news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Public will be urged to download NHS contact-tracing app - how it works

The trial of a contact-tracing app used to track COVID-19 infections will begin today on the Isle of Wight .
NHS and council staff are being urged to download the smartphone app from today with the rest of the island 's population invited to follow from Thursday .
The app is expected to be rolled out nationwide in the next few weeks .
As revealed by Sky News in March , the app uses Bluetooth to detect nearby phones , showing who the owner of the phone has been near .
This will mean Isle of Wight residents can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracts COVID-19 , and be able to warn any of their contacts if they are infected with the virus .
Restrictions on movement will not be eased on the Isle of Wight during the test .
But officials believe the app can play an important part in lifting the lockdown , alongside other measures , including testing and manual contact tracing .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' The app is exciting , '' said Matthew Gould , chief executive of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the app .
`` But it 's not a single solution or magic bullet '' .
`` It 's part of this wider strategy . ''
Although the existence of the app has been known for over a month , this is the first time details of how it will work have been confirmed , although officials stress these are still provisional at this stage .
Isle of Wight residents who download the app will be asked to turn on Bluetooth and allow notifications , and enter the first half of their postcode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a question : `` How are you feeling today ? ''
Anyone who believes they may have caught COVID-19 can run through a short checklist , which asks whether they have a fever or a continuous cough .
If your symptoms indicate you may have coronavirus , you will be given a reference number and told to call in for a test .
If you report symptoms , you will be prompted to upload a list of the anonymised IDs your phone has collected to the NHS system , which will then use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been near is potentially at risk .
This takes into account the duration of the contact and the strength of the signal during the contact in order to assess the risk posed - meaning that it wo n't force every person who someone has walked by into quarantine .
Variations in the Bluetooth signal can also be used to determine if two phones are detecting each other through a wall , officials said , as the radio waves will be received differently if the wall has nails or foil insulation .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gould emphasised that the app was voluntary to download , and promised that NHSX would publish both the source code and the data protection arrangements underlying the app .
However , experts raised concerns about the government 's decision to choose a centralised system , which asks users to upload their contacts to a central system , rather than a decentralised model which needs less information .
Apple and Google , who are working together on a contact-tracing system , plan to use a decentralised model , which the UK data watchdog has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice compliance '' with data protection regulations .
The two tech giants have announced that they would be providing further resources to accelerate what they call the `` exposure notification app '' ahead of a planned launch of an initial system in mid-May .
Asked why they had chosen to build their own system rather than relying on the operating systems on nearly all the world 's smartphones , officials acknowledged that the app was still a work in progress .
However , they said , without a centralised system , they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of symptoms , instead having to wait for official tests , which take time to arrive at a moment when anyone infected is very contagious .
`` We 're working across a large range of countries , and only the UK is intending to trigger risks based on self-reporting , '' said Michael Veale , an academic who is involved in a decentralised contact-tracing project which Apple and Google have borrowed from .
`` The UK seems to believe they can compensate for the lack of ability to rapidly test people with self-reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unintentional false alarms with unspecified fraud analysis . ''
`` From my perspective , I think such analysis might have a chance of stopping large scale , clumsy attacks , but will not be able to mitigate the broader risks from self-reporting . ''
Another question that remains to be answered is how people who do not have smartphones , such as young children and elderly people , will be able to use the system .
Mr Gould said NHSX did not want to `` accidentally exacerbate the digital divide '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be used to supplement the technology .
In a briefing call with journalists , deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van Tam stressed that `` it absolutely never will be the case that children are excluded from contact tracing '' .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said of trialling the app on the Isle of Wight : `` From Thursday , each one of the 80,000 households on the island will get a letter from the chief nurse with comprehensive information about the trial .
Islanders will then be able to install the app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By downloading the app you are protecting your own health , you are protecting the health of your loved ones and the health of your community .
`` I know that the people of the Isle of Wight will embrace this with enthusiasm because by embarking on this project and by embracing test , track and trace you will be saving lives . ''
But he stressed the trial of the app did not mean the end of social distancing measures .
Mr Hancock has promised to hire 18,000 contact tracers in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts have questioned whether this number is large enough , even with technical help .

The trial of a contact-tracing app used to track COVID-19 infections will begin today on the Isle of Wight.
NHS and council staff are being urged to download the smartphone app from today with the rest of the island's population invited to follow from Thursday.
The app is expected to be rolled out nationwide in the next few weeks.
As revealed by Sky News in March, the app uses Bluetooth to detect nearby phones, showing who the owner of the phone has been near.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:23 Health sec outlines how new app will work
This will mean Isle of Wight residents can get a warning if one of their contacts contracts COVID-19, and be able to warn any of their contacts if they are infected with the virus.
Restrictions on movement will not be eased on the Isle of Wight during the test.
But officials believe the app can play an important part in lifting the lockdown, alongside other measures, including testing and manual contact tracing.
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"The app is exciting," said Matthew Gould, chief executive of NHSX, the NHS innovation unit behind the app. "But it's not a single solution or magic bullet".
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"It's part of this wider strategy."
Although the existence of the app has been known for over a month, this is the first time details of how it will work have been confirmed, although officials stress these are still provisional at this stage.
Image: Officials believe the app can play an important part in lifting the lockdown
Isle of Wight residents who download the app will be asked to turn on Bluetooth and allow notifications, and enter the first half of their postcode.
They will then be prompted with a question: "How are you feeling today?"
Anyone who believes they may have caught COVID-19 can run through a short checklist, which asks whether they have a fever or a continuous cough.
If your symptoms indicate you may have coronavirus, you will be given a reference number and told to call in for a test.
Image: The contact-tracing app is being trialled on the Isle of Wight
If you report symptoms, you will be prompted to upload a list of the anonymised IDs your phone has collected to the NHS system, which will then use a risk-scoring algorithm to decide who you have been near is potentially at risk.
This takes into account the duration of the contact and the strength of the signal during the contact in order to assess the risk posed - meaning that it won't force every person who someone has walked by into quarantine.
Variations in the Bluetooth signal can also be used to determine if two phones are detecting each other through a wall, officials said, as the radio waves will be received differently if the wall has nails or foil insulation.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:50 How does contact-tracing app work?
In response to questions about privacy, Mr Gould emphasised that the app was voluntary to download, and promised that NHSX would publish both the source code and the data protection arrangements underlying the app.
However, experts raised concerns about the government's decision to choose a centralised system, which asks users to upload their contacts to a central system, rather than a decentralised model which needs less information.
Apple and Google, who are working together on a contact-tracing system, plan to use a decentralised model, which the UK data watchdog has praised for most easily allowing "best practice compliance" with data protection regulations.
The two tech giants have announced that they would be providing further resources to accelerate what they call the "exposure notification app" ahead of a planned launch of an initial system in mid-May.
Asked why they had chosen to build their own system rather than relying on the operating systems on nearly all the world's smartphones, officials acknowledged that the app was still a work in progress.
Image: Users will be asked to enter the first part of their postcode
However, they said, without a centralised system, they would not be able to rely on self-reporting of symptoms, instead having to wait for official tests, which take time to arrive at a moment when anyone infected is very contagious.
"We're working across a large range of countries, and only the UK is intending to trigger risks based on self-reporting," said Michael Veale, an academic who is involved in a decentralised contact-tracing project which Apple and Google have borrowed from.
"The UK seems to believe they can compensate for the lack of ability to rapidly test people with self-reporting, and mitigate the risks of intentional and unintentional false alarms with unspecified fraud analysis."
"From my perspective, I think such analysis might have a chance of stopping large scale, clumsy attacks, but will not be able to mitigate the broader risks from self-reporting."
Another question that remains to be answered is how people who do not have smartphones, such as young children and elderly people, will be able to use the system.
Mr Gould said NHSX did not want to "accidentally exacerbate the digital divide" and government scientists suggested that manual contact tracing could be used to supplement the technology.
In a briefing call with journalists, deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van Tam stressed that "it absolutely never will be the case that children are excluded from contact tracing".
Image: Matt Hancock has promised to hire 18,000 contact tracers in the next few weeks
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said of trialling the app on the Isle of Wight: "From Thursday, each one of the 80,000 households on the island will get a letter from the chief nurse with comprehensive information about the trial. Islanders will then be able to install the app."
He told them: "By downloading the app you are protecting your own health, you are protecting the health of your loved ones and the health of your community.
"I know that the people of the Isle of Wight will embrace this with enthusiasm because by embarking on this project and by embracing test, track and trace you will be saving lives."
But he stressed the trial of the app did not mean the end of social distancing measures.
Mr Hancock has promised to hire 18,000 contact tracers in the next few weeks, although public health experts have questioned whether this number is large enough, even with technical help.


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Antibody test 'with almost 100% accuracy' could be in UK in weeks

A coronavirus antibody test said to be 99.8 % accurate has been approved for use in the US and could be available within weeks in the UK .
Roche Diagnostics ' new serology test detects antibodies in patients who have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 , which could help to indicate if a person has gained immunity against the disease .
The Swiss firm says the test - called Elecsys - has a specificity greater than 99.8 % and sensitivity of 100 % , meaning it gives no false negative results and only one in 500 false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought to be crucial in easing coronavirus lockdowns .
It is currently being independently evaluated by Public Health England at its laboratory at Porton Down in Wiltshire with initial results expected by the end of this week .
Discussions are also taking place between Roche and the NHS and the UK government about a phased roll-out from mid-May .
The test received 'CE mark ' certification last week - meaning it complies with EU safety rules and can be made available in countries including the UK .
It is understood that hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK each week .
The prime minister 's spokesman said that `` progress had certainly been made '' on antibody testing , but added it would need to pass `` certain criteria '' before it could be used .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes after Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Dr Jenny Harries said officials did not have enough information yet on the issue of immunity .
`` The WHO ( World Health Organisation ) position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have , which basically says we actually do n't have enough information yet to be very clear on the immune status , '' she said .
She added that signs of immunity could vary from patient to patient but that doctors would expect people to have some immunity about 10 days after being ill .
Professor John Newton , the UK 's testing effort co-ordinator , said it was `` encouraging '' to see evidence from South Korea that suggests people are developing immunity , although it remains unclear how long any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of Roche Diagnostics UK & Ireland , said : `` Reliable antibody testing is the crucial next step in helping us to understand the spread of the virus and to provide much-needed reassurance to our valued key workers , enabling them to continue providing their vital support .
`` More than ever , it is critical that industry works in collaboration with the NHS to help alleviate pressures and provide a solution , and we are extremely proud to be able to deliver our high quality antibody test , which will lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next phase .
`` We will continue to work closely with the NHS , public health bodies and the UK government to enable the roll out of the test across the UK . ''
The government previously admitted that 3.5 million antibody tests it ordered from China were `` not good enough to be worth rolling out in very large scale '' .
Roche said it would provide `` high double-digit millions of tests '' in May for countries accepting the CE mark and in the US , while continuing to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted for comment .
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

A coronavirus antibody test said to be 99.8% accurate has been approved for use in the US and could be available within weeks in the UK.
Roche Diagnostics' new serology test detects antibodies in patients who have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, which could help to indicate if a person has gained immunity against the disease.
The Swiss firm says the test - called Elecsys - has a specificity greater than 99.8% and sensitivity of 100%, meaning it gives no false negative results and only one in 500 false positives.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:40 Could this antibody test provide answers?
An effective antibody test is thought to be crucial in easing coronavirus lockdowns.
It is currently being independently evaluated by Public Health England at its laboratory at Porton Down in Wiltshire with initial results expected by the end of this week.
Discussions are also taking place between Roche and the NHS and the UK government about a phased roll-out from mid-May.
The test received 'CE mark' certification last week - meaning it complies with EU safety rules and can be made available in countries including the UK.
It is understood that hundreds of thousands of tests could be provided across the UK each week.
The prime minister's spokesman said that "progress had certainly been made" on antibody testing, but added it would need to pass "certain criteria" before it could be used.
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It comes after Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Dr Jenny Harries said officials did not have enough information yet on the issue of immunity.
"The WHO (World Health Organisation) position is very similar to the one we would have, which basically says we actually don't have enough information yet to be very clear on the immune status," she said.
She added that signs of immunity could vary from patient to patient but that doctors would expect people to have some immunity about 10 days after being ill.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:46 Can you catch COVID-19 twice?
Professor John Newton, the UK's testing effort co-ordinator, said it was "encouraging" to see evidence from South Korea that suggests people are developing immunity, although it remains unclear how long any protection lasts.
Geoff Twist, managing director of Roche Diagnostics UK & Ireland, said: "Reliable antibody testing is the crucial next step in helping us to understand the spread of the virus and to provide much-needed reassurance to our valued key workers, enabling them to continue providing their vital support.
"More than ever, it is critical that industry works in collaboration with the NHS to help alleviate pressures and provide a solution, and we are extremely proud to be able to deliver our high quality antibody test, which will lead to greater confidence as we move into the next phase.
"We will continue to work closely with the NHS, public health bodies and the UK government to enable the roll out of the test across the UK."
The government previously admitted that 3.5 million antibody tests it ordered from China were "not good enough to be worth rolling out in very large scale".
Roche said it would provide "high double-digit millions of tests" in May for countries accepting the CE mark and in the US, while continuing to increase capacity.
Public Health England has been contacted for comment.
Image: Burley and Hancock
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Tanzania testing kits questioned after goat and papaya test positive

The accuracy of coronavirus tests used in Tanzania has been questioned by the country 's president after a goat and a papaya both tested positive for the disease .
President John Magufuli , whose government has already faced criticism over its handling of coronavirus outbreak and has previously asked people to pray the disease away , said the kits had `` technical errors '' .
He said the COVID-19 tests had been imported from abroad , although he did not give further details .
The president claimed he asked security forces to check the quality of the kits and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including from a papaya , a goat and a sheep , but had assigned them human names and ages .
The samples were then submitted to Tanzania 's laboratory to test for the coronavirus , with the lab technicians deliberately not made aware of their origins .
Mr Magufuli said the return of positive results on the goat and papaya indicated some people were testing positive despite not having the virus .
`` There is something happening .
I said before we should not accept that every aid is meant to be good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that the kits should be investigated .
Tanzania had recorded 480 cases of COVID-19 and 17 deaths as of Sunday .
However , unlike most other African countries , its government sometimes goes for days without offering updates - with officials having last done so on Wednesday , Mr Magufuli also said he was sending a plane to collect a herbal cure being promoted by Madagascar 's president .
The mix has not yet undergone internationally recognised scientific testing .
`` I 'm communicating with Madagascar , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will send a flight there and the medicine will be brought in the country so that Tanzanians too can benefit . ''
COVID-19 infections and deaths reported across Africa have been relatively low compared with the Europe , the US and parts of Asia although the continent has extremely low levels of testing - with rates of only around 500 per million people .
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

The accuracy of coronavirus tests used in Tanzania has been questioned by the country's president after a goat and a papaya both tested positive for the disease.
President John Magufuli, whose government has already faced criticism over its handling of coronavirus outbreak and has previously asked people to pray the disease away, said the kits had "technical errors".
He said the COVID-19 tests had been imported from abroad, although he did not give further details.
Image: 'We should not accept that every aid is meant to be good for this nation,' said President Magufuli
The president claimed he asked security forces to check the quality of the kits and that they randomly obtained several non-human samples, including from a papaya, a goat and a sheep, but had assigned them human names and ages.
The samples were then submitted to Tanzania's laboratory to test for the coronavirus, with the lab technicians deliberately not made aware of their origins.
Mr Magufuli said the return of positive results on the goat and papaya indicated some people were testing positive despite not having the virus.
"There is something happening. I said before we should not accept that every aid is meant to be good for this nation," he said, adding that the kits should be investigated.
Tanzania had recorded 480 cases of COVID-19 and 17 deaths as of Sunday.
However, unlike most other African countries, its government sometimes goes for days without offering updates - with officials having last done so on Wednesday,
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Mr Magufuli also said he was sending a plane to collect a herbal cure being promoted by Madagascar's president.
The mix has not yet undergone internationally recognised scientific testing.
"I'm communicating with Madagascar," he said.
"They have got a medicine. We will send a flight there and the medicine will be brought in the country so that Tanzanians too can benefit."
COVID-19 infections and deaths reported across Africa have been relatively low compared with the Europe, the US and parts of Asia although the continent has extremely low levels of testing - with rates of only around 500 per million people.
Image: Burley and Hancock
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: 'Overwhelming majority' of recovered COVID-19 patients produce antibodies

The `` overwhelming majority '' of patients who have recovered from coronavirus have been found to produce antibodies - but it is too early to say if they guarantee immunity , England 's deputy chief medical officer has said .
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam told the daily Downing Street briefing that `` we just have n't had this disease around on the planet in humans for long enough '' to know whether those who had recovered were immune .
He said antibodies produced in response to other human coronaviruses `` do n't persist necessarily for years and years and years '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen in the case of COVID-19 .
Prof Van-Tam said : `` Like everybody else in the world we just have to be patient and cautious until we get those answers . ''
He added that patients who have recovered from coronavirus are being asked to part in a programme to obtain plasma containing antibodies for potential treatments to be trialled .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock , who recovered from COVID-19 and is taking part in a trial to analyse patients ' antibodies , admitted he would `` not yet '' feel happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the briefing at Number 10 that he could not be `` comfortable '' being in a crowd because `` that might trigger a rise in the number of infections if the science turns out to be wrong '' .
He said there were `` very positive '' indications about a new antibody test from Swiss company Roche and the government was in discussions with the firm `` about a very large-scale roll-out of antibody testing '' .
But the health secretary acknowledged there had been problems with antibody testing before , having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million home testing kits only to find they did not work .
`` There has been false hope before in antibody testing so we will make announcements when we are absolutely ready , '' Mr Hancock said .
He also played down suggestions that the government may have to make vaccination compulsory once an effective vaccine became available .
Mr Hancock added : `` I think the extent of the public 's reaction following the lockdown shows we will be able to achieve very , very high levels of vaccination without taking that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was no guarantee that a vaccine would be found .
`` We ca n't assume there will be a vaccine , '' Mr Hancock told the briefing .
`` There is no coronavirus vaccine yet for any of the existing coronaviruses and this is uncertain science . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Earlier on Monday it was revealed scientists have discovered an antibody which prevents the coronavirus from infecting human cells in `` groundbreaking research '' .
Scientists from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a potential method of neutralising COVID-19 which could lead to the development of new treatments .
They discovered that an antibody which prevents the SARS virus from infecting human cells could also block the novel coronavirus from infecting human cells too , according a peer reviewed study in the journal Nature Communications .

The "overwhelming majority" of patients who have recovered from coronavirus have been found to produce antibodies - but it is too early to say if they guarantee immunity, England's deputy chief medical officer has said.
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam told the daily Downing Street briefing that "we just haven't had this disease around on the planet in humans for long enough" to know whether those who had recovered were immune.
He said antibodies produced in response to other human coronaviruses "don't persist necessarily for years and years and years", although it is unknown what would happen in the case of COVID-19.
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Prof Van-Tam said: "Like everybody else in the world we just have to be patient and cautious until we get those answers."
He added that patients who have recovered from coronavirus are being asked to part in a programme to obtain plasma containing antibodies for potential treatments to be trialled.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who recovered from COVID-19 and is taking part in a trial to analyse patients' antibodies, admitted he would "not yet" feel happy being in a crowded room.
He told the briefing at Number 10 that he could not be "comfortable" being in a crowd because "that might trigger a rise in the number of infections if the science turns out to be wrong".
Image: Matt Hancock has donated plasma to a clinical trial in the hope of finding a vaccine
He said there were "very positive" indications about a new antibody test from Swiss company Roche and the government was in discussions with the firm "about a very large-scale roll-out of antibody testing".
But the health secretary acknowledged there had been problems with antibody testing before, having previously said the UK would order 17.5 million home testing kits only to find they did not work.
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"There has been false hope before in antibody testing so we will make announcements when we are absolutely ready," Mr Hancock said.
He also played down suggestions that the government may have to make vaccination compulsory once an effective vaccine became available.
Mr Hancock added: "I think the extent of the public's reaction following the lockdown shows we will be able to achieve very, very high levels of vaccination without taking that step."
He also cautioned that there was no guarantee that a vaccine would be found.
"We can't assume there will be a vaccine," Mr Hancock told the briefing.
"There is no coronavirus vaccine yet for any of the existing coronaviruses and this is uncertain science."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Earlier on Monday it was revealed scientists have discovered an antibody which prevents the coronavirus from infecting human cells in "groundbreaking research".
Scientists from Utrecht University in the Netherlands have identified a potential method of neutralising COVID-19 which could lead to the development of new treatments.
They discovered that an antibody which prevents the SARS virus from infecting human cells could also block the novel coronavirus from infecting human cells too, according a peer reviewed study in the journal Nature Communications.


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson set to reveal lockdown exit plan on Sunday

Boris Johnson is expected to outline full details of how the UK will exit lockdown on Sunday - three days after the government must review the current restrictions , Sky News has learned .
Businesses and trade unions spent the weekend in consultation with ministers , looking to establish a strategy for reopening selected areas of the economy .
Ministers have been under pressure to explain their exit strategy but have so far resisted the calls - warning that to do so risks undermining the message to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some social distancing measures would remain in place until a vaccine has been developed but added that the government would seek to restore people 's lives to `` as close to normal as possible '' .
The prime minister , meanwhile , has joined fellow world leaders in a virtual summit aimed at galvanising global efforts to find a vaccine for COVID-19 .
Mr Johnson urged the international community to `` pull together '' in what he described as `` the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes '' .
The online pledging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leaders of Canada , France , Germany , Italy , Japan , Norway , Saudi Arabia , and representatives of the EU , aims to secure more than £6bn in funding to support the global response to the coronavirus pandemic .
This will be used to support the development of treatments , tests and ultimately the mass production of a vaccine if one can be found .
The UK has pledged to give £388m in aid funding for research into tests , treatments and vaccines - part of a £744m commitment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global economy .
`` To win this battle , we must work together to build an impregnable shield around all our people and that can only be achieved by developing and mass producing a vaccine , '' Mr Johnson said .
`` The more we pull together and share our expertise , the faster our scientists will succeed . ''
He added : `` The race to discover the vaccine to defeat this virus is not a competition between countries but the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this together and together we will prevail . ''
However , the absence of both China and the US from the virtual summit will likely raise concerns that competition between states to secure a vaccine could hinder global efforts .
Writing in the Independent on Sunday , the leaders of France , Germany , Italy and Norway said the `` global challenge '' required `` bringing together the world 's best - and most prepared - minds to find the vaccines , treatments and therapies we need to make our world healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be a focus on `` strengthening '' health systems `` with particular attention to Africa '' .
`` This is our generation 's duty and we know we can make this happen '' , they added .
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also revealed the government is trying to `` source as many masks as possible '' in case official advice changes to encourage the public to wear them .
People could wear the non-medical face coverings , or other types pf Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) , to give them confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are eased , he told Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast .
Mr Wallace also suggested where people can not remain two metres apart that halving that distance would `` still keep people away from being infected '' but for a `` much lesser time '' .
It comes as Mr Johnson has revealed that he feared he would not live to see his baby son Wilfred , who was born after the prime minister was discharged from hospital last month .
`` I wo n't hide it from you , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he told The Sun .
`` I owe my life to our doctors and nurses and the healthcare workers , '' he added .
`` They pulled my chestnuts out of the fire , no question . ''
Meanwhile , a smartphone app to trace the spread of coronavirus will be trialled on the Isle of Wight this week before being rolled out more widely later this month .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Shapps told Sky News the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people to use for it to be successful .
A total of 28,446 people have died in hospitals , care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Saturday .
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

Boris Johnson is expected to outline full details of how the UK will exit lockdown on Sunday - three days after the government must review the current restrictions, Sky News has learned.
Businesses and trade unions spent the weekend in consultation with ministers, looking to establish a strategy for reopening selected areas of the economy.
Ministers have been under pressure to explain their exit strategy but have so far resisted the calls - warning that to do so risks undermining the message to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus.
On Sunday, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said some social distancing measures would remain in place until a vaccine has been developed but added that the government would seek to restore people's lives to "as close to normal as possible".
The prime minister, meanwhile, has joined fellow world leaders in a virtual summit aimed at galvanising global efforts to find a vaccine for COVID-19.
Mr Johnson urged the international community to "pull together" in what he described as "the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes".
The online pledging conference, which is being attended by the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and representatives of the EU, aims to secure more than £6bn in funding to support the global response to the coronavirus pandemic.
This will be used to support the development of treatments, tests and ultimately the mass production of a vaccine if one can be found.
The UK has pledged to give £388m in aid funding for research into tests, treatments and vaccines - part of a £744m commitment to help end the pandemic and support the global economy.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:36 Why a COVID-19 vaccine may not be shared
"To win this battle, we must work together to build an impregnable shield around all our people and that can only be achieved by developing and mass producing a vaccine," Mr Johnson said.
"The more we pull together and share our expertise, the faster our scientists will succeed."
He added: "The race to discover the vaccine to defeat this virus is not a competition between countries but the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes.
"It's humanity against the virus - we are in this together and together we will prevail."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 COVID-19 vaccine 'may have to be given every two years'
However, the absence of both China and the US from the virtual summit will likely raise concerns that competition between states to secure a vaccine could hinder global efforts.
Writing in the Independent on Sunday, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Norway said the "global challenge" required "bringing together the world's best - and most prepared - minds to find the vaccines, treatments and therapies we need to make our world healthy again".
They also said there should be a focus on "strengthening" health systems "with particular attention to Africa".
"This is our generation's duty and we know we can make this happen", they added.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also revealed the government is trying to "source as many masks as possible" in case official advice changes to encourage the public to wear them.
People could wear the non-medical face coverings, or other types pf Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to give them confidence to go back to work when restrictions are eased, he told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast.
Mr Wallace also suggested where people cannot remain two metres apart that halving that distance would "still keep people away from being infected" but for a "much lesser time".
It comes as Mr Johnson has revealed that he feared he would not live to see his baby son Wilfred, who was born after the prime minister was discharged from hospital last month.
Image: The government is procuring masks in case official public guidance changes
"I won't hide it from you, I was thinking about that, yes," he told The Sun.
"I owe my life to our doctors and nurses and the healthcare workers," he added. "They pulled my chestnuts out of the fire, no question."
Meanwhile, a smartphone app to trace the spread of coronavirus will be trialled on the Isle of Wight this week before being rolled out more widely later this month.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Shapps told Sky News the NHSX contact tracing app requires 50-60% of people to use for it to be successful.
A total of 28,446 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Saturday.
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-05-03--Coronavirus: 315 die with COVID-19 in UK - as Gove admits 'mistakes' in government's response

The number of people who have died with coronavirus in UK hospitals , care homes and the wider community has risen by 315 , bringing the total number of fatalities to 28,446 .
The official Department of Health figure , the lowest since the end of March , was offered by cabinet minister Michael Gove during Sunday 's Downing Street news briefing .
Mr Gove also revealed that 76,496 coronavirus tests were carried out in the 24 hours to 9am on Sunday - below the government 's target .
The target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
And Mr Gove admitted there would be a time , when the virus was under control , for `` deep and probing questions about lessons we can learn as a country from how we handled this crisis in its early stages '' .
`` Undoubtedly this government , like all governments , will have made mistakes , '' he said .
Meanwhile , Professor Stephen Powis , the national medical director of NHS England , told the briefing that the current R number across the UK was around 0.7 - meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus are working .
`` R '' is shorthand for reproductive rate and is a measure of how many people , on average , will catch the virus from someone who is infected .
Governments across the world see it as crucial , in terms of lifting lockdown restrictions , that R is below 1 .
Answering questions later in the briefing , Mr Gove said he suspected the public would have to live with `` some degree of constraint '' until a vaccine is developed .
He suggested that lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reintroduced in certain regions where there are new outbreaks of the virus .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will set out a `` road map '' for easing the lockdown later this week .
Mr Gove also confirmed that Britain would trial a new coronavirus tracking programme next week on the Isle of Wight , off the south coast of England , in a bid to minimise the risk of a second wave of the infection .
`` This week we will be piloting new test , track and trace procedures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view to having that in place more widely later this month , '' he told the news conference .
Each home nation also disclosed the latest daily figures for hospital deaths on Sunday .
In England , the number of people who have died with the virus in hospitals has risen by 327 to 21,180 .
These figures are calculated over a different time period to those released by the Department of Health .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run by PHE , gathers data in England from three sources and verifies them to avoid duplication .
Some of the deaths included in NHS England 's total on Sunday had already appeared in the UK numbers through PHE 's figures .
The explanation on the DHSC website says : `` The daily count under the new measure may be lower than the old measure because some hospital deaths in the hospital-only data will include individuals who have already been included in the composite count .
Individual deaths have already been reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' In Northern Ireland , five more people have died with COVID-19 , bringing the total number of deaths to 381 .
A further 14 people have died in Wales , taking the total number of deaths there to 983 , Public Health Wales said .
Scotland deaths have risen by 12 to 1,571 .
Earlier , Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted that fewer Britons would have died from coronavirus if more tests had been available earlier .
Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show , he said `` many things '' could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity was above 100,000 before COVID-19 spread in the country .
He added : `` The fact of the matter is this is not a country that had - although we 're very big in pharmaceuticals as a country - we 're not a country that had very large test capacity . ''
Mr Shapps told Sky News the NHSX contact tracing app , which will be rolled out later this month , requires 50 % -60 % of people to use for it to be successful .
This week Kay Burley will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

The number of people who have died with coronavirus in UK hospitals, care homes and the wider community has risen by 315, bringing the total number of fatalities to 28,446.
The official Department of Health figure, the lowest since the end of March, was offered by cabinet minister Michael Gove during Sunday's Downing Street news briefing.
Mr Gove also revealed that 76,496 coronavirus tests were carried out in the 24 hours to 9am on Sunday - below the government's target.
The target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of April had been met the previous two days.
And Mr Gove admitted there would be a time, when the virus was under control, for "deep and probing questions about lessons we can learn as a country from how we handled this crisis in its early stages".
"Undoubtedly this government, like all governments, will have made mistakes," he said.
Meanwhile, Professor Stephen Powis, the national medical director of NHS England, told the briefing that the current R number across the UK was around 0.7 - meaning the lockdown restrictions to slow the spread of the virus are working.
"R" is shorthand for reproductive rate and is a measure of how many people, on average, will catch the virus from someone who is infected.
Governments across the world see it as crucial, in terms of lifting lockdown restrictions, that R is below 1.
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Answering questions later in the briefing, Mr Gove said he suspected the public would have to live with "some degree of constraint" until a vaccine is developed.
He suggested that lockdown measures may have to be targeted and reintroduced in certain regions where there are new outbreaks of the virus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will set out a "road map" for easing the lockdown later this week.
Mr Gove also confirmed that Britain would trial a new coronavirus tracking programme next week on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England, in a bid to minimise the risk of a second wave of the infection.
"This week we will be piloting new test, track and trace procedures on the Isle of Wight with a view to having that in place more widely later this month," he told the news conference.
Each home nation also disclosed the latest daily figures for hospital deaths on Sunday.
In England, the number of people who have died with the virus in hospitals has risen by 327 to 21,180. These figures are calculated over a different time period to those released by the Department of Health.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The new system introduced last week, and run by PHE, gathers data in England from three sources and verifies them to avoid duplication.
Some of the deaths included in NHS England's total on Sunday had already appeared in the UK numbers through PHE's figures.
The explanation on the DHSC website says: "The daily count under the new measure may be lower than the old measure because some hospital deaths in the hospital-only data will include individuals who have already been included in the composite count. Individual deaths have already been reported in the PHE series on previous days."
In Northern Ireland, five more people have died with COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to 381.
A further 14 people have died in Wales, taking the total number of deaths there to 983, Public Health Wales said.
Scotland deaths have risen by 12 to 1,571.
Earlier, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted that fewer Britons would have died from coronavirus if more tests had been available earlier.
Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show, he said "many things" could have been different if the UK's testing capacity was above 100,000 before COVID-19 spread in the country.
He added: "The fact of the matter is this is not a country that had - although we're very big in pharmaceuticals as a country - we're not a country that had very large test capacity."
Mr Shapps told Sky News the NHSX contact tracing app, which will be rolled out later this month, requires 50%-60% of people to use for it to be successful.
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Non-COVID patient care 'on hold' as doctors fear wave of referrals after lockdown

NHS cancer surgeons are out of work as referrals have dropped by 75 % - as doctors warned non-coronavirus patients may have died because they have been `` neglected '' .
With 25 % of NHS doctors redeployed to care for COVID-19 patients , thousands of medics have said other patients have been forgotten about and they are `` significantly worried '' about long-term clinical demands on the NHS .
A survey of more than 16,000 UK doctors by the British Medical Association ( BMA ) found there are `` serious concerns some patients may have deteriorated and possibly died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been placed on hold '' .
Medicine shortages are also a major concern , with more than a quarter not being able to get the correct medicine , gases or therapeutics .
The survey , the largest gauging UK doctors ' opinion since the crisis started , found a third said these shortages , or anticipated future shortages , have forced them to offer less effective treatment .
One cancer surgeon said the number of referrals had dropped by a quarter and they feared how this would impact on patients .
They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a large wave of referrals '' once the COVID-19 situation eases - with `` more advanced cases and worse outcomes '' in a health system that was already under major pressure before the pandemic .
GP practices will experience `` significant '' impact when patients who have delayed seeing their doctor seek care , the survey found .
Another cancer surgeon said : `` I 'm struggling with being a surgeon but not being able to offer operations . ''
And one doctor added that `` no one cares in the slightest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking after COVID-19 patients , leaving staff `` drowning '' as they try to keep services running .
A recurring theme since the pandemic hit the UK at the end of February , the survey found there are still problems with getting PPE , with almost half of doctors having to source their own equipment or rely on donations .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said : `` While all parts of the NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet the immediate rocketing demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic , these findings bear out the fears held by many doctors that parts of the health service - and most importantly the needs of patients more widely with non-COVID illness - are being neglected .
`` This means many ill patients are not getting the care they so desperately need now - and crucially , risking their conditions getting worse and with some maybe even dying as a result .
`` Once this current situation eases , it is highly likely that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from patients with far more acute illnesses , caused by a delay in timely treatment .
It is vital that the NHS plans for this now . ''
Dr Nagpaul said he supports the government insisting the NHS is able to cope before easing the lockdown .
He said this must include being able to cope with a `` potential surge '' in patients who have been put off accessing healthcare or had their treatment deferred .
And he called on the government to set out a `` clear and tangible plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity for both COVID and non-COVID patients .
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

NHS cancer surgeons are out of work as referrals have dropped by 75% - as doctors warned non-coronavirus patients may have died because they have been "neglected".
With 25% of NHS doctors redeployed to care for COVID-19 patients, thousands of medics have said other patients have been forgotten about and they are "significantly worried" about long-term clinical demands on the NHS.
A survey of more than 16,000 UK doctors by the British Medical Association (BMA) found there are "serious concerns some patients may have deteriorated and possibly died" because their care has "effectively been placed on hold".
Image: A quarter of NHS doctors have been redeployed to COVID-19 duties
Medicine shortages are also a major concern, with more than a quarter not being able to get the correct medicine, gases or therapeutics.
The survey, the largest gauging UK doctors' opinion since the crisis started, found a third said these shortages, or anticipated future shortages, have forced them to offer less effective treatment.
Shortages included inhalers, antibiotics, anaesthetic drugs, oxygen, painkillers and hormone replacement therapy medicines for menopausal symptoms.
One cancer surgeon said the number of referrals had dropped by a quarter and they feared how this would impact on patients.
They were also concerned they would be "hit with a large wave of referrals" once the COVID-19 situation eases - with "more advanced cases and worse outcomes" in a health system that was already under major pressure before the pandemic.
GP practices will experience "significant" impact when patients who have delayed seeing their doctor seek care, the survey found.
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Another cancer surgeon said: "I'm struggling with being a surgeon but not being able to offer operations."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Applause for NHS across the UK
And one doctor added that "no one cares in the slightest" about parts of the NHS not looking after COVID-19 patients, leaving staff "drowning" as they try to keep services running.
A recurring theme since the pandemic hit the UK at the end of February, the survey found there are still problems with getting PPE, with almost half of doctors having to source their own equipment or rely on donations.
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: "While all parts of the NHS have rallied around in a bid to meet the immediate rocketing demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, these findings bear out the fears held by many doctors that parts of the health service - and most importantly the needs of patients more widely with non-COVID illness - are being neglected.
"This means many ill patients are not getting the care they so desperately need now - and crucially, risking their conditions getting worse and with some maybe even dying as a result.
"Once this current situation eases, it is highly likely that there will be a sudden spike in demand, from patients with far more acute illnesses, caused by a delay in timely treatment. It is vital that the NHS plans for this now."
Image: Dr Chaand Nagpaul said the government needs to think about a surge in patients when the lockdown eases
Dr Nagpaul said he supports the government insisting the NHS is able to cope before easing the lockdown.
He said this must include being able to cope with a "potential surge" in patients who have been put off accessing healthcare or had their treatment deferred.
And he called on the government to set out a "clear and tangible plan" for how the NHS will have capacity for both COVID and non-COVID patients.
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Health secretary doesn't think future COVID-19 vaccine will need to be made compulsory

The health secretary has said he does not think a future COVID-19 vaccine would need to be made compulsory .
At Downing Street 's daily coronavirus news briefing , Matt Hancock said : `` I think the extent of the public 's reaction following the lockdown shows we will be able to achieve very , very high levels of vaccination without taking that step . ''
A number of versions of a potential COVID-19 vaccine are being researched worldwide , with more than 600 people taking part in an Oxford University trial .
And at a video conference summit hosted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of world leaders , organisations and banks joined to together to pledged 7.4bn euros to hunt for a vaccine .
The US and Russia were among those who did not take part .
Mr Hancock said : `` We are proceeding on the basis that just such a huge proportion of the population are going to take this up because of the obvious benefits to individuals and their families and their communities and indeed the whole nation , that there will be enormous demand for it as and when the science is safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministers were not ruling anything out , but were proceeding on the basis there would be enormous uptake due to the `` obvious benefits '' of a vaccine .
Speaking at the same briefing , England 's deputy chief medical officer said a vaccine would likely be available to adults before children .
Mr Hancock , meanwhile , also warned there was no guarantee a vaccine would be found .
`` We ca n't assume there will be a vaccine , '' he said .
`` There is no coronavirus vaccine yet for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is uncertain science . ''
Mr Hancock was asked about the prospect of compulsory vaccinations , having previously said - before the coronavirus outbreak - there was a `` very strong '' case for making it compulsory for children to be vaccinated .
Asked at Monday 's news conference what his message would be to people who are against vaccinations , the health secretary replied : `` I think there has been no greater demonstration in modern history that vaccines save lives than the need for a vaccine to save lives and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak of COVID-19 .
`` We will only license a vaccine when it is both effective and safe . ''
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said children appear to be less affected by the coronavirus .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Prof Van-Tam said : `` We are following the developments in vaccine research across the world , including in the UK .
`` We remain very hopeful that there will be a breakthrough at some point in the future .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that it is more likely than not that the first vaccines will be licensed in adults in the first instance .
`` So far the epidemiological evidence is not showing us that there is a massive burden of disease or burden of mortality in children , it is actually completely at the other end of the scale , it is in the elderly . ''
Mr Hancock used Monday 's briefing to launch a trial of the NHS contact tracing app which the government hopes will allow it to keep the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app will be tested on the Isle of Wight first and could be rolled out across the UK in the weeks to come if the trial proves successful .
On Wednesday , Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to @ @ @

The health secretary has said he does not think a future COVID-19 vaccine would need to be made compulsory.
At Downing Street's daily coronavirus news briefing, Matt Hancock said: "I think the extent of the public's reaction following the lockdown shows we will be able to achieve very, very high levels of vaccination without taking that step."
A number of versions of a potential COVID-19 vaccine are being researched worldwide, with more than 600 people taking part in an Oxford University trial.
And at a video conference summit hosted by the European Union, a group of world leaders, organisations and banks joined to together to pledged 7.4bn euros to hunt for a vaccine. The US and Russia were among those who did not take part.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:04 What's the timescale for a COVID-19 vaccine?
Mr Hancock said: "We are proceeding on the basis that just such a huge proportion of the population are going to take this up because of the obvious benefits to individuals and their families and their communities and indeed the whole nation, that there will be enormous demand for it as and when the science is safe to proceed."
He added that ministers were not ruling anything out, but were proceeding on the basis there would be enormous uptake due to the "obvious benefits" of a vaccine.
Speaking at the same briefing, England's deputy chief medical officer said a vaccine would likely be available to adults before children.
Mr Hancock, meanwhile, also warned there was no guarantee a vaccine would be found.
"We can't assume there will be a vaccine," he said. "There is no coronavirus vaccine yet for any of the existing coronaviruses and this is uncertain science."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:43 The search for a COVID-19 vaccine
Mr Hancock was asked about the prospect of compulsory vaccinations, having previously said - before the coronavirus outbreak - there was a "very strong" case for making it compulsory for children to be vaccinated.
Asked at Monday's news conference what his message would be to people who are against vaccinations, the health secretary replied: "I think there has been no greater demonstration in modern history that vaccines save lives than the need for a vaccine to save lives and to get the world going again following the outbreak of COVID-19.
"We will only license a vaccine when it is both effective and safe."
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said children appear to be less affected by the coronavirus.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Prof Van-Tam said: "We are following the developments in vaccine research across the world, including in the UK.
"We remain very hopeful that there will be a breakthrough at some point in the future.
"I think what I can say to you is that it is more likely than not that the first vaccines will be licensed in adults in the first instance.
"So far the epidemiological evidence is not showing us that there is a massive burden of disease or burden of mortality in children, it is actually completely at the other end of the scale, it is in the elderly."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:23 Health secretary outlines how new app will work
Mr Hancock used Monday's briefing to launch a trial of the NHS contact tracing app which the government hopes will allow it to keep the future spread of COVID-19 under control.
The app will be tested on the Isle of Wight first and could be rolled out across the UK in the weeks to come if the trial proves successful.
On Wednesday, Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


news--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: Self-isolating workers can get digital sicknotes

Employees unable to work because of coronavirus can now access a digital sick note without having to go to the doctor .
The online service aims to reduce the pressure on GP surgeries , while avoiding the need for people self-isolating to leave their homes .
The isolation note can be provided as evidence to an employer that a person has been advised to self-quarantine due to COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
This is either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has them , and so can not work .
The notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and NHS 111 online .
After answering a few simple questions , an isolation note will be emailed to the user .
If they do not have an email address , they can have the note sent to a trusted family member or friend , or directly to their employer .
The service can also be used to generate an isolation note on behalf of someone else .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said : `` It is absolutely vital we do everything we can to ease the burden on our healthcare professionals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible with those patients that need them most .
`` Digital isolation notes will provide reassurance to those self-isolating and their employers while also reducing the pressure on our NHS , so they can continue doing all they can to protect the people of this country and save lives . ''
For the first seven days off work , employees can self-certify so they do not need a note .
After that , employers may ask for evidence of sickness absence .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If people can work from home and feel well enough , they do not need an isolation note .
The service can be accessed via https : //111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/ as well as via the NHS app .

Employees unable to work because of coronavirus can now access a digital sick note without having to go to the doctor.
The online service aims to reduce the pressure on GP surgeries, while avoiding the need for people self-isolating to leave their homes.
The isolation note can be provided as evidence to an employer that a person has been advised to self-quarantine due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
This is either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has them, and so cannot work.
The notes can be accessed through the NHS website and NHS 111 online.
After answering a few simple questions, an isolation note will be emailed to the user.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 Now is the time for the UK to stand together - chancellor
If they do not have an email address, they can have the note sent to a trusted family member or friend, or directly to their employer.
The service can also be used to generate an isolation note on behalf of someone else.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "It is absolutely vital we do everything we can to ease the burden on our healthcare professionals, allowing them to spend as much time as possible with those patients that need them most.
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"Digital isolation notes will provide reassurance to those self-isolating and their employers while also reducing the pressure on our NHS, so they can continue doing all they can to protect the people of this country and save lives."
For the first seven days off work, employees can self-certify so they do not need a note.
After that, employers may ask for evidence of sickness absence.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
If people can work from home and feel well enough, they do not need an isolation note.
The service can be accessed via https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/ as well as via the NHS app.


news--2020-03-21--Ministers ask ex-Nestle boss to oversee food supply 'war room'

Ministers are parachuting in a former Nestle executive to oversee a `` war room '' set up to ensure Britain 's food security following the coronavirus pandemic .
Sky News has learnt that Chris Tyas , who ran the multinational 's food supply chain for five years , will take on a senior role in Whitehall in the coming days as the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis deepens .
Senior retail executives were informed about Mr Tyas 's appointment in a memo from David Kennedy , an official at the Department for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs ( DEFRA ) on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will become DEFRA 's director of food supply and has `` great experience ... managing major crises in supply chains across the world , '' the memo said .
Mr Kennedy told retail bosses that `` the current crisis will continue to create huge challenges for the food supply of the nation '' .
He said that DEFRA , which is led by the environment secretary George Eustice , had decided on a `` food resilience strategy that has at its core the running of a 'war room ' '' .
Its priorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triage immediate issues and focus the resources of the whole industry on their resolution [ and ] to plan ahead , with a horizon of the next few months , in order to anticipate pinch points '' .
Mr Kennedy asked dozens of retailers to nominate two individuals who would be available for daily conference calls with the government covering supply chain and operational issues .
The first such call is expected to take place on Tuesday .
The request for retail expertise underlines the unprecedented scope of the collaboration between the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent days as the coronavirus pandemic escalates .
Hotel operators have pooled surplus beds for NHS , while manufacturers are racing to design a medical ventilator which can be produced en masse .
Boris Johnson held a conference call with supermarket bosses on Saturday to discuss the scenes of panic buying which have become ubiquitous across Britain 's grocery industry during the last week .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
Reports have suggested that the police are likely to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the pandemic worsens in the coming weeks .
Major chains including Asda , Lidl , Sainsbury 's , Tesco and Morrisons are now recruiting a total of tens of thousands of additional staff to meet soaring demand .
Most of the supermarkets have introduced some form of rationing as well as restrictions on shipping hours to ensure that NHS staff , the elderly and vulnerable can buy enough food for themselves and their families .

Ministers are parachuting in a former Nestle executive to oversee a "war room" set up to ensure Britain's food security following the coronavirus pandemic.
Sky News has learnt that Chris Tyas, who ran the multinational's food supply chain for five years, will take on a senior role in Whitehall in the coming days as the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis deepens.
Senior retail executives were informed about Mr Tyas's appointment in a memo from David Kennedy, an official at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on Saturday morning.
The former Nestle executive will become DEFRA's director of food supply and has "great experience... managing major crises in supply chains across the world," the memo said.
Mr Kennedy told retail bosses that "the current crisis will continue to create huge challenges for the food supply of the nation".
Image: Hundreds of people queue to enter a Costco Wholesalers in Coventry on Saturday
He said that DEFRA, which is led by the environment secretary George Eustice, had decided on a "food resilience strategy that has at its core the running of a 'war room'".
Its priorities, he wrote, were to "triage immediate issues and focus the resources of the whole industry on their resolution [and] to plan ahead, with a horizon of the next few months, in order to anticipate pinch points".
Mr Kennedy asked dozens of retailers to nominate two individuals who would be available for daily conference calls with the government covering supply chain and operational issues.
The first such call is expected to take place on Tuesday.
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The request for retail expertise underlines the unprecedented scope of the collaboration between the government and private sector that has emerged in recent days as the coronavirus pandemic escalates.
Hotel operators have pooled surplus beds for NHS, while manufacturers are racing to design a medical ventilator which can be produced en masse.
Boris Johnson held a conference call with supermarket bosses on Saturday to discuss the scenes of panic buying which have become ubiquitous across Britain's grocery industry during the last week.
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Reports have suggested that the police are likely to be brought in to help control customer behaviour as the pandemic worsens in the coming weeks.
Major chains including Asda, Lidl, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons are now recruiting a total of tens of thousands of additional staff to meet soaring demand.
Most of the supermarkets have introduced some form of rationing as well as restrictions on shipping hours to ensure that NHS staff, the elderly and vulnerable can buy enough food for themselves and their families.


news--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: Number of COVID-19 infections in UK tops 5,000 as 233 die

More than 5,000 people in the UK have now been infected with coronavirus .
It comes as the number of COVID-19-related deaths has risen to 233 after 53 more fatalities were announced in England .
NHS England said the patients who died were aged between 41 and 94 and all had underlying health conditions .
Wales 's number of dead has risen to five , Scotland 's now stands at seven and Northern Ireland 's remains at one .
In the UK , there has been a rise of 1,035 confirmed cases in a day to 5,018 .
London continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all UK deaths - an increase of 19 on Saturday , eight of which were at one hospital trust , London North West Healthcare NHS Trust .
The capital now has 90 deaths , followed by 42 in the South East , 32 in the West Midlands , 19 in the North West , 12 in the South West , nine in the East Midlands , eight in Yorkshire and the Humber and four in the North East .
The latest figures come as panic buyers were told they `` should be ashamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff .
The retail industry has insisted there was enough food for everyone , and Environment Secretary George Eustice said manufacturers have increased production by 50 % .
NHS England national medical director Stephen Powis said the country should be ashamed that key medical staff were left unable to buy food at the end of their shifts .
Mr Eustice said that people buying more than they needed meant key NHS workers fighting the disease were faced with empty shelves when they tried to shop .
He said the message to the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shop and think of others . ''
Mr Eustice played down the prospect of the government imposing rationing , saying ministers ' preference was to leave it to the retailers to decide whether purchases should be limited .
On Friday , Boris Johnson ordered the shutdown of cafes , pubs , restaurants and gyms as efforts were ramped to halt the spread of coronavirus .
It coincided with a warning by the head of the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) that young people are `` not invincible '' and can still be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hospital `` for weeks '' .
Schools across the UK have also now closed , except for children of key workers , in the battle to contain the pandemic .
In a bid to help the economy survive the pandemic , Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the government would step in to pay people 's wages , with grants that will cover 80 % of the salaries of retained workers - up to £2,500 a month .
He also said he would defer the next quarter of VAT payments for businesses until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £30bn injection into the economy .
In a further step , Mr Sunak pledged £1bn for renters by boosting housing benefit and Universal Credit , and added that the welfare payments ' `` generosity '' would be increased to allow the local housing allowance to cover at least 30 % of market rents .
Economists have said the cost of the plan to cover most of the wages of workers whose jobs are under threat could run into billions of pounds a month .
The move has been largely welcomed by trade unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about a major economic recession and mass job losses .
But shadow chancellor John McDonnell argued Mr Sunak had not gone `` far enough or fast enough '' .
The government has also faced criticism that its rescue package did not cover freelancers , contractors and the self-employed .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Treasury Chief Secretary Stephen Barclay has said providing protection for the incomes of the self-employed would be `` operationally '' difficult to deliver .
But he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the deferral of self-assessment tax requirements , the holidays for mortgage payers and the strengthening of the welfare `` safety net '' .
• The number of deaths in Italy has risen by 793 in a single day to 4,825 • 8,000 more hospital beds and 20,000 extra staff join COVID-19 fight in UK • Expert says new symptoms could be loss of taste or smell

More than 5,000 people in the UK have now been infected with coronavirus.
It comes as the number of COVID-19-related deaths has risen to 233 after 53 more fatalities were announced in England.
NHS England said the patients who died were aged between 41 and 94 and all had underlying health conditions.
Wales's number of dead has risen to five, Scotland's now stands at seven and Northern Ireland's remains at one.
In the UK, there has been a rise of 1,035 confirmed cases in a day to 5,018.
London continues to represent more than a third of all UK deaths - an increase of 19 on Saturday, eight of which were at one hospital trust, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust.
The capital now has 90 deaths, followed by 42 in the South East, 32 in the West Midlands, 19 in the North West, 12 in the South West, nine in the East Midlands, eight in Yorkshire and the Humber and four in the North East.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:45 Coronavirus: Shoppers queue around car park
The latest figures come as panic buyers were told they "should be ashamed" for causing needless shortages for NHS staff.
The retail industry has insisted there was enough food for everyone, and Environment Secretary George Eustice said manufacturers have increased production by 50%.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:41 NHS boss: Panic buyers 'should be ashamed'
NHS England national medical director Stephen Powis said the country should be ashamed that key medical staff
were left unable to buy food at the end of their shifts.
Mr Eustice said that people buying more than they needed meant key NHS workers fighting the disease were faced with empty shelves when they tried to shop.
He said the message to the public was: "Be responsible when you shop and think of others."
Mr Eustice played down the prospect of the government imposing rationing, saying ministers' preference was to leave it to the retailers to decide whether purchases should be limited.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:08 'Think of others when you shop'
On Friday, Boris Johnson ordered the shutdown of cafes, pubs, restaurants and gyms as efforts were ramped to halt the spread of coronavirus.
It coincided with a warning by the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that young people are "not invincible" and can still be killed by the infection or be confined to hospital "for weeks".
Schools across the UK have also now closed, except for children of key workers, in the battle to contain the pandemic.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:21 PM: Pubs, clubs and cinemas to close
In a bid to help the economy survive the pandemic, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the government would step in to pay people's wages, with grants that will cover 80% of the salaries of retained workers - up to £2,500 a month.
He also said he would defer the next quarter of VAT payments for businesses until the end of June, in a £30bn injection into the economy.
In a further step, Mr Sunak pledged £1bn for renters by boosting housing benefit and Universal Credit, and added that the welfare payments' "generosity" would be increased to allow the local housing allowance to cover at least 30% of market rents.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 Now time for UK to stand together - chancellor
Economists have said the cost of the plan to cover most of the wages of workers whose jobs are under threat could run into billions of pounds a month.
The move has been largely welcomed by trade unions and employers in the face of growing concerns about a major economic recession and mass job losses.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:08 How the economy will cope with coronavirus
But shadow chancellor John McDonnell argued Mr Sunak had not gone "far enough or fast enough".
The government has also faced criticism that its rescue package did not cover freelancers, contractors and the self-employed.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Treasury Chief Secretary Stephen Barclay has said providing protection for the incomes of the self-employed would be "operationally" difficult to deliver.
But he said they would benefit from measures such as the deferral of self-assessment tax requirements, the holidays for mortgage payers and the strengthening of the welfare "safety net".
In other developments:


news--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: Ministers urged to assist 'forgotten' self-employed

Ministers are facing urgent pleas to help the millions of self-employed whose incomes have evaporated as a result of the coronavirus outbreak .
Pressure is growing on the government to provide financial assistance to freelancers , contractors and sole traders , whose businesses have been decimated by the COVID-19 crisis .
It follows warnings that the radical rescue package unveiled taken by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to cover most of the wages of workers who face losing their jobs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic , would fail to assist the self-employed .
Among those affected is writer Vikki Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telly you are watching was made by the self-employed .
`` All the theatre you watch was made by the self-employed .
`` All the music you listen to was made by the self-employed . ''
She ended with a plea to `` help us '' .
Describing herself as `` one of the forgotten self-employed '' , Nicole Humphrey pressed her local MP about her plight .
She wrote on Twitter : `` What is the government going to do about those who 've worked damn hard for everything & are likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times . ''
However , in a sign that help could be at hand , her MP for South West Devon Sir Gary Streeter , a senior Tory backbencher , responded that the government was aware of the situation and signalled assistance would be forthcoming .
He replied : `` Treasury ministers are working up a plan for self employed .
More details early next week .
There will be help . ''
In a bid to help the economy survive the pandemic , Mr Sunak announced the government would step in to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will cover 80 % of the salaries of retained workers - up to £2,500 a month .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He also said he would defer the next quarter of VAT payments for businesses until the end of June , in a £30bn injection into the economy .
But there is criticism that the assistance with workers ' pay did not apply to the self-employed .
Former Conservative cabinet minister David Davis has said the economy could suffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were not protected .
However , Treasury Chief Secretary Stephen Barclay said ministers were concentrating on measures which could be rolled out quickly to keep the economy going .
Experts warned assessing the incomes of self-employed people who are outside the PAYE tax system would be difficult and would take time to work out .
Environment Secretary George Eustice said the chancellor had `` made a number of dramatic interventions '' to `` help tackle this particular pandemic '' when asked about possible support for self-employed workers .
He added : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been raised and it 's obviously for the Treasury to keep this matter under review . ''

Ministers are facing urgent pleas to help the millions of self-employed whose incomes have evaporated as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Pressure is growing on the government to provide financial assistance to freelancers, contractors and sole traders, whose businesses have been decimated by the COVID-19 crisis.
It follows warnings that the radical rescue package unveiled taken by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to cover most of the wages of workers who face losing their jobs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, would fail to assist the self-employed.
Among those affected is writer Vikki Stone, who tweeted: "All the telly you are watching was made by the self-employed.
"All the theatre you watch was made by the self-employed.
"All the music you listen to was made by the self-employed."
She ended with a plea to "help us".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 Now time for UK to stand together - chancellor
Describing herself as "one of the forgotten self-employed", Nicole Humphrey pressed her local MP about her plight.
She wrote on Twitter: "What is the government going to do about those who've worked damn hard for everything & are likely to lose it all in these dark times."
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However, in a sign that help could be at hand, her MP for South West Devon Sir Gary Streeter, a senior Tory backbencher, responded that the government was aware of the situation and signalled assistance would be forthcoming.
He replied: "Treasury ministers are working up a plan for self employed. More details early next week. There will be help."
In a bid to help the economy survive the pandemic, Mr Sunak announced the government would step in to pay people's wages, with grants that will cover 80% of the salaries of retained workers - up to £2,500 a month.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He also said he would defer the next quarter of VAT payments for businesses until the end of June, in a £30bn injection into the economy.
But there is criticism that the assistance with workers' pay did not apply to the self-employed.
Former Conservative cabinet minister David Davis has said the economy could suffer a near "fatal seizure" if they were not protected.
However, Treasury Chief Secretary Stephen Barclay said ministers were concentrating on measures which could be rolled out quickly to keep the economy going.
Experts warned assessing the incomes of self-employed people who are outside the PAYE tax system would be difficult and would take time to work out.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:37 Coronavirus: UK's new economic measures explained
Environment Secretary George Eustice said the chancellor had "made a number of dramatic interventions" to "help tackle this particular pandemic" when asked about possible support for self-employed workers.
He added: "I know there are other issues that have been raised and it's obviously for the Treasury to keep this matter under review."


news--2020-03-20--Homemade solution to coronavirus from the 'worst camp in the world'

Moria Camp , on the Greek island of Lesbos , is often referred to as the worst refugee camp in the world : squalid , overcrowded and now fearful of coronavirus .
So far , the coronavirus has n't reached this place .
But if , and when , it does , it will find an inviting breeding ground .
More than 20,000 people squashed together in a camp designed for fewer than 3,000 .
Sporadic supplies of water and electricity .
Basic hygiene .
There has been little support from the Greek government .
Roadblocks have been put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting out of the camp , but precious little has come in the way of medical supplies .
Until now .
Because , just down the road from the camp , positioned next to one of the roadblocks , is a breezeblock building used by a charity called Team Humanity .
It was set up to bring supplies to the people living in the camp - when I visited Lesbos a couple of weeks ago , they were handing out shoes to new arrivals .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spreaker .
Now the group has turned its attention to making masks .
Using a mixture of cotton and plastic , a group of 45 volunteers , using 32 sewing machines , are aiming to produce up to 2,000 masks per day .
The design came off the internet - the point was to create something that could be used , washed in boiling water , and then used again .
Once they 've got enough for the people in the camp , they 're aiming to make masks for vulnerable people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official products , but rather a cry of desperation turned into a production line .
`` We felt that nobody was going to help us , so we decided that we had to help ourselves , '' says Salam Aldeen , the founder of Team Humanity .
`` We do n't have coronavirus in the camp at the moment but we have seen how it moves from place to place .
We could n't just sit back and do nothing . ''
They have only a limited supply of both cotton and plastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are to provide masks for all the refugees in Moria .
An online appeal has also been set up to buy hand sanitisers because `` we can not rely on water in the camp '' .
The prospect of a grim , fast-moving disease arriving in this miserable , packed place is a horrible one .
In the background , the sewing machines whirl , and these homemade masks come off the production line .
And nobody knows what will happen next .

Moria Camp, on the Greek island of Lesbos, is often referred to as the worst refugee camp in the world: squalid, overcrowded and now fearful of coronavirus.
So far, the coronavirus hasn't reached this place. But if, and when, it does, it will find an inviting breeding ground.
More than 20,000 people squashed together in a camp designed for fewer than 3,000. Sporadic supplies of water and electricity. Basic hygiene.
There has been little support from the Greek government. Roadblocks have been put in place to try to stop the residents getting out of the camp, but precious little has come in the way of medical supplies. Until now.
Image: Team Humanity is making masks for people in the camp, which is on Lesbos
Because, just down the road from the camp, positioned next to one of the roadblocks, is a breezeblock building used by a charity called Team Humanity.
It was set up to bring supplies to the people living in the camp - when I visited Lesbos a couple of weeks ago, they were handing out shoes to new arrivals.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
Now the group has turned its attention to making masks. Using a mixture of cotton and plastic, a group of 45 volunteers, using 32 sewing machines, are aiming to produce up to 2,000 masks per day.
The design came off the internet - the point was to create something that could be used, washed in boiling water, and then used again.
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Once they've got enough for the people in the camp, they're aiming to make masks for vulnerable people across the island. These are not official products, but rather a cry of desperation turned into a production line.
"We felt that nobody was going to help us, so we decided that we had to help ourselves," says Salam Aldeen, the founder of Team Humanity.
"We don't have coronavirus in the camp at the moment but we have seen how it moves from place to place. We couldn't just sit back and do nothing."
They have only a limited supply of both cotton and plastic backing, and will need more if they are to provide masks for all the refugees in Moria.
An online appeal has also been set up to buy hand sanitisers because "we cannot rely on water in the camp".
The prospect of a grim, fast-moving disease arriving in this miserable, packed place is a horrible one.
In the background, the sewing machines whirl, and these homemade masks come off the production line. And nobody knows what will happen next.