news--2020-02-08--Brighton student told to self-isolate over coronavirus link

A school student has been told to self-isolate for 14 days following a confirmed case of coronavirus in Brighton .
In a message sent to parents on Friday , the Portslade Aldridge Community Academy ( PACA ) said the pupil was staying at home and that the school would be notified should they start to present symptoms .
It comes as British citizens flying back from the Chinese city of Wuhan , the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak , are due to be quarantined at a facility in Milton Keynes on Sunday .
The UK now has three confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Brighton school said : `` As I am sure many of you are aware , media outlets reported on Thursday of a first confirmed case of the coronavirus in Brighton .
`` We are working in collaboration with and being guided by the local authority and Public Health England to ensure that we at PACA are acting consistently with the right medical advice .
`` Today we have been contacted by a parent of a student at PACA who was contacted by Public Health England as part of their investigation concerning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press .
`` We have been informed by the parent that they have been advised by Public Health England to self-isolate their child at home for 14 days .
If at any point the child is found to be symptomatic we will be notified . ''
Meanwhile , five people from Britain , including a nine-year-old child , are in hospital in France after contracting the disease during a holiday in the Alps , French health minister Agnes Buzyn said .
They were staying in a chalet in the resort of Contamines-Montjoie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Briton who is believed to have contracted the virus in Singapore .
The man travelled to the French Alps and then tested positive for the virus on his return to England , Ms Buzyn said .
None of the group , who bring the total number of cases in France to 11 , is in a serious condition .
The new type of coronavirus has infected more than 34,800 people globally and killed 724 , nearly all of them in China .
Hong Kong has had 25 cases , including one death , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most of the deaths have been in central Hubei province , the epicentre of the breakout .
The five infected Britons in France are being treated in hospitals in the region , in the cities of Lyon , Grenoble and Saint-Etienne .
Eleven people in total came into contact with the virus carrier , including another six other British nationals who are currently being monitored .
Contamines , the resort , is in the French Alps and is close to the Swiss city of Geneva and the Mont Blanc peak .
The French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the UK , and Singapore authorities are looking into a business congress that took place in a hotel there last month , which was attended by 94 foreigners .
The British man now known to be at the origin of the latest outbreak - the third person in Britain who tested positive for the virus - had travelled to that meeting , Singapore health officials said .
A UK company called Servomex has said a number of its workers in different countries have been diagnosed with the coronavirus and are now being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working closely with all relevant public health authorities and are following their advice to ensure the welfare of our people , including supporting our affected employees , and the wider community . ''
A UK Foreign Office spokesman said that Britain is seeking information on the new French cases and is ready to offer any support needed .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Earlier cases of the virus in France included an 80-year-old Chinese man in a serious condition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of improvement in recent days , according to medical officials .
The two other infected Britons had recently travelled from China and are still being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary infectious diseases centre in Newcastle .
One is a student at the University of York , while the other is a family member .

A school student has been told to self-isolate for 14 days following a confirmed case of coronavirus in Brighton.
In a message sent to parents on Friday, the Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) said the pupil was staying at home and that the school would be notified should they start to present symptoms.
It comes as British citizens flying back from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, are due to be quarantined at a facility in Milton Keynes on Sunday.
The UK now has three confirmed cases of the disease.
In its statement, the Brighton school said: "As I am sure many of you are aware, media outlets reported on Thursday of a first confirmed case of the coronavirus in Brighton.
"We are working in collaboration with and being guided by the local authority and Public Health England to ensure that we at PACA are acting consistently with the right medical advice.
"Today we have been contacted by a parent of a student at PACA who was contacted by Public Health England as part of their investigation concerning the confirmed case that was reported in the press.
"We have been informed by the parent that they have been advised by Public Health England to self-isolate their child at home for 14 days. If at any point the child is found to be symptomatic we will be notified."
Image: Passengers wearing masks outside Shanghai railway station
Meanwhile, five people from Britain, including a nine-year-old child, are in hospital in France after contracting the disease during a holiday in the Alps, French health minister Agnes Buzyn said.
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They were staying in a chalet in the resort of Contamines-Montjoie and were in close contact with another Briton who is believed to have contracted the virus in Singapore.
The man travelled to the French Alps and then tested positive for the virus on his return to England, Ms Buzyn said.
None of the group, who bring the total number of cases in France to 11, is in a serious condition.
The new type of coronavirus has infected more than 34,800 people globally and killed 724, nearly all of them in China.
Hong Kong has had 25 cases, including one death, while Macao has had 10 cases. Most of the deaths have been in central Hubei province, the epicentre of the breakout.
Image: A couple wear face masks as they walk along the Thames embankment in central London
The five infected Britons in France are being treated in hospitals in the region, in the cities of Lyon, Grenoble and Saint-Etienne. Eleven people in total came into contact with the virus carrier, including another six other British nationals who are currently being monitored.
Contamines, the resort, is in the French Alps and is close to the Swiss city of Geneva and the Mont Blanc peak.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:36 HK introduces mandatory 14 day quarantine
The French government has been in touch with Singapore and the UK, and Singapore authorities are looking into a business congress that took place in a hotel there last month, which was attended by 94 foreigners.
The British man now known to be at the origin of the latest outbreak - the third person in Britain who tested positive for the virus - had travelled to that meeting, Singapore health officials said.
A UK company called Servomex has said a number of its workers in different countries have been diagnosed with the coronavirus and are now being treated.
It said: "We are working closely with all relevant public health authorities and are following their advice to ensure the welfare of our people, including supporting our affected employees, and the wider community."
A UK Foreign Office spokesman said that Britain is seeking information on the new French cases and is ready to offer any support needed.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Earlier cases of the virus in France included an 80-year-old Chinese man in a serious condition, while the others have shown significant signs of improvement in recent days, according to medical officials.
The two other infected Britons had recently travelled from China and are still being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary infectious diseases centre in Newcastle.
One is a student at the University of York, while the other is a family member.


news--2020-02-07--Coronavirus more deadly than SARS as global death toll reaches 910

More people have been killed by the new coronavirus than the 2003 SARS outbreak , according to latest figures .
A total of 910 people have died from 2019-nCoV , dubbed the Wuhan virus , compared to 774 killed by SARS , or severe acute respiratory syndrome .
Both are types of coronavirus which originated in China and virologists say they are genetically close .
The majority of deaths from the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak are concentrated in mainland China , although there has been one death in the Philippines and another in Hong Kong .
Outside of China , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest key points on the global coronavirus outbreak : • The global number of deaths is 910 .
Some 908 were in China , including a Japanese man and a US citizen , and one in the Philippines and Hong Kong • The toll exceeds the 774 killed by the SARS epidemic in 2003 • More than 37,000 people have been infected by coronavirus around the world , almost all in China • British citizens being flown back from Wuhan on Sunday will be quarantined for a fortnight at a facility at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A British family of four is being tested in Majorca after coming into contact with a coronavirus sufferer in France • Thousands remain stranded on cruise ships docked in Japan and Hong Kong • The World Health Organisation warns of a chronic shortage of gowns , masks , gloves and other protective gear • A WHO-led international team investigating the outbreak will leave for China on Monday or Tuesday France announced on Saturday that it would close two schools in the Alps after five British citizens , including a nine-year-old child , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a French ski resort .
`` This cluster of cases in France illustrates how the coronavirus can spread to countries indirectly of China , '' Dr Michael Head , senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton , said .
`` The French ski resort will have citizens from numerous other countries there , so there are implications for potential onward transmission . ''
The first victim to be officially identified was 34-year-old doctor Li Wenliang , who died on Friday after testing positive for the virus , Chinese state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the first to warn about the new virus but was punished by authorities for `` rumour-mongering '' .
He became ill after treating a patient with the virus at Wuhan Central Hospital .
Although the number of deaths from the Wuhan virus now outnumber SARS deaths , the fatality rate is lower for the Wuhan virus .
The fatality rate for SARS was 9.6 % , while around 2 % of those who contracted the Wuhan virus have died .
New infection cases on Saturday recorded the first drop since 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,656 cases .
Of those , 2,147 cases were in Hubei province .
Joseph Eisenberg , professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan , said it was too early to say whether the epidemic was peaking due to the uncertainty in the number of cases .
`` Even if reported cases might be peaking , we do n't know what is happening with unreported cases , '' he said .
`` This is especially an issue in some of the more rural areas . ''
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak will leave for China on Monday or Tuesday .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Hong Kong began enforcing a 14-day quarantine for arrivals from mainland China on Saturday .
The territory has refused to completely seal its border but hopes the quarantine will dissuade travellers from the mainland .
China 's leaders are trying to keep food flowing to crowded cities despite anti-disease controls and to quell fears of possible shortages and price spikes following panic buying after most access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off .
Cities across the country have enforced travel bans and Beijing supermarkets have begun requiring customers register their personal information and have their temperatures taken before being allowed to enter .
Millions of people will return to China 's big cities on Monday after the biggest holiday of the year .
The Spring Festival holiday was extended over concerns about the virus ' spread , but many workplaces are expected to remain closed with many employees continuing to work from home .
The virus has been a blow to China 's already-slowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-quarter GDP growth target to 4 % from 5.6 % previously and saying a deeper hit is possible .
Chinese president Xi Jinping spoke with his US counterpart Donald Trump on Friday and urged the US to `` respond reasonably '' to the outbreak , echoing complaints that some countries are overreacting by restricting Chinese travellers .

More people have been killed by the new coronavirus than the 2003 SARS outbreak, according to latest figures.
A total of 910 people have died from 2019-nCoV, dubbed the Wuhan virus, compared to 774 killed by SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Both are types of coronavirus which originated in China and virologists say they are genetically close.
The majority of deaths from the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak are concentrated in mainland China, although there has been one death in the Philippines and another in Hong Kong.
Outside of China, the virus has spread to 24 countries.
The latest key points on the global coronavirus outbreak:
The global number of deaths is 910. Some 908 were in China, including a Japanese man and a US citizen, and one in the Philippines and Hong Kong
The toll exceeds the 774 killed by the SARS epidemic in 2003
More than 37,000 people have been infected by coronavirus around the world, almost all in China
British citizens being flown back from Wuhan on Sunday will be quarantined for a fortnight at a facility at Kents Hill Park in Milton Keynes
A British family of four is being tested in Majorca after coming into contact with a coronavirus sufferer in France
after coming into contact with a coronavirus sufferer in France Thousands remain stranded on cruise ships docked in Japan and Hong Kong
The World Health Organisation warns of a chronic shortage of gowns, masks, gloves and other protective gear
A WHO-led international team investigating the outbreak will leave for China on Monday or Tuesday
France announced on Saturday that it would close two schools in the Alps after five British citizens, including a nine-year-old child, were confirmed to have caught the disease at a French ski resort.
Image: Les Contamines-Montjoie where five British nationals have been diagnosed with the virus
"This cluster of cases in France illustrates how the coronavirus can spread to countries indirectly of China," Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said.
"The French ski resort will have citizens from numerous other countries there, so there are implications for potential onward transmission."
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The first victim to be officially identified was 34-year-old doctor Li Wenliang, who died on Friday after testing positive for the virus, Chinese state media said.
Dr Li had been one of the first to warn about the new virus but was punished by authorities for "rumour-mongering".
He became ill after treating a patient with the virus at Wuhan Central Hospital.
Image: A passenger wearing a mask at Shanghai railway station
Although the number of deaths from the Wuhan virus now outnumber SARS deaths, the fatality rate is lower for the Wuhan virus.
The fatality rate for SARS was 9.6%, while around 2% of those who contracted the Wuhan virus have died.
New infection cases on Saturday recorded the first drop since 1 February, falling back below 3,000 to 2,656 cases. Of those, 2,147 cases were in Hubei province.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:39 Patients are starting their fortnight long quarantine in the hopes of preventing any further infections in the UK.
Joseph Eisenberg, professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, said it was too early to say whether the epidemic was peaking due to the uncertainty in the number of cases.
"Even if reported cases might be peaking, we don't know what is happening with unreported cases," he said. "This is especially an issue in some of the more rural areas."
A World Health Organisation-led international team investigating the outbreak will leave for China on Monday or Tuesday.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Hong Kong began enforcing a 14-day quarantine for arrivals from mainland China on Saturday. The territory has refused to completely seal its border but hopes the quarantine will dissuade travellers from the mainland.
China's leaders are trying to keep food flowing to crowded cities despite anti-disease controls and to quell fears of possible shortages and price spikes following panic buying after most access to Wuhan and nearby cities was cut off.
Cities across the country have enforced travel bans and Beijing supermarkets have begun requiring customers register their personal information and have their temperatures taken before being allowed to enter.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:36 HK introduces mandatory 14-day quarantine
Millions of people will return to China's big cities on Monday after the biggest holiday of the year.
The Spring Festival holiday was extended over concerns about the virus' spread, but many workplaces are expected to remain closed with many employees continuing to work from home.
The virus has been a blow to China's already-slowing economy, with Goldman Sachs cutting its first-quarter GDP growth target to 4% from 5.6% previously and saying a deeper hit is possible.
Chinese president Xi Jinping spoke with his US counterpart Donald Trump on Friday and urged the US to "respond reasonably" to the outbreak, echoing complaints that some countries are overreacting by restricting Chinese travellers.


news--2020-02-08--Prince Andrew delivers 'message from Queen' to China over coronavirus

Prince Andrew has delivered a message of sympathy from the Queen to the Chinese people over the coronavirus outbreak , according to China 's ambassador to the UK .
Liu Xiaoming said the monarch was praying `` for the speedy control and victory over the virus '' .
Mr Liu said Andrew relayed the Queen 's `` encouraging '' message after being invited to the diplomat 's residence .
The Duke of York stepped back from royal duties last year in the wake of his controversial friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein .
Buckingham Palace would not confirm the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said any such meeting would be in a private capacity .
Formal messages from the Queen to heads of state are ordinarily made via official palace statements .
The ambassador tweeted : `` Her Majesty The Queen sent an encouraging message to President Xi and Chinese people : At the critical time of fighting # coronavirus , I express my sincere sympathy for Chinese people , and pray for the speedy control and victory over the virus .
It was conveyed by Duke of York . ''
The diplomat also wrote : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York and his family to our residence and celebrated Chinese New Year .
Their enthusiasm for China and contribution to China-UK relation is highly appreciated . ''
Mr Liu tweeted a photo of himself with Andrew , and another image of them with the duke 's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and the former couple 's eldest daughter Princess Beatrice .
At least 803 people have died in China from coronavirus in recent weeks , along with one person in the Philippines and another in Hong Kong .
The majority of deaths have been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epicentre of the outbreak .
More than 34,000 people have been infected around the world , almost all in China .

Prince Andrew has delivered a message of sympathy from the Queen to the Chinese people over the coronavirus outbreak, according to China's ambassador to the UK.
Liu Xiaoming said the monarch was praying "for the speedy control and victory over the virus".
Mr Liu said Andrew relayed the Queen's "encouraging" message after being invited to the diplomat's residence.
The Duke of York stepped back from royal duties last year in the wake of his controversial friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Buckingham Palace would not confirm the engagement with Mr Liu took place but said any such meeting would be in a private capacity.
Image: The Chinese ambassador said he had invited the Duke of York to his residence. Pic: @AmbLiuXiaoMing
Formal messages from the Queen to heads of state are ordinarily made via official palace statements.
The ambassador tweeted: "Her Majesty The Queen sent an encouraging message to President Xi and Chinese people: At the critical time of fighting #coronavirus, I express my sincere sympathy for Chinese people, and pray for the speedy control and victory over the virus. It was conveyed by Duke of York."
The diplomat also wrote: "My wife and I invited Duke of York and his family to our residence and celebrated Chinese New Year. Their enthusiasm for China and contribution to China-UK relation is highly appreciated."
Mr Liu tweeted a photo of himself with Andrew, and another image of them with the duke's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and the former couple's eldest daughter Princess Beatrice.
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At least 803 people have died in China from coronavirus in recent weeks, along with one person in the Philippines and another in Hong Kong.
The majority of deaths have been in the Chinese city of Wuhan which is the epicentre of the outbreak.
More than 34,000 people have been infected around the world, almost all in China.


news--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: What did Dominic Cummings do and when? A timeline

Dominic Cummings has faced calls to resign after he drove from London to County Durham in spite of lockdown restrictions .
Speaking at a news conference on Monday , the prime minister 's senior adviser gave his own account of his events .
Here is a timeline of the lockdown measures and Mr Cummings ' movements : At a Downing Street briefing , Prime Minister Boris Johnson says `` everyone '' must follow the advice to `` stay at home for seven days '' if they believe they have coronavirus symptoms .
He said that if one member of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then the whole household must stay at home for 14 days .
He added that in those circumstances : `` Children should not be left with older grandparents , or older relatives , who may be particularly vulnerable or fall into some of the vulnerable groups . ''
Government guidance states that people must remain `` in their primary residence '' , adding that `` not taking these steps puts additional pressure on communities and services that are already at risk ... Leaving your home - the place you live - to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Strict lockdown rules are imposed which mean people can only leave their houses for essential travel .
In a TV address to the nation , Mr Johnson says people must stay at home to curb the spread of coronavirus .
Mr Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock are confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus .
Mr Cummings is seen running along Downing Street shortly after the prime minister posts a video saying he has contracted the virus .
Explaining his actions at Monday 's news conference , Mr Cummings said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my wife who was looking after our four-year-old child .
She told me she suddenly felt badly ill. '' He said that after he went home , his wife felt better and he had returned to work .
That evening , he said he `` drove up to Durham '' and arrived at `` roughly midnight '' with his family .
Mr Cummings says he woke up `` in pain and clearly had COVID symptoms , including a bad headache and a serious fever '' .
Downing Street confirms Mr Cummings is self-isolating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Durham Police are `` made aware of reports that an individual had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city '' .
The force says officers `` made contact with the owners of that address who confirmed that the individual in question was present and was self-isolating in part of the house '' .
Durham Constabulary says that on this date , an officer spoke to Mr Cummings ' father , who confirmed that the family were staying at the property .
In a statement , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that our officer gave no specific advice on coronavirus to any members of the family and that Durham Constabulary deemed that no further action was required in that regard .
`` Our officer did , however , provide the family with advice on security issues . ''
During the night , Mr Cummings ' son is ill so the couple `` took medical advice which was to call 999 '' .
The child is taken to hospital by ambulance .
Mr Cummings says he was too ill to go but his wife stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cummings drives to the hospital to pick his wife and son up , but says he did not leave the car or have any contact with anyone during the trip to the hospital .
A neighbour tells the Daily Mirror and The Guardian they have spotted Mr Cummings in his parents ' garden .
`` I got the shock of my life as I looked over to the gates and saw him , '' they said .
Mr Cummings later says the nearest homes to his parents are around half a mile away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the normal sense of the word '' .
England 's deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries says being too ill to look after a small child was an `` exceptional circumstance '' to the lockdown rules and she pointed to accessing family support , among other options .
After seeking medical advice , Mr Cummings is told he is able to return to work and seek childcare .
Mr Cummings and his family were seen walking by the River Tees in Barnard Castle , 30 miles from Durham , before getting into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sunday Mirror suggested on 23 May .
During Monday 's news conference , Mr Cummings confirmed the trip took place , claiming it was to check if he was well enough to drive home .
He said : `` My wife was very worried , particularly as my eyesight seemed to have been affected by the disease .
Mr Cummings is pictured in Downing Street after recovering from coronavirus symptoms .
More than a fortnight after the first sighting of Mr Cummings in Durham , and five days after being photographed back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is claimed he was seen in the North East again .
Reports suggest that on the second visit , passers-by saw Mr Cummings at Houghall Woods , near his parents ' home .
Mr Cummings has denied this , saying : `` Photos and data on my phone prove this to be false , I was in London on that day . ''
`` I felt breathless , sometimes achy , but Dom could n't get out of bed , '' she said .
`` Day in , day out for 10 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and spasms that made the muscles lump and twitch in his legs .
He could breathe , but only in a limited , shallow way . ''
The government lifts the restriction on how far people can drive to reach the countryside and take exercise .
Visits and overnight stays to second homes remain prohibited .
The Daily Mirror and The Guardian break the news of Mr Cummings ' trip to Durham .
Downing Street appears to be standing by Mr Cummings , saying in a statement : `` Owing to his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high likelihood that he would himself become unwell , it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for .
`` At no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter , as is being reported .
`` His actions were in line with coronavirus guidelines .
Mr Cummings believes he behaved reasonably and legally . ''
Mr Cummings also tells journalists outside his home : `` I behaved reasonably and legally . ''
When a reporter suggests that his actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Who cares about good looks ?
`` It 's a question of doing the right thing .
It 's not about what you guys think . ''
Dr Harries clarifies that travelling during lockdown was permissible if `` there was an extreme risk to life '' , with a `` safeguarding clause '' attached to all advice to prevent vulnerable people being stuck at home with no support .
Meanwhile , the Labour Party and the SNP writes a letter to Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill demanding an inquiry into what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Number 10 spokeswoman accuses the Mirror and The Guardian of writing `` inaccurate '' stories about Mr Cummings , including claims he had returned to Durham after going back to work in Downing Street on 14 April .
`` We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers , '' the spokeswoman said .
When asked by a journalist outside his home whether he had returned to Durham in April , Mr Cummings replies : `` No , I did not . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to resign or for Mr Johnson to sack him , including Sir Roger Gale , Simon Hoare and Caroline Noakes .
Eyewitness Robin Lees , a 70-year-old retired chemistry teacher , tells Sky News he saw someone who `` looked like '' Dominic Cummings on a family walk 25 miles outside of Durham during lockdown and wrote down what he described as a `` distinctive '' number plate .
Later , Mr Cummings is seen entering Downing Street .
During a coronavirus briefing , the prime minister defends Mr Cummings , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with integrity '' .
Mr Johnson says his top aide `` followed the instincts of every father and every parent '' , adding , `` I do not mark him down for that '' .
Mr Cummings gives a news conference from Downing Street , saying : `` I do n't regret what I did . ''

Dominic Cummings has faced calls to resign after he drove from London to County Durham in spite of lockdown restrictions.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, the prime minister's senior adviser gave his own account of his events.
Here is a timeline of the lockdown measures and Mr Cummings' movements:
18 March
At a Downing Street briefing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson says "everyone" must follow the advice to "stay at home for seven days" if they believe they have coronavirus symptoms.
He said that if one member of a household thinks they have COVID-19 symptoms, then the whole household must stay at home for 14 days.
He added that in those circumstances: "Children should not be left with older grandparents, or older relatives, who may be particularly vulnerable or fall into some of the vulnerable groups."
22 March
Government guidance states that people must remain "in their primary residence", adding that "not taking these steps puts additional pressure on communities and services that are already at risk...Leaving your home - the place you live - to stay at another home is not allowed".
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23 March
Strict lockdown rules are imposed which mean people can only leave their houses for essential travel.
In a TV address to the nation, Mr Johnson says people must stay at home to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Image: Boris Johnson announced lockdown measures in a TV address to the nation. Pic: Andrew Parsons
27 March
Mr Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock are confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus.
Mr Cummings is seen running along Downing Street shortly after the prime minister posts a video saying he has contracted the virus.
Image: Dominic Cummings seen running from 10 Downing Street on 27 March
Explaining his actions at Monday's news conference, Mr Cummings said: "I suddenly got a call from my wife who was looking after our four-year-old child. She told me she suddenly felt badly ill."
He said that after he went home, his wife felt better and he had returned to work.
That evening, he said he "drove up to Durham" and arrived at "roughly midnight" with his family.
28 March
Mr Cummings says he woke up "in pain and clearly had COVID symptoms, including a bad headache and a serious fever".
30 March
Downing Street confirms Mr Cummings is self-isolating after developing symptoms of the virus.
Durham Police are "made aware of reports that an individual had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city".
The force says officers "made contact with the owners of that address who confirmed that the individual in question was present and was self-isolating in part of the house".
1 April
Durham Constabulary says that on this date, an officer spoke to Mr Cummings' father, who confirmed that the family were staying at the property.
In a statement, police said: "We can further confirm that our officer gave no specific advice on coronavirus to any members of the family and that Durham Constabulary deemed that no further action was required in that regard.
"Our officer did, however, provide the family with advice on security issues."
2 April
During the night, Mr Cummings' son is ill so the couple "took medical advice which was to call 999".
The child is taken to hospital by ambulance.
Mr Cummings says he was too ill to go but his wife stayed the night with their son.
3 April
Mr Cummings drives to the hospital to pick his wife and son up, but says he did not leave the car or have any contact with anyone during the trip to the hospital.
5 April
A neighbour tells the Daily Mirror and The Guardian they have spotted Mr Cummings in his parents' garden.
"I got the shock of my life as I looked over to the gates and saw him," they said.
Mr Cummings later says the nearest homes to his parents are around half a mile away, and there are no neighbours "in the normal sense of the word".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 14:11 In full: Dominic Cummings' statement
10 April
England's deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries says being too ill to look after a small child was an "exceptional circumstance" to the lockdown rules and she pointed to accessing family support, among other options.
11 April
After seeking medical advice, Mr Cummings is told he is able to return to work and seek childcare.
12 April
Mr Cummings and his family were seen walking by the River Tees in Barnard Castle, 30 miles from Durham, before getting into a car around lunchtime, reports by the Sunday Mirror suggested on 23 May.
During Monday's news conference, Mr Cummings confirmed the trip took place, claiming it was to check if he was well enough to drive home.
He said: "My wife was very worried, particularly as my eyesight seemed to have been affected by the disease.
14 April
Mr Cummings is pictured in Downing Street after recovering from coronavirus symptoms.
Image: Dominic Cummings attends the government's daily briefing on 14 April
19 April
More than a fortnight after the first sighting of Mr Cummings in Durham, and five days after being photographed back at work in Downing Street, it is claimed he was seen in the North East again.
Reports suggest that on the second visit, passers-by saw Mr Cummings at Houghall Woods, near his parents' home.
Mr Cummings has denied this, saying: "Photos and data on my phone prove this to be false, I was in London on that day."
25 April
In a Spectator column, Mr Cummings's wife, Mary Wakefield, detailed his illness.
"I felt breathless, sometimes achy, but Dom couldn't get out of bed," she said.
Image: Dominic Cummings is seen at Downing Street at the end of April
"Day in, day out for 10 days he lay doggo with a high fever and spasms that made the muscles lump and twitch in his legs. He could breathe, but only in a limited, shallow way."
13 May
The government lifts the restriction on how far people can drive to reach the countryside and take exercise.
Visits and overnight stays to second homes remain prohibited.
22 May
The Daily Mirror and The Guardian break the news of Mr Cummings' trip to Durham.
23 May
Downing Street appears to be standing by Mr Cummings, saying in a statement: "Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus and the high likelihood that he would himself become unwell, it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for.
"At no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter, as is being reported.
"His actions were in line with coronavirus guidelines. Mr Cummings believes he behaved reasonably and legally."
Mr Cummings also tells journalists outside his home: "I behaved reasonably and legally."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 14:39 Minister on Cummings - full uncomfortable interview
When a reporter suggests that his actions did not look good, he responds: "Who cares about good looks?
"It's a question of doing the right thing. It's not about what you guys think."
Dr Harries clarifies that travelling during lockdown was permissible if "there was an extreme risk to life", with a "safeguarding clause" attached to all advice to prevent vulnerable people being stuck at home with no support.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party and the SNP writes a letter to Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill demanding an inquiry into what happened.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 'People are rightly angry with Cummings' - shadow policing minister
In another evening statement, a Number 10 spokeswoman accuses the Mirror and The Guardian of writing "inaccurate" stories about Mr Cummings, including claims he had returned to Durham after going back to work in Downing Street on 14 April.
"We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers," the spokeswoman said.
24 May
When asked by a journalist outside his home whether he had returned to Durham in April, Mr Cummings replies: "No, I did not."
A host of Conservative MPs call for him to resign or for Mr Johnson to sack him, including Sir Roger Gale, Simon Hoare and Caroline Noakes.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:35 'Cummings has not abided by his own rules' - Conservative MP Steve Baker
Eyewitness Robin Lees, a 70-year-old retired chemistry teacher, tells Sky News he saw someone who "looked like" Dominic Cummings on a family walk 25 miles outside of Durham during lockdown and wrote down what he described as a "distinctive" number plate.
Later, Mr Cummings is seen entering Downing Street.
During a coronavirus briefing, the prime minister defends Mr Cummings, saying he "acted responsibly, legally and with integrity".
Mr Johnson says his top aide "followed the instincts of every father and every parent", adding, "I do not mark him down for that".
25 May
Mr Cummings gives a news conference from Downing Street, saying: "I don't regret what I did."


news--2020-05-23--Test and trace system to launch this week after 25,000 contact tracers recruited

Ministers have recruited 25,000 contact tracers ahead of the launch of the government 's flagship test and trace programme which aims to stop the spread of coronavirus .
The programme , which involves tracing and advising people who may have come into close contact with someone testing positive for the virus , is set to launch at the end of this week .
The government has been aiming for human contact tracers to be in place for Monday 1 June , the earliest date for opening schools and non-essential shops in England .
Widespread contact tracing was abandoned in mid-March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK , but a test , track and trace ( TTT ) strategy is now seen as playing a crucial role in efforts to ease the lockdown while avoiding a second wave of infections .
The government is also currently trialling a contact-tracing NHS app on the Isle of Wight .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has sought to play down the importance of the delayed app in the contact tracing process .
He had originally said the app would be rolled out by mid-May , but it has now been delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trace system will involve the public being asked to work closely with the newly-recruited contact tracers , who will run a national virtual call centre operation , the government says .
The contact tracers will request that individuals testing positive for COVID-19 share information about who they have been in recent , prolonged close contact with and who might have been exposed to the virus .
This is most likely to be either be members of someone 's own household or work colleagues .
By informing those who might have been exposed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and guidance to keep them safe and to prevent the virus from spreading further .
A Number 10 spokesperson said : `` A test and trace system allows us to isolate new infections so that we can control the spread of this virus , which will be vital while coronavirus remains present in the UK .
`` As we continue on the road to recovery , this will mean that in time lockdown will no longer be necessary for the vast majority of the public and instead it will be possible for there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small number of people .
`` For this to be effective , everyone will need to stay alert and play their part to control the virus and save lives .
`` By working with our tracers and complying with the rules , the public will avoid unknowingly spreading the virus to their family and loved ones and this new test and trace service will help to control coronavirus . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Meanwhile it has emerged the prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday to discuss the ways lockdown restrictions will begin to ease for certain sectors .
While no changes are expected before 1 June , it is understood that guidance and advice will be given in relation to the sectors that are covered in step two of the government 's roadmap for exiting the lockdown .
This will include an update on the new test , track and trace programme , an announcement on schools , and potentially an update on non-essential retail .

Ministers have recruited 25,000 contact tracers ahead of the launch of the government's flagship test and trace programme which aims to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The programme, which involves tracing and advising people who may have come into close contact with someone testing positive for the virus, is set to launch at the end of this week.
The government has been aiming for human contact tracers to be in place for Monday 1 June, the earliest date for opening schools and non-essential shops in England.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:13 Ministers say tracing plan on schedule
Widespread contact tracing was abandoned in mid-March as the number of COVID-19 cases soared in the UK, but a test, track and trace (TTT) strategy is now seen as playing a crucial role in efforts to ease the lockdown while avoiding a second wave of infections.
The government is also currently trialling a contact-tracing NHS app on the Isle of Wight.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has sought to play down the importance of the delayed app in the contact tracing process.
He had originally said the app would be rolled out by mid-May, but it has now been delayed by several weeks.
Image: The NHS coronavirus contact tracing app is being trialled on the Isle of Wight
The test and trace system will involve the public being asked to work closely with the newly-recruited contact tracers, who will run a national virtual call centre operation, the government says.
The contact tracers will request that individuals testing positive for COVID-19 share information about who they have been in recent, prolonged close contact with and who might have been exposed to the virus.
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This is most likely to be either be members of someone's own household or work colleagues.
By informing those who might have been exposed, contact tracers can ensure they receive advice and guidance to keep them safe and to prevent the virus from spreading further.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:23 How the UK will lift lockdown measures
A Number 10 spokesperson said: "A test and trace system allows us to isolate new infections so that we can control the spread of this virus, which will be vital while coronavirus remains present in the UK.
"As we continue on the road to recovery, this will mean that in time lockdown will no longer be necessary for the vast majority of the public and instead it will be possible for there to be a targeted lockdown for a small number of people.
"For this to be effective, everyone will need to stay alert and play their part to control the virus and save lives.
"By working with our tracers and complying with the rules, the public will avoid unknowingly spreading the virus to their family and loved ones and this new test and trace service will help to control coronavirus."
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Meanwhile it has emerged the prime minister will hold a cabinet meeting on Monday to discuss the ways lockdown restrictions will begin to ease for certain sectors.
While no changes are expected before 1 June, it is understood that guidance and advice will be given in relation to the sectors that are covered in step two of the government's roadmap for exiting the lockdown.
This will include an update on the new test, track and trace programme, an announcement on schools, and potentially an update on non-essential retail.


news--2020-05-24--Coronavirus 'disappearing' so fast Oxford vaccine has 'only 50% chance of working'

There is only a 50 % chance of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine working because cases in the UK are declining so fast , one of the scientists behind it has warned .
The University of Oxford 's Jenner Institute and the Oxford Vaccine Group began developing a COVID-19 vaccine in January using a virus taken from chimpanzees .
But with the number of UK coronavirus cases dropping every day , there may not be enough people to test it on , according to the institute 's director Professor Adrian Hill .
He told The Sunday Telegraph : `` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and against time .
We said earlier in the year that there was an 80 % chance of developing an effective vaccine by September .
`` But at the moment , there 's a 50 % chance that we get no result at all .
We 're in the bizarre position of wanting COVID to stay , at least for a little while . ''
On Saturday , 282 people were reported to have died of the virus in the UK across hospitals , care homes and the community .
The figure has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's outbreak , when almost 1,000 people were dying every day in hospitals alone .
Trials of the vaccine - officially known as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 ( pronounced Chaddox One ) - began with an initial phase of testing on 160 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55 to see if it could effectively fight off the virus .
The study is set to progress to a second and third phase , which will involve testing up to 10,260 people and expanding the age of participants to include children and the elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker But if not enough people are able to catch the virus , scientists will not have enough evidence to prove it is effective and roll it out for NHS use .
ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 is made from ChAdOx1 , a weakened version of the common cold virus ( adenovirus ) which causes infections in chimpanzees .
The virus has been manipulated so that it can not harm humans , but also contains part of the coronavirus so that it would trigger the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spike proteins which it uses to enter human cells and multiply .

There is only a 50% chance of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine working because cases in the UK are declining so fast, one of the scientists behind it has warned.
The University of Oxford's Jenner Institute and the Oxford Vaccine Group began developing a COVID-19 vaccine in January using a virus taken from chimpanzees.
But with the number of UK coronavirus cases dropping every day, there may not be enough people to test it on, according to the institute's director Professor Adrian Hill.
He told The Sunday Telegraph: "It's a race against the virus disappearing, and against time. We said earlier in the year that there was an 80% chance of developing an effective vaccine by September.
"But at the moment, there's a 50% chance that we get no result at all. We're in the bizarre position of wanting COVID to stay, at least for a little while."
On Saturday, 282 people were reported to have died of the virus in the UK across hospitals, care homes and the community.
The figure has fallen dramatically since the peak of Britain's outbreak, when almost 1,000 people were dying every day in hospitals alone.
Trials of the vaccine - officially known as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (pronounced Chaddox One) - began with an initial phase of testing on 160 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55 to see if it could effectively fight off the virus.
The study is set to progress to a second and third phase, which will involve testing up to 10,260 people and expanding the age of participants to include children and the elderly.
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But if not enough people are able to catch the virus, scientists will not have enough evidence to prove it is effective and roll it out for NHS use.
ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 is made from ChAdOx1, a weakened version of the common cold virus (adenovirus) which causes infections in chimpanzees.
The virus has been manipulated so that it cannot harm humans, but also contains part of the coronavirus so that it would trigger the body's immune response to COVID-19's spike proteins which it uses to enter human cells and multiply.


news--2020-05-23--Coronavirus: Dominic Cummings made second trip to Durham during lockdown - reports

Boris Johnson is facing mounting pressure to sack his chief adviser following further claims that Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules .
The prime minister 's top adviser had already admitted that he drove 260 miles from London to Durham with his wife and young son in March to self-isolate at a family property despite strict restrictions against long-distance journeys .
Now , the Sunday Mirror and the Observer claim he made a second trip to Durham and was seen there on 19 April - five days after being photographed in Downing Street on his return to Westminster .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Houghall Woods near his parents ' Durham home on 19 April .
And a week earlier , the papers said he was seen in Barnard Castle , 30 miles away from the city , during the period he was believed to be self-isolating .
No photographic evidence has been published , and the reports are based on the testimonies of two eyewitnesses .
According to the papers , 70-year-old retired teacher Robin Lees said he saw Mr Cummings and his family walking by the River Tees near Barnard Castle .
He told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was a bit gobsmacked to see him , because I know what he looks like .
`` It just beggars belief to think you could actually drive when the advice was stay home , save lives .
It could n't have been clearer . ''
The papers also reported that a second source - who did not want to be named - recalled seeing Mr Cummings in woodland near his family 's Durham property on 19 April , recognising his trademark beanie hat .
Mr Cummings was reportedly heard commenting on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an early-morning Sunday walk with his wife .
A Number 10 statement issued on Saturday evening said : `` Yesterday the Mirror and Guardian wrote inaccurate stories about Mr Cummings .
`` Today they are writing more inaccurate stories including claims that Mr Cummings returned to Durham after returning to work in Downing Street on 14 April .
We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers . ''
Sometime in late March , Mr Cummings allegedly broke lockdown rules when he travelled from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son to stay near his elderly parents - after his spouse had coronavirus symptoms .
Mr Cummings said he went to the North East so he would have help from relatives to care for his four-year-old son if he also became unwell .
On 30 March , Number 10 said Mr Cummings showed COVID-19 signs .
A Downing Street spokesman said on Saturday : `` His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case their help was needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and left everything outside . ''
Mr Cummings has insisted he `` behaved reasonably and legally '' when asked by reporters this weekend why he thought it was reasonable to make the trip .
Durham police confirmed on Friday they spoke to the owners of a property on 31 March , a week after the prime minister imposed the lockdown .
But Downing Street said nobody related to Mr Cummings was spoken to by police , and it was entirely right for him to seek childcare for his four-year-old son .
On Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoken to Mr Cummings 's father during the lockdown period .
In a statement , the force said : `` On Tuesday , 31 March , our officers were made aware that Dominic Cummings had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city .
`` At the request of Mr Cummings 's father , an officer made contact the following morning by telephone .
`` During that conversation , Mr Cummings 's father confirmed that his son had travelled with his family from London to the North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the property .
`` Durham Constabulary deemed that no further action was required .
However , the officer did provide advice in relation to security issues . ''
A Labour source said of the fresh allegations : `` If these latest revelations are true , why on earth were cabinet ministers sent out this afternoon to defend Dominic Cummings ?
`` We need an urgent investigation by the cabinet secretary to get to the bottom of this matter .
`` It can not be right that there is one rule for the prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British people . ''
The SNP 's Westminster leader Ian Blackford echoed calls by acting leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey for Boris Johnson to sack Mr Cummings .
He wrote on Twitter : `` It is clear that Boris Johnson must sack Dominic Cummings .
`` When the PM 's top adviser ignores the government 's instruction to the public not to engage in non-essential travel he has to leave office .
Immediately . ''
During a briefing on Saturday afternoon , prior to the second visit allegations , Transport Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` full support '' of the PM .
Asked to clarify guidance about travelling during lockdown , deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said it was `` clear '' someone with symptoms should self-isolate along with their family .
Dr Harries said if there was a `` safeguarding issue '' where a child had `` no support '' , that was also an issue .
`` There 's always a safeguarding clause in all of the advice , '' she said , adding : `` The interpretation of that advice is probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , senior members of government had voiced their support for Mr Cummings , including Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab .
But on Sunday , Conservative backbencher Steve Baker joined opposition calls and said Mr Cummings `` must go '' .
`` Enormous political capital is being expended saving someone who has boasted of making decisions beyond his competence and who clearly broke at the very least the guidance which kept mums and dads at home , without childcare from their parents , and instead risked spreading the virus by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an article for The Critic online magazine .
`` Dominic Cummings must go before he does any more harm to the UK , the Government , the Prime Minister , our institutions or the Conservative Party , '' the former Brexit minister added .
On Monday , Mr Johnson will hold a cabinet meeting to discuss ways to slowly end lockdown restrictions for certain sectors .
And the track and test system is set to be launched at the end of the week .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spreaker 18 March : At his Downing Street briefing the PM said : `` Children should not be left with older grandparents , or older relatives , who may be particularly vulnerable or fall into some of the vulnerable groups . ''
22 March : Government advice is that people must remain in their primary residence and not travel to their second homes : `` Leaving your home - the place you live - to stay at another home is not allowed . ''
23 March : Strict lockdown rules are imposed which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for essential travel .
27 March : Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock are confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus .
Mr Cummings is seen running along Downing Street .
Weekend of 28 and 29 March : Over this weekend , Mr Cummings developed coronavirus symptoms , Downing Street later confirmed .
31 March : Mr Cummings travelled to his family 's farm in Durham - and it was on this date that Mr Cummings ' family were spoken to by police .
10 April : Deputy chief medical officer Jenny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a small child was an `` exceptional circumstance '' and she pointed to accessing family support , among other options .
12 April : Mr Cummings was seen in Barnard Castle , 30 miles from his parents ' Durham home , according to reports .
14 April : Mr Cummings is pictured in Downing Street after recovering from coronavirus .
19 April : He was allegedly seen in Durham after apparently returning there , according to reports .

Boris Johnson is facing mounting pressure to sack his chief adviser following further claims that Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules.
The prime minister's top adviser had already admitted that he drove 260 miles from London to Durham with his wife and young son in March to self-isolate at a family property despite strict restrictions against long-distance journeys.
Now, the Sunday Mirror and the Observer claim he made a second trip to Durham and was seen there on 19 April - five days after being photographed in Downing Street on his return to Westminster.
Image: Dominic Cummings is pictured leaving Downing Street on 14 April
In the latest allegations, he was reportedly spotted in Houghall Woods near his parents' Durham home on 19 April.
And a week earlier, the papers said he was seen in Barnard Castle, 30 miles away from the city, during the period he was believed to be self-isolating.
No photographic evidence has been published, and the reports are based on the testimonies of two eyewitnesses.
According to the papers, 70-year-old retired teacher Robin Lees said he saw Mr Cummings and his family walking by the River Tees near Barnard Castle.
He told the Observer and Sunday Mirror: "I was a bit gobsmacked to see him, because I know what he looks like.
"It just beggars belief to think you could actually drive when the advice was stay home, save lives. It couldn't have been clearer."
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The papers also reported that a second source - who did not want to be named - recalled seeing Mr Cummings in woodland near his family's Durham property on 19 April, recognising his trademark beanie hat.
Mr Cummings was reportedly heard commenting on how "lovely" the bluebells were during an early-morning Sunday walk with his wife.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 Cummings 'obviously not' going to resign
Downing Street has branded the latest claims "false".
A Number 10 statement issued on Saturday evening said: "Yesterday the Mirror and Guardian wrote inaccurate stories about Mr Cummings.
"Today they are writing more inaccurate stories including claims that Mr Cummings returned to Durham after returning to work in Downing Street on 14 April. We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers."
Sometime in late March, Mr Cummings allegedly broke lockdown rules when he travelled from London to Durham with his wife and son to stay near his elderly parents - after his spouse had coronavirus symptoms.
Mr Cummings said he went to the North East so he would have help from relatives to care for his four-year-old son if he also became unwell. On 30 March, Number 10 said Mr Cummings showed COVID-19 signs.
A Downing Street spokesman said on Saturday: "His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case their help was needed. His sister shopped for the family and left everything outside."
Mr Cummings has insisted he "behaved reasonably and legally" when asked by reporters this weekend why he thought it was reasonable to make the trip.
Durham police confirmed on Friday they spoke to the owners of a property on 31 March, a week after the prime minister imposed the lockdown.
But Downing Street said nobody related to Mr Cummings was spoken to by police, and it was entirely right for him to seek childcare for his four-year-old son.
On Saturday evening, Durham police confirmed officers had spoken to Mr Cummings's father during the lockdown period.
In a statement, the force said: "On Tuesday, 31 March, our officers were made aware that Dominic Cummings had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:48 MPs respond to Cummings lockdown breach
"At the request of Mr Cummings's father, an officer made contact the following morning by telephone.
"During that conversation, Mr Cummings's father confirmed that his son had travelled with his family from London to the North East and was self-isolating in part of the property.
"Durham Constabulary deemed that no further action was required. However, the officer did provide advice in relation to security issues."
A Labour source said of the fresh allegations: "If these latest revelations are true, why on earth were cabinet ministers sent out this afternoon to defend Dominic Cummings?
"We need an urgent investigation by the cabinet secretary to get to the bottom of this matter.
"It cannot be right that there is one rule for the prime minister's adviser and another for the British people."
The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford echoed calls by acting leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey for Boris Johnson to sack Mr Cummings.
He wrote on Twitter: "It is clear that Boris Johnson must sack Dominic Cummings.
"When the PM's top adviser ignores the government's instruction to the public not to engage in non-essential travel he has to leave office. Immediately."
During a briefing on Saturday afternoon, prior to the second visit allegations, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps stated Mr Cummings had the "full support" of the PM.
Asked to clarify guidance about travelling during lockdown, deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said it was "clear" someone with symptoms should self-isolate along with their family.
Dr Harries said if there was a "safeguarding issue" where a child had "no support", that was also an issue.
"There's always a safeguarding clause in all of the advice," she said, adding: "The interpretation of that advice is probably for others."
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On Saturday morning, senior members of government had voiced their support for Mr Cummings, including Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
But on Sunday, Conservative backbencher Steve Baker joined opposition calls and said Mr Cummings "must go".
"Enormous political capital is being expended saving someone who has boasted of making decisions beyond his competence and who clearly broke at the very least the guidance which kept mums and dads at home, without childcare from their parents, and instead risked spreading the virus by travelling," wrote the MP in an article for The Critic online magazine.
"Dominic Cummings must go before he does any more harm to the UK, the Government, the Prime Minister, our institutions or the Conservative Party," the former Brexit minister added.
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On Monday, Mr Johnson will hold a cabinet meeting to discuss ways to slowly end lockdown restrictions for certain sectors.
And the track and test system is set to be launched at the end of the week.
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A timeline of Dominic Cummings during lockdown:
18 March: At his Downing Street briefing the PM said: "Children should not be left with older grandparents, or older relatives, who may be particularly vulnerable or fall into some of the vulnerable groups."
22 March: Government advice is that people must remain in their primary residence and not travel to their second homes: "Leaving your home - the place you live - to stay at another home is not allowed."
23 March: Strict lockdown rules are imposed which mean people can only leave their houses for essential travel.
27 March: Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock are confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus. Mr Cummings is seen running along Downing Street.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:15 Mr Cummings is seen running from No 10
Weekend of 28 and 29 March: Over this weekend, Mr Cummings developed coronavirus symptoms, Downing Street later confirmed.
31 March: Mr Cummings travelled to his family's farm in Durham - and it was on this date that Mr Cummings' family were spoken to by police.
10 April: Deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries said being too ill to look after a small child was an "exceptional circumstance" and she pointed to accessing family support, among other options.
12 April: Mr Cummings was seen in Barnard Castle, 30 miles from his parents' Durham home, according to reports.
14 April: Mr Cummings is pictured in Downing Street after recovering from coronavirus.
19 April: He was allegedly seen in Durham after apparently returning there, according to reports.
25 April: In a Spectator column, Mr Cummings' wife, Mary Wakefield, detailed his illness.


news--2020-05-23--Coronavirus: Brazil is third worst-hit country - but its regions could ease lockdown

Brazil has confirmed more than 330,890 cases of COVID-19 and is close to overtaking Russia to become the country with the second-highest number of infections in the world .
Brazil reported a total of 21,048 coronavirus-related deaths on Friday , making it the hardest-hit nation in Latin America .
It looks set to overtake Russia , which has a total of 335,882 cases .
The two countries are behind only the US , which has more than 1.6 million cases .
However , states and cities across Brazil are debating whether to loosen restrictive measures .
The mayor of Rio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen non-essential shops in the next few days .
In Sao Paulo , the worst-hit city , footage showed rows of graves at the Formosa Cemetery as it struggled to keep up with demand as officials reconsidered its previously announced plans to reopen commerce .
Brazil and Mexico have reported record numbers of infections and deaths almost daily this week , fuelling ongoing criticism of their presidents who were slow to enforce restrictive measures in an attempt to limit economic damage .
Far-right Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro has seen his poll ratings drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two heath ministers left their positions within a month after he continued to push for the use of the anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat even mild cases of COVID-19 - despite the lack of conclusive evidence of their effectiveness .
Infections have also risen in Peru , Chile and Ecuador - countries which imposed early and aggressive business shutdowns and quarantines .
Colombia reported its biggest daily increase on Friday , with 801 new confirmed cases and 30 deaths .
The country has been locked down for nearly two months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus to date .
The true number of cases and deaths across Latin America is likely higher than the figures suggest , as the region has been slow to ramp up testing .
Meanwhile , coronavirus cases have continued to fall in much of Asia , with China - where the outbreak began - reporting no new confirmed cases .
There were just 23 new infections in South Korea , mostly from the densely populated Seoul area where authorities shut down thousands of nightclubs and bars to curb the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardest hit country in the world , with more than 96,000 deaths , however some regions are opening more quickly than others .
Michigan 's stay-at-home order was extended until 12 June while keeping theatres , gyms and other places of public accommodation closed until at least then , while Nevada is preparing to reopen its casinos , including ones in Las Vegas , from 4 June .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Russian president Vladimir Putin said coronavirus has stabilised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new infections dropping .
Mr Putin said on Friday that `` the positive dynamic is not so fast as we would like it to be , sometimes even unstable , but it does exist . ''

Brazil has confirmed more than 330,890 cases of COVID-19 and is close to overtaking Russia to become the country with the second-highest number of infections in the world.
Brazil reported a total of 21,048 coronavirus-related deaths on Friday, making it the hardest-hit nation in Latin America.
It looks set to overtake Russia, which has a total of 335,882 cases. The two countries are behind only the US, which has more than 1.6 million cases.
Image: A patient holds a sign that reads 'I beat the COVID-19 #StayAtHome' at a hospital in Manaus, Brazil
However, states and cities across Brazil are debating whether to loosen restrictive measures.
The mayor of Rio de Janeiro said he wanted to gradually reopen non-essential shops in the next few days.
In Sao Paulo, the worst-hit city, footage showed rows of graves at the Formosa Cemetery as it struggled to keep up with demand as officials reconsidered its previously announced plans to reopen commerce.
Brazil and Mexico have reported record numbers of infections and deaths almost daily this week, fuelling ongoing criticism of their presidents who were slow to enforce restrictive measures in an attempt to limit economic damage.
Far-right Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro has seen his poll ratings drop over his handling of the crisis.
Two heath ministers left their positions within a month after he continued to push for the use of the anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat even mild cases of COVID-19 - despite the lack of conclusive evidence of their effectiveness.
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Infections have also risen in Peru, Chile and Ecuador - countries which imposed early and aggressive business shutdowns and quarantines.
Colombia reported its biggest daily increase on Friday, with 801 new confirmed cases and 30 deaths. The country has been locked down for nearly two months, with nearly 20,000 people being diagnosed with the virus to date.
Image: Aerial view of dug graves at the Vila Formosa Cemetery on the outskirts of Sao Paulo
Image: Relatives react during the burial of 64-year-old Raimunda Conceicao Souza, who died from COVID-19, at Vila Formosa cemetery, Sao Paulo
The true number of cases and deaths across Latin America is likely higher than the figures suggest, as the region has been slow to ramp up testing.
Meanwhile, coronavirus cases have continued to fall in much of Asia, with China - where the outbreak began - reporting no new confirmed cases.
Image: Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro has been criticised over his response to the coronavirus pandemic
Image: A woman wearing a protective face mask sunbaths in Ipanema beach amid the coronavirus outbreak in Rio de Janeiro
There were just 23 new infections in South Korea, mostly from the densely populated Seoul area where authorities shut down thousands of nightclubs and bars to curb the spread of the disease.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:04 Brazil records 1,000 deaths in a single day
The US has been the hardest hit country in the world, with more than 96,000 deaths, however some regions are opening more quickly than others.
Michigan's stay-at-home order was extended until 12 June while keeping theatres, gyms and other places of public accommodation closed until at least then, while Nevada is preparing to reopen its casinos, including ones in Las Vegas, from 4 June.
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Russian president Vladimir Putin said coronavirus has stabilised in the country, with the number of new infections dropping.
Mr Putin said on Friday that "the positive dynamic is not so fast as we would like it to be, sometimes even unstable, but it does exist."


news--2020-05-24--Coronavirus: Next chapter of life for 106-year-old who survived COVID-19 and Spanish flu

A 106-year-old woman who survived coronavirus and the Spanish flu says she 's looking forward to the next stage of her life , as she is about to have her memoirs published .
Freda Hodgson became unwell with suspected COVID-19 at the beginning of April .
She had been sick , with a fever , a chest infection and had aches all over her body .
She told Sky News : `` I had pain in my knees .
I could n't turn over .
Pain in my back .
I could n't raise myself up .
My neck , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did n't want to do anything . ''
Living in a retirement village in Surrey , Freda 's family were especially concerned because they were n't able to visit .
But she has since made a full recovery .
In fact , she is now back to drinking her much loved brandy and ginger and is looking forward to seeing her granddaughter in person .
For now , she 's making do with video calls , which she insists are `` the next best thing '' .
Freda is one of several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hersham , Surrey , a charitable care organisation set up in 1917 for older people with limited means .
Five residents have now successfully recovered from coronavirus , but it has n't been easy .
The Whiteley Village 's chief executive , Rachel Hill , said : `` In the early days the information that was coming out was quite conflicting , particularly around PPE ( personal protective equipment ) where the policies were changing on an almost daily basis .
`` With regards to finance , we are a charity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country these are really difficult times for us at the moment .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' We 've had to spend more than we had in our budget for things like PPE for example , but we 've lost money from things like fundraising events and for the hire of our facilities that we often use to bring in more income to support us . ''
Freda has certainly lived a colourful life .
She was born in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baronet , she had a privileged upbringing and was raised in a castle .
She had four children , and brought them up in what is now Zimbabwe , before fleeing the country with just a pound in her pocket .
They grew up to look like a collection of film stars , she says , but sadly only one is still alive .
Freda is no stranger to royalty and has even cooked for the Queen .
`` It 's not regular cooking , '' she recalls .
`` She had lamb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing up against other bits of meat .
There were big piles of different kind of vegetables , brussel sprouts , peas . ''
Dressed in a bright red hair tie , matching nail varnish and gold clip on earrings , you would n't think that Freda was 106 .
She has survived two world wars , one civil war , the Spanish flu and now COVID-19 .
Her granddaughter , Natasha Hyde-Smith is understandably proud .
She said : `` She has been through a lot , lots of sad things ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what she is ; she is a very strong , determined , stoic lady and has a very good sense of humour .
`` When gran was growing up , I do n't think she felt truly loved because of the generation ... that 's why she had four children to bring love into her life . ''
Freda insists she is now looking forward to the next stage of her life .
She is having a book published , which will recount her life experiences over the last century .

A 106-year-old woman who survived coronavirus and the Spanish flu says she's looking forward to the next stage of her life, as she is about to have her memoirs published.
Freda Hodgson became unwell with suspected COVID-19 at the beginning of April. She had been sick, with a fever, a chest infection and had aches all over her body.
She told Sky News: "I had pain in my knees. I couldn't turn over. Pain in my back. I couldn't raise myself up. My neck, I couldn't raise my neck... I didn't want to do anything."
Living in a retirement village in Surrey, Freda's family were especially concerned because they weren't able to visit. But she has since made a full recovery.
In fact, she is now back to drinking her much loved brandy and ginger and is looking forward to seeing her granddaughter in person.
Image: Only one of Freda's four children is still alive
For now, she's making do with video calls, which she insists are "the next best thing".
Freda is one of several centenarians who live in the Whiteley Village in Hersham, Surrey, a charitable care organisation set up in 1917 for older people with limited means.
Five residents have now successfully recovered from coronavirus, but it hasn't been easy.
The Whiteley Village's chief executive, Rachel Hill, said: "In the early days the information that was coming out was quite conflicting, particularly around PPE (personal protective equipment) where the policies were changing on an almost daily basis.
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"With regards to finance, we are a charity. So like other charities up and down the country these are really difficult times for us at the moment.
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"We've had to spend more than we had in our budget for things like PPE for example, but we've lost money from things like fundraising events and for the hire of our facilities that we often use to bring in more income to support us."
Freda has certainly lived a colourful life. She was born in 1913. As the daughter of a baronet, she had a privileged upbringing and was raised in a castle.
She had four children, and brought them up in what is now Zimbabwe, before fleeing the country with just a pound in her pocket.
They grew up to look like a collection of film stars, she says, but sadly only one is still alive.
Freda is no stranger to royalty and has even cooked for the Queen.
"It's not regular cooking," she recalls.
"She had lamb chops. Two each. They were standing up against other bits of meat. There were big piles of different kind of vegetables, brussel sprouts, peas."
Dressed in a bright red hair tie, matching nail varnish and gold clip on earrings, you wouldn't think that Freda was 106.
She has survived two world wars, one civil war, the Spanish flu and now COVID-19. Her granddaughter, Natasha Hyde-Smith is understandably proud.
She said: "She has been through a lot, lots of sad things... but all of those have made her what she is; she is a very strong, determined, stoic lady and has a very good sense of humour.
"When gran was growing up, I don't think she felt truly loved because of the generation... that's why she had four children to bring love into her life."
Freda insists she is now looking forward to the next stage of her life. She is having a book published, which will recount her life experiences over the last century.


news--2020-05-23--Coronavirus: La Liga can restart from 8 June and Spain set to reopen to tourists from July

La Liga has been given the go-ahead to restart from 8 June and Spain will reopen its borders to tourists from July , the prime minister has announced .
Pedro Sanchez 's speech on Saturday marked another phase in the easing of one of the world 's strictest lockdowns .
The Spanish top-flight was suspended on 12 March because of coronavirus .
With 11 rounds of fixtures still to play , the league stepped up its preparations for a resumption this week as group training of up to 10 players was allowed .
La Liga will confirm a return date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Javier Tebas welcomed the announcement from Mr Sanchez .
He tweeted : `` We are very happy with the decision , it is the result of the great work of clubs , players , coaches .
`` CSD [ National Sports Council ] and agents were involved .
But it is very important to follow the sanitary precautions and respect the evolution of the pandemic , we can not lower our guard . ''
Following the news Real Madrid , who are currently two points behind league leaders Barcelona , simply posted : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Segunda Division - Spain 's second tier - has also been cleared to resume on the same date .
Five unnamed players across the top two divisions tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month although they were asymptomatic and in the final phase of the disease .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In England , the Premier League has identified 12 or 19 June as a possible restart date .
Players are in phase one of `` project restart '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing before they are given the green light to resume full contact training .
Germany 's Bundesliga was the first European league to resume play on 16 May , but with no fans .
Mr Sanchez 's dual announcements coincided with calls for his resignation over the lockdown 's impact on the economy from the far-right Vox party , which called protests in cities across Spain .
`` From July , foreign tourism will resume in safe conditions .
We will guarantee tourists will not take any risks and will not bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told a televised news conference , without giving further details .
Foreign visitors contribute around an eighth of Spain 's economy and the government curbs shuttered everything from hotels , bars and restaurants to beaches and leisure parks , just as its tourism season got under way .
Spain 's number of deaths from the coronavirus rose by 48 on Saturday to a total of 28,678 , the seventh straight day that the fatality rate has been less than 100 , while the total number of cases rose to 235,290 .
Close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the lockdown began , and the Bank of Spain has forecast the economy will contract by up to 12 % this year .
The government says the lockdown has allowed it to get the pandemic under control .
Restrictions on movement are being gradually eased , with bars in some parts of the country allowed to open their terraces , and museums and churches reopening .
However , residents of Madrid and Barcelona , both national epicentres of the virus , will only follow suit on Monday .
Mr Sanchez said there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mourning for victims starting on Tuesday .

La Liga has been given the go-ahead to restart from 8 June and Spain will reopen its borders to tourists from July, the prime minister has announced.
Pedro Sanchez's speech on Saturday marked another phase in the easing of one of the world's strictest lockdowns.
The Spanish top-flight was suspended on 12 March because of coronavirus.
With 11 rounds of fixtures still to play, the league stepped up its preparations for a resumption this week as group training of up to 10 players was allowed.
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La Liga will confirm a return date in the coming days and its president Javier Tebas welcomed the announcement from Mr Sanchez.
He tweeted: "We are very happy with the decision, it is the result of the great work of clubs, players, coaches.
"CSD [National Sports Council] and agents were involved. But it is very important to follow the sanitary precautions and respect the evolution of the pandemic, we cannot lower our guard."
Following the news Real Madrid, who are currently two points behind league leaders Barcelona, simply posted: "Long live La Liga."
The Segunda Division - Spain's second tier - has also been cleared to resume on the same date.
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Five unnamed players across the top two divisions tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month although they were asymptomatic and in the final phase of the disease.
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In England, the Premier League has identified 12 or 19 June as a possible restart date.
Players are in phase one of "project restart", which means they are still practising social distancing before they are given the green light to resume full contact training.
Germany's Bundesliga was the first European league to resume play on 16 May, but with no fans.
Mr Sanchez's dual announcements coincided with calls for his resignation over the lockdown's impact on the economy from the far-right Vox party, which called protests in cities across Spain.
"From July, foreign tourism will resume in safe conditions. We will guarantee tourists will not take any risks and will not bring us any risks," Mr Sanchez told a televised news conference, without giving further details.
Foreign visitors contribute around an eighth of Spain's economy and the government curbs shuttered everything from hotels, bars and restaurants to beaches and leisure parks, just as its tourism season got under way.
Spain's number of deaths from the coronavirus rose by 48 on Saturday to a total of 28,678, the seventh straight day that the fatality rate has been less than 100, while the total number of cases rose to 235,290.
Close to a million jobs were lost in March when the lockdown began, and the Bank of Spain has forecast the economy will contract by up to 12% this year.
Image: Valencia is among the provinces allowed to ease lockdown restrictions
The government says the lockdown has allowed it to get the pandemic under control.
Restrictions on movement are being gradually eased, with bars in some parts of the country allowed to open their terraces, and museums and churches reopening.
However, residents of Madrid and Barcelona, both national epicentres of the virus, will only follow suit on Monday.
Mr Sanchez said there would be a 10-day period of national mourning for victims starting on Tuesday.