news--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: Experiment in northern Italian town halts all new infections after trial

A small town in northern Italy has reportedly stopped all new coronavirus infections as part of a successful experiment .
Vò , near Venice , was one of the 11 towns and villages at the centre of the country 's COVID-19 outbreak and began the trial at the start of the pandemic in Europe .
The experiment involved blanket testing of the town 's entire population of 3,300 people and the imposition of very strict quarantine on those infected and their contacts .
Italian news reports suggest the town has not registered new cases since Friday .
`` Testing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' mayor Giuliano Martini was quoted by the country 's media .
Andrea Crisanti , an infections expert at Imperial College London , who has been involved in the village 's efforts to combat the virus told Italy 's broadcast media that continuous testing and retesting of the whole population made the difference .
Professor Crisanti said : `` In Vo Euganeo we tested all the inhabitants , even those who were asymptomatic .
`` All citizens were put in isolation , so they could not transmit the disease .
: : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
`` On the second testing that was carried out , we recorded a 90 % drop in the rate of positive cases .
And of all the ones who were positive in the second testing , eight people were asymptomatic .
Professor Crisanti warned that that for every patient that shows symptoms for COVID-19 there were about 10 who do n't .
`` It is clear that you can not test all Italians - but you can test people close to those who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an alarm bell to widen our action , '' he said .
Italy has so far reported more than 2,500 deaths and nearly 28,000 confirmed cases a higher number than even China was reporting at the peak of the outbreak .
The World Heath Organisation this week called on all countries to ramp up testing programmes as the best way to slow the advance of the pandemic .
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said : `` We have a simple message to all countries - test , test , test .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ test all suspected cases .
They can not fight this pandemic blindfolded . ''
This comes as the UK government ramped up measures against the coronavirus pandemic following new predictions that the UK could otherwise have seen 250,000 deaths .
A new document published by the COVID-19 team at London 's Imperial College - which is advising the government on its coronavirus response - warns the current public health threat is the `` most serious '' from a respiratory virus since the Spanish Flu in 1918 .
They advised the UK adopts a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a period of potentially 18 months or more - rather than `` mitigation '' .
In other developments across the globe : • Spanish government says all hotels in Spain will close from 24 March • Schools across the UK will close from Friday until further notice • Canada and the United States agree to ban non-essential travel between the countries • Iran reports another 147 coronavirus deaths - its biggest 24-hour rise , taking the death toll to 1,135 • Stock markets have gone back into reverse after a short-lived boost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down the bloc 's external borders for 30 days • French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says the UK needs to ramp up its action on coronavirus or `` it will be difficult for us to accept British nationals within our territory '' • Eurovision Song Contest and Glastonbury Festival have been cancelled • Whole of Belgium goes into lockdown , while Malaysia is in partial lockdown after its first two COVID-19 deaths • The UAE bans its citizens from travelling abroad • Libya introduces a curfew between 6pm and 6am to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia becomes the last US state to report a positive case of COVID-19 • Confirmed and suspected cases of coronavirus top more than 200,000 globally , including more than 8,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University , which is tracking the outbreak

A small town in northern Italy has reportedly stopped all new coronavirus infections as part of a successful experiment.
Vò, near Venice, was one of the 11 towns and villages at the centre of the country's COVID-19 outbreak and began the trial at the start of the pandemic in Europe.
The experiment involved blanket testing of the town's entire population of 3,300 people and the imposition of very strict quarantine on those infected and their contacts.
Italian news reports suggest the town has not registered new cases since Friday.
"Testing was vital, it has saved many lives," mayor Giuliano Martini was quoted by the country's media.
Andrea Crisanti, an infections expert at Imperial College London, who has been involved in the village's efforts to combat the virus told Italy's broadcast media that continuous testing and retesting of the whole population made the difference.
Professor Crisanti said: "In Vo Euganeo we tested all the inhabitants, even those who were asymptomatic.
"All citizens were put in isolation, so they could not transmit the disease.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
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"On the second testing that was carried out, we recorded a 90% drop in the rate of positive cases. And of all the ones who were positive in the second testing, eight people were asymptomatic.
Professor Crisanti warned that that for every patient that shows symptoms for COVID-19 there were about 10 who don't.
"It is clear that you cannot test all Italians - but you can test people close to those who are asymptomatic. We must use asymptomatic cases as an alarm bell to widen our action," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 Why did the UK government change its stance?
Italy has so far reported more than 2,500 deaths and nearly 28,000 confirmed cases a higher number than even China was reporting at the peak of the outbreak.
The World Heath Organisation this week called on all countries to ramp up testing programmes as the best way to slow the advance of the pandemic.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: "We have a simple message to all countries - test, test, test.
"All countries should be able to test all suspected cases. They cannot fight this pandemic blindfolded."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:23 London landmarks deserted amid outbreak
This comes as the UK government ramped up measures against the coronavirus pandemic following new predictions that the UK could otherwise have seen 250,000 deaths.
A new document published by the COVID-19 team at London's Imperial College - which is advising the government on its coronavirus response - warns the current public health threat is the "most serious" from a respiratory virus since the Spanish Flu in 1918.
They advised the UK adopts a strategy of "epidemic suppression" - for a period of potentially 18 months or more - rather than "mitigation".
In other developments across the globe:


news--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: Why the elderly and those with long term health problems are most at risk

The government has told elderly people and those with ongoing health problems that they must isolate , because they are particularly vulnerable from coronavirus .
Many who have gone about their lives for the previous seven decades without restrictions are understandably anxious about the new COVID-19 controls .
But why are they being singled out and what is the evidence that shows they are most at risk ?
Two of the hardest hit countries - Italy and South Korea - have suffered very different death rates .
In Italy , the percentage of people who have tested positive who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.7 % .
In South Korea , the rate is just 0.9 % .
Considering both countries have relatively developed health systems , and putting aside the fact that South Korea has carried out a widespread testing programme , many experts say part of the reason Italy 's death rate is so much higher is because it has a much older population .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
Evidence from China and Italy has shown that the majority of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been either elderly , have had underlying health conditions , or both .
Population pyramids for the two countries - which show how much of a country is within a particular age group - show how much older Italy is than South Korea .
This is a population pyramid comparing the age structure between and .
If we focus on the , the population over 60 in Italy is 29 % , 9 points higher than in Korea .
And the difference is bigger when we compare the .
How does the compare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK is higher than in Korea , 24 % versus 21 % .
Also , the share of those is two points higher in the UK .
But comparing the to ...
The UK share of the population in the UK is lower than in Italy .
29 % of the Italians are over 60 , 5 points higher than in the UK .
And the share of those aged is 7 % for Italy and 5 % for the UK .
The age structure is more similar to the .
22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , only two points lower than the UK .
In fact , Italy has the third oldest median age in the world , if you discount tiny countries like Monaco , according to the CIA Factbook .
In part , that explains why the death rate in Italy is so much higher than in South Korea .
It 's worth stating that an older population is not the only factor that puts a population at risk .
But , if all things are equal , demographers say that a region 's age profile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how bad things may get , as other factors like a country 's healthcare system .
But , what will that mean for the UK and other countries in the West ?
And what will it mean for those parts of the UK where more older people live ?
Politicians have been telling people for years that the UK has an ageing population .
Figures show that the median age of the UK , and its constituent parts , has got consistently older in the last 20 years .
Many other Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as healthcare has improved and more people have been living longer .
That has left many of those countries having a top heavy age pyramid , more in line with that seen in Italy than that in South Korea .
Many developing countries , however , have younger age profiles .
Experts say that , while there are many factors that influence how at risk a country is from coronavirus , those with older age profiles may experience a greater number of deaths or people needing hospital treatment .
As the pyramids have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age profile than Italy , and also other G7 economies like Germany and Japan .
Experts say this is because of the amount of inward migration that has occurred in the last 20 years .
In fact , the percentage of people aged over 60 in the UK is 5 points lower than in Italy , but it is 3 points higher than in South Korea , according to OECD data 2018 .
The studies of those who have got sick in Italy and China have shown the impact of the virus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis of the virus in Italy , so far nearly four in five deaths were in those aged 70 or over .
A similar study of the first 44,000 cases in China found similar figures .
Dr Elisabetta Groppelli , an Italian virologist and lecturer in global health at St George 's University , London , told Sky News : `` When you have a new virus entering a community , you always have the extreme age of the population that are more vulnerable .
`` They are the ones who are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrinkles , their entire bodies and their ability to fight infections decreases .
`` In Italy , there is this idea that there are big families , but this is not supported by the data - there has been negative growth for years , families are not having as many children .
`` People are living longer , but they are not completely healthy , they do have diseases , and they are vulnerable .
These are the cases that have become very severe when it comes to coronavirus . ''
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying health conditions are often concentrated in different parts of the country .
Overall , almost a quarter of the UK population is over 60 .
The percentage aged over 60 is higher in Wales ( 26.8 % ) , followed by Scotland ( 25.1 % ) , England ( 23.6 % ) and NI ( 21.8 % ) , according to ONS figures from mid-2018 .
But this varies even more on a local authority level .
In two out of every five local authorities in England and Wales , a quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 .
Ten authorities have a third or more aged over 60 .
In Dorset , more than 35 % of people are over 60 .
The county also has the oldest median age .
Some counties or authorities , like East Riding , East Sussex and Torbay , have more people in their 60s and 70s than in any other age group .
Nationally , the biggest age group is those aged 50-54 .
There are fears about how health services in those areas are going to cope .
In the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became one of the hotspots in England .
It is too early to say whether the death rate is above average as the figures are too small to be statistically significant at this stage .
But it is not just the elderly who are at most risk .
The latest Italian information did not specify how many people with various underlying health conditions had died , but the earlier Chinese study did .
The UK government has also spelled out those who need to take more care - especially those with chronic respiratory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , diabetes and other long term illnesses .
Some local authorities have higher rates of chronic disease than others .
Experts say that authorities may have to devote their resources into these areas to make sure the most vulnerable are protected .
One of the demographics experts who has been researching the impact of age on coronavirus , Dr Jenn Dowd , who is Oxford University associate professor in demography , population health and epidemiology , tweeted on Monday : `` For now the concentration of mortality risk in the oldest old ages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to predict the burden of critical cases and thus more precise planning of availability of hospital beds , staff and other resources . ''
Professor Andrew Tatem , a lecturer in special demography and epidemiology at the University of Southampton , told Sky News : `` There are places with a lot of care homes - we 've seen in the US , in Washington state , one of the biggest outbreaks there was within a care home - so places like that where you have elderly populations mixing together is potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when you have a young population , you may have schoolchildren mixing together .
Different interventions need to be tailored .
`` I would imagine local authorities are being probably being asked to consider what their high risk populations are , and whether they have a plan for dealing with that - those at high risk .
`` Each local authority is going to be thinking slightly differently because of their demographics . ''
Dr Groppelli added in order to ensure that loved ones have the best chance of survival , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behaviour .
She said : `` At the moment , we are in a situation that there is a lot that we can do voluntarily .
`` The danger is that people are going to be saying , 'yeah , OK , I feel fine ' .
And actually they are not fine .
`` If you have even just a cold , and you want to visit your 95-year-old grandma , it 's probably not a good idea to go .
In the situation we are in , just let it go @ @

The government has told elderly people and those with ongoing health problems that they must isolate, because they are particularly vulnerable from coronavirus.
Many who have gone about their lives for the previous seven decades without restrictions are understandably anxious about the new COVID-19 controls.
But why are they being singled out and what is the evidence that shows they are most at risk?
Two of the hardest hit countries - Italy and South Korea - have suffered very different death rates.
In Italy, the percentage of people who have tested positive who have gone on to die from COVID-19 is 7.7%.
In South Korea, the rate is just 0.9%.
Considering both countries have relatively developed health systems, and putting aside the fact that South Korea has carried out a widespread testing programme, many experts say part of the reason Italy's death rate is so much higher is because it has a much older population.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
Evidence from China and Italy has shown that the majority of those who have died from the disease have been either elderly, have had underlying health conditions, or both.
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Population pyramids for the two countries - which show how much of a country is within a particular age group - show how much older Italy is than South Korea.
This is a population pyramid comparing the age structure between Italy and Korea . If we focus on the oldest group , the population over 60 in Italy is 29%, 9 points higher than in Korea. And the difference is bigger when we compare the oldest groups . How does the UK compare with Korea ? The proportion of people over 60 in the UK is higher than in Korea, 24% versus 21%. Also, the share of those over 80 is two points higher in the UK. But comparing the UK to Italy ... The UK share of the population over 60 in the UK is lower than in Italy. 29% of the Italians are over 60, 5 points higher than in the UK. And the share of those aged over 80 is 7% for Italy and 5% for the UK. The UK age structure is more similar to the US . 22% of the Americans are over 60, only two points lower than the UK.
In fact, Italy has the third oldest median age in the world, if you discount tiny countries like Monaco, according to the CIA Factbook.
In part, that explains why the death rate in Italy is so much higher than in South Korea.
It's worth stating that an older population is not the only factor that puts a population at risk. But, if all things are equal, demographers say that a region's age profile will be as much of an indicator of how bad things may get, as other factors like a country's healthcare system.
But, what will that mean for the UK and other countries in the West? And what will it mean for those parts of the UK where more older people live?
Politicians have been telling people for years that the UK has an ageing population.
Figures show that the median age of the UK, and its constituent parts, has got consistently older in the last 20 years.
Many other Western countries have also got progressively older, as healthcare has improved and more people have been living longer.
That has left many of those countries having a top heavy age pyramid, more in line with that seen in Italy than that in South Korea.
Many developing countries, however, have younger age profiles.
Experts say that, while there are many factors that influence how at risk a country is from coronavirus, those with older age profiles may experience a greater number of deaths or people needing hospital treatment.
As the pyramids have shown, the UK has a younger age profile than Italy, and also other G7 economies like Germany and Japan. Experts say this is because of the amount of inward migration that has occurred in the last 20 years.
In fact, the percentage of people aged over 60 in the UK is 5 points lower than in Italy, but it is 3 points higher than in South Korea, according to OECD data 2018.
The studies of those who have got sick in Italy and China have shown the impact of the virus on age.
In the most recently released analysis of the virus in Italy, so far nearly four in five deaths were in those aged 70 or over.
A similar study of the first 44,000 cases in China found similar figures.
Dr Elisabetta Groppelli, an Italian virologist and lecturer in global health at St George's University, London, told Sky News: "When you have a new virus entering a community, you always have the extreme age of the population that are more vulnerable.
"They are the ones who are more frail - they are not just getting wrinkles, their entire bodies and their ability to fight infections decreases.
"In Italy, there is this idea that there are big families, but this is not supported by the data - there has been negative growth for years, families are not having as many children.
"People are living longer, but they are not completely healthy, they do have diseases, and they are vulnerable. These are the cases that have become very severe when it comes to coronavirus."
In the UK, elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are often concentrated in different parts of the country.
Overall, almost a quarter of the UK population is over 60. The percentage aged over 60 is higher in Wales (26.8%), followed by Scotland (25.1%), England (23.6%) and NI (21.8%), according to ONS figures from mid-2018.
But this varies even more on a local authority level.
In two out of every five local authorities in England and Wales, a quarter or more of the population is over 60. Ten authorities have a third or more aged over 60.
In Dorset, more than 35% of people are over 60. The county also has the oldest median age.
Some counties or authorities, like East Riding, East Sussex and Torbay, have more people in their 60s and 70s than in any other age group. Nationally, the biggest age group is those aged 50-54.
There are fears about how health services in those areas are going to cope.
In the early stages of the UK outbreak, Torbay became one of the hotspots in England. It is too early to say whether the death rate is above average as the figures are too small to be statistically significant at this stage.
But it is not just the elderly who are at most risk.
The latest Italian information did not specify how many people with various underlying health conditions had died, but the earlier Chinese study did.
The UK government has also spelled out those who need to take more care - especially those with chronic respiratory diseases, heart diseases, neurological diseases, diabetes and other long term illnesses.
Some local authorities have higher rates of chronic disease than others.
Experts say that authorities may have to devote their resources into these areas to make sure the most vulnerable are protected.
One of the demographics experts who has been researching the impact of age on coronavirus, Dr Jenn Dowd, who is Oxford University associate professor in demography, population health and epidemiology, tweeted on Monday: "For now the concentration of mortality risk in the oldest old ages remains one of the best tools we have to predict the burden of critical cases and thus more precise planning of availability of hospital beds, staff and other resources."
Professor Andrew Tatem, a lecturer in special demography and epidemiology at the University of Southampton, told Sky News: "There are places with a lot of care homes - we've seen in the US, in Washington state, one of the biggest outbreaks there was within a care home - so places like that where you have elderly populations mixing together is potentially a dangerous situation.
"But then, when you have a young population, you may have schoolchildren mixing together. Different interventions need to be tailored.
"I would imagine local authorities are being probably being asked to consider what their high risk populations are, and whether they have a plan for dealing with that - those at high risk.
"Each local authority is going to be thinking slightly differently because of their demographics."
Dr Groppelli added in order to ensure that loved ones have the best chance of survival, people are going to have to modify their behaviour.
She said: "At the moment, we are in a situation that there is a lot that we can do voluntarily.
"The danger is that people are going to be saying, 'yeah, OK, I feel fine'. And actually they are not fine.
"If you have even just a cold, and you want to visit your 95-year-old grandma, it's probably not a good idea to go. In the situation we are in, just let it go."


news--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: Prince William and Prince Harry pay tribute to 'awe-inspiring' public response

Both Prince William and Prince Harry have paid tribute to the `` awe-inspiring '' response of the public to the coronavirus crisis .
In separate social media messages , the two princes have vowed to try and help coordinate community efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic .
William spoke of Britons ' `` unique ability to pull together '' in the face of adversity , as he marked the launch of a coronavirus appeal by the National Emergencies Trust .
In a video posted on the Twitter account he shares with his wife Kate , the Duchess of Cambridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's desire to help in the wake of tragedy needs to be managed and channelled in the best possible way - which is why the establishment of the National Emergencies Trust was so important .
`` I said at its launch last year that I dreaded the day when it would be needed .
`` Sadly , with the outbreak of COVID-19 , that day has come faster than any of us would have hoped . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NET ) is a charity established in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire and terrorist attacks in London and Manchester in 2017 .
It aims to collaborate with charities and other bodies to raise and distribute money and support victims at the time of a domestic disaster .
On the day when there was the biggest daily leap yet of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK , William said the NET would `` ensure that all our efforts to overcome this challenge are channelled in the best possible way '' .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sussex , also promised their own action in the face of the public health crisis .
In an Instagram post , the couple said : `` These are uncertain times .
And now , more than ever , we need each other .
`` We need each other for truth , for support , and to feel less alone during a time that can honestly feel quite scary .
`` There are so many around the world who need support right now , who are working tirelessly to respond to this crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or at home .
`` Our willingness , as a people , to step up in the face of what we are all experiencing with COVID-19 is awe-inspiring .
`` This moment is as true a testament there is to the human spirit . ''
Harry and Meghan added they will be sharing information and resources to help people `` navigate the uncertainty '' over coronavirus , as well as highlighting `` inspiring stories '' of how people around the world are `` connecting in ways big and small to lift all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` We are all in this together , and as a global community we can support each other through this process - and build a digital neighbourhood that feels safe for every one of us . ''
Earlier on Wednesday , William and Harry 's cousin Princess Beatrice cancelled her planned wedding reception in Buckingham Palace Gardens because of the coronavirus .
The Queen will on Thursday move from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle one week earlier than planned for the Easter period - and will likely stay there longer than originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread in London .
She has also cancelled a number of her public appearances in the coming months .

Both Prince William and Prince Harry have paid tribute to the "awe-inspiring" response of the public to the coronavirus crisis.
In separate social media messages, the two princes have vowed to try and help coordinate community efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
William spoke of Britons' "unique ability to pull together" in the face of adversity, as he marked the launch of a coronavirus appeal by the National Emergencies Trust.
In a video posted on the Twitter account he shares with his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, William said: "The public's desire to help in the wake of tragedy needs to be managed and channelled in the best possible way - which is why the establishment of the National Emergencies Trust was so important.
"I said at its launch last year that I dreaded the day when it would be needed.
"Sadly, with the outbreak of COVID-19, that day has come faster than any of us would have hoped."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
The National Emergencies Trust (NET) is a charity established in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire and terrorist attacks in London and Manchester in 2017.
It aims to collaborate with charities and other bodies to raise and distribute money and support victims at the time of a domestic disaster.
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On the day when there was the biggest daily leap yet of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK, William said the NET would "ensure that all our efforts to overcome this challenge are channelled in the best possible way".
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, also promised their own action in the face of the public health crisis.
In an Instagram post, the couple said: "These are uncertain times. And now, more than ever, we need each other.
"We need each other for truth, for support, and to feel less alone during a time that can honestly feel quite scary.
"There are so many around the world who need support right now, who are working tirelessly to respond to this crisis behind the scenes, on the frontline, or at home.
"Our willingness, as a people, to step up in the face of what we are all experiencing with COVID-19 is awe-inspiring.
"This moment is as true a testament there is to the human spirit."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:10 Coronavirus: Which groups are most at risk?
Harry and Meghan added they will be sharing information and resources to help people "navigate the uncertainty" over coronavirus, as well as highlighting "inspiring stories" of how people around the world are "connecting in ways big and small to lift all of us up".
They said: "We are all in this together, and as a global community we can support each other through this process - and build a digital neighbourhood that feels safe for every one of us."
Earlier on Wednesday, William and Harry's cousin Princess Beatrice cancelled her planned wedding reception in Buckingham Palace Gardens because of the coronavirus.
The Queen will on Thursday move from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle one week earlier than planned for the Easter period - and will likely stay there longer than originally thought - with coronavirus at its most widespread in London.
She has also cancelled a number of her public appearances in the coming months.


news--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: South Africa's first local transmission cases include four children under five

South Africa has extended its travel ban to stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak as officials confirmed its first cases of local transmission - including four children aged five and under .
The boys - a five-year-old , two aged three and a two-year-old - have never travelled abroad , the country 's health ministry said .
`` It is notable that there are eight cases of local transmission , '' said Health Minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize .
The other four COVID-19 cases were adults with either no history of domestic or international travel .
On Sunday , President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and imposed a travel ban on foreign nationals from eight high-risk countries including the UK , US , Italy , Iran , South Korea , Spain , Germany and China .
Announcing the latest coronavirus infections on Tuesday , the health minister said the number of people who had tested positive for COVID-19 had risen to 85 from 62 the day before .
The travel ban was extended to Switzerland and France .
In addition , a cruise ship has been quarantined outside the port of Cape Town as a precaution after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared a flight with some passengers showed coronavirus symptoms .
The Transnet National Ports Authority ( TNPA ) confirmed that two vessels `` are being held off port limits '' due to suspected COVID-19 cases .
A crew member onboard the MV Corona cargo ship was on a flight with a fellow crew member and six passengers who boarded the German AIDAmira cruise ship .
The eight people have been evacuated and quarantined , and Transnet says the remaining cruise ship passengers are being quarantined and tested .
Details of the four young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as more cases are beginning to emerge of children contracting the disease around the globe .
A mother and father in Manchester in the UK are self-isolating after their nine-month-old son was found to have been infected , while a second newborn baby has tested positive for COVID-19 in Britain and is being treated at James Paget University Hospital in Norfolk .
The mayor of Paterson in New Jersey in the US said on Tuesday that a couple and their five-year-old son had tested positive for the coronavirus and were in self-quarantine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
New findings in a study of more than 2,000 children in China - a third of laboratory confirmed cases and two-thirds of suspected cases - suggests the vast majority of children who contract the virus are `` asymptomatic '' or experience `` mild or moderate '' symptoms .
Around 6 % experienced severe or critical illness .
One 14-year-old boy from Hubei province - where the coronavirus outbreak started in December 2019 - died in February .
`` Children of all ages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no significant gender difference , '' academics from across China concluded in their report , published in the journal Pediatrics this week .
In other developments across the globe : • Spanish government says all hotels in Spain will close from 24 March • All schools in Scotland and Wales to close on Friday • Canada and the United States agree to ban non-essential travel between the countries • Iran reports another 147 coronavirus deaths - its biggest 24-hour rise , taking the death toll to 1,135 • A town in northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections as part of a successful experiment .
• Stock markets have gone back into reverse after a short-lived boost • European Union leaders have agreed to shut down the bloc 's external borders for 30 days • French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says the UK needs to ramp up its action on coronavirus or `` it will be difficult for us to accept British nationals within our territory '' • Eurovision Song Contest and Glastonbury Festival have been cancelled • Whole of Belgium goes into lockdown , while Malaysia is in partial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The UAE bans its citizens from travelling abroad • Libya introduces a curfew between 6pm and 6am to stop the spread of the coronavirus • West Virginia becomes the last US state to report a positive case of COVID-19 • Confirmed and suspected cases of coronavirus top more than 200,000 globally , including more than 8,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University , which is tracking the outbreak

South Africa has extended its travel ban to stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak as officials confirmed its first cases of local transmission - including four children aged five and under.
The boys - a five-year-old, two aged three and a two-year-old - have never travelled abroad, the country's health ministry said.
"It is notable that there are eight cases of local transmission," said Health Minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:40 The nine-month-old with coronavirus
The other four COVID-19 cases were adults with either no history of domestic or international travel.
On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a state of disaster and imposed a travel ban on foreign nationals from eight high-risk countries including the UK, US, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany and China.
Announcing the latest coronavirus infections on Tuesday, the health minister said the number of people who had tested positive for COVID-19 had risen to 85 from 62 the day before.
The travel ban was extended to Switzerland and France.
Image: The cruise liner MV AidAmira sits at dock off the coast of Cape Town
In addition, a cruise ship has been quarantined outside the port of Cape Town as a precaution after a crew member of a cargo ship who shared a flight with some passengers showed coronavirus symptoms.
The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) confirmed that two vessels "are being held off port limits" due to suspected COVID-19 cases.
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A crew member onboard the MV Corona cargo ship was on a flight with a fellow crew member and six passengers who boarded the German AIDAmira cruise ship.
The eight people have been evacuated and quarantined, and Transnet says the remaining cruise ship passengers are being quarantined and tested.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
Details of the four young children being diagnosed with the virus comes as more cases are beginning to emerge of children contracting the disease around the globe.
A mother and father in Manchester in the UK are self-isolating after their nine-month-old son was found to have been infected, while a second newborn baby has tested positive for COVID-19 in Britain and is being treated at James Paget University Hospital in Norfolk.
The mayor of Paterson in New Jersey in the US said on Tuesday that a couple and their five-year-old son had tested positive for the coronavirus and were in self-quarantine.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
New findings in a study of more than 2,000 children in China - a third of laboratory confirmed cases and two-thirds of suspected cases - suggests the vast majority of children who contract the virus are "asymptomatic" or experience "mild or moderate" symptoms.
Around 6% experienced severe or critical illness. One 14-year-old boy from Hubei province - where the coronavirus outbreak started in December 2019 - died in February.
"Children of all ages appeared susceptible to COVID-19, and there was no significant gender difference," academics from across China concluded in their report, published in the journal Pediatrics this week.
In other developments across the globe:


news--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson promises help for renters

Boris Johnson has promised to introduce legislation to protect renters from eviction amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The prime minister said the government was overseeing steps that were `` unprecedented in peacetime and unprecedented in the last century '' because of the COVID-19 outbreak .
This includes advising people to work from home if possible and avoid pubs , clubs , restaurants and theatres .
As well as telling people to dramatically reduce their social contact , the government has pledged unprecedented measures to support businesses and families , including government-backed loans worth £330bn .
But critics have accused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of doing little to help those in the private rental sector .
The issue was raised by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in the Commons during a sparsely-attended Prime Minister 's Questions .
`` Yesterday , the chancellor unfortunately offered nothing to the 20 million people living in rented homes , including three million households with children , '' Mr Corbyn said .
`` They 're worried , they 're worried sick that they ca n't pay their rent if they get ill , lose pay or feel they need to self-isolate .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , of the health of all of us , that people do n't feel forced to go to work in order to avoid eviction when they know themselves they may be spreading this terrible disease .
`` So will the prime minister now confirm that the government 's emergency legislation will protect private renters from eviction ? ''
Mr Johnson replied : `` I can indeed confirm that we will be bringing forward legislation to protect private renters from eviction , that is one thing we will do , but it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not simply pass on the problem , so we 'll also be taking steps to protect other actors in the economy . ''
The PM added that further measures would be introduced to protect the vulnerable and those who face job losses .
One measure taken early on in the outbreak was allowing workers to access statutory sick pay from the first day they are off ill , but Labour has demanded the weekly payment of £94.25 be increased to bring it in line with other European nations .
Mr Corbyn reiterated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chamber that this was not enough for people to feed their families .
As a result , the Labour leader said , lives were being put at risk as people went out to work to `` put food on the table '' .
The PM did not address the issue of sick pay directly .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
But he said : `` It 's only right that when we 're asking people to take action to isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a member of their household has the disease , if we 're asking the public to take steps which jeopardise businesses , causes people to risk losing their jobs , it 's absolutely right that whatever their circumstances we should ensure workers get the support they need .
`` So in addition to the package of business support that the chancellor outlined yesterday , we will be working with the unions , working with colleagues across the House , we will be bringing forward further measures to support workers of all kinds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said `` generations to come '' will judge politicians `` on the actions we take now '' .
`` Our response must be bold and it must be decisive , '' he told the Commons .
`` The market can not deliver what is needed , only collective public action led by government can protect our people and our society .
`` And that collective action must not allow , must not allow the burden to fall most on those who lack the resources to come as happened after the financial crash .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK is getting `` much closer '' to having a generally available test to determine whether someone has had coronavirus .
And responding to criticism from Mr Corbyn that the current level of 10,000 daily tests is `` nowhere near even the number of people working in the NHS and the care sector '' , Mr Johnson said the government is `` moving up to '' conducting 25,000 every day .
There is usually a raucous atmosphere in the Commons for the weekly clash between the PM and Labour leader , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs were told that only those with questions listed on the order paper should attend .
Mr Corbyn thanked MPs for their `` responsible approach '' in sitting a `` suitable distance apart to avoid cross-fertilisation of this horrible disease '' .

Boris Johnson has promised to introduce legislation to protect renters from eviction amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The prime minister said the government was overseeing steps that were "unprecedented in peacetime and unprecedented in the last century" because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
This includes advising people to work from home if possible and avoid pubs, clubs, restaurants and theatres.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:41 Government pledge to steady the economy
As well as telling people to dramatically reduce their social contact, the government has pledged unprecedented measures to support businesses and families, including government-backed loans worth £330bn.
But critics have accused the PM of not going far enough and of doing little to help those in the private rental sector.
The issue was raised by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in the Commons during a sparsely-attended Prime Minister's Questions.
"Yesterday, the chancellor unfortunately offered nothing to the 20 million people living in rented homes, including three million households with children," Mr Corbyn said.
Image: The chamber was sparsely attended as many MPs stayed away
"They're worried, they're worried sick that they can't pay their rent if they get ill, lose pay or feel they need to self-isolate.
"It is in the interests of public health, of the health of all of us, that people don't feel forced to go to work in order to avoid eviction when they know themselves they may be spreading this terrible disease.
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"So will the prime minister now confirm that the government's emergency legislation will protect private renters from eviction?"
Mr Johnson replied: "I can indeed confirm that we will be bringing forward legislation to protect private renters from eviction, that is one thing we will do, but it is also important as we legislate that we do not simply pass on the problem, so we'll also be taking steps to protect other actors in the economy."
The PM added that further measures would be introduced to protect the vulnerable and those who face job losses.
One measure taken early on in the outbreak was allowing workers to access statutory sick pay from the first day they are off ill, but Labour has demanded the weekly payment of £94.25 be increased to bring it in line with other European nations.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:37 Coronavirus: UK's new economic measures explained
Mr Corbyn reiterated this demand at PMQs, telling the chamber that this was not enough for people to feed their families.
As a result, the Labour leader said, lives were being put at risk as people went out to work to "put food on the table".
The PM did not address the issue of sick pay directly.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
But he said: "It's only right that when we're asking people to take action to isolate themselves, whether they have the disease or a member of their household has the disease, if we're asking the public to take steps which jeopardise businesses, causes people to risk losing their jobs, it's absolutely right that whatever their circumstances we should ensure workers get the support they need.
"So in addition to the package of business support that the chancellor outlined yesterday, we will be working with the unions, working with colleagues across the House, we will be bringing forward further measures to support workers of all kinds throughout this crisis."
Mr Corbyn said "generations to come" will judge politicians "on the actions we take now".
"Our response must be bold and it must be decisive," he told the Commons.
"The market cannot deliver what is needed, only collective public action led by government can protect our people and our society.
"And that collective action must not allow, must not allow the burden to fall most on those who lack the resources to come as happened after the financial crash."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:44 PM: We must stop NHS from getting overwhelmed
The PM also revealed that the UK is getting "much closer" to having a generally available test to determine whether someone has had coronavirus.
And responding to criticism from Mr Corbyn that the current level of 10,000 daily tests is "nowhere near even the number of people working in the NHS and the care sector", Mr Johnson said the government is "moving up to" conducting 25,000 every day.
There is usually a raucous atmosphere in the Commons for the weekly clash between the PM and Labour leader, but the chamber was much emptier than usual.
MPs were told that only those with questions listed on the order paper should attend.
Mr Corbyn thanked MPs for their "responsible approach" in sitting a "suitable distance apart to avoid cross-fertilisation of this horrible disease".


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Nearly 100,000 applications for Bounce Back Loans to help small firms

There has been a frenzied start to applications for Bounce Back Loans from small businesses desperate for cash to navigate the coronavirus crisis .
Banks have reported high volumes of interest in the scheme , which offers loans of between £2,000 to £50,000 that are 100 % guaranteed by the government .
Between them , just four lenders - HSBC , Barclays , Lloyds and RBS - said they had received about 97,000 applications by the end of the day .
That means the scheme has already surpassed the latest total of 53,000 under a previous , widely criticised scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new loans programme , the money is interest and payment free for the first year - with rates of 2.5 % per annum after the first 12 months .
Ministers say access should be easier for firms to navigate as the standardised form has only seven questions .
Banks handling the loans will not be required to run credit checks or assess the long-term viability of applicants .
HSBC had received 12,830 in the first three hours after the system opened .
Amanda Murphy , HSBC 's UK head of commercial banking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` At one point it was every second there was a new application coming in from a customer . ''
Lloyds had 2,000 applications in the first two hours , with an average loan size request of £35,000 .
Barclays had reported 200 in the first minute , saying it had already approved each of them .
A Barclays spokesperson said : `` Getting funds out to small businesses as quickly as possible is our number one priority right now and we 're working as fast as we can to get funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The bank said it had approved 6,000 applications by 2pm .
Lloyds Banking Group said it had 26,500 applications by 5pm and RBS revealed 30,000 forms were submitted .
HSBC said it had received 34,500 online requests by 4pm .
As the loans got into gear , the government confirmed the Job Retention Scheme , known as the furlough scheme , was covering wages of up to £2,500 a month for 6.3 million workers at a cost of £8bn .
The Bounce Back Loans , of up to six years , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago amid frustration that money from the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme ( CBILS ) , designed for small and medium-sized firms , was slow to leave banks .
Lenders are liable for 20 % of the risk under CBILS and business groups said evidence of lenders dragging their feet meant the taxpayer should underwrite 100 % of the loans .
The speed of processing applications under the scheme has drawn unfavourable comparisons with similar initiatives in Germany and Switzerland .
Senior banking executives told the Commons Treasury Select Committee on Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had offered 100 % state guarantees from the start .
`` That therefore alleviated some of this pressure on banks to do affordability and the viability checks , '' said David Oldfield , chief executive of commercial banking at Lloyds .
Banking industry figures last Thursday revealed that £4.1bn had been dispersed to more than 25,000 firms under the CBILS scheme to date .
The Treasury said in a statement : `` The Bounce Back Loan scheme is the latest step in a package of world-leading support measures launched by Chancellor Rishi Sunak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grants , four million jobs supported through the job retention scheme and generous tax deferrals supporting hundreds of thousands of firms . ''
Mr Sunak added : `` Small businesses will play a key role creating jobs and securing economic growth as we recover from the coronavirus pandemic .
`` The Bounce Back Loan scheme will make sure they get the finance they need - helping them bounce back and protect jobs . ''
Tej Parikh , chief economist at the Institute of Directors , responded : `` The government has kept an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued efforts to adapt its response are welcome .
`` The business interruption loan scheme has started to reach the front line , but small firms have still been having difficulty accessing finance .
`` This additional measure should help more of those firms get the cash they need to see them through the weeks and months ahead . ''
The Bank of England said on Monday that measures of how exposed banks are to loans - which are monitored by regulators under rules put in place following the financial crisis - would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new scheme .

There has been a frenzied start to applications for Bounce Back Loans from small businesses desperate for cash to navigate the coronavirus crisis.
Banks have reported high volumes of interest in the scheme, which offers loans of between £2,000 to £50,000 that are 100% guaranteed by the government.
Between them, just four lenders - HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds and RBS - said they had received about 97,000 applications by the end of the day.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:16 Loans scheme: Govt 'has not acted decisively'
That means the scheme has already surpassed the latest total of 53,000 under a previous, widely criticised scheme that was launched in March.
Under the new loans programme, the money is interest and payment free for the first year - with rates of 2.5% per annum after the first 12 months.
Ministers say access should be easier for firms to navigate as the standardised form has only seven questions.
Banks handling the loans will not be required to run credit checks or assess the long-term viability of applicants.
HSBC had received 12,830 in the first three hours after the system opened.
Amanda Murphy, HSBC's UK head of commercial banking, told Sky's Ian King Live: "At one point it was every second there was a new application coming in from a customer."
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Lloyds had 2,000 applications in the first two hours, with an average loan size request of £35,000.
Barclays had reported 200 in the first minute, saying it had already approved each of them.
A Barclays spokesperson said: "Getting funds out to small businesses as quickly as possible is our number one priority right now and we're working as fast as we can to get funds into the hands of our customers."
The bank said it had approved 6,000 applications by 2pm.
Lloyds Banking Group said it had 26,500 applications by 5pm and RBS revealed 30,000 forms were submitted. HSBC said it had received 34,500 online requests by 4pm.
As the loans got into gear, the government confirmed the Job Retention Scheme, known as the furlough scheme, was covering wages of up to £2,500 a month for 6.3 million workers at a cost of £8bn.
The Bounce Back Loans, of up to six years, were revealed by the chancellor just a week ago amid frustration that money from the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), designed for small and medium-sized firms, was slow to leave banks.
Lenders are liable for 20% of the risk under CBILS and business groups said evidence of lenders dragging their feet meant the taxpayer should underwrite 100% of the loans.
The speed of processing applications under the scheme has drawn unfavourable comparisons with similar initiatives in Germany and Switzerland.
Senior banking executives told the Commons Treasury Select Committee on Monday that the primary reason was that those countries had offered 100% state guarantees from the start.
"That therefore alleviated some of this pressure on banks to do affordability and the viability checks," said David Oldfield, chief executive of commercial banking at Lloyds.
Banking industry figures last Thursday revealed that £4.1bn had been dispersed to more than 25,000 firms under the CBILS scheme to date.
The Treasury said in a statement: "The Bounce Back Loan scheme is the latest step in a package of world-leading support measures launched by Chancellor Rishi Sunak - with £7.5bn already awarded in business grants, four million jobs supported through the job retention scheme and generous tax deferrals supporting hundreds of thousands of firms."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 9:46 Sunak announces small business loan scheme
Mr Sunak added: "Small businesses will play a key role creating jobs and securing economic growth as we recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
"The Bounce Back Loan scheme will make sure they get the finance they need - helping them bounce back and protect jobs."
Tej Parikh, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, responded: "The government has kept an open ear to businesses, and its continued efforts to adapt its response are welcome.
"The business interruption loan scheme has started to reach the front line, but small firms have still been having difficulty accessing finance.
"This additional measure should help more of those firms get the cash they need to see them through the weeks and months ahead."
The Bank of England said on Monday that measures of how exposed banks are to loans - which are monitored by regulators under rules put in place following the financial crisis - would be allowed to exclude borrowing under the new scheme.


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: 288 more UK deaths - lowest daily rise since end of March

The number of people with COVID-19 who have died in the UK has risen by 288 , bringing the total to 28,734 .
The latest figure from the Department of Health is for coronavirus-related fatalities as of 5pm on Sunday in all settings , including hospitals , care homes and the wider community .
It is the lowest daily increase since the end of March , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said .
But he pointed out that `` reported figures tend to be lower over the weekend , so we do expect that number to rise '' .
Numbers collated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later in the week as fewer administration staff may have been working .
In England , another 204 people have died in hospital , taking the total to 21,384 .
Scotland has had five more deaths , bringing the overall number to 1,576 .
In Wales , a further 14 people have died , taking the total number to 997 .
Another six deaths have been reported in Northern Ireland , as the overall number rose to 387 .
In the 24 hours up to 9am on Monday , there were 85,186 tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has vowed to carry out 100,000 daily tests and hit the target late last week , but missed it in the latest numbers .
Mr Hancock has urged the public to download the new NHS contact-tracing app to help to ease lockdown measures .
It is being trialled on the Isle of Wight .
On Sunday , Boris Johnson is expected to outline full details of how the UK will exit lockdown - three days after the government must review the current restrictions .
Draft government guidance for safe working has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and business groups - setting out the requirements in seven workplace settings , including factories , hospitality , for those working in people 's homes and in vehicles , and outdoors .
The guidelines are part of a staged process to ease lockdown measures and try and help restart the economy in the coming months as the COVID-19 health emergency eases .
Reduced hot-desking , the closure of office lifts and canteens , and putting tape on the floor to mark where people should stand are among measures being proposed by the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For workers who have customer-facing roles , plastic screens should be erected to help protect them , while continued home working and staggered shifts should also be encouraged , the guidance says .
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The number of people with COVID-19 who have died in the UK has risen by 288, bringing the total to 28,734.
The latest figure from the Department of Health is for coronavirus-related fatalities as of 5pm on Sunday in all settings, including hospitals, care homes and the wider community.
It is the lowest daily increase since the end of March, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:15 Hancock: 28,734 COVID-19-related deaths in UK
But he pointed out that "reported figures tend to be lower over the weekend, so we do expect that number to rise".
Numbers collated from the weekend can be lower than later in the week as fewer administration staff may have been working.
In England, another 204 people have died in hospital, taking the total to 21,384.
Scotland has had five more deaths, bringing the overall number to 1,576.
In Wales, a further 14 people have died, taking the total number to 997.
Another six deaths have been reported in Northern Ireland, as the overall number rose to 387.
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In the 24 hours up to 9am on Monday, there were 85,186 tests for COVID-19 in the UK. The government has vowed to carry out 100,000 daily tests and hit the target late last week, but missed it in the latest numbers.
Image: The contact-tracing app is being trialled on the Isle of Wight
Mr Hancock has urged the public to download the new NHS contact-tracing app to help to ease lockdown measures. It is being trialled on the Isle of Wight.
On Sunday, Boris Johnson is expected to outline full details of how the UK will exit lockdown - three days after the government must review the current restrictions.
Draft government guidance for safe working has been circulated to around 180 employers, unions and business groups - setting out the requirements in seven workplace settings, including factories, hospitality, for those working in people's homes and in vehicles, and outdoors.
The guidelines are part of a staged process to ease lockdown measures and try and help restart the economy in the coming months as the COVID-19 health emergency eases.
Reduced hot-desking, the closure of office lifts and canteens, and putting tape on the floor to mark where people should stand are among measures being proposed by the government to get back people back to work.
For workers who have customer-facing roles, plastic screens should be erected to help protect them, while continued home working and staggered shifts should also be encouraged, the guidance says.
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk.


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: The Stranglers keyboard player Dave Greenfield dies aged 71

Dave Greenfield , the keyboard player with The Stranglers , has died after testing positive for coronavirus .
The British punk band 's website announced that the 71-year-old died on Sunday after contracting COVID-19 during a long stay in hospital for heart problems .
Greenfield , originally from Brighton , wrote the music to the band 's biggest hit , Golden Brown .
His bandmates initially dismissed the song as not suitable for a single , but it went on to become extremely successful and won the band an Ivor Novello award .
Bass player Jean-Jacques `` JJ '' Burnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musical genius '' who had `` passed away as one of the victims of the Great Pandemic of 2020 '' .
On the band 's website , he honoured Greenfield as his `` great friend and longstanding colleague of 45 years '' , adding : `` All of us in the worldwide Stranglers ' family grieve and send our sincerest condolences to [ his wife ] Pam . ''
Hugh Cornwall , the band 's former lead singer , said on Twitter that Greenfield 's `` musical skill and gentle nature gave an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he `` should be remembered as the man who gave the world the music of Golden Brown '' .
Greenfield was known for his distinctive sound and playing style , using instruments such as the harpsichord and Hammond electric organ .
He joined the band in 1975 , which subsequently became one of the most innovative during Britain 's punk explosion in the late 1970s .
It had recently postponed a farewell tour from this summer because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Greenfield is survived by his wife Pam .

Dave Greenfield, the keyboard player with The Stranglers, has died after testing positive for coronavirus.
The British punk band's website announced that the 71-year-old died on Sunday after contracting COVID-19 during a long stay in hospital for heart problems.
Greenfield, originally from Brighton, wrote the music to the band's biggest hit, Golden Brown.
Image: Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers performs at O2 Apollo Manchester in 2017
His bandmates initially dismissed the song as not suitable for a single, but it went on to become extremely successful and won the band an Ivor Novello award.
Bass player Jean-Jacques "JJ" Burnel paid tribute to Greenfield as a "musical genius" who had "passed away as one of the victims of the Great Pandemic of 2020".
On the band's website, he honoured Greenfield as his "great friend and longstanding colleague of 45 years", adding: "All of us in the worldwide Stranglers' family grieve and send our sincerest condolences to [his wife] Pam."
Hugh Cornwall, the band's former lead singer, said on Twitter that Greenfield's "musical skill and gentle nature gave an interesting twist to the band" and that he "should be remembered as the man who gave the world the music of Golden Brown".
Greenfield was known for his distinctive sound and playing style, using instruments such as the harpsichord and Hammond electric organ.
He joined the band in 1975, which subsequently became one of the most innovative during Britain's punk explosion in the late 1970s.
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It had recently postponed a farewell tour from this summer because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Greenfield is survived by his wife Pam.


news--2020-05-03--Coronavirus: Trial of NHS contact tracing app to begin on Isle of Wight - but how does it work?

As the Isle of Wight prepares to trial a phone app that will track COVID-19 infections , we answer some of the main questions .
How does it work ?
The app uses a phone 's bluetooth technology to register contact when people come within 6ft of one another for at least 15 minutes .
If a user develops symptoms of COVID-19 , they inform the NHS and an alert is sent to other users they have come in contact with .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News the app would be `` a fantastic way to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lid on this going forward and we do n't get that second wave '' of COVID-19 infections .
When does the trial start ?
Mr Shapps has said the trial will start this week .
What benefits could there be for the island and other areas that trial the app ?
It has previously been suggested that areas trialling the contact tracing app could also have coronavirus lockdown measures eased earlier , in an experiment to see how the UK could do the same .
Why has the Isle of Wight been chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place for such a trial and also for an early easing of lockdown measures - any infections can be more easily traced among the smaller population , and new infections can be more easily kept out .
These things would be much more difficult in a place such as Birmingham , for example .
What about the rest of the country ?
Mr Shapps told Sky 's Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme : `` Later in the month , that app will be rolled out and deployed - assuming the tests are successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at large . ''
He added that 50-60 % of the population would need to use the app for it to be effective .
The transport secretary said the app would be `` completely confidential '' and the identity of those a person came in contact with would not be revealed .
Users will remain anonymous up to the point where they volunteer their own details .
They will be asked to hand over some personal details such as a partial postcode , age and gender , but others wo n't receive this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker What else will be done ?
The government has promised to employ 18,000 contact-tracers by the middle of May , as it pursues the `` test , track and trace '' strategy it hopes will see the country leave lockdown safety .
Mr Shapps could not say how many of the contact-tracers had already been recruited , but vowed people would be `` in place '' when the app was ready for UK-wide use .
`` As you 've seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come forward and be incredibly public-spirited when it comes to defeating this as a nation , '' he added .
He also suggested , in future , those arriving in the UK would be required to download the app as part of stricter rules at airports .
What are the potential problems ?
Labour 's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sophy Ridge on Sunday : `` There has to be a strategy for how we can ensure there is a very large take-up of this app , I think it 's obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
However , asked if Britons should be compelled to download the app in future , Mr Thomas-Symonds warned : `` Not everybody has a smartphone in the first place to which you could download the app .
`` What is the government 's strategy in relation to that ?
Secondly , there are also issues around privacy and security .
`` There are people for whom location services on their mobile devices are turned off for particular safety reasons and keeping themselves safe . ''

As the Isle of Wight prepares to trial a phone app that will track COVID-19 infections, we answer some of the main questions.
How does it work?
The app uses a phone's bluetooth technology to register contact when people come within 6ft of one another for at least 15 minutes.
If a user develops symptoms of COVID-19, they inform the NHS and an alert is sent to other users they have come in contact with.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News the app would be "a fantastic way to ensure that we are really able to keep a lid on this going forward and we don't get that second wave" of COVID-19 infections.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:37 Contact tracing app to be trialled this week
When does the trial start?
Mr Shapps has said the trial will start this week.
What benefits could there be for the island and other areas that trial the app?
It has previously been suggested that areas trialling the contact tracing app could also have coronavirus lockdown measures eased earlier, in an experiment to see how the UK could do the same.
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Image: Residents on the Isle of the Wight will trial the coronavirus app this week
Why has the Isle of Wight been chosen?
A small island is a good place for such a trial and also for an early easing of lockdown measures - any infections can be more easily traced among the smaller population, and new infections can be more easily kept out. These things would be much more difficult in a place such as Birmingham, for example.
What about the rest of the country?
Mr Shapps told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: "Later in the month, that app will be rolled out and deployed - assuming the tests are successful, of course - to the population at large."
He added that 50-60% of the population would need to use the app for it to be effective.
What about privacy?
The transport secretary said the app would be "completely confidential" and the identity of those a person came in contact with would not be revealed.
Users will remain anonymous up to the point where they volunteer their own details. They will be asked to hand over some personal details such as a partial postcode, age and gender, but others won't receive this information.
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
What else will be done?
The government has promised to employ 18,000 contact-tracers by the middle of May, as it pursues the "test, track and trace" strategy it hopes will see the country leave lockdown safety.
Mr Shapps could not say how many of the contact-tracers had already been recruited, but vowed people would be "in place" when the app was ready for UK-wide use.
"As you've seen, people are more than willing to come forward and be incredibly public-spirited when it comes to defeating this as a nation," he added.
He also suggested, in future, those arriving in the UK would be required to download the app as part of stricter rules at airports.
What are the potential problems?
Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "There has to be a strategy for how we can ensure there is a very large take-up of this app, I think it's obvious that we should need to do that."
However, asked if Britons should be compelled to download the app in future, Mr Thomas-Symonds warned: "Not everybody has a smartphone in the first place to which you could download the app.
"What is the government's strategy in relation to that? Secondly, there are also issues around privacy and security.
"There are people for whom location services on their mobile devices are turned off for particular safety reasons and keeping themselves safe."


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus present in France in December - a month earlier than thought, test indicates

Coronavirus was present in France in December - a month before the country 's first confirmed cases , according to an intensive care chief who tested old samples .
Yves Cohen said negative tests for flu and other coronaviruses on 24 patients in hospital with respiratory problems during December and January had been checked .
And in a development experts say would be of huge significance , one of the revisited samples came back positive for COVID-19 .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Dr Cohen , head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the test had been repeated a number of times in case of error .
`` Of the 24 patients , we had one positive result for COVID-19 on 27 December when he was in hospital with us , '' he said .
He told France 's BMTV that medical staff had then phoned the man to discuss the new finding .
`` He was sick for 15 days and he infected his two children , but not his wife , who works in a supermarket , at the fish stall , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she worked with ] fish of Chinese origin , but she only works on French products .
`` Then we learned by chance that she worked alongside sushi sales or people of Chinese origin . ''
He suggested that the man 's wife may have had COVID-19 but not shown any symptoms , adding that it was the responsibility of other agencies to investigate further .
Former World Health Organization director Professor Karol Sikora told Sky News the development `` could be significant '' if the finding turned out not to an error @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be the only source of the virus as at that time there were not people travelling between that region and France and therefore not the potential for transmission , '' he said .
`` It could be that various versions of the virus evolved at different times in different places and that this is just a very similar one .
`` The only way to establish this is to sequence this sample , which I imagine will be happening over the coming days . ''
Professor Sikora , who is chief medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicine at the University of Buckingham and former director of the WHO Cancer Programme , added that many samples were stored by medical institutions for years and that many of these would now be tested to learn more about coronavirus .
France had announced its first confirmed cases on 24 January .
Officials unveiled plans last week to begin easing lockdown measures across the country .

Coronavirus was present in France in December - a month before the country's first confirmed cases, according to an intensive care chief who tested old samples.
Yves Cohen said negative tests for flu and other coronaviruses on 24 patients in hospital with respiratory problems during December and January had been checked.
And in a development experts say would be of huge significance, one of the revisited samples came back positive for COVID-19.
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Dr Cohen, head of resuscitation at a Paris hospital, said the test had been repeated a number of times in case of error.
"Of the 24 patients, we had one positive result for COVID-19 on 27 December when he was in hospital with us," he said.
He told France's BMTV that medical staff had then phoned the man to discuss the new finding.
"He was sick for 15 days and he infected his two children, but not his wife, who works in a supermarket, at the fish stall," he said.
"We wondered [she worked with] fish of Chinese origin, but she only works on French products.
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"Then we learned by chance that she worked alongside sushi sales or people of Chinese origin."
He suggested that the man's wife may have had COVID-19 but not shown any symptoms, adding that it was the responsibility of other agencies to investigate further.
Former World Health Organization director Professor Karol Sikora told Sky News the development "could be significant" if the finding turned out not to an error.
"It implies that Wuhan may not be the only source of the virus as at that time there were not people travelling between that region and France and therefore not the potential for transmission," he said.
"It could be that various versions of the virus evolved at different times in different places and that this is just a very similar one.
Image: Mask-wearing shoppers queue outside a shop in Paris
"The only way to establish this is to sequence this sample, which I imagine will be happening over the coming days."
Professor Sikora, who is chief medical officer at Rutherford Health, professor of medicine at the University of Buckingham and former director of the WHO Cancer Programme, added that many samples were stored by medical institutions for years and that many of these would now be tested to learn more about coronavirus.
France had announced its first confirmed cases on 24 January. Officials unveiled plans last week to begin easing lockdown measures across the country.


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Leaked US documents predict 3,000 COVID-19 deaths a day by June

An internal US government document predicts 3,000 daily coronavirus deaths in the country by early June , according to The New York Times .
The document from the Trump administration appears to project that deaths will nearly double from the current level of about 1,750 .
It seems to predict about 200,000 new coronavirus cases per day by the end of this month , up from about 25,000 currently .
The leaked document could throw into question the relaxation of social distancing measures across a number of states , as Donald Trump has pressed for economies to reopen and anti-lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health systems in some areas have struggled to cope with an influx of patients , and in some cases sufferers have been treated on stretchers in hospital corridors .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned there `` remains a large number of counties whose burden continues to grow '' , although there has been some improvement in places such as New York City , New Orleans and Detroit .
So far , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US and more than a million have been infected .
As of last week , the University of Washington 's IHME predictive model projected a first wave of 72,400 coronavirus-related deaths .
On Sunday , Mr Trump said up to 100,000 people could die with coronavirus in the US - doubling the number he had forecast two weeks ago .
`` We 're going to lose anywhere from 75 , 80 to 100,000 people , '' he told a virtual town hall on Fox News .
`` That 's a horrible thing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this . ''
His figures are still less than what the government document predicts .
The Trump administration has responded to the New York Times report , denying the document 's authenticity .
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said : `` These preliminary analyses were provided to FEMA to aid in scenario planning - not to be used as forecasts - and the version published is not a final version .
`` These preliminary results are not forecasts , and it is not accurate to present them as forecasts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ some scenarios , including the premature relaxation of social distancing , that are likely to cause significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States . ''
White House spokesperson Judd Deere said : `` This is not a White House document nor has it been presented to the Coronavirus taskforce or gone through inter-agency vetting .
`` This data is not reflective of any of the modelling done by the taskforce or data that the task force has analysed .
`` The president 's phased guidelines to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driven approach that the top health and infectious disease experts in the federal government agreed with .
`` The health of the American people remains President Trump 's top priority and that will continue as we monitor the efforts by states to ease restrictions . ''
Officials said the projections assumed that states resumed normal activities immediately , not according to the phased guidelines unveiled last month .
Mr Trump has been accused of ignoring warnings about the risks of the virus in his daily briefings throughout January , and also has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find a vaccine .
World leaders , organisations and banks have pledged to give $ 8bn ( £6.4bn ) .
Former foreign secretary David Miliband described Mr Trump 's absence from the global pledge as a `` mystery '' .
`` At the moment , the US is not a good advertisement for the kind of global leadership or national reaction that would historically have been the case , '' he said .
Mr Miliband continued : `` Sadly so far the reaction to the crisis has been to compound the problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although it 's obviously right that every government has in the first instance to look after its own citizens , this disease shows that unless there is a global response then there wo n't be a return to anything like economic or social normality . ''

An internal US government document predicts 3,000 daily coronavirus deaths in the country by early June, according to The New York Times.
The document from the Trump administration appears to project that deaths will nearly double from the current level of about 1,750.
It seems to predict about 200,000 new coronavirus cases per day by the end of this month, up from about 25,000 currently.
Image: Donald Trump has urged economies to reopen
The leaked document could throw into question the relaxation of social distancing measures across a number of states, as Donald Trump has pressed for economies to reopen and anti-lockdown protests were held over the weekend.
Health systems in some areas have struggled to cope with an influx of patients, and in some cases sufferers have been treated on stretchers in hospital corridors.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned there "remains a large number of counties whose burden continues to grow", although there has been some improvement in places such as New York City, New Orleans and Detroit.
So far, more than 67,000 people have died in the US and more than a million have been infected.
As of last week, the University of Washington's IHME predictive model projected a first wave of 72,400 coronavirus-related deaths.
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Image: Paramedics unload a patient at a hospital in Brooklyn
On Sunday, Mr Trump said up to 100,000 people could die with coronavirus in the US - doubling the number he had forecast two weeks ago.
"We're going to lose anywhere from 75, 80 to 100,000 people," he told a virtual town hall on Fox News. "That's a horrible thing. We shouldn't lose one person over this."
His figures are still less than what the government document predicts.
The Trump administration has responded to the New York Times report, denying the document's authenticity.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:52 Protests continue in the US against lockdown
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said: "These preliminary analyses were provided to FEMA to aid in scenario planning - not to be used as forecasts - and the version published is not a final version.
"These preliminary results are not forecasts, and it is not accurate to present them as forecasts.
"The information illustrates that there are some scenarios, including the premature relaxation of social distancing, that are likely to cause significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States."
White House spokesperson Judd Deere said: "This is not a White House document nor has it been presented to the Coronavirus taskforce or gone through inter-agency vetting.
"This data is not reflective of any of the modelling done by the taskforce or data that the task force has analysed.
"The president's phased guidelines to open up America again are a scientific driven approach that the top health and infectious disease experts in the federal government agreed with.
"The health of the American people remains President Trump's top priority and that will continue as we monitor the efforts by states to ease restrictions."
Officials said the projections assumed that states resumed normal activities immediately, not according to the phased guidelines unveiled last month.
Mr Trump has been accused of ignoring warnings about the risks of the virus in his daily briefings throughout January, and also has not yet joined a global pledge for research to find a vaccine.
World leaders, organisations and banks have pledged to give $8bn (£6.4bn).
Former foreign secretary David Miliband described Mr Trump's absence from the global pledge as a "mystery".
"At the moment, the US is not a good advertisement for the kind of global leadership or national reaction that would historically have been the case," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:44 Risk of 3m deaths in 'wartorn' countries
Mr Miliband continued: "Sadly so far the reaction to the crisis has been to compound the problem rather than to tackle it.
"Although it's obviously right that every government has in the first instance to look after its own citizens, this disease shows that unless there is a global response then there won't be a return to anything like economic or social normality."