news--2020-03-26--Coronavirus: Queen social distances from the PM during weekly audience

The coronavirus outbreak has not been able to stop the Queen from holding her weekly audience with the prime minister .
She was pictured using an old fashioned telephone at Windsor Castle while talking to Boris Johnson , who was speaking to her from his Downing Street office .
The photographs - which show the 93-year-old monarch in a room adorned with ornaments including a china corgi - were posted to the Royal Family Twitter account on Wednesday .
`` The Queen held her weekly Audience with the Prime Minister today by telephone , '' the tweet said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Windsor Castle - has held a weekly audience with her Prime Minister throughout her reign . ''
The Queen also held her weekly audience with the prime minister over the phone last week .
They usually take place on Wednesday evenings - after Prime Minister 's Questions in the House of Commons - but this can vary depending on if either the Queen or the prime minister are away .
In these circumstances , it will either be rescheduled or they will speak on the phone .
The latest photos come on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 71 , had tested positive for coronavirus .
The royal displayed `` mild symptoms '' on Sunday and was then tested on Monday , with the results coming through late on Tuesday night , a spokesperson said .
Charles `` otherwise remains in good health '' and has been self-isolating in Scotland with the Duchess of Cornwall , who has tested negative for coronavirus .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The statement said the prince was now `` working from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire where they met the criteria required for testing '' .
Buckingham Palace said the Queen , who is staying with the Duke of Edinburgh , 98 , at Windsor Castle , was in good health and following government advice .
`` Her majesty the Queen remains in good health , '' said a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman .
`` The Queen last saw the Prince of Wales briefly after the investiture on the morning of March 12 and is following all the appropriate advice with regard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to make a public address to the nation in the coming weeks and pay tribute to health workers and those who have lost their lives to the disease .

The coronavirus outbreak has not been able to stop the Queen from holding her weekly audience with the prime minister.
She was pictured using an old fashioned telephone at Windsor Castle while talking to Boris Johnson, who was speaking to her from his Downing Street office.
The photographs - which show the 93-year-old monarch in a room adorned with ornaments including a china corgi - were posted to the Royal Family Twitter account on Wednesday.
"The Queen held her weekly Audience with the Prime Minister today by telephone," the tweet said.
"Her Majesty - pictured this evening at Windsor Castle - has held a weekly audience with her Prime Minister throughout her reign."
Image: The 93-year-old spoke from a room adorned with ornaments including a china corgi
The Queen also held her weekly audience with the prime minister over the phone last week.
They usually take place on Wednesday evenings - after Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons - but this can vary depending on if either the Queen or the prime minister are away.
In these circumstances, it will either be rescheduled or they will speak on the phone.
The latest photos come on the same day Clarence House announced Prince Charles, 71, had tested positive for coronavirus.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:54 Tourists urged to stay away from Scotland as Prince Charles isolates in Balmoral
The royal displayed "mild symptoms" on Sunday and was then tested on Monday, with the results coming through late on Tuesday night, a spokesperson said.
Charles "otherwise remains in good health" and has been self-isolating in Scotland with the Duchess of Cornwall, who has tested negative for coronavirus.
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The statement said the prince was now "working from home" after his test which was "carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire where they met the criteria required for testing".
Buckingham Palace said the Queen, who is staying with the Duke of Edinburgh, 98, at Windsor Castle, was in good health and following government advice.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:14 Charles avoids handshake at event a fortnight ago
"Her majesty the Queen remains in good health," said a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman.
"The Queen last saw the Prince of Wales briefly after the investiture on the morning of March 12 and is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare."
The Queen is expected to make a public address to the nation in the coming weeks and pay tribute to health workers and those who have lost their lives to the disease.


news--2020-03-26--Coronavirus: Paramedic moves into campervan to protect family from pandemic

A paramedic worried about passing on coronavirus to his family has moved out of his home and into a campervan .
Danny Hughes , 28 , from Newhaven , says he deals with coronavirus patients every day and many of his family are in the high risk group - including one who is pregnant .
A member of his household developed symptoms of COVID-19 while he was out and , rather than risk catching it and being off work for 14 days , Mr Hughes said he `` thought it was more advantageous to isolate myself temporarily '' .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he could continue working for the South East Coast Ambulance , where he is based in Polegate , East Sussex .
`` We come into contact with patients who potentially have the coronavirus on a daily basis - whether that is the potential to have it or those who are confirmed as having COVID-19 , '' he said .
`` I wanted to put that step forward and protect my family .
`` I may not have symptoms but there is nothing to say I wo n't pass it on to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus stands at 477 after another three fatalities were confirmed in Scotland , six more in Wales , and three in Northern Ireland .
The latest figures for England , released on Wednesday evening , said 28 people had died in the last 24 hours .
There have been more than 9,000 confirmed cases across the UK .
Mr Hughes , an RAF veteran who has been working 12-hour shifts during the outbreak as well as overtime , has thanked the public for their support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been very positive overall , the public are very supportive of the ambulance service paramedics and of the NHS as a whole . ''
But he called on people to obey government guidance so that the NHS is not `` overrun '' with COVID-19 cases .
He added : `` I have witnessed the effects of the virus , and would urge members of the public to read the latest government advice .
`` Contact 111 if needed and only call 999 in an emergency to free up ambulances for emergencies .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

A paramedic worried about passing on coronavirus to his family has moved out of his home and into a campervan.
Danny Hughes, 28, from Newhaven, says he deals with coronavirus patients every day and many of his family are in the high risk group - including one who is pregnant.
A member of his household developed symptoms of COVID-19 while he was out and, rather than risk catching it and being off work for 14 days, Mr Hughes said he "thought it was more advantageous to isolate myself temporarily".
Mr Hughes instead moved into a campervan so that he could continue working for the South East Coast Ambulance, where he is based in Polegate, East Sussex.
Image: Mr Hughes has been working 12-hour shifts and overtime during the crisis
"We come into contact with patients who potentially have the coronavirus on a daily basis - whether that is the potential to have it or those who are confirmed as having COVID-19," he said.
"I wanted to put that step forward and protect my family.
"I may not have symptoms but there is nothing to say I won't pass it on to my family."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:18 Millions expected to applaud work of NHS staff
The number of people who have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus stands at 477 after another three fatalities were confirmed in Scotland, six more in Wales, and three in Northern Ireland.
The latest figures for England, released on Wednesday evening, said 28 people had died in the last 24 hours.
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There have been more than 9,000 confirmed cases across the UK.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:02 Inside UK's new coronavirus hospital
Mr Hughes, an RAF veteran who has been working 12-hour shifts during the outbreak as well as overtime, has thanked the public for their support.
He said: "It has been very positive overall, the public are very supportive of the ambulance service paramedics and of the NHS as a whole."
But he called on people to obey government guidance so that the NHS is not "overrun" with COVID-19 cases.
He added: "I have witnessed the effects of the virus, and would urge members of the public to read the latest government advice.
"Contact 111 if needed and only call 999 in an emergency to free up ambulances for emergencies.
"We are exceptionally busy as a service."


news--2020-03-26--Coronavirus: US jobless rate soars to record 3.3 million amid economic shutdown

US unemployment claims rocketed to a record high of 3.3 million last week as a result of the widespread economic shutdown caused by coronavirus .
The figure follows the imposition of tough restrictions aimed at curbing the COVID-19 pandemic , that led to a wave of redundancies and signalled the end to the longest employment boom in US history .
The Labor Department said 3.3 million people applied for unemployment benefits last week , up from 282,000 during the previous week .
However , Wall Street gained on the release of the latest data as it fuelled the case for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
It came as the US Senate backed a massive $ 2trn stimulus package to help devastated businesses and millions of Americans whose livelihoods have been decimated by the health crisis .
The surge in weekly jobless applications - more than fives times the previous record set in 1982 - reflects the damage the outbreak is doing to the economy , with the scale of lay-offs threatening to speed up the slide into recession .
Revenues have collapsed at restaurants , hotels , cinemas , gyms , and airlines , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturers to shut factories .
As job losses mount , some economists believe the unemployment rate could hit 13 % by May - the highest level since the 1930s and the Great Depression .
The highest jobless rate in the wake of the financial crash in 2009 was 10 % .
`` What seemed impossible just two weeks ago is now reality , '' said Nancy Vanden Houten , an economist at the consulting firm Oxford Economics .
`` The US economy will experience the largest economic contraction on record with the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only in February , the unemployment rate was at a 50-year low of 3.5 % and the economy was continuing to grow .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker There are also indications that the level of claims for unemployment benefit , underestimate the scale of job cuts seen .
Many people made redundant have in recent weeks have been unable to apply for assistance because state websites and phone systems have been overwhelmed by a crush of applicants and have frozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company payrolls , such as the self-employed , are also not currently eligible for unemployment benefits even though in many cases they are no longer able to earn money .

US unemployment claims rocketed to a record high of 3.3 million last week as a result of the widespread economic shutdown caused by coronavirus.
The figure follows the imposition of tough restrictions aimed at curbing the COVID-19 pandemic, that led to a wave of redundancies and signalled the end to the longest employment boom in US history.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:44 Trump 'hopeful' people can work again by Easter
The Labor Department said 3.3 million people applied for unemployment benefits last week, up from 282,000 during the previous week.
However, Wall Street gained on the release of the latest data as it fuelled the case for more federal help to deal with the coronavirus crisis.
It came as the US Senate backed a massive $2trn stimulus package to help devastated businesses and millions of Americans whose livelihoods have been decimated by the health crisis.
The surge in weekly jobless applications - more than fives times the previous record set in 1982 - reflects the damage the outbreak is doing to the economy, with the scale of lay-offs threatening to speed up the slide into recession.
Revenues have collapsed at restaurants, hotels, cinemas, gyms, and airlines, while car sales have also plummeted, leading manufacturers to shut factories.
As job losses mount, some economists believe the unemployment rate could hit 13% by May - the highest level since the 1930s and the Great Depression.
The highest jobless rate in the wake of the financial crash in 2009 was 10%.
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"What seemed impossible just two weeks ago is now reality," said Nancy Vanden Houten, an economist at the consulting firm Oxford Economics.
"The US economy will experience the largest economic contraction on record with the most severe surge in unemployment ever."
Only in February, the unemployment rate was at a 50-year low of 3.5% and the economy was continuing to grow.
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There are also indications that the level of claims for unemployment benefit, underestimate the scale of job cuts seen.
Many people made redundant have in recent weeks have been unable to apply for assistance because state websites and phone systems have been overwhelmed by a crush of applicants and have frozen up.
Workers who are not on company payrolls, such as the self-employed, are also not currently eligible for unemployment benefits even though in many cases they are no longer able to earn money.


news--2020-03-26--Coronavirus: British backpackers trapped in Peruvian hostel with infected guests

Four young British women fear being forced to stay locked down in a hostel in Peru for up to three months after two fellow residents tested positive for the coronavirus .
The group from London and Kent say they are not allowed to leave their dormitory except for meals and to go to the bathroom under strict quarantine rules .
They were imposed by the Peruvian authorities on Wednesday just as the first UK rescue flight was due to travel to Peru to transport some 200 other stranded British travellers home .
`` Pretty much everyone in this hostel will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 , told Sky News .
`` We are just in a COVID-19 petri dish . ''
`` We are speaking out because we feel as though our rights are being infringed , '' said Ms Griffiths .
`` Things are becoming more and more severe . ''
The women at the hostel in the southeastern city of Cusco are among hundreds of thousands of British nationals trying to return home from overseas as the coronavirus pandemic triggers an unprecedented closure of borders and a mass cancellation of flights .
MPs have piled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dominic Raab to do more to help stranded British nationals return home .
The prime minister said there was a `` massive , massive '' repatriation effort under way .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Staff at the Foreign Office and in missions around the world are working `` around the clock '' trying to offer advice to those in need , according to a diplomatic source .
A second source said that people are working `` phenomenal hours '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge '' .
The problem is that host governments are shutting exits without notice and airlines are suspending routes , meaning that British diplomats are having to try to negotiate special access for their citizens as well as , in some cases , charter flights to bring them home .
They are also acting as scores of other governments simultaneously scramble to rescue their nationals as well .
Britain is speaking to allies to try to arrange for seats on flights that they might be facilitating .
There is also uncertainty about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help .
The Foreign Office does not keep track of the movements of everyone travelling overseas so officials must rely on broad estimates and the volume of phone calls to their helplines and missions .
In one piece of good news , a charter flight was due to pick up around 200 British travellers from the Peruvian capital of Lima on Wednesday and bring them home .
There are thought to be up to another 500 Britons still stranded in the country with other rescue flights pending .
Ms Gordon and her three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government announced it was shutting its borders for 15 days from 16 March in an attempt to stem the spread of COVID-19 , the illness caused by coronavirus .
The women said they have tried to contact the Foreign Office , their MPs , the foreign secretary and even the prime minister but have only received automated responses .
At first , the hostel where they are staying allowed them to leave once a day to purchase food and other supplies .
But on 22 March , restrictions became tighter after it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the residence had tested positive as he tried to return home to Mexico .
Soon after , two other travellers - one from the Netherlands and another from Finland - staying at the hostel started to show symptoms of the disease .
They were put into private rooms and tested for coronavirus .
The positive result came back on Wednesday , prompting the even tougher lockdown , with all residents confined to their dormitories except for mealtimes .
More than 140 people , including staff and about nine British nationals , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of her friends are together in one 12-bed room , while Ms James is in a separate dormitory .
The four , who are required to wear face masks , said they did not know how they would pass the time .
`` There are 12 of us in a bedroom - everyone is going to go crazy , '' Ms Gordon said .
The women also do not know how long they may have to stay confined to the hostel , noting that it could be between a month to three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us when we will find out how long it will be , '' Ms Gordon said .

Four young British women fear being forced to stay locked down in a hostel in Peru for up to three months after two fellow residents tested positive for the coronavirus.
The group from London and Kent say they are not allowed to leave their dormitory except for meals and to go to the bathroom under strict quarantine rules.
They were imposed by the Peruvian authorities on Wednesday just as the first UK rescue flight was due to travel to Peru to transport some 200 other stranded British travellers home.
Image: The women say they are confined to their dormitories except for mealtimes
"Pretty much everyone in this hostel will get coronavirus," Sabina Gordon, 22, told Sky News. "We are just in a COVID-19 petri dish."
Her friends, Nadeen Griffiths, 22, Hilary-Nye Aremu, 22 and Michaela James, 21, agree.
Image: Sabina Gordon, from London, and three of her friends are staying in one 12-bed room
Image: Nadeen Griffiths, from London, visiting Machu Picchu
"We are speaking out because we feel as though our rights are being infringed," said Ms Griffiths. "Things are becoming more and more severe."
The women at the hostel in the southeastern city of Cusco are among hundreds of thousands of British nationals trying to return home from overseas as the coronavirus pandemic triggers an unprecedented closure of borders and a mass cancellation of flights.
Image: Michaela James, from London, in Arequipa, Peru
Image: Hilary-Nye Aremu, from Kent, has been travelling with the group
MPs have piled pressure on Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to do more to help stranded British nationals return home.
The prime minister said there was a "massive, massive" repatriation effort under way.
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Staff at the Foreign Office and in missions around the world are working "around the clock" trying to offer advice to those in need, according to a diplomatic source.
A second source said that people are working "phenomenal hours", describing the situation as an "unprecedented challenge".
Image: The women have not been told when they can leave the hostel
The problem is that host governments are shutting exits without notice and airlines are suspending routes, meaning that British diplomats are having to try to negotiate special access for their citizens as well as, in some cases, charter flights to bring them home.
They are also acting as scores of other governments simultaneously scramble to rescue their nationals as well.
Britain is speaking to allies to try to arrange for seats on flights that they might be facilitating.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:03 Explainer: How to self-isolate
There is also uncertainty about the exact number of Britons in need of help.
The Foreign Office does not keep track of the movements of everyone travelling overseas so officials must rely on broad estimates and the volume of phone calls to their helplines and missions.
In one piece of good news, a charter flight was due to pick up around 200 British travellers from the Peruvian capital of Lima on Wednesday and bring them home. There are thought to be up to another 500 Britons still stranded in the country with other rescue flights pending.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:11 How family's dream Thai holiday turned into nightmare
Ms Gordon and her three friends have been stuck in Peru since the government announced it was shutting its borders for 15 days from 16 March in an attempt to stem the spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus.
The women said they have tried to contact the Foreign Office, their MPs, the foreign secretary and even the prime minister but have only received automated responses.
At first, the hostel where they are staying allowed them to leave once a day to purchase food and other supplies.
Image: There are tight restrictions at the hostel
But on 22 March, restrictions became tighter after it emerged that someone who had been staying at the residence had tested positive as he tried to return home to Mexico.
Soon after, two other travellers - one from the Netherlands and another from Finland - staying at the hostel started to show symptoms of the disease.
They were put into private rooms and tested for coronavirus. The positive result came back on Wednesday, prompting the even tougher lockdown, with all residents confined to their dormitories except for mealtimes.
More than 140 people, including staff and about nine British nationals, are at the hostel.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:12 Cities and beaches deserted across the world
Ms Gordon and two of her friends are together in one 12-bed room, while Ms James is in a separate dormitory.
The four, who are required to wear face masks, said they did not know how they would pass the time. "There are 12 of us in a bedroom - everyone is going to go crazy," Ms Gordon said.
The women also do not know how long they may have to stay confined to the hostel, noting that it could be between a month to three months.
"They have not told us when we will find out how long it will be," Ms Gordon said.


news--2020-03-26--Coronavirus: How do you stop COVID-19 in a country where people have other problems?

Several hours before the nation commenced a draconian 21-day lockdown , South Africa 's president , Cyril Ramaphosa , put on an army uniform and gave a speech which captured the historic and desperate nature of the order he has given .
Speaking to soldiers at a base in Soweto , near Johannesburg , he told them : `` This is your most important mission .
`` Many of our people are fearful , they are doubtful and concerned ... your mission is to restore the lives of South Africans . ''
Troops have not been deployed on the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the president has called on them to help police a highly restrictive shutdown .
All but essential workers must stay at home while the government has shut restaurants , pubs , bars and gyms .
The sale of alcohol and cigarettes is banned and the colourful drivers of the country 's taxi-vans can only operate during restricted periods in the morning and evening .
If anyone doubted the resolve of Mr Ramaphosa 's cabinet , the police minister Bheki Cele doubled down when he threatened anyone in breach of the rules with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a punishment faced by everyone - even dog walkers .
`` So there is no need to move around , '' he said .
`` There was a little bit of a story earlier that you can walk your dog , [ but ] there shall be no dogs that will be walked ... if you really want to walk your dog [ do it ] around your house . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
Why has the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such vigour ?
The answer lies in the swift increase in the number of infected people over the last six days .
Last Friday , the authorities said 200 people had contracted the disease but that total now stands at well over 900 .
Statisticians from the University of Witwatersrand estimate that one million people could be infected within 40 days if a small number in one locality catch it .
While that may seem incredible , there are millions of people in this country who reside and survive in impoverished townships and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sewage services .
Overcrowding is a basic fact of life .
Many share shacks with 10 or more people .
The government knows that if COVID-19 takes root in such communities , it will quickly spread , overwhelming the country 's crippled healthcare system .
Yet , social isolation and self-distancing are luxuries that the residents of townships can barely afford .
Inhabitants need to work - or collect tips and commissions on streets and car parks - or they are unlikely to eat .
It is another fact of life in South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide lockdown , inhabitants of impoverished settlements in the city of Port Elizabeth blocked roads and burnt buses to protest poor services and non-existent electricity .
Few seemed to understand why President Ramaphosa was bothered about a virus .
`` We say to the government : our living conditions deserve the same attention as the coronavirus , '' said community leader , Sipho Ntsondwa .
The challenges facing those who run this country are enormous and , as the lockdown takes effect , the coronavirus only represents one of them .

Several hours before the nation commenced a draconian 21-day lockdown, South Africa's president, Cyril Ramaphosa, put on an army uniform and gave a speech which captured the historic and desperate nature of the order he has given.
Speaking to soldiers at a base in Soweto, near Johannesburg, he told them: "This is your most important mission.
"Many of our people are fearful, they are doubtful and concerned... your mission is to restore the lives of South Africans."
Troops have not been deployed on the streets of South Africa since the apartheid era but the president has called on them to help police a highly restrictive shutdown.
All but essential workers must stay at home while the government has shut restaurants, pubs, bars and gyms. The sale of alcohol and cigarettes is banned and the colourful drivers of the country's taxi-vans can only operate during restricted periods in the morning and evening.
If anyone doubted the resolve of Mr Ramaphosa's cabinet, the police minister Bheki Cele doubled down when he threatened anyone in breach of the rules with six months in jail. It is a punishment faced by everyone - even dog walkers.
"So there is no need to move around," he said.
"There was a little bit of a story earlier that you can walk your dog, [but] there shall be no dogs that will be walked... if you really want to walk your dog [do it] around your house."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
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Why has the South African government responded to the coronavirus with such vigour? The answer lies in the swift increase in the number of infected people over the last six days.
Last Friday, the authorities said 200 people had contracted the disease but that total now stands at well over 900. Statisticians from the University of Witwatersrand estimate that one million people could be infected within 40 days if a small number in one locality catch it.
Image: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told soldiers that many citizens were fearful
While that may seem incredible, there are millions of people in this country who reside and survive in impoverished townships and settlements with few taps, toilets or sewage services. Overcrowding is a basic fact of life. Many share shacks with 10 or more people.
The government knows that if COVID-19 takes root in such communities, it will quickly spread, overwhelming the country's crippled healthcare system.
Yet, social isolation and self-distancing are luxuries that the residents of townships can barely afford. Inhabitants need to work - or collect tips and commissions on streets and car parks - or they are unlikely to eat. It is another fact of life in South Africa.
While the government executed its nationwide lockdown, inhabitants of impoverished settlements in the city of Port Elizabeth blocked roads and burnt buses to protest poor services and non-existent electricity. Few seemed to understand why President Ramaphosa was bothered about a virus.
"We say to the government: our living conditions deserve the same attention as the coronavirus," said community leader, Sipho Ntsondwa.
The challenges facing those who run this country are enormous and, as the lockdown takes effect, the coronavirus only represents one of them.


news--2020-03-26--Coronavirus: Cabinet talks held on Zoom days after software was banned by Ministry of Defence

High-level government talks on Britain 's coronavirus response were held on a videoconference service that Ministry of Defence staff were banned from using just days earlier over security fears .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson gathered cabinet ministers earlier this week using Zoom to discuss the latest lockdown measures .
Downing Street even posted a picture of all the secretaries of state dialling in instead of coming in to Number 10 and crowding round one table to avoid catching COVID-19 .
But it has emerged the Ministry of Defence ( MoD ) ordered all workers in the department to immediately stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were investigated .
An email sent to staff also told them to be `` cautious about cyber resilience '' in `` these exceptional times '' .
A source said after the revelation : `` It is astounding that thousands of MoD staff have been banned from using Zoom only to find a sensitive government meeting like that of the prime minister 's cabinet is being conducted over it . ''
Another added `` I ’ d rather the cabinet were using the games feature on Houseparty '' - another video-calling service .
Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown imposed in the UK and many other countries around the world because of coronavirus .
But an industry expert raised concerns over its security .
Andrew Dwyer , who researches cybersecurity at the University of Bristol , wrote on Twitter : `` Seriously worried by the security of cabinet being conducted over Zoom .
`` What is happening here ?
This is not okay .
I doubt the NCSC [ National Cyber Security Centre ] would be happy , if not mortified , by this . ''
Paul Bischoff , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , privacy and networking technology , said the programme is `` fairly secure '' .
But he warned the company was `` slow '' to address a `` webcam security flaw '' last year which `` angered '' some users and security experts .
The problem allowed an attacker to hijack the user 's webcam through Safari on Apple Macs , he said .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker According to a media reports earlier this month , users were warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were hijacked by strangers sharing porn videos .
A government spokesperson tried to assuage concerns by saying NCSC guidance showed `` there is no security reason for Zoom not to be used for conversations below a certain classification '' .
`` In the current unprecedented circumstances the need for effective channels of communication is vital , '' they added .
Zoom said it takes users ' security `` extremely seriously '' and that 2,000 institutions - from leading telecoms providers to government agencies and universities - have done exhaustive security reviews of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoom are in close communication with the UK Ministry of Defence and National Cyber Security Centre and are focused on providing the documentation they need . ''

High-level government talks on Britain's coronavirus response were held on a videoconference service that Ministry of Defence staff were banned from using just days earlier over security fears.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson gathered cabinet ministers earlier this week using Zoom to discuss the latest lockdown measures.
Downing Street even posted a picture of all the secretaries of state dialling in instead of coming in to Number 10 and crowding round one table to avoid catching COVID-19.
Image: Ministers did not, as they normally do, crowd around a packed table
But it has emerged the Ministry of Defence (MoD) ordered all workers in the department to immediately stop using Zoom while "security implications" were investigated.
An email sent to staff also told them to be "cautious about cyber resilience" in "these exceptional times".
A source said after the revelation: "It is astounding that thousands of MoD staff have been banned from using Zoom only to find a sensitive government meeting like that of the prime minister's cabinet is being conducted over it."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:14 Watch the PM's address to the nation
Another added "I’d rather the cabinet were using the games feature on Houseparty" - another video-calling service.
Zoom has had a big popularity boost during the lockdown imposed in the UK and many other countries around the world because of coronavirus.
But an industry expert raised concerns over its security.
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Andrew Dwyer, who researches cybersecurity at the University of Bristol, wrote on Twitter: "Seriously worried by the security of cabinet being conducted over Zoom.
"What is happening here? This is not okay. I doubt the NCSC [National Cyber Security Centre] would be happy, if not mortified, by this."
Paul Bischoff, from Comparitech.com which researches and tests out security, privacy and networking technology, said the programme is "fairly secure".
But he warned the company was "slow" to address a "webcam security flaw" last year which "angered" some users and security experts.
The problem allowed an attacker to hijack the user's webcam through Safari on Apple Macs, he said.
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According to a media reports earlier this month, users were warned against "Zoom bombing" after sessions were hijacked by strangers sharing porn videos.
A government spokesperson tried to assuage concerns by saying NCSC guidance showed "there is no security reason for Zoom not to be used for conversations below a certain classification".
"In the current unprecedented circumstances the need for effective channels of communication is vital," they added.
Zoom said it takes users' security "extremely seriously" and that 2,000 institutions - from leading telecoms providers to government agencies and universities - have done exhaustive security reviews of the service.
A spokesperson added: "Zoom are in close communication with the UK Ministry of Defence and National Cyber Security Centre and are focused on providing the documentation they need."


news--2020-03-26--Coronavirus: Northern Ireland GPs 'forced' to work in COVID-19 centres 'exposed to viral overload'

Some GPs in Northern Ireland claim they are being `` forced '' to work in COVID-19 centres , where they fear there is a `` much greater risk '' to their health .
The British Medical Association says the plan to separate those with coronavirus symptoms from other patients `` will save lives '' in the long run .
The 14 centres , which are not testing facilities , are being opened in Northern Ireland in a bid to ensure other GP services are maintained during the pandemic .
Doctors were originally asked to volunteer for shifts in the centres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which implies it is part of their contract .
Each practice has been asked to cover one session per week per 1,000 patients - this means a practice with 10,000 patients will be expected to fill 10 shifts .
But the letter from Northern Ireland 's Department of Health states that elements of the contract have been stood down and that each practice is `` required '' to transfer a portion of its capacity to the centres .
It advises doctors that the Department of Health is considering how `` death in service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to COVID-19 work .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A group of GPs , speaking anonymously , questioned why centres of this nature were being established in Northern Ireland but not in the rest of the UK or in the Republic of Ireland .
One said : `` The plan will not protect routine GP services because doctors will be coming and going between practices and COVID-19 centres several times a week .
`` By forcing us to work in these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viral overload .
There is a much greater risk of death not just for us but for our families . ''
The GPs also have concerns about the availability and quality of personal protection equipment , despite commitments made in the letter .
One claimed they had bought their own in a `` farm shop '' .
But Tom Black , who chairs the BMA 's GP Committee in Northern Ireland , said : `` The centres are recommended by the World Health Organisation .
England and Wales will follow us here because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , we have a contract but shifts in the centres will be voluntary .
You can choose not to work there but why would n't you ? ''
He added : `` I perfectly understand that we are putting ourselves in the front line but this is a pandemic and that is what 's required . ''

Some GPs in Northern Ireland claim they are being "forced" to work in COVID-19 centres, where they fear there is a "much greater risk" to their health.
The British Medical Association says the plan to separate those with coronavirus symptoms from other patients "will save lives" in the long run.
The 14 centres, which are not testing facilities, are being opened in Northern Ireland in a bid to ensure other GP services are maintained during the pandemic.
Doctors were originally asked to volunteer for shifts in the centres but have now been sent a letter which implies it is part of their contract.
Image: A section of the letter sent to GPs by Northern Ireland's Department of Health
Each practice has been asked to cover one session per week per 1,000 patients - this means a practice with 10,000 patients will be expected to fill 10 shifts.
But the letter from Northern Ireland's Department of Health states that elements of the contract have been stood down and that each practice is "required" to transfer a portion of its capacity to the centres.
It advises doctors that the Department of Health is considering how "death in service benefits could be provided" in relation to COVID-19 work.
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A group of GPs, speaking anonymously, questioned why centres of this nature were being established in Northern Ireland but not in the rest of the UK or in the Republic of Ireland.
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One said: "The plan will not protect routine GP services because doctors will be coming and going between practices and COVID-19 centres several times a week.
"By forcing us to work in these centres, they are exposing us to viral overload. There is a much greater risk of death not just for us but for our families."
The GPs also have concerns about the availability and quality of personal protection equipment, despite commitments made in the letter. One claimed they had bought their own in a "farm shop".
But Tom Black, who chairs the BMA's GP Committee in Northern Ireland, said: "The centres are recommended by the World Health Organisation. England and Wales will follow us here because these centres will save lives.
"Yes, we have a contract but shifts in the centres will be voluntary. You can choose not to work there but why wouldn't you?"
He added: "I perfectly understand that we are putting ourselves in the front line but this is a pandemic and that is what's required."


news--2020-03-26--Coronavirus: Up to a million Britons are stranded abroad - these are some of their horror stories

Britons stuck in Pakistan without much-needed medication ; doctors who want to come home to work ; and backpackers wasting more than £12,000 on flights they ca n't take .
These are some of the latest stories to emerge from the hundreds of thousands of UK residents who remain stranded abroad as the world shuts down due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan , who is stuck in Pakistan with her elderly mother , set up an email account to bring together hundreds of UK residents in a similar position because the main commercial airlines have cancelled all direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 emails in a few days , with at least half concerned at their difficulty in accessing much-needed medication .
Sky News has seen several messages from people expressing concern that they or family members have run out of - or are about to run out of - medication for heart problems , diabetes , asthma and mental health conditions .
`` So many people are telling me medication has run out because they ca n't leave when they planned , and everyone is worried , '' said Ms Manzoor-Khan .
Pakistan International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial flights on Thursday .
Among those stranded in Pakistan is a consultant radiologist at the Liverpool Royal Hospital , Dr Ammad Farooq .
Dr Farooq told Sky News he was needed in the UK to fight coronavirus .
`` It is proving to be quite hard in terms of leaving the country here , '' he said .
`` My department is going flat out to provide the best care as possible but every person is needed . ''
In Cambodia , four British backpackers have lost more than £12,000 on flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for confirmation of a negative COVID-19 tests .
Liam Mason said he could not get help from the UK embassy because there were ' '' officially '' still routes open for them to travel to the UK .
`` The issue is there are n't any direct flights to the UK from Cambodia which means we have to fly through transit zones , '' he said .
`` Many , such as Singapore , Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong , have now closed and Bangkok has , instead of closing , implemented a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in impossible requirements for us to meet so we can not pass through which is the issue we faced with our Thai airways flight , requiring documentation that we can not obtain . ''
Mr Mason said he could n't obtain the proper requirements in time because it would take hours to travel to the closest medical centre , the results would take days to process and they would only be valid for 72 hours .
`` This is disgusting , '' he said .
`` We are technically stuck in a place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we should be able to get out of . ''
The UK 's Foreign and Commonwealth Office did not comment on specifics , but a spokesperson said it was `` working around the clock to support British travellers in this situation to allow them to come back to the UK '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' The government is seeking to keep key transit routes open as long as possible and is in touch with international partners and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Sky News has been contacted by Britons from all over the world - including Asia , South America and New Zealand - who can not get home , despite the government urging all its citizens to do so .
In Thailand , where thousands of Brits remain stranded , families have reported spending tens of thousands of pounds on wasted airline tickets .
The first UK-government chartered flight from Peru landed in the UK on Thursday morning , bringing 200 people home - but hundreds more remain in the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one million UK residents were still abroad .

Britons stuck in Pakistan without much-needed medication; doctors who want to come home to work; and backpackers wasting more than £12,000 on flights they can't take.
These are some of the latest stories to emerge from the hundreds of thousands of UK residents who remain stranded abroad as the world shuts down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, who is stuck in Pakistan with her elderly mother, set up an email account to bring together hundreds of UK residents in a similar position because the main commercial airlines have cancelled all direct flights.
Image: Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan says she has been inundated with messages of stranded Britons in Pakistan who have run out of medicine
She has received more than 300 emails in a few days, with at least half concerned at their difficulty in accessing much-needed medication.
Sky News has seen several messages from people expressing concern that they or family members have run out of - or are about to run out of - medication for heart problems, diabetes, asthma and mental health conditions.
"So many people are telling me medication has run out because they can't leave when they planned, and everyone is worried," said Ms Manzoor-Khan.
Pakistan International Airlines was the latest airline to stop commercial flights on Thursday.
Among those stranded in Pakistan is a consultant radiologist at the Liverpool Royal Hospital, Dr Ammad Farooq.
Dr Farooq told Sky News he was needed in the UK to fight coronavirus.
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"It is proving to be quite hard in terms of leaving the country here," he said.
"My department is going flat out to provide the best care as possible but every person is needed."
In Cambodia, four British backpackers have lost more than £12,000 on flights due to last-minute cancellations and airlines asking for confirmation of a negative COVID-19 tests.
Liam Mason said he could not get help from the UK embassy because there were '"officially" still routes open for them to travel to the UK.
"The issue is there aren't any direct flights to the UK from Cambodia which means we have to fly through transit zones," he said.
"Many, such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, have now closed and Bangkok has, instead of closing, implemented a "soft border closure" by bringing in impossible requirements for us to meet so we cannot pass through which is the issue we faced with our Thai airways flight, requiring documentation that we cannot obtain."
Mr Mason said he couldn't obtain the proper requirements in time because it would take hours to travel to the closest medical centre, the results would take days to process and they would only be valid for 72 hours.
"This is disgusting," he said.
"We are technically stuck in a place that we are told by our embassy that we should be able to get out of."
The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office did not comment on specifics, but a spokesperson said it was "working around the clock to support British travellers in this situation to allow them to come back to the UK".
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"The government is seeking to keep key transit routes open as long as possible and is in touch with international partners and the airline industry to make this happen."
Sky News has been contacted by Britons from all over the world - including Asia, South America and New Zealand - who cannot get home, despite the government urging all its citizens to do so.
In Thailand, where thousands of Brits remain stranded, families have reported spending tens of thousands of pounds on wasted airline tickets.
The first UK-government chartered flight from Peru landed in the UK on Thursday morning, bringing 200 people home - but hundreds more remain in the country.
The FCO spokesperson said that between 300,000 and one million UK residents were still abroad.


news--2020-04-07--Coronavirus patient deaths rise by 786 in UK

Another 786 patients have died in the UK after contracting the coronavirus - bringing the total to 6,159 .
The figures were released by the Department of Health and count all deaths reported up until 5pm on Monday 6 April .
Each individual nation reported their own number of deaths : • 758 in England - bringing the total to 5,655 • 19 in Wales - up to 212 • Three in Northern Ireland - an increase to 73 The different nations in the UK collate their figures at different times throughout the day , so there are sometimes discrepancies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each nation 's .
The previous announcement from the Department of Health on Monday announced 439 deaths .
Scotland 's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her nation 's figure was `` relatively large '' because officials are moving to record deaths seven days a week , having confirmed just four over the weekend which she had said at the time was `` artificially low '' .
Public Health Wales has also indicated the true number of deaths there is likely to be higher than the official number released .
Ashish Joshi , Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest jump in figures follows a pattern .
`` It was the same last Tuesday , '' he explained .
`` That is due to a lag in reporting weekend figures because the people who collect and process the data are not working . ''
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is treated for COVID-19 in the intensive care unit of St Thomas ' Hospital , central London .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Downing Street say he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a ventilator .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is deputising for some duties , including chairing the government 's daily crisis response team .
If he becomes incapacitated , Chancellor Rishi Sunak will take charge of the country .
Meanwhile , Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove is also self-isolating after a member of his family developed coronavirus symptoms .
The Queen sent a personal message to health workers , thanking them for their `` selfless dedication '' during `` testing times '' as the country battles coronavirus .
Her Majesty and the Duke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prime minister a speedy recovery .

Another 786 patients have died in the UK after contracting the coronavirus - bringing the total to 6,159.
The figures were released by the Department of Health and count all deaths reported up until 5pm on Monday 6 April.
Each individual nation reported their own number of deaths:
758 in England - bringing the total to 5,655
74 in Scotland - a rise to 296
19 in Wales - up to 212
Three in Northern Ireland - an increase to 73
The different nations in the UK collate their figures at different times throughout the day, so there are sometimes discrepancies between the UK government's total and each nation's.
The previous announcement from the Department of Health on Monday announced 439 deaths.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:53 Lockdown until we know peak is over - Eng;land's chief medic
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her nation's figure was "relatively large" because officials are moving to record deaths seven days a week, having confirmed just four over the weekend which she had said at the time was "artificially low".
Public Health Wales has also indicated the true number of deaths there is likely to be higher than the official number released.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:29 'The PM's condition worsened' - Raab
Ashish Joshi, Sky News' health correspondent, explained that the latest jump in figures follows a pattern.
"It was the same last Tuesday," he explained.
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"That is due to a lag in reporting weekend figures because the people who collect and process the data are not working."
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is treated for COVID-19 in the intensive care unit of St Thomas' Hospital, central London.
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Downing Street say he has required "standard oxygen treatment" but not a ventilator.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is deputising for some duties, including chairing the government's daily crisis response team.
If he becomes incapacitated, Chancellor Rishi Sunak will take charge of the country.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove is also self-isolating after a member of his family developed coronavirus symptoms.
The Queen sent a personal message to health workers, thanking them for their "selfless dedication" during "testing times" as the country battles coronavirus.
Her Majesty and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall have also wished the prime minister a speedy recovery.


news--2020-04-06--Coronavirus: How the PM's condition has worsened over the past 11 days

Coronavirus : How the PM 's condition has worsened over the past 11 days Coronavirus : How the PM 's condition has worsened over the past 11 days Boris Johnson has been unwell with symptoms of coronavirus for 11 days .
This is how his illness developed .
The prime minister announces he has developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus .
He says he is self-isolating but will continue to lead the government 's response .
The PM posts a video on Twitter thanking people who have been staying at home .
Mr Johnson chairs a cabinet meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerge that sources at Number 10 said the PM was `` coughing and spluttering his way through conference calls '' .
'Stay at home like me' The PM shares another video on his Twitter page , where he says people suffering symptoms like his should stay at home .
`` I just want to reassure you… that although I am sequestered here in Number 10 Downing Street , I am… able to be in constant touch with my officials , '' he says .
Mr Johnson is seen outside his apartment in 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second Clap For Our Carers tribute to NHS staff .
Spokespeople say he is due to come out of isolation on Friday .
A persistent high temperature means the PM is prevented from leaving quarantine after seven days of self-isolation .
He says he is continuing to work , in another video posted on Twitter , and sources continue to say he only has mild symptoms .
Carrie Symonds , the PM 's pregnant partner , says he is `` on the mend '' but that she has had symptoms of coronavirus for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Sky News , health secretary Matt Hancock says : `` He 's okay .
I 've been talking to him every day , several times a day .
He 's very much got his hand on the tiller .
But he 's still got a temperature .
He 's in good spirits . ''
Number 10 later announces he has been admitted to hospital for tests , but insists the decision had been taken as a `` precautionary step '' .
Downing Street issues a statement announcing the PM has been transferred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Coronavirus: How the PM's condition has worsened over the past 11 days
Coronavirus: How the PM's condition has worsened over the past 11 days
Boris Johnson has been unwell with symptoms of coronavirus for 11 days.
This is how his illness developed.
Boris Johnson announces he has coronavirus
The prime minister announces he has developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. He says he is self-isolating but will continue to lead the government's response.
PM posts first video from quarantine
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:25 PM's video message from his virus isolation
The PM posts a video on Twitter thanking people who have been staying at home.
Cabinet meeting chaired remotely
Mr Johnson chairs a cabinet meeting by remote video link. Reports later emerge that sources at Number 10 said the PM was "coughing and spluttering his way through conference calls".
'Stay at home like me'
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:29 Boris Johnson's second message from isolation
The PM shares another video on his Twitter page, where he says people suffering symptoms like his should stay at home.
"I just want to reassure you… that although I am sequestered here in Number 10 Downing Street, I am… able to be in constant touch with my officials," he says.
PM joins 'Clap for our Carers'
Image: Boris Johnson stood outside Downing Street for the second Clap For Carers event
Mr Johnson is seen outside his apartment in 11 Downing Street to take part in the second Clap For Our Carers tribute to NHS staff. Spokespeople say he is due to come out of isolation on Friday.
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Johnson remains in quarantine
A persistent high temperature means the PM is prevented from leaving quarantine after seven days of self-isolation. He says he is continuing to work, in another video posted on Twitter, and sources continue to say he only has mild symptoms.
Johnson's partner reveals she has symptoms
Image: Boris Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds talks to women attending a Down Street event
Carrie Symonds, the PM's pregnant partner, says he is "on the mend" but that she has had symptoms of coronavirus for the past week.
PM admitted to hospital
In an interview with Sky News, health secretary Matt Hancock says: "He's okay. I've been talking to him every day, several times a day. He's very much got his hand on the tiller. But he's still got a temperature. He's in good spirits."
Number 10 later announces he has been admitted to hospital for tests, but insists the decision had been taken as a "precautionary step".
Johnson moved to intensive care unit
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:29 'The PM's condition worsened' - Raab
Downing Street issues a statement announcing the PM has been transferred to intensive care after his condition worsened.


news--2020-04-07--Coronavirus: What the COVID-19 statistics tell us - and what they don't

There are a few things we know about COVID-19 but they are far outweighed by what we do n't know .
We do n't know how to cure the disease .
We do n't know how to make a vaccine .
We do n't know precisely where or how it started .
We do n't know how many people have COVID-19 here or indeed around the world .
Even in other countries where there is more widespread testing , we do n't know how close the case fatality rate ( which is to say the number of positive cases versus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate - though we are pretty clear it 's some way off .
We do n't know how many people are true asymptomatic carriers .
We do n't know precisely how long people can remain infectious after their symptoms have diminished .
While we know it tends to kill more elderly people than young , we do n't really know why the disease affects some but is far more dangerous for others , why some people 's immune systems react the way they do , with terrible consequences .
Human beings crave certainty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bedrock of data , scientific findings and probabilities .
And central to everything is the notion that there is nothing we can not quantify , model or manage , given enough expertise or money .
But COVID-19 throws most of that out of the window .
In time we will have a better understanding of the disease and be able to answer most of the questions above .
But for the time being there is an astonishing amount we simply do n't know .
Even a simple question - how many people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more difficult to answer than you might expect .
We get figures every day from the Department for Health and Social Care about how many people have died thus far .
But many of these deaths actually happened some days or indeed weeks before .
We know as much because last week the NHS started publishing details of when those COVID-19 fatalities actually happened , and it turns out that for much of the past fortnight or so those DHSC numbers have dramatically understated ( by 20 % or more ) the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
It is to be expected that the on-the-day statistics are not comprehensive - it takes time to diagnose the disease , carry out post-mortems , seek familial consent and go through the administration necessary to report these deaths , even before you consider that we are in nationwide lockdown .
There are other difficulties too : did someone really die of COVID-19 or did something else kill them even though they tested positive for the virus ?
We do n't know the answer and for the time being the statistics do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the DHSC numbers only include hospital deaths , so they are certainly undercounting the true total , but by how much ?
Some people have talked about a terrifying COVID19 `` iceberg '' where the majority of the death toll is hidden beneath the surface .
Then again , numbers produced by the Office for National Statistics today suggest the opposite - that 93 % of all COVID19 deaths happened in hospital - so we are aware of nine-tenths of the iceberg instead of only a tenth .
Those ONS numbers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even they are n't necessarily an accurate reflection of where the country is at any given point .
Death certificates take time to process and comparing this period to previous years - as we tend to get a sense of whether the country is in the midst of a period of `` excess deaths '' - is even more difficult than normal this time of year because it so happens the date of Easter plays havoc with those yardsticks of what constitutes a `` normal '' week in a `` normal '' year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in England and Wales the total number of deaths from all causes rose sharply above the average in the week to 27 March - in other words well into `` excess death '' territory .
Yet in Northern Ireland that same week , weekly deaths were well below the average .
Or consider this : in a `` normal '' year , around 19.6 % of all deaths registered in the week to 27 March have influenza or pneumonia .
Yet in that week this year the proportion mentioning influenza , pneumonia or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
A promising sign or simply statistical noise ?
For all its apparent certainty , data is often clouded by doubt .
And this is especially the case with COVID-19 .
But having got those provisos out of the way , many of the statistics suggest that the UK might well be starting to turn a corner .
Hospital admissions are no longer rising at scary rates , nor are confirmed cases ( though let 's not get into the wormhole about how reliable those numbers are ) .
Even if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly , it will take some time before the growth rate of deaths drops significantly .
In other words we may well still be heading for around 10,000 deaths by the weekend .
This , note , is not a forecast but an extrapolation based on the growth rate from the past week .
But bear in mind that UK deaths been growing as fast as they were last week and we would likely have hit that milestone by the middle of this week , in other words more or less now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the data problem .
The deaths we 're hearing about today may have happened last week .
Those people may have caught the virus two , three , maybe more weeks before that .
We are looking through a series of rear view mirrors , each more distorted than the last .
The upshot is that even as we get the worst news of all - deaths rising into five figures - the reality might be both worse and better than the numbers suggest .
Worse because the daily deaths numbers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Better because those deaths reflect contagion from before the lockdown took effect .
These are tragic statistics .
Each `` datapoint '' is in reality a family losing a loved one , it is friends and colleagues who will never bump into an old mate .
It is heart-rending .
But by focusing on the statistics we can glean whether the UK lockdown is working or not .
And there are tentative signs in the data - very tentative but there nonetheless - that the curve is flattening and that the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under control .
But the reality is we may not know we have passed the worst until the peak has already passed .
There is so much we do not know about this disease : and that includes the extent to which we are vanquishing it .

There are a few things we know about COVID-19 but they are far outweighed by what we don't know.
We don't know how to cure the disease. We don't know how to make a vaccine. We don't know precisely where or how it started. We don't know how many people have COVID-19 here or indeed around the world.
Even in other countries where there is more widespread testing, we don't know how close the case fatality rate (which is to say the number of positive cases versus deaths) is to the real fatality rate - though we are pretty clear it's some way off.
We don't know how many people are true asymptomatic carriers. We don't know precisely how long people can remain infectious after their symptoms have diminished. While we know it tends to kill more elderly people than young, we don't really know why the disease affects some but is far more dangerous for others, why some people's immune systems react the way they do, with terrible consequences.
Human beings crave certainty. Our world is built on a bedrock of data, scientific findings and probabilities. And central to everything is the notion that there is nothing we cannot quantify, model or manage, given enough expertise or money.
But COVID-19 throws most of that out of the window. In time we will have a better understanding of the disease and be able to answer most of the questions above. But for the time being there is an astonishing amount we simply don't know.
Even a simple question - how many people have died of COVID-19 - is actually far more difficult to answer than you might expect. We get figures every day from the Department for Health and Social Care about how many people have died thus far. But many of these deaths actually happened some days or indeed weeks before.
We know as much because last week the NHS started publishing details of when those COVID-19 fatalities actually happened, and it turns out that for much of the past fortnight or so those DHSC numbers have dramatically understated (by 20% or more) the number of people who have actually died each day.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:44 Coronavirus survivor Hylton Murray Philipson is full of praise for the NHS
It is to be expected that the on-the-day statistics are not comprehensive - it takes time to diagnose the disease, carry out post-mortems, seek familial consent and go through the administration necessary to report these deaths, even before you consider that we are in nationwide lockdown.
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There are other difficulties too: did someone really die of COVID-19 or did something else kill them even though they tested positive for the virus? We don't know the answer and for the time being the statistics don't provide much guidance.
We know that the DHSC numbers only include hospital deaths, so they are certainly undercounting the true total, but by how much? Some people have talked about a terrifying COVID19 "iceberg" where the majority of the death toll is hidden beneath the surface.
Then again, numbers produced by the Office for National Statistics today suggest the opposite - that 93% of all COVID19 deaths happened in hospital - so we are aware of nine-tenths of the iceberg instead of only a tenth.
Those ONS numbers are supposed to be more definitive, but even they aren't necessarily an accurate reflection of where the country is at any given point.
Death certificates take time to process and comparing this period to previous years - as we tend to get a sense of whether the country is in the midst of a period of "excess deaths" - is even more difficult than normal this time of year because it so happens the date of Easter plays havoc with those yardsticks of what constitutes a "normal" week in a "normal" year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:15 How are people reacting to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's admission to intensive care?
There are other wrinkles too: in England and Wales the total number of deaths from all causes rose sharply above the average in the week to 27 March - in other words well into "excess death" territory. Yet in Northern Ireland that same week, weekly deaths were well below the average.
Or consider this: in a "normal" year, around 19.6% of all deaths registered in the week to 27 March have influenza or pneumonia. Yet in that week this year the proportion mentioning influenza, pneumonia or indeed COVID-19 was actually lower at 18.8%. A promising sign or simply statistical noise?
For all its apparent certainty, data is often clouded by doubt. And this is especially the case with COVID-19.
But having got those provisos out of the way, many of the statistics suggest that the UK might well be starting to turn a corner. Hospital admissions are no longer rising at scary rates, nor are confirmed cases (though let's not get into the wormhole about how reliable those numbers are).
Even if the disease is no longer being spread so quickly, it will take some time before the growth rate of deaths drops significantly. In other words we may well still be heading for around 10,000 deaths by the weekend. This, note, is not a forecast but an extrapolation based on the growth rate from the past week.
But bear in mind that UK deaths been growing as fast as they were last week and we would likely have hit that milestone by the middle of this week, in other words more or less now.
Of course, that gets us back to the data problem.
The deaths we're hearing about today may have happened last week. Those people may have caught the virus two, three, maybe more weeks before that. We are looking through a series of rear view mirrors, each more distorted than the last.
The upshot is that even as we get the worst news of all - deaths rising into five figures - the reality might be both worse and better than the numbers suggest. Worse because the daily deaths numbers are understating the reality on a given day. Better because those deaths reflect contagion from before the lockdown took effect.
These are tragic statistics. Each "datapoint" is in reality a family losing a loved one, it is friends and colleagues who will never bump into an old mate. It is heart-rending.
But by focusing on the statistics we can glean whether the UK lockdown is working or not. And there are tentative signs in the data - very tentative but there nonetheless - that the curve is flattening and that the UK might be starting to bring the pandemic under control.
But the reality is we may not know we have passed the worst until the peak has already passed. There is so much we do not know about this disease: and that includes the extent to which we are vanquishing it.


news--2020-03-11--Coronavirus: 196 people die in Italy in 24 hours as cases continue to rise

Nearly 200 people in Italy have died in 24 hours as cases of coronavirus in the locked down country continue to rise .
There have been 827 deaths in Italy and the number of cases increased by more than 2,000 , from 10,149 to 12,462 , official figures showed .
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has added new restrictions , saying all shops will be shut apart from supermarkets , food stores and chemists , and companies must close all departments which are not essential to production .
Businesses such as hairdressers and beauty parlours will also be shut , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantee they can keep a distance of at least one metre between customers .
In the worst-hit area , the northern region of Lombardy , there have been 617 fatalities , an increase of 149 in the last 24 hours .
The number of cases in the region - which includes Italy 's financial capital Milan and has seen the majority of cases of the virus - has also risen by 1,489 in the last 24 hours , Reuters reported .
It comes after the Republic of Ireland reported its first death of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the country 's Health Protection Surveillance Centre has said .
In a statement , chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said : `` I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of this patient .
`` I urge the media and the public to respect their privacy at this difficult time .
`` We continue our efforts to interrupt the transmission of this virus .
It will take all of us , collectively to succeed .
Please continue to follow public health advice . ''
Countries including Sweden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reported their first fatalities following positive tests for COVID-19 - the disease caused by coronavirus .
Earlier on Wednesday , German Chancellor Angela Merkel said up to 70 % of the country 's population could be infected with coronavirus , with the number of deaths linked to the disease rising across the world .
Mrs Merkel was citing expert estimates as she insisted on the importance of taking measures to slow the spread of the illness , with her government recommending the cancellation of all events with more than 1,000 people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday including three deaths .
Mrs Merkel said at a news conference in Berlin : `` You have to understand that if the virus is there , and the population has no immunity yet to this virus , there are no vaccines and no therapy so far , a high percentage - experts say 60 to 70 % - of the population will be infected . ''
Germany 's Lufthansa airline has cancelled 23,000 flights that were due to take place across March and April .
The latest health ministry figures in Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , up from 363 on Tuesday .
Deaths in the country reached 47 on Wednesday , up 11 from the day before .
Hungary is to ban inbound travel from Italy , South Korea , Iran and China , as well as closing universities and banning public gathering .
Italy has recorded soaring deaths among its ageing population .
Mr Conte place the entire country of 62 million people on lockdown on Saturday in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus .
Meanwhile , Qatar has said its cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 262 .
The Middle Eastern country said the cases had been found in quarantine and not out in public .
In Saudi Arabia , cinemas have been closed until further notice in an attempt to stop the spread of the illness .
More than 119,000 people have been infected with the disease worldwide and over 4,200 have died .
The virus has disrupted travel , closed schools and halted manufacturing in places around the globe .
• An eighth person has died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK ; confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` ramp up '' testing facilities so 10,000 tests can be done each day • Manchester City 's game against Arsenal tonight is postponed and players are self-isolating • The Ivory Coast has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus • Hungary is to ban travel from Italy , South Korea , Iran and China • A man is pulled from the rubble of a quarantine hotel in China nearly three days after it collapsed • South Korea reports 242 new coronavirus cases , bringing the country 's total infections to 7,755 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy use due to the coronavirus is improving air quality in China : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The Vatican 's representative to East Timor said that an expected visit by Pope Francis , though never made official , would not happen later this year .
Dozens of cases in the US are being tied to a conference in Boston , and leaders in multiple states are announcing curbs on large events .
Universities around the country are emptying their classrooms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upcoming opening of the Major League Baseball .
The two men vying to take on Mr Trump in the US presidential election - former vice president Joe Biden and senator Bernie Sanders - have abruptly cancelled rallies and left open the possibility that future campaign events could be affected , too .
Mr Trump 's campaign insisted it would proceed as normal , though vice president Mike Pence conceded future rallies would be evaluated `` on a day to day basis '' .
The disruption across Europe and the US is said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push of the virus .
In China , where it first emerged , officials said they had counted only 24 new cases on Wednesday .
In a reversal of positions , China is seeing new cases brought in from overseas .
All the new cases of COVID-19 reported in Beijing on Wednesday came from outside the country , five from Italy and one from the US .
Iran 's senior vice president , Eshaq Jahangiri and two other cabinet ministers have contracted the virus , the Fars news agency reported .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 354 amid more than 9,000 cases in the Islamic Republic .
The coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms for most , such as a temperature and cough .
But for a few , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illnesses , including pneumonia .

Nearly 200 people in Italy have died in 24 hours as cases of coronavirus in the locked down country continue to rise.
There have been 827 deaths in Italy and the number of cases increased by more than 2,000, from 10,149 to 12,462, official figures showed.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has added new restrictions, saying all shops will be shut apart from supermarkets, food stores and chemists, and companies must close all departments which are not essential to production.
Businesses such as hairdressers and beauty parlours will also be shut, along with bars and restaurants that cannot guarantee they can keep a distance of at least one metre between customers.
In the worst-hit area, the northern region of Lombardy, there have been 617 fatalities, an increase of 149 in the last 24 hours.
The number of cases in the region - which includes Italy's financial capital Milan and has seen the majority of cases of the virus - has also risen by 1,489 in the last 24 hours, Reuters reported.
It comes after the Republic of Ireland reported its first death of a patient who tested positive for coronavirus, the country's Health Protection Surveillance Centre has said.
In a statement, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said: "I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of this patient.
Image: A medical worker takes a nose swab at a drive-through facility in Liege, Belgium
"I urge the media and the public to respect their privacy at this difficult time.
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"We continue our efforts to interrupt the transmission of this virus. It will take all of us, collectively to succeed. Please continue to follow public health advice."
Countries including Sweden, Belgium, Bulgaria and Kuwait have also reported their first fatalities following positive tests for COVID-19 - the disease caused by coronavirus.
Earlier on Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said up to 70% of the country's population could be infected with coronavirus, with the number of deaths linked to the disease rising across the world.
Mrs Merkel was citing expert estimates as she insisted on the importance of taking measures to slow the spread of the illness, with her government recommending the cancellation of all events with more than 1,000 people.
Germany has confirmed 1,300 infections as of Wednesday including three deaths.
Mrs Merkel said at a news conference in Berlin: "You have to understand that if the virus is there, and the population has no immunity yet to this virus, there are no vaccines and no therapy so far, a high percentage - experts say 60 to 70% - of the population will be infected."
Image: A delivery of anti-bacterial hand wash outside a Dublin shop
Germany's Lufthansa airline has cancelled 23,000 flights that were due to take place across March and April.
The latest health ministry figures in Spain say there are 2,002 cases in the country, up from 363 on Tuesday.
Deaths in the country reached 47 on Wednesday, up 11 from the day before.
Hungary is to ban inbound travel from Italy, South Korea, Iran and China, as well as closing universities and banning public gathering.
Italy has recorded soaring deaths among its ageing population.
Mr Conte place the entire country of 62 million people on lockdown on Saturday in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, Qatar has said its cases of the coronavirus have risen from 24 to 262.
The Middle Eastern country said the cases had been found in quarantine and not out in public.
In Saudi Arabia, cinemas have been closed until further notice in an attempt to stop the spread of the illness.
More than 119,000 people have been infected with the disease worldwide and over 4,200 have died.
The virus has disrupted travel, closed schools and halted manufacturing in places around the globe.
Image: A tourist wears a face mask in Rome
Other coronavirus developments include:
An eighth person has died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK; confirmed cases rise to 460
NHS in England to "ramp up" testing facilities so 10,000 tests can be done each day
so 10,000 tests can be done each day Manchester City's game against Arsenal tonight is postponed and players are self-isolating
tonight is postponed and players are self-isolating The Ivory Coast has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus
Hungary is to ban travel from Italy, South Korea, Iran and China
US festival Coachella pushed back until October
A man is pulled from the rubble of a quarantine hotel in China nearly three days after it collapsed
South Korea reports 242 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country's total infections to 7,755
UN weather agency chief says decreased energy use due to the coronavirus is improving air quality in China
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The Vatican's representative to East Timor said that an expected visit by Pope Francis, though never made official, would not happen later this year.
Dozens of cases in the US are being tied to a conference in Boston, and leaders in multiple states are announcing curbs on large events.
Universities around the country are emptying their classrooms and moving to online instruction and uncertainty surrounds the upcoming opening of the Major League Baseball.
The two men vying to take on Mr Trump in the US presidential election - former vice president Joe Biden and senator Bernie Sanders - have abruptly cancelled rallies and left open the possibility that future campaign events could be affected, too.
Mr Trump's campaign insisted it would proceed as normal, though vice president Mike Pence conceded future rallies would be evaluated "on a day to day basis".
The disruption across Europe and the US is said to be evidence of the continuing westward push of the virus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
In China, where it first emerged, officials said they had counted only 24 new cases on Wednesday.
In a reversal of positions, China is seeing new cases brought in from overseas.
All the new cases of COVID-19 reported in Beijing on Wednesday came from outside the country, five from Italy and one from the US.
Iran's senior vice president, Eshaq Jahangiri and two other cabinet ministers have contracted the virus, the Fars news agency reported.
The number of coronavirus deaths rose by 62 to 354 amid more than 9,000 cases in the Islamic Republic.
The coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms for most, such as a temperature and cough.
But for a few, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illnesses, including pneumonia.


news--2020-04-07--Coronavirus: The five tests that need to be met before UK lockdown measures could be relaxed

The UK 's lockdown restrictions will stay in place for at least another three weeks as relaxing the measures too soon could lead to a second peak in the coronavirus outbreak , says Dominic Raab .
The foreign secretary , who is deputising for Boris Johnson as he recovers from his COVID-19 infection , said there was `` light at the end of the tunnel '' but he refused to set out a `` definitive timeframe '' for easing the coronavirus measures .
The government 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has said new cases in hospitals are flattening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second peak in deaths was a real possibility if social distancing rules were relaxed .
Mr Raab said there were five tests that needed to be met before the government considers easing the current measures : • To make sure the NHS can cope by providing sufficient critical care across the UK • To see a sustained and consistent fall in daily death rates with confidence the UK is beyond the peak • Reliable data to show the infection rate is falling to manageable levels • There is enough testing and personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future demand • Any changes in restrictions would not lead to a second peak Sky News has examined when some of these criteria could be met : The figure that dominates the headlines is daily reported deaths , but it is also likely to be the last to show signs of improvement .
The delay between someone becoming infected and either recovering or dying can be around three to four weeks .
On Monday 20 April the UK will have been in lockdown for four weeks and there is cause for optimism in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of increase in deaths is slowing .
At the beginning of lockdown , they were doubling every three days .
Now they are doubling every seven to eight days .
The amount of increase has also fallen sharply in recent days , creating the plateau to which England 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty recently referred .
So , the death figures suggest things might be moving in the right direction and that the peak might have been towards the Easter weekend , as predicted by the government 's scientists .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data covering a period when administration was likely to be slow and staffing probably low .
We do n't appear to have had the expected post-weekend spike in deaths , but the reality is that hundreds of people will still likely be dying every day , potentially for weeks to come .
It is worth remembering that the daily tally is deaths in hospitals only and figures released by the Office for National Statistics suggest the rate could be much higher .
Professor James Naismith , from the University of Oxford , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an underestimate of the true toll and will increase as deaths in care homes and the wider community are added .
`` However , I do not expect these deaths to significantly alter our understanding of when the peak has occurred .
`` It is worth noting that if the death toll has indeed peaked , it suggests that the softer social distancing measures introduced before the lockdown may have had some positive effect and a bigger effect can therefore be expected as the lockdown measures work through . ''
So , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it 's the number of confirmed cases that has been showing the most sustained improvement .
Since early April , when almost 6,000 new cases were reported in one day , there has been a clear deceleration .
For the last week , daily confirmed cases have not been within 500 of that peak figure .
In fact , since lockdown day , the trend has been steadily downwards .
Confirmed cases were doubling every 3.3 days on 23 March , now that rate has reached 10 days .
: : Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker However , it is also accepted that the true number of coronavirus cases in the UK is likely to be far higher than the amount identified .
The amount of testing has been small , with very little carried out in the community .
In total , the UK has tested less than 1 % of the population .
It is difficult to see the lockdown being lifted without a robust testing programme in place to reveal how many people have immunity and to help trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone infected with the virus .
The point of the lockdown was to reduce the infection rate , which the government 's chief scientific adviser , Sir Patrick Vallance , believes is now less than 1 % .
This means most people infected would only pass the virus on to one other person , rather than two or three at the start of the outbreak .
Crucially , this stops exponential growth and helps manage the workload of hospitals .
However , we do n't yet know what might happen to that infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Again , more testing would help here too .
The number of people being admitted to hospital with COVID-19 provides the most solid evidence that the infection rate might be down , and that the peak might be passing .
Certainly , in England , the rate of admissions has been slowing for more than a week , with some areas , like London , now looking relatively stable .
However , the data also suggests parts of the country might be at slightly different stages in their recovery .
The East of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last few days , as has the North East & Yorkshire .
It is worth noting too that , while deaths have been down in England , they reached record numbers in both Scotland and Wales on Wednesday .
So , when will we know if the lockdown is working ?
As ministers are fond of saying , patience is required , but the data gives cause for optimism .
The next week or two will show whether there really has been an impact on the number of deaths .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably hospital admissions .
These also fell first in Italy , which locked down on 8 March - two weeks before the UK .
Now Italy is plotting its exit strategy but only after a sustained period of falling death figures .
Every country 's experience is different , but Italy is just one example of how lockdown can flatten the curve , and there is hope that the UK might be doing the same .

The UK's lockdown restrictions will stay in place for at least another three weeks as relaxing the measures too soon could lead to a second peak in the coronavirus outbreak, says Dominic Raab.
The foreign secretary, who is deputising for Boris Johnson as he recovers from his COVID-19 infection, said there was "light at the end of the tunnel" but he refused to set out a "definitive timeframe" for easing the coronavirus measures.
The government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has said new cases in hospitals are flattening and possibly decreasing - but he warned a second peak in deaths was a real possibility if social distancing rules were relaxed.
Mr Raab said there were five tests that needed to be met before the government considers easing the current measures:
To make sure the NHS can cope by providing sufficient critical care across the UK
To see a sustained and consistent fall in daily death rates with confidence the UK is beyond the peak
Reliable data to show the infection rate is falling to manageable levels
There is enough testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) to meet future demand
Any changes in restrictions would not lead to a second peak
Sky News has examined when some of these criteria could be met:
Daily reported deaths
The figure that dominates the headlines is daily reported deaths, but it is also likely to be the last to show signs of improvement.
The delay between someone becoming infected and either recovering or dying can be around three to four weeks.
On Monday 20 April the UK will have been in lockdown for four weeks and there is cause for optimism in this week's figures.
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The rate of increase in deaths is slowing. At the beginning of lockdown, they were doubling every three days. Now they are doubling every seven to eight days.
The amount of increase has also fallen sharply in recent days, creating the plateau to which England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty recently referred.
So, the death figures suggest things might be moving in the right direction and that the peak might have been towards the Easter weekend, as predicted by the government's scientists.
But this is just a few days' data covering a period when administration was likely to be slow and staffing probably low.
We don't appear to have had the expected post-weekend spike in deaths, but the reality is that hundreds of people will still likely be dying every day, potentially for weeks to come.
It is worth remembering that the daily tally is deaths in hospitals only and figures released by the Office for National Statistics suggest the rate could be much higher.
Professor James Naismith, from the University of Oxford, said: "This number of deaths is an underestimate of the true toll and will increase as deaths in care homes and the wider community are added.
"However, I do not expect these deaths to significantly alter our understanding of when the peak has occurred.
"It is worth noting that if the death toll has indeed peaked, it suggests that the softer social distancing measures introduced before the lockdown may have had some positive effect and a bigger effect can therefore be expected as the lockdown measures work through."
Confirmed cases
So, there are hopeful signs in the death figures but it's the number of confirmed cases that has been showing the most sustained improvement.
Since early April, when almost 6,000 new cases were reported in one day, there has been a clear deceleration.
For the last week, daily confirmed cases have not been within 500 of that peak figure.
In fact, since lockdown day, the trend has been steadily downwards.
Confirmed cases were doubling every 3.3 days on 23 March, now that rate has reached 10 days.
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However, it is also accepted that the true number of coronavirus cases in the UK is likely to be far higher than the amount identified.
The amount of testing has been small, with very little carried out in the community.
In total, the UK has tested less than 1% of the population.
This makes identifying infections difficult.
It is difficult to see the lockdown being lifted without a robust testing programme in place to reveal how many people have immunity and to help trace those who have been in contact with someone infected with the virus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:31 Care worker: 'We lose someone every shift'
Infection rate
The point of the lockdown was to reduce the infection rate, which the government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, believes is now less than 1%.
This means most people infected would only pass the virus on to one other person, rather than two or three at the start of the outbreak.
Crucially, this stops exponential growth and helps manage the workload of hospitals.
However, we don't yet know what might happen to that infection rate if the restrictions are lifted.
Again, more testing would help here too.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 'Things will be better', says inspirational veteran
Hospital admissions
The number of people being admitted to hospital with COVID-19 provides the most solid evidence that the infection rate might be down, and that the peak might be passing.
Certainly, in England, the rate of admissions has been slowing for more than a week, with some areas, like London, now looking relatively stable.
However, the data also suggests parts of the country might be at slightly different stages in their recovery.
The East of England has recorded higher than average admissions in the last few days, as has the North East & Yorkshire.
It is worth noting too that, while deaths have been down in England, they reached record numbers in both Scotland and Wales on Wednesday.
So, when will we know if the lockdown is working?
As ministers are fond of saying, patience is required, but the data gives cause for optimism.
The next week or two will show whether there really has been an impact on the number of deaths.
But, the best measure to monitor is probably hospital admissions.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:41 Lockdown weighs on families and businesses
These also fell first in Italy, which locked down on 8 March - two weeks before the UK.
Now Italy is plotting its exit strategy but only after a sustained period of falling death figures.
Every country's experience is different, but Italy is just one example of how lockdown can flatten the curve, and there is hope that the UK might be doing the same.