posted a video on Facebook attacking Rome for not keeping regional leaders in the loop.
"Nobody told me," wrote Maurizio Rasero, adding that he had received hundreds of messages on his mobile phone from alarmed citizens.
"It's incredible that information that is so delicate and important would come out in the newspaper first," he said.
Image: Police vehicles at the French-Italian border check-point in Menton, France
Image: Soldiers patrol Milan's central station
But as southerners stranded in the north attempted to return home as soon as they could, civic leaders in the south urged them to stay put.
Michele Emiliano, the governor of Puglia, made an impassioned plea on Facebook: "I speak to you as if you were my children, my brothers, my nephews and nieces: stop and go back.
"Get off at the first train station, do not catch planes... turn your cars around, get off your buses. Do not bring the Lombard, Veneto and Emilia epidemic to Puglia."
Jole Santelli, the president of Calabria, added: "The government must block an exodus to Calabria, which risks triggering a disastrous bomb.
"Returning from the north in an uncontrolled manner endangers our land and our loved ones. Don't do it. Stop."
An estimated two million people have left southern regions and settled down in the north to further their education or in search of work.
Image: Cafes can open for business so long as customers keep to a distance of one metre
Schools and universities remain shut down across Italy.
Measures including restricting people from visiting the elderly in nursing homes were brought in earlier this week, while older people have been urged to stay at home.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed the decree just after midnight.
He said: "For Lombardy and for the other northern provinces that I have listed there will be a ban for everybody to move in and out of these territories and also within the same territory.
"Exceptions will be allowed only for proven professional needs, exceptional cases and health issues."
"We are facing a national emergency," he added. "We have to limit the spread of the virus and prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed."
Antonio Pesenti, head of the Lombardy regional crisis response unit, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper the health system in Lombardy was "a step away from collapse".
Image: The almost deserted Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in central Milan
Shops, cafes and restaurants will be allowed to stay open between the hours of 6am and 6pm - but only on condition they can guarantee customers keep to a distance of one metre between one another.
The new decree also extends closures to museums, cinemas, theatres, pubs, gyms, betting shops, spas, leisure centres and swimming pools.
Weddings and funerals have also been suspended, and holiday cancelled for all healthcare workers.
Mr Conte said the military and police forces would be responsible for ensuring the containment measures are respected and would have the powers to stop and check on those who try to move from their towns.
Image: Pope Francis gives his Sunday address via a video link
Image: The Pontiff waved to people from his window after the live-broadcast
Meanwhile, Pope Francis gave his Sunday address via video online - instead of from a window overlooking St Peter's Square, as is tradition.
The Vatican said the move was aimed at preventing crowds gathering outside and to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, adding the Wednesday audience would be handled in the same way.
The 83-year-old Pontiff had part of one lung removed due to an illness decades ago and has cancelled most of his audiences in recent weeks.
When he appeared at the window last Sunday's blessing, he paused twice to cough. He was similarly seen coughing and blowing his nose during Ash Wednesday Mass days earlier.
Image: Francis coughed and spoke with a slightly hoarse voice at his general audience on Wednesday.
A spokesperson would not confirm or deny reports the pontiff had tested negative for coronavirus, but said he was recovering from the cold and has no other pathologies.
It comes after the Vatican confirmed its first coronavirus case on Friday after a patient tested positive for COVID-19 at a clinic within the city-state.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In other developments:
A hotel being used to house people in coronavirus quarantine has collapsed in China, killing 10 people and trapping dozens more
has collapsed in China, killing 10 people and trapping dozens more Cruise ships are looking for safe harbour on four continents amid fears they are spreading the virus that has infected more than 105,000 people worldwide
are looking for safe harbour on four continents amid fears they are spreading the virus that has infected more than 105,000 people worldwide Moscow authorities announce a prison sentence of up to five years for anyone who fails to self-isolate
IranAir has stopped all flights to European destinations, the state-controlled IRNA news agency reports
Argentina reports its first coronavirus death, while both Australia and Hong Kong confirm their third fatalities
Two more people die in the United States, taking its death toll to 19 - as New York declares a state of emergency
Paraguay and Moldova confirm their first cases of the coronavirus
South Korea reports 272 new cases which takes its total to 7,313
Bulgaria confirms its first four cases of the coronavirus, Bangladesh its first three and the Maldives its first two
Greece bans school trips and sports events with spectators for two weeks
Bahrain's Formula One race this month will be run without spectators, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad says
European Central Bank tells most of its 3,500 staff to work from home on Monday to test how it would cope with a shutdown
Two French cycling teams confined to an Abu Dhabi hotel have left quarantine, state news agency WAM reports
Globally, the number of coronavirus cases has passed 107,000 and there have been more than 3,600 deaths worldwide
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 12.30pm weekdays


news--2020-03-07--Coronavirus: Government doing 'everything in its power' to delay spread of infection

Millions of volunteers could be given four weeks off work to help take the strain off the health service in the event the coronavirus outbreak becomes a pandemic , the government has announced .
Three million experienced people who offer their time to health or social care services for free would have their paid employment protected for up to a month to ensure patients can be properly cared for , under plans proposed by Downing Street .
Ministers are considering a range of different options to manage the spread of the virus , which is so far responsible for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK .
Both had underlying health problems .
The total number of people in the UK who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 is 211 , after two more confirmed infections in Wales .
They recently returned from northern Italy and it brings the total number of cases in Wales to four .
The vast majority of confirmed infections are in England .
Cases are expected to continue to rise as health professionals have become unable to track where some new patients have contracted the virus .
Alongside measures for a three-million strong volunteer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased use of video-conferencing facilities within courts to make sure trials can go ahead , and the possibility of allowing retired NHS staff to work in the health service again on a temporary basis .
An extra 500 call centre staff have also been recruited to cope with high demand for the NHS 111 service , as people call in to check their symptoms rather than attend a medical practice .
On the possibility of using retired doctors Professor Martin Marshall , chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners , told Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good idea as long as we do it carefully . ''
Speaking to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme , he said : `` Those doctors , because they would likely to be a higher risk group , would not do face-to-face patient contact but there 's lots of other things they can do , like managing 111 , providing online care for patients .
`` I am confident they would respond positively .
That 's what doctors are trained for .
Doctors tend to respond very positively in states of emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was likely routine operations such as knee and hip operations would be cancelled to allow the NHS to focus on responding to the coronavirus .
`` Clearly a great inconvenience for patients , but not life or death '' , he said .
He added : `` The NHS is very good at dealing with crises like this .
It 's proved that time and time again in the past .
`` It does n't mean that there 's no implications for routine procedures , for example . ''
The government 's plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill which will be rushed through parliament shortly .
It will allow it to make the changes needed if and when experts decide the UK must move from the containment phase to delay .
In the latter stage those with mild symptoms will be asked to self-isolate , while anyone with a more severe form of the disease will be treated in hospital .
There are concerns the NHS may struggle to cope if the virus spreads quickly , so self-isolation will be used to try to slow it down .
The emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years and could also include measures to make it easier for supermarkets to move stock around the country during unsociable hours , as well as possible changes to competition rules to allow food stores to co-ordinate supply and demand information as the outbreak progresses .
Ministers have been meeting with experts and industry bosses over the last few weeks across all departments in a bid to coordinate contingency plans if the virus begins to spread across the country .
Sports bodies will meet with ministers in Whitehall on Monday , as will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair an emergency committee designed to oversee preparations .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said : `` We will do all we can to contain coronavirus , but as we know , COVID-19 is spreading across the world , so I want to ensure government is doing everything in its power to be ready to delay and mitigate this threat .
`` Public safety is my top priority .
Responding to coronavirus is a massive national effort and I 'm working with colleagues across government to ensure we have a proportionate emergency bill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impacts of a widespread COVID-19 outbreak .
`` We plan for the worst and work for the best , and the NHS is working 24/7 to fight this virus .
Calls to NHS 111 have increased by more than a third and we have already put in place 500 extra staff to help with this increase .
`` Every person has a role to play in managing the spread of COVID-19 - whether that 's washing your hands more often for 20 seconds or catching your sneezes . ''
His comments came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the disease had the potential to push the UK into a recession , and suggested it could pose a greater risk to the economy than a no-deal Brexit .
The former Tory MP told the Sunday Times the government needed to address a `` critical and structural weakness in just-in-time supply chains '' which he said have been exposed by the impact of the coronavirus on businesses .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The confirmed infections in England include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South East ; 25 in the South West ; 26 in the North West ; 18 in the North East and Yorkshire ; 17 in the Midlands ; 16 in the East of England , and 14 where the locations have not yet been established .
There have been five more infections in Scotland , taking the number of cases there to 16 .
The Department of Health said more than 21,000 people had been tested for the virus .
The family of the second person to have died in the UK to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly loving and wonderful '' husband , dad , granddad and great-granddad .
In a statement on Saturday , they said their 83-year-old relative was `` dearly loved '' and that he `` would go to any length to support and protect his family '' .

Millions of volunteers could be given four weeks off work to help take the strain off the health service in the event the coronavirus outbreak becomes a pandemic, the government has announced.
Three million experienced people who offer their time to health or social care services for free would have their paid employment protected for up to a month to ensure patients can be properly cared for, under plans proposed by Downing Street.
Ministers are considering a range of different options to manage the spread of the virus, which is so far responsible for the deaths of two elderly people in the UK. Both had underlying health problems.
The total number of people in the UK who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 is 211, after two more confirmed infections in Wales.
They recently returned from northern Italy and it brings the total number of cases in Wales to four. The vast majority of confirmed infections are in England.
Cases are expected to continue to rise as health professionals have become unable to track where some new patients have contracted the virus.
Alongside measures for a three-million strong volunteer force, ministers are also looking at increased use of video-conferencing facilities within courts to make sure trials can go ahead, and the possibility of allowing retired NHS staff to work in the health service again on a temporary basis.
An extra 500 call centre staff have also been recruited to cope with high demand for the NHS 111 service, as people call in to check their symptoms rather than attend a medical practice.
On the possibility of using retired doctors Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, told Sky News: "I think it is a good idea as long as we do it carefully."
Advertisement
Speaking to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme, he said: "Those doctors, because they would likely to be a higher risk group, would not do face-to-face patient contact but there's lots of other things they can do, like managing 111, providing online care for patients.
"I am confident they would respond positively. That's what doctors are trained for. Doctors tend to respond very positively in states of emergency."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 How coronavirus has spread
Prof Marshall also believed it was likely routine operations such as knee and hip operations would be cancelled to allow the NHS to focus on responding to the coronavirus.
"Clearly a great inconvenience for patients, but not life or death", he said.
He added: "The NHS is very good at dealing with crises like this. It's proved that time and time again in the past.
"It doesn't mean that there's no implications for routine procedures, for example."
The government's plans will form part of a COVID-19 emergency bill which will be rushed through parliament shortly.
It will allow it to make the changes needed if and when experts decide the UK must move from the containment phase to delay.
In the latter stage those with mild symptoms will be asked to self-isolate, while anyone with a more severe form of the disease will be treated in hospital.
There are concerns the NHS may struggle to cope if the virus spreads quickly, so self-isolation will be used to try to slow it down.
The emergency bill is designed to be scrapped after two years and could also include measures to make it easier for supermarkets to move stock around the country during unsociable hours, as well as possible changes to competition rules to allow food stores to co-ordinate supply and demand information as the outbreak progresses.
Ministers have been meeting with experts and industry bosses over the last few weeks across all departments in a bid to coordinate contingency plans if the virus begins to spread across the country.
Sports bodies will meet with ministers in Whitehall on Monday, as will supermarket bosses and the prime minister will chair an emergency committee designed to oversee preparations.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We will do all we can to contain coronavirus, but as we know, COVID-19 is spreading across the world, so I want to ensure government is doing everything in its power to be ready to delay and mitigate this threat.
"Public safety is my top priority. Responding to coronavirus is a massive national effort and I'm working with colleagues across government to ensure we have a proportionate emergency bill, with the right measures to deal with the impacts of a widespread COVID-19 outbreak.
"We plan for the worst and work for the best, and the NHS is working 24/7 to fight this virus. Calls to NHS 111 have increased by more than a third and we have already put in place 500 extra staff to help with this increase.
"Every person has a role to play in managing the spread of COVID-19 - whether that's washing your hands more often for 20 seconds or catching your sneezes."
His comments came as former chancellor Philip Hammond said the spread of the disease had the potential to push the UK into a recession, and suggested it could pose a greater risk to the economy than a no-deal Brexit.
The former Tory MP told the Sunday Times the government needed to address a "critical and structural weakness in just-in-time supply chains" which he said have been exposed by the impact of the coronavirus on businesses.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The confirmed infections in England include 38 in London; 30 in the South East; 25 in the South West; 26 in the North West; 18 in the North East and Yorkshire; 17 in the Midlands; 16 in the East of England, and 14 where the locations have not yet been established.
There have been five more infections in Scotland, taking the number of cases there to 16.
The Department of Health said more than 21,000 people had been tested for the virus.
The family of the second person to have died in the UK to coronavirus has paid tribute to a "truly loving and wonderful" husband, dad, granddad and great-granddad.
In a statement on Saturday, they said their 83-year-old relative was "dearly loved" and that he "would go to any length to support and protect his family".
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 12.30pm weekdays


news--2020-03-05--Coronavirus: Britons returning from anywhere in Italy told to self-isolate if they have symptoms

The NHS has told people returning from anywhere in Italy to self-isolate if they have symptoms of coronavirus .
Italy is the worst-affected nation in Europe , where the number of dead in the outbreak has risen from 107 to 148 in a single day .
It is also the highest death toll outside China .
People returning to the UK from Italy had previously been told to self-isolate only if they had been in the north of the country and were showing symptoms .
The Italian government has ordered all schools and universities to close until at least 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cinemas and theatres told to shut .
There have been at least 3,858 infections in the country .
The government has placed temporary restrictions on people visiting relatives in nursing homes and is urging the elderly not to go outside unless absolutely necessary .
Three more people have died from coronavirus , taking the total to seven , while the number of confirmed infections rose by 138 to 423 , including 23 people who are in a very serious condition .
President Emmanuel Macron said it appeared `` inevitable '' the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of dead in the whole of the country stands at 12 , including 11 in the Seattle area , where there have been at least 39 confirmed COVID-19 infections .
In Washington DC , the Senate passed an $ 8.3bn ( £6.3bn ) measure to help tackle the outbreak .
Federal public health agencies would get money for vaccines , tests and potential treatments , including $ 300m ( £228m ) to deliver such drugs to those who need it .
More than $ 2bn ( £1.52bn ) would go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments prepare for and respond to the coronavirus threat .
An extra $ 1.3bn ( £1bn ) would be used to help fight the virus overseas .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A school district north of Seattle with 22,000 students will close for up to two weeks because of coronavirus concerns .
All 26 schools in the Northshore School District will be shut to prevent the spread of the virus .
The district is largely in Bothell , Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus , in New York state has doubled from 11 to 22 .
Iran , which more than 100 registered virus deaths - the second highest outside China - has closed schools and universities .
It has also introduced checkpoints to limit travel between major cities .
Iranians have been urged to reduce their use of paper money .
President Hassan Rouhani told state television to show `` happier '' programmes to entertain those stuck at home .
`` I urge all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can bring smiles to people 's faces , come into the social media , '' he said .
Moscow authorities have announced a `` high alert regime '' and imposed extra measures to prevent a spread of the coronavirus in the Russian capital .
Russians who return from China , South Korea , Iran , France , Germany , Italy and Spain and who show signs of coronavirus should self-isolate themselves at home for 14 days .
Russia has not reported any confirmed cases of people contracting coronavirus in the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere have received or are getting treatment .
It has confirmed its first case , becoming the seventh African nation to report infections .

The NHS has told people returning from anywhere in Italy to self-isolate if they have symptoms of coronavirus.
Italy is the worst-affected nation in Europe, where the number of dead in the outbreak has risen from 107 to 148 in a single day. It is also the highest death toll outside China.
People returning to the UK from Italy had previously been told to self-isolate only if they had been in the north of the country and were showing symptoms.
The Italian government has ordered all schools and universities to close until at least 15 March, with all public gatherings banned and cinemas and theatres told to shut. There have been at least 3,858 infections in the country.
The government has placed temporary restrictions on people visiting relatives in nursing homes and is urging the elderly not to go outside unless absolutely necessary.
France
Three more people have died from coronavirus, taking the total to seven, while the number of confirmed infections rose by 138 to 423, including 23 people who are in a very serious condition.
President Emmanuel Macron said it appeared "inevitable" the outbreak will develop into an epidemic in France.
United States
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The number of dead in the whole of the country stands at 12, including 11 in the Seattle area, where there have been at least 39 confirmed COVID-19 infections.
In Washington DC, the Senate passed an $8.3bn (£6.3bn) measure to help tackle the outbreak.
Federal public health agencies would get money for vaccines, tests and potential treatments, including $300m (£228m) to deliver such drugs to those who need it.
More than $2bn (£1.52bn) would go to help federal, state and local governments prepare for and respond to the coronavirus threat. An extra $1.3bn (£1bn) would be used to help fight the virus overseas.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
A school district north of Seattle with 22,000 students will close for up to two weeks because of coronavirus concerns.
All 26 schools in the Northshore School District will be shut to prevent the spread of the virus. The district is largely in Bothell, Washington, 20 miles north of Seattle.
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, in New York state has doubled from 11 to 22.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:06 What the UK can learn from China and Italy
Iran
Iran, which more than 100 registered virus deaths - the second highest outside China - has closed schools and universities.
It has also introduced checkpoints to limit travel between major cities. Iranians have been urged to reduce their use of paper money.
President Hassan Rouhani told state television to show "happier" programmes to entertain those stuck at home.
"I urge all artists, scientists, psychologists and all who can bring smiles to people's faces, come into the social media," he said.
Image: A worker disinfects a street in Iran's capital Tehran
Russia
Moscow authorities have announced a "high alert regime" and imposed extra measures to prevent a spread of the coronavirus in the Russian capital.
Russians who return from China, South Korea, Iran, France, Germany, Italy and Spain and who show signs of coronavirus should self-isolate themselves at home for 14 days.
Russia has not reported any confirmed cases of people contracting coronavirus in the country, although six who picked up the virus elsewhere have received or are getting treatment.
South Africa
It has confirmed its first case, becoming the seventh African nation to report infections.


news--2020-05-21--Struggling UK museums could be heading for a 'cultural bonfire'

The UK `` is looking at an absolute cultural bonfire '' , according to the boss of the world-renowned Mary Rose collection .
Speaking to Sky News , Helen Bonser Wilton said the museum was `` in mortal peril and would not survive past the summer '' if it did not receive support .
And she warned the museum is not alone in its struggle following the coronavirus pandemic .
The Mary Rose Collection is home to Henry VIII 's legendary flagship which was excavated and raised in the 1980s along with 19,000 artefacts found on board .
The charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90 % of its income comes from visitor revenue .
It costs over £2m to preserve the collection , and Ms Bonser Wilton says those costs continue regardless of whether the museum is open .
`` Since we 'll be closed for the main season , we 've basically lost our income for the entire year and while you might think we save costs by closing and you 'd be right to an extent - the great majority of our costs continue .
`` So , we have a standard cost of £2.2m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the collection and to make sure it 's in the right environmental conditions . ''
The collection was under the sea for 437 years and as a result is very fragile , so the ship and its artefacts need to be kept at a very specific temperature and humidity to ensure it does n't deteriorate .
This involves a team of specialist staff , and equipment as well as `` eye watering utility bills '' .
Ms Bonser Wilton warned the sector needs urgent help , not least because it attracts millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributing significantly to the economy .
`` We are proud of our history and our culture , it 's one of the primary reasons people come to the UK as tourists and we know that tourism is the third largest industry in the whole of the British economy and if we ca n't protect things like this… I think we 're going to be in enormous trouble . ''
Alistair Brown , from the Museums Association , told Sky News there are around 3,000 museums in the country and all of them from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been affected by COVID-19 , `` none have been untouched '' and some he warned will permanently close .
He said independent museums like the Mary Rose Collection were most at risk because their income was reliant on trading , on their cafes , their shops as well as any ticket income they may charge .
Brown also cited a worrying survey from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions which inferred there would be challenges for the sector even when reopening was possible .
It found 29 % of the public do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long time after reopening '' , with a further 54 % saying that they `` will put off visiting for a while '' after reopening .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The Art Fund found that 98 % of museums have cancelled or postponed exhibitions and say the 427 museums it surveyed are worried about reopening , and how to reconcile social distancing measures with selling enough tickets to balance the books .
`` There is a very delicate funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Sarah Philp , director of programmes and policy at the Art Fund told Sky News , admitting many wo n't be able to afford to reopen .
`` Our concern would be museums… would be looking to make a lot of money quickly which would mean selling the most significant and valuable works of art which would be hugely impoverishing to our nations cultural heritage , and mean the general public miss out on the wonderful things we can see in museums , '' explained Ms Philp .
Concerns that some museums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off works have also been met with alarm by the Art Fund .
Art expert and Master Conservator Simon Gillepsie told Sky News : `` Some of the smaller museums are thinking about how they might support themselves and asking if they have a painting that they think they could sell - that 's their main asset '' .
And aside from whether museums can afford to open at all , the kinds of exhibitions we see over the next few years are likely to look very different to the previous few , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tristram Hunt , director of the V & A , told Sky News that blockbuster exhibitions wo n't be viable , in the near future at least .
`` The Dior exhibition here at the V & A - that involves large numbers of people coming to see paid for exhibitions and in the near future that business model is going to be under real strain so we 're going to have to think about the finances of museums as to how we have run them over the last five to 10 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & A receives some public funding , but Mr Hunt said they would also have to re-think the way they run the museum in the future as a result of the reduction in funds they were generating .
Prolonged closure , the prospect of very reduced visitor numbers on reopening as well as `` a very tightened development market for sponsorship '' would all impact on how the museum operates .
Hunt told Sky News they were `` facing some really significant challenges '' and so wanted to start having conversations with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're willing to give '' .
There is a real possibility `` we will see the closure of smaller independent museums , for whom this is an existential threat to their financial viability , '' he echoed .
He warned that those wholly dependent on their visitor income were most at risk and their closure would `` affect the entire cultural ecology of the country '' which was `` a real source of concern '' .
Mr Hunt also stressed the importance of the sector in inspiring the population as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy , summing up : `` The creative industries put £100m into the economy , it 's a success story and if we want to have tourism ... we need great cultural institutions . ''

The UK "is looking at an absolute cultural bonfire", according to the boss of the world-renowned Mary Rose collection.
Speaking to Sky News, Helen Bonser Wilton said the museum was "in mortal peril and would not survive past the summer" if it did not receive support.
And she warned the museum is not alone in its struggle following the coronavirus pandemic.
Image: A compass case which was salvaged from the wreck of the Mary Rose warship
The Mary Rose Collection is home to Henry VIII's legendary flagship which was excavated and raised in the 1980s along with 19,000 artefacts found on board.
The charity receives no government or public funding and 90% of its income comes from visitor revenue.
It costs over £2m to preserve the collection, and Ms Bonser Wilton says those costs continue regardless of whether the museum is open.
"Since we'll be closed for the main season, we've basically lost our income for the entire year and while you might think we save costs by closing and you'd be right to an extent - the great majority of our costs continue.
"So, we have a standard cost of £2.2m every year which is basically to look after the collection and to make sure it's in the right environmental conditions."
The collection was under the sea for 437 years and as a result is very fragile, so the ship and its artefacts need to be kept at a very specific temperature and humidity to ensure it doesn't deteriorate. This involves a team of specialist staff, and equipment as well as "eye watering utility bills".
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Ms Bonser Wilton warned the sector needs urgent help, not least because it attracts millions of visitors from around the world, contributing significantly to the economy.
"We are proud of our history and our culture, it's one of the primary reasons people come to the UK as tourists and we know that tourism is the third largest industry in the whole of the British economy and if we can't protect things like this… I think we're going to be in enormous trouble."
Image: The Victoria and Albert is the world's largest museum of applied and decorative arts and design
Alistair Brown, from the Museums Association, told Sky News there are around 3,000 museums in the country and all of them from the largest to the very smallest have been affected by COVID-19, "none have been untouched" and some he warned will permanently close.
He said independent museums like the Mary Rose Collection were most at risk because their income was reliant on trading, on their cafes, their shops as well as any ticket income they may charge.
Brown also cited a worrying survey from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions which inferred there would be challenges for the sector even when reopening was possible.
It found 29% of the public don't intend to return to museums "for a long time after reopening", with a further 54% saying that they "will put off visiting for a while" after reopening.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The Art Fund found that 98% of museums have cancelled or postponed exhibitions and say the 427 museums it surveyed are worried about reopening, and how to reconcile social distancing measures with selling enough tickets to balance the books.
"There is a very delicate funding structure in place in most museums," Sarah Philp, director of programmes and policy at the Art Fund told Sky News, admitting many won't be able to afford to reopen.
"Our concern would be museums… would be looking to make a lot of money quickly which would mean selling the most significant and valuable works of art which would be hugely impoverishing to our nations cultural heritage, and mean the general public miss out on the wonderful things we can see in museums," explained Ms Philp.
Image: The V&A director Tristram Hunt says we need our cultural institutions to attract tourists
Concerns that some museums and galleries could be forced to sell off works have also been met with alarm by the Art Fund.
Art expert and Master Conservator Simon Gillepsie told Sky News: "Some of the smaller museums are thinking about how they might support themselves and asking if they have a painting that they think they could sell - that's their main asset".
And aside from whether museums can afford to open at all, the kinds of exhibitions we see over the next few years are likely to look very different to the previous few, with international lending all but ceased.
Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, told Sky News that blockbuster exhibitions won't be viable, in the near future at least.
"The Dior exhibition here at the V&A - that involves large numbers of people coming to see paid for exhibitions and in the near future that business model is going to be under real strain so we're going to have to think about the finances of museums as to how we have run them over the last five to 10 years," he explained.
Image: Dresses on display during the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition
The V&A receives some public funding, but Mr Hunt said they would also have to re-think the way they run the museum in the future as a result of the reduction in funds they were generating.
Prolonged closure, the prospect of very reduced visitor numbers on reopening as well as "a very tightened development market for sponsorship" would all impact on how the museum operates.
Hunt told Sky News they were "facing some really significant challenges" and so wanted to start having conversations with the government "about the sort of support they're willing to give".
There is a real possibility "we will see the closure of smaller independent museums, for whom this is an existential threat to their financial viability," he echoed.
He warned that those wholly dependent on their visitor income were most at risk and their closure would "affect the entire cultural ecology of the country" which was "a real source of concern".
Mr Hunt also stressed the importance of the sector in inspiring the population as well as the significant amount it contributes to the economy, summing up: "The creative industries put £100m into the economy, it's a success story and if we want to have tourism... we need great cultural institutions."