news--2020-02-24--The global distribution group that's shrugging off the impact of coronavirus

The global distribution group that 's shrugging off the impact of coronavirus The global distribution group that 's shrugging off the impact of coronavirus It is a company that supplies tens of thousands of businesses and workplaces with thousands of everyday items - food packaging , cleaning equipment , carrier bags , safety equipment and paper cups .
So one might expect Bunzl to have been hit more heavily than most from the outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus in China .
Indeed , during the period between 14 January - when Dr Li Wenliang , the Chinese ophthalmologist who tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was admitted to hospital - and the close last Friday night , shares of Bunzl fell by nearly 8.5 % .
So it was fascinating today to hear the FTSE 100 stalwart 's chief executive effectively dismiss the outbreak .
Frank van Zanten said that , although the company sourced products from China , stocks were relatively high because inventory had been built up ahead of the Chinese new year celebrations .
Reminding analysts that Bunzl is a distributor , not a manufacturer , he told them : `` Basically , from an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of a non-event .
`` The area we 're watching closely is the supply chain .
`` Obviously , we bring in products from China .
`` Now the timing of the coronavirus break-out was interesting because it happened very closely to Chinese new year .
`` Our businesses are all aware of Chinese new year , so this is the period when everyone is stocking up in the business and pre-ordering before Chinese new year .
`` So we are currently at relatively higher levels of stock in the business .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to its scale , Bunzl had the flexibility to switch its sourcing to other countries , such as Thailand , Malaysia , Bangladesh and India , if necessary .
He went on : `` I would say , if I compare Bunzl to other companies , I think we are at a relatively low-risk side of the equation .
`` If this starts to take longer periods of time , let 's say if it takes three , four , five months [ to bring the outbreak under control ] , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then it may have some impact on the supply chain .
`` But I think the world overall is in a slightly different place .
`` If corona starts to impact GDPs around the world , then Bunzl , being a GDP-related business , could [ suffer ] a bit of impact .
`` But if you go back to 2009 , the time of the recession , Bunzl was actually very resilient and did very well because 75 % of our portfolio is very resilient . ''
Mr van Zanten , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 25 years and who succeeded the long-serving Michael Roney as Bunzl chief executive nearly four years ago , was speaking as the company reported a 2.4 % rise in full year pre-tax profits to £579.1m on an adjusted basis .
Sales were up by 1 % to £9.3bn .
He said that , while sales growth slowed in North America , Bunzl 's biggest market , this had been compensated for by growth elsewhere , particularly Latin America .
While investors and analysts will continue to have questions about the impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , the bigger challenge for Bunzl longer term will be how it navigates the move towards more sustainable use of day-to-day items and away from single-use plastic .
A lot of the goods supplied by the company are frequently coming under fire by environmental campaigners .
Mr van Zanten , who was today celebrating his 53rd birthday , said that the move to more sustainable items varied from country to country .
He said that the UK `` was much more advanced than Europe '' in terms of demanding sustainable alternatives to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more advanced than the United States , where he said `` there 's a president who does n't really believe in these kind of things '' .
Mr van Zanten said that the company had benefited from a move in Britain away from plastic stirrers and plastic straws to wooden stirrers and paper straws because both were more expensive than plastic .
It was also still selling the same number of 'bags for life ' to British customers but added that `` there 's not a lot of single use carrier bags sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ van Zanten said he thought that , over time , supermarkets would use less plastic packaging .
But he said he thought plastic might prove harder to displace in food packaging despite attempts by some supermarkets , such as Waitrose , to encourage customers to take re-useable containers to the shops .
He went on : `` There 's one very important factor that is in play also here and that is the hygiene factor of food .
`` Just imagine that you go into a supermarket with your own Tupperware kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put a steak in your Tupperware , you pay for it at the cash register , you go home and you get a Salmonella infection .
`` Who is there to blame ?
It 's a very difficult one . ''
Bunzl being Bunzl , today 's results were also accompanied by news of a couple of acquisitions .
The company , which made more than 150 individual acquisitions between 2004 and 2018 , said it had bought Medcorp , a Sao Paulo-based distributor of healthcare related products and ICM , a Denmark-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of businesses including those in the wind energy sector .
The results were slightly ahead of expectations and shares of Bunzl rose by 2.7 % on a day in which it was only one of three FTSE 100 stocks to finish in positive territory .
It is now valued at £6.52bn .
Bunzl is often seen as a dull but worthy business , one that grinds out solid , predictable results year after year although there have , in the recent past , been signs that it was not completely immune to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver on Mr van Zanten 's aspiration to become a leader in sustainability , meanwhile , it ought to be assured many more years of reliable growth .

Bunzl was one of just three risers as the FTSE 100 was hit by a huge sell-off on latest fears about the outbreak.
The global distribution group that's shrugging off the impact of coronavirus
It is a company that supplies tens of thousands of businesses and workplaces with thousands of everyday items - food packaging, cleaning equipment, carrier bags, safety equipment and paper cups.
So one might expect Bunzl to have been hit more heavily than most from the outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus in China.
Indeed, during the period between 14 January - when Dr Li Wenliang, the Chinese ophthalmologist who tried to first draw attention to the outbreak, was admitted to hospital - and the close last Friday night, shares of Bunzl fell by nearly 8.5%.
So it was fascinating today to hear the FTSE 100 stalwart's chief executive effectively dismiss the outbreak.
Frank van Zanten said that, although the company sourced products from China, stocks were relatively high because inventory had been built up ahead of the Chinese new year celebrations.
Reminding analysts that Bunzl is a distributor, not a manufacturer, he told them: "Basically, from an operational point of view, it's sort of a non-event.
"The area we're watching closely is the supply chain.
"Obviously, we bring in products from China.
"Now the timing of the coronavirus break-out was interesting because it happened very closely to Chinese new year.
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"Our businesses are all aware of Chinese new year, so this is the period when everyone is stocking up in the business and pre-ordering before Chinese new year.
"So we are currently at relatively higher levels of stock in the business."
Image: Bunzl's shares were among only three stocks that rose as the FTSE 100 slumped on Monday
Mr van Zanten said that, due to its scale, Bunzl had the flexibility to switch its sourcing to other countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh and India, if necessary.
He went on: "I would say, if I compare Bunzl to other companies, I think we are at a relatively low-risk side of the equation.
"If this starts to take longer periods of time, let's say if it takes three, four, five months [to bring the outbreak under control], where manufacturing companies in China really shut down, then it may have some impact on the supply chain.
"But I think the world overall is in a slightly different place.
"If corona starts to impact GDPs around the world, then Bunzl, being a GDP-related business, could [suffer] a bit of impact.
"But if you go back to 2009, the time of the recession, Bunzl was actually very resilient and did very well because 75% of our portfolio is very resilient."
Mr van Zanten, a Dutchman who has been with Bunzl for 25 years and who succeeded the long-serving Michael Roney as Bunzl chief executive nearly four years ago, was speaking as the company reported a 2.4% rise in full year pre-tax profits to £579.1m on an adjusted basis.
Sales were up by 1% to £9.3bn.
He said that, while sales growth slowed in North America, Bunzl's biggest market, this had been compensated for by growth elsewhere, particularly Latin America.
While investors and analysts will continue to have questions about the impact of coronavirus, the longer the outbreak goes on, the bigger challenge for Bunzl longer term will be how it navigates the move towards more sustainable use of day-to-day items and away from single-use plastic.
A lot of the goods supplied by the company are frequently coming under fire by environmental campaigners.
Mr van Zanten, who was today celebrating his 53rd birthday, said that the move to more sustainable items varied from country to country.
He said that the UK "was much more advanced than Europe" in terms of demanding sustainable alternatives to single use plastic, while both were more advanced than the United States, where he said "there's a president who doesn't really believe in these kind of things".
Mr van Zanten said that the company had benefited from a move in Britain away from plastic stirrers and plastic straws to wooden stirrers and paper straws because both were more expensive than plastic.
It was also still selling the same number of 'bags for life' to British customers but added that "there's not a lot of single use carrier bags sold in the UK anymore".
Image: Bunzl supplies businesses and workplaces around the world
Mr van Zanten said he thought that, over time, supermarkets would use less plastic packaging.
But he said he thought plastic might prove harder to displace in food packaging despite attempts by some supermarkets, such as Waitrose, to encourage customers to take re-useable containers to the shops.
He went on: "There's one very important factor that is in play also here and that is the hygiene factor of food.
"Just imagine that you go into a supermarket with your own Tupperware kind of packaging and you ask the butcher to put a steak in your Tupperware, you pay for it at the cash register, you go home and you get a Salmonella infection.
"Who is there to blame? It's a very difficult one."
Bunzl being Bunzl, today's results were also accompanied by news of a couple of acquisitions.
The company, which made more than 150 individual acquisitions between 2004 and 2018, said it had bought Medcorp, a Sao Paulo-based distributor of healthcare related products and ICM, a Denmark-based distributor of personal protection equipment to a number of businesses including those in the wind energy sector.
The results were slightly ahead of expectations and shares of Bunzl rose by 2.7% on a day in which it was only one of three FTSE 100 stocks to finish in positive territory.
It is now valued at £6.52bn.
Bunzl is often seen as a dull but worthy business, one that grinds out solid, predictable results year after year although there have, in the recent past, been signs that it was not completely immune to challenging global conditions.
If it can deliver on Mr van Zanten's aspiration to become a leader in sustainability, meanwhile, it ought to be assured many more years of reliable growth.


news--2020-02-24--Coronavirus: UK firms watching anxiously as infection spread disrupts suppliers

Wuhan may seem a long way from the West Midlands but in global supply chains it is a short hop from China to Rowley Regis near Birmingham , home of Cube Precision Engineering .
The company designs and makes specialist pressing tools for clients who supply parts to aerospace and automotive manufacturers , including Jaguar Land Rover .
JLR warned last week it may have to reduce production if parts supplied from China continue to affected by the Covid-19 lockdown , and that in turn could have an impact in the UK .
For companies like Cube it adds another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business environment .
Their tools typically have an 18-month lead-in time so they have not yet been disrupted , and may even see some upside as they are asked to complete work on tools that can not be finished in China .
`` A lot of the work we would normally be doing is sourced in China , '' says managing director Neil Clifton .
`` A couple of our customers on the automotive side are seeing reduced volumes with manufacturers not producing as many vehicles , and there are concerns they may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Conversely we are seeing opportunities where new tools are n't being placed in China but sourced from the UK and Europe .
`` Our customers are receiving parts every day from China and within two weeks they are on vehicles being driven on UK roads .
`` In six months time , if we are still in the same situation with low volumes in the automotive industry , this could become a problem for us . ''
The uncertainty on the shop floor was mirrored on financial markets where European and US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a new western front in Italy .
The development shattered any complacency that the economic cost of the coronavirus might be confined to China and Asia , triggering a 3.3 % fall on the FTSE 100 that wiped £62bn off company valuations .
There were similar falls in Paris , Frankfurt and New York as the implications of a prolonged disruption to companies reliant on Chinese links in the supply chain , and demand from its vast consumer market , began to sink in .
Many Chinese factories have been partially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Year , with staff prevented from travelling or returning by restrictions intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Even if the virus were eradicated tomorrow it would still take weeks for the existing disruption to to work though supply chains .
A growing number of UK firms have publicly admitted damage to their operations or forecasts - among them : • Jaguar Land Rover announced last week that China sales had ground to a halt and UK production was at risk from next month without crucial parts from China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hit to sales in both China and Hong Kong .
• Digger maker JCB has cut working hours for production staff because of delayed supplies of vehicle parts .
• HSBC used its annual results to disclose disruption to Asia-based operations and customers .
• Sky News reported last week how the accounting watchdog was becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of the coronavirus crisis on auditors ' ability to scrutinise corporate balance sheets .
If tackling the crisis becomes a question of months rather than weeks then analysts warn the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're seeing in the European markets is investors pricing in a direct hit to European economies , '' says Fiona Cincotta , senior markets analyst at City Index .
`` We do n't know how much that is going to be as we do n't know what the economic hit is going to be globally . ''
Mous is another British company facing the consequences .
It makes shockproof phone covers for iPhones and Samsung models , employing more than 100 people including around 30 in mainland China .
That office has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the company 's suppliers are running reduced production .
Mous had already stockpiled around 120 days ' supply to allow for the Chinese New Year holiday , but co-founder Will Mullen says another 60 days ' disruption would be problematic .
`` Our first concern was for our staff , preventing those that had left China from returning , and making sure those still in China were safe , could work from home and had the proper equipment , face masks and alcohol wipes , to look after themselves , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at alternatives for production in Vietnam and Taiwan , but they do n't have the same expertise or infrastructure as China .
`` When I was growing up 'Made in China ' was seen as a bad thing but today they really are the front-runners in manufacturing , they are the best in the world . ''
That manufacturing expertise , delivered at a lower cost than almost anywhere else , has made China an indispensable link in global production .
A prolonged break in that chain would come at a high price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human toll of COVID-19 , still unknown .

Companies are waiting so see how long disruption caused by the outbreak lasts - and how big the impact on their business will be.
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Wuhan may seem a long way from the West Midlands but in global supply chains it is a short hop from China to Rowley Regis near Birmingham, home of Cube Precision Engineering.
The company designs and makes specialist pressing tools for clients who supply parts to aerospace and automotive manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover.
JLR warned last week it may have to reduce production if parts supplied from China continue to affected by the Covid-19 lockdown, and that in turn could have an impact in the UK.
For companies like Cube it adds another layer of uncertainty to an already precarious business environment.
Their tools typically have an 18-month lead-in time so they have not yet been disrupted, and may even see some upside as they are asked to complete work on tools that cannot be finished in China.
But a prolonged disruption could spell trouble.
"A lot of the work we would normally be doing is sourced in China," says managing director Neil Clifton.
"A couple of our customers on the automotive side are seeing reduced volumes with manufacturers not producing as many vehicles, and there are concerns they may run out of parts from China.
"Conversely we are seeing opportunities where new tools aren't being placed in China but sourced from the UK and Europe.
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"Our customers are receiving parts every day from China and within two weeks they are on vehicles being driven on UK roads.
"In six months time, if we are still in the same situation with low volumes in the automotive industry, this could become a problem for us."
Image: Cube could face problems if the disruption continues
The uncertainty on the shop floor was mirrored on financial markets where European and US indices plunged on news that Covid-19 appears to have a new western front in Italy.
The development shattered any complacency that the economic cost of the coronavirus might be confined to China and Asia, triggering a 3.3% fall on the FTSE 100 that wiped £62bn off company valuations.
There were similar falls in Paris, Frankfurt and New York as the implications of a prolonged disruption to companies reliant on Chinese links in the supply chain, and demand from its vast consumer market, began to sink in.
Many Chinese factories have been partially or completely closed since before the lunar New Year, with staff prevented from travelling or returning by restrictions intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Even if the virus were eradicated tomorrow it would still take weeks for the existing disruption to to work though supply chains.
A growing number of UK firms have publicly admitted damage to their operations or forecasts - among them:
Jaguar Land Rover announced last week that China sales had ground to a halt and UK production was at risk from next month without crucial parts from China.
announced last week that China sales had ground to a halt and UK production was at risk from next month without crucial parts from China. Luxury brand Burberry has warned of a hit to sales in both China and Hong Kong.
has warned of a hit to sales in both China and Hong Kong. Digger maker JCB has cut working hours for production staff because of delayed supplies of vehicle parts.
has cut working hours for production staff because of delayed supplies of vehicle parts. HSBC used its annual results to disclose disruption to Asia-based operations and customers.
used its annual results to disclose disruption to Asia-based operations and customers. Sky News reported last week how the accounting watchdog was becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of the coronavirus crisis on auditors' ability to scrutinise corporate balance sheets.
If tackling the crisis becomes a question of months rather than weeks then analysts warn the economic impact could be serious.
"What we're seeing in the European markets is investors pricing in a direct hit to European economies," says Fiona Cincotta, senior markets analyst at City Index.
"We don't know how much that is going to be as we don't know what the economic hit is going to be globally."
Mous is another British company facing the consequences.
It makes shockproof phone covers for iPhones and Samsung models, employing more than 100 people including around 30 in mainland China.
That office has been closed since before January and some of the company's suppliers are running reduced production.
Image: Mous makes shockproof covers for smartphones
Mous had already stockpiled around 120 days' supply to allow for the Chinese New Year holiday, but co-founder Will Mullen says another 60 days' disruption would be problematic.
"Our first concern was for our staff, preventing those that had left China from returning, and making sure those still in China were safe, could work from home and had the proper equipment, face masks and alcohol wipes, to look after themselves," he said.
"We have started looking at alternatives for production in Vietnam and Taiwan, but they don't have the same expertise or infrastructure as China.
"When I was growing up 'Made in China' was seen as a bad thing but today they really are the front-runners in manufacturing, they are the best in the world."
That manufacturing expertise, delivered at a lower cost than almost anywhere else, has made China an indispensable link in global production.
A prolonged break in that chain would come at a high price.
How high is, like the human toll of COVID-19, still unknown.


news--2020-02-24--Man punches woman in face after she defends friend from coronavirus racial slurs

A woman was knocked unconscious after she stood up for a friend who was being racially abused .
Meera Solanki , 29 , had been celebrating her birthday with friends in Solihull in the West Midlands .
She told Birmingham newspaper the Sunday Mercury that the man had `` harassed '' the group before telling her friend of Chinese origin to `` take your f***ing coronavirus and take it back home '' .
When Ms Solanki stood up for Mandy Huang , 28 , the man punched her in the face .
Ms Solanki was in hospital for six hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Midlands Police said : `` We 're investigating after a woman was assaulted after another was racially abused in Frederick Street , Hockley , around 2am on Sunday 9 February .
`` A man made racist remarks to one woman and after he was asked to stop he punched another female , in her 20s , in the face .
`` She was temporarily knocked unconscious but escaped without serious injury .
`` The attacker is described as Asian , 5ft 8ins , of large build and was wearing a flat cap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : : Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker : : Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 anytime .
Quote crime reference number 20BW/39330Q/20

A woman was knocked unconscious after she stood up for a friend who was being racially abused.
Meera Solanki, 29, had been celebrating her birthday with friends in Solihull in the West Midlands.
She told Birmingham newspaper the Sunday Mercury that the man had "harassed" the group before telling her friend of Chinese origin to "take your f***ing coronavirus and take it back home".
When Ms Solanki stood up for Mandy Huang, 28, the man punched her in the face.
Ms Solanki was in hospital for six hours before taking a week off work.
West Midlands Police said: "We're investigating after a woman was assaulted after another was racially abused in Frederick Street, Hockley, around 2am on Sunday 9 February.
"A man made racist remarks to one woman and after he was asked to stop he punched another female, in her 20s, in the face.
"She was temporarily knocked unconscious but escaped without serious injury.
"The attacker is described as Asian, 5ft 8ins, of large build and was wearing a flat cap and hoodie at the time."
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
:: Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 anytime. Quote crime reference number 20BW/39330Q/20


news--2020-02-24--Coronavirus outbreak could be feared 'Disease X', says World Health Organisation adviser

The coronavirus outbreak could be the feared `` Disease X '' that experts have warned about , according to a World Health Organisation ( WHO ) adviser .
Professor Marion Koopmans , head of viroscience at Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam , said the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus , is `` rapidly becoming the first true pandemic challenge that fits the Disease X category '' .
The WHO revealed in February 2018 that it was preparing for an unknown international epidemic called `` Disease X '' .
In its list of research and development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease '' .
• Italy hunts coronavirus superspreader after seven die of COVID-19 in the country • Britons under quarantine after being flown back from Japan have expressed anger that others on the repatriation flight have since tested positive for the virus • Sky News is updating this interactive article in real time with the latest infection figures • Global stock markets fell sharply on Monday as a result of the outbreak , threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy • Chinese SWAT teams have been filmed throwing nets over people as they practise how to deal with unco-operative coronavirus patients .
Writing in the Cell journal , Prof Koopmans said : `` Whether it will be contained or not , this outbreak is rapidly becoming the first true pandemic challenge that fits the Disease X category , listed to the WHO 's priority list of diseases for which we need to prepare in our current globalised society .
`` Initial resemblances with the SARS outbreak in terms of its origin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability to spread are clear .
`` But since 2003 , global air travel has increased more than tenfold , and the efforts needed to try to contain the epidemic are daunting . ''
Meanwhile , Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , head of the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) , said the global spread of the virus was not `` uncontained '' .
He added : `` Using the word pandemic does n't fit the facts .
We must focus on containment while preparing for a potential pandemic .
`` Does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yes .
But for the moment we 're not witnessing the uncontained global spread of this virus . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Prof Koopmans said key knowledge gaps were being assessed `` on the fly '' and public health experts were `` wasting precious time writing grant applications to do what we long know needs to be done '' .
She added : `` Time will tell whether the consolidated efforts of the Chinese authorities and the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But we also need to understand how we make this model of preparedness futureproof . ''
More than 79,000 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been identified , mostly in China where it originated , with more than 2,600 deaths recorded .
There are fears of a global pandemic after a sharp rise in cases in countries including Italy and South Korea , as authorities race to contain the spread of the disease .
However the WHO said on Monday that the coronavirus outbreak was not out of control globally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` too early '' to speak of a pandemic .

The coronavirus outbreak could be the feared "Disease X" that experts have warned about, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) adviser.
Professor Marion Koopmans, head of viroscience at Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam, said the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, is "rapidly becoming the first true pandemic challenge that fits the Disease X category".
The WHO revealed in February 2018 that it was preparing for an unknown international epidemic called "Disease X".
In its list of research and development priorities, the agency said it represented "the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease".
In developments elsewhere:
Writing in the Cell journal, Prof Koopmans said: "Whether it will be contained or not, this outbreak is rapidly becoming the first true pandemic challenge that fits the Disease X category, listed to the WHO's priority list of diseases for which we need to prepare in our current globalised society.
"Initial resemblances with the SARS outbreak in terms of its origin, the disease associated with infection, and the ability to spread are clear.
"But since 2003, global air travel has increased more than tenfold, and the efforts needed to try to contain the epidemic are daunting."
Image: Marion Koopmans says COVID-19 'fits the Disease X category'
Meanwhile, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said the global spread of the virus was not "uncontained".
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He added: "Using the word pandemic doesn't fit the facts. We must focus on containment while preparing for a potential pandemic.
"Does this virus have pandemic potential? Absolutely, yes. But for the moment we're not witnessing the uncontained global spread of this virus."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Prof Koopmans said key knowledge gaps were being assessed "on the fly" and public health experts were "wasting precious time writing grant applications to do what we long know needs to be done".
She added: "Time will tell whether the consolidated efforts of the Chinese authorities and the international public health and research community will succeed.
"But we also need to understand how we make this model of preparedness futureproof."
More than 79,000 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been identified, mostly in China where it originated, with more than 2,600 deaths recorded.
There are fears of a global pandemic after a sharp rise in cases in countries including Italy and South Korea, as authorities race to contain the spread of the disease.
However the WHO said on Monday that the coronavirus outbreak was not out of control globally nor causing large-scale deaths and it was "too early" to speak of a pandemic.


news--2020-03-30--Homeless man charged after NHS worker punched in face

A homeless man has been charged after an NHS worker was punched in the face and left with a fractured cheekbone in Salford .
The staff member - in his 50s - needed treatment but has since been released from hospital , Greater Manchester Police said .
Officers were called to Salford Royal Infirmary on Sunday afternoon to reports a man had assaulted an NHS employee , and a 27-year-old man was arrested .
Daniel Shevlin , of no fixed address , was remanded in custody , and is due to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates ' Court later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intentional harassment , alarm or distress .
It is understood the incident was not coronavirus-related .
NHS staff across the UK have been praised for their work in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic , and thanked the public after people stood on their doorsteps and balconies and applauded healthcare workers following a nationwide campaign on Thursday .
Members of the Royal Family took part , with Prince Charles , 71 - who has tested positive for the virus - pictured at Birkhall , his private home on the Balmoral estate in Scotland .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video of their three children clapping , while Prime Minister Boris Johnson - also self-isolating after being diagnosed with the virus - and Chancellor Rishi Sunak also joined in from Downing Street .

A homeless man has been charged after an NHS worker was punched in the face and left with a fractured cheekbone in Salford.
The staff member - in his 50s - needed treatment but has since been released from hospital, Greater Manchester Police said.
Officers were called to Salford Royal Infirmary on Sunday afternoon to reports a man had assaulted an NHS employee, and a 27-year-old man was arrested.
Daniel Shevlin, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody, and is due to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court later.
He is accused of assault and intentional harassment, alarm or distress.
It is understood the incident was not coronavirus-related.
NHS staff across the UK have been praised for their work in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and thanked the public after people stood on their doorsteps and balconies and applauded healthcare workers following a nationwide campaign on Thursday.
Members of the Royal Family took part, with Prince Charles, 71 - who has tested positive for the virus - pictured at Birkhall, his private home on the Balmoral estate in Scotland.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posted a video of their three children clapping, while Prime Minister Boris Johnson - also self-isolating after being diagnosed with the virus - and Chancellor Rishi Sunak also joined in from Downing Street.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Nissan suppliers feel pain from payment delay

The Japanese car giant Nissan has left British suppliers in the lurch by delaying crucial payments , exacerbating the cashflow strain being felt in the UK 's battered automotive sector .
Sky News has learnt that Nissan , which operates the country 's biggest car manufacturing plant , at Sunderland , notified suppliers in recent days that payments they were due to receive would not arrive on time .
Industry sources said the delays were inflicting more pain on companies in the automotive sector at a time when they are being hammered by the effective shutdown of Britain 's car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector are now looking to furlough workers in an effort to access funding under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme .
The bosses of car makers operating in Britain , including Jaguar Land Rover , Aston Martin and Honda , held talks last week with Nadhim Zahawi , the business minister .
In an email passed to Sky News , the company told suppliers : `` We would like to inform you that given the current situation related to coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) and the drastic restrictions applied by governments as well as other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contain the spread of the coronavirus , our activities are affected , and this is despite all the significant steps taken by Nissan in order to mitigate the impact of this situation .
`` We are currently re-organising our operations in order to face the current context and mitigate the impact of the restrictions applied across Europe on our operations .
`` This is significantly disrupting our ability to function normally , and causing interruptions in our commercial flows and banking procedures as our counterparts are either working remotely or are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impediments are affecting our ability to make the next payment of your invoices at the due time . ''
Nissan apologised for the problem , and said it would `` proceed to payment within the shortest time possible '' .
The UK 's car industry , which during the last three years has repeatedly warned about the adverse consequences of a no-deal Brexit , is braced for the coronavirus pandemic to wipe out months of normal sales activity .
Mike Hawes , chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deep concern '' .
A Nissan spokesman said on Monday : `` Payments to a number of our suppliers were delayed due to the disruption caused to our normal financial operations and procedures , both internally and with our external partners .
`` More than 95 % of the suppliers will be paid by the end of tomorrow [ Tuesday ] , with the remainder paid as soon as possible .
`` We apologise for any disruption this may have caused and are appreciative of our suppliers ' continued support and patience @ @

The Japanese car giant Nissan has left British suppliers in the lurch by delaying crucial payments, exacerbating the cashflow strain being felt in the UK's battered automotive sector.
Sky News has learnt that Nissan, which operates the country's biggest car manufacturing plant, at Sunderland, notified suppliers in recent days that payments they were due to receive would not arrive on time.
Industry sources said the delays were inflicting more pain on companies in the automotive sector at a time when they are being hammered by the effective shutdown of Britain's car manufacturing industry.
Many employers in the sector are now looking to furlough workers in an effort to access funding under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
The bosses of car makers operating in Britain, including Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin and Honda, held talks last week with Nadhim Zahawi, the business minister.
Image: Nissan's plant in Sunderland
In an email passed to Sky News, the company told suppliers: "We would like to inform you that given the current situation related to coronavirus (COVID-19) and the drastic restrictions applied by governments as well as other key business partners in order to prevent and contain the spread of the coronavirus, our activities are affected, and this is despite all the significant steps taken by Nissan in order to mitigate the impact of this situation.
"We are currently re-organising our operations in order to face the current context and mitigate the impact of the restrictions applied across Europe on our operations.
"This is significantly disrupting our ability to function normally, and causing interruptions in our commercial flows and banking procedures as our counterparts are either working remotely or are not available at the moment.
"These impediments are affecting our ability to make the next payment of your invoices at the due time."
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Nissan apologised for the problem, and said it would "proceed to payment within the shortest time possible".
The UK's car industry, which during the last three years has repeatedly warned about the adverse consequences of a no-deal Brexit, is braced for the coronavirus pandemic to wipe out months of normal sales activity.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said recently that "the outlook is of deep concern".
A Nissan spokesman said on Monday: "Payments to a number of our suppliers were delayed due to the disruption caused to our normal financial operations and procedures, both internally and with our external partners.
"More than 95% of the suppliers will be paid by the end of tomorrow [Tuesday], with the remainder paid as soon as possible.
"We apologise for any disruption this may have caused and are appreciative of our suppliers' continued support and patience."


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: One in four NHS doctors 'sick or in isolation'

Around a quarter of NHS doctors are off work because they are sick or in isolation , the head of the Royal College of Physicians has said .
Professor Andrew Goddard warned the level of illness and self-isolation brought on by the coronavirus pandemic was already seriously affecting emergency departments , particularly in the UK 's two biggest cities .
`` This is really impacting a lot in emergency departments and London is in a much worse position than elsewhere at the moment , but it will come to other places .
`` Birmingham is also struggling , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` are going from normal wards to Covid wards very quickly '' .
The situation could either worsen as NHS staff were tested for the illness , or improve as people come out of isolation , he added .
`` Of course the worry is we will lose more people to Covid-related illness , '' he said .
And it 's not just doctors who are being affected .
On Sunday , the Royal College of Nursing said around one in five nurses had taken time off work to isolate themselves .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night that across the NHS in England , which has 1.3 million full-time equivalent staff , about 10 percent of workers are currently absent due to symptoms , a member of the household isolating or other non-COVID-19 related absenteeism .
However the numbers of staff off seems to be disproportionately concentrated in the doctor and nursing ranks according to their respective professional bodies .
The warnings on NHS staffing levels come as the disease continued to spread through the heart of government with Dominic Cummings , Boris Johnson 's chief adviser , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms .
The prime minister , the health secretary Matt Hancock and England 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty have all isolated themselves due to the illness .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The number of people who have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus now stands at 1,415 - a rise of 180 from Sunday .
The number - which was down from the previous day 's 207 - counts those who died in the 24 hours up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 159 people died after contracting the virus , taking the total to 1,284 .
A further six people died in Scotland , taking the total to 47 while in Wales , the number of people who have now died is 62 , a rise of 14 .
And the number of people who have died in Northern Ireland has risen by one to 22 , with total cases at 533 .
More than 9,000 people who have tested positive for coronavirus are being treated in hospitals across England , NHS England 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier , an epidemiologist who helped persuade ministers that only strict controls would prevent mass deaths , said there are signs the rate of hospital admission is slowing .

Around a quarter of NHS doctors are off work because they are sick or in isolation, the head of the Royal College of Physicians has said.
Professor Andrew Goddard warned the level of illness and self-isolation brought on by the coronavirus pandemic was already seriously affecting emergency departments, particularly in the UK's two biggest cities.
"This is really impacting a lot in emergency departments and London is in a much worse position than elsewhere at the moment, but it will come to other places.
"Birmingham is also struggling," he said, while hospital wards across England "are going from normal wards to Covid wards very quickly".
The situation could either worsen as NHS staff were tested for the illness, or improve as people come out of isolation, he added.
"Of course the worry is we will lose more people to Covid-related illness," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:34 A first glimpse inside NHS Nightingale
And it's not just doctors who are being affected. On Sunday, the Royal College of Nursing said around one in five nurses had taken time off work to isolate themselves.
Two official sources told Sky News on Monday night that across the NHS in England, which has 1.3 million full-time equivalent staff, about 10 percent of workers are currently absent due to symptoms, a member of the household isolating or other non-COVID-19 related absenteeism.
However the numbers of staff off seems to be disproportionately concentrated in the doctor and nursing ranks according to their respective professional bodies.
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The warnings on NHS staffing levels come as the disease continued to spread through the heart of government with Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson's chief adviser, the latest to go into quarantine after developing symptoms.
The prime minister, the health secretary Matt Hancock and England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty have all isolated themselves due to the illness.
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The number of people who have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus now stands at 1,415 - a rise of 180 from Sunday.
The number - which was down from the previous day's 207 - counts those who died in the 24 hours up to 5pm on Sunday.
In England, 159 people died after contracting the virus, taking the total to 1,284.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:44 'Please help us': James McAvoy appeals for NHS kit
A further six people died in Scotland, taking the total to 47 while in Wales, the number of people who have now died is 62, a rise of 14.
And the number of people who have died in Northern Ireland has risen by one to 22, with total cases at 533.
More than 9,000 people who have tested positive for coronavirus are being treated in hospitals across England, NHS England's chief executive Sir Simon Stevens has said.
Earlier, an epidemiologist who helped persuade ministers that only strict controls would prevent mass deaths, said there are signs the rate of hospital admission is slowing.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Hundreds of Britons repatriated after being stuck in Peru

Two repatriation flights carrying British passengers from Peru have landed at Heathrow Airport .
The flights were carrying just under 500 passengers in total - with around 330 of them British nationals .
Two more flights will leave Peru today and arrive in the UK on Tuesday .
It is understood that the flights will carry another 500 passengers or so on two British chartered BA planes .
Jon Benjamin , a senior diplomat helping with the repatriation effort , tweeted : `` Our latest BA flight chartered to bring home Brits from # Peru has just landed at LHR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this evening UK time '' .
British nationals are still stranded in Peru , however , with some at a hostel where guests have tested positive for coronavirus and no one being allowed to leave .
A Foreign Office spokesman said : `` We recognise British tourists abroad are finding it difficult to return to the UK because of the unprecedented international travel and domestic restrictions that are being introduced around the world - often with very little or no notice .
`` The FCO is working around the clock to support British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come back to the UK . ''
He added that the government is seeking to keep key transit routes open as long as possible and is in touch with international partners and the airline industry `` to make this happen '' .
`` Consular staff are supporting those with urgent need while providing travel advice and support to those still abroad , '' the spokesman said .
On Thursday , Sky News reported that four young British women feared being forced to stay locked down in a hostel in Peru for up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for COVID-19 .
The group from London and Kent , who remain in the hostel , said they are not allowed to leave their dormitory except for meals and to go to the bathroom under strict quarantine rules .
They were imposed by the Peruvian authorities on Wednesday just as the first UK rescue flight was due to travel to Peru to transport some 200 other stranded British travellers home .
`` Pretty much everyone in this hostel will get coronavirus , '' Sabina Gordon , 22 , told Sky News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 petri dish . ''
Since the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan , the Foreign Office has helped bring home around 1,400 people on specially chartered government flights from China and Peru , as well as around 1,900 people on cruise ships from places including California , Brazil and Japan .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The Foreign Office has helped more than 4,000 people return from Jamaica and around 8,500 people get back from Morocco over the past week .
Around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the British team in Indonesia worked with their counterparts to unblock a visa permissions issue .

Two repatriation flights carrying British passengers from Peru have landed at Heathrow Airport.
The flights were carrying just under 500 passengers in total - with around 330 of them British nationals.
Two more flights will leave Peru today and arrive in the UK on Tuesday.
Twitter Twitter , 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 Twitter 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 Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
It is understood that the flights will carry another 500 passengers or so on two British chartered BA planes.
Jon Benjamin, a senior diplomat helping with the repatriation effort, tweeted: "Our latest BA flight chartered to bring home Brits from #Peru has just landed at LHR. Two more BA flights leave Lima this evening UK time".
British nationals are still stranded in Peru, however, with some at a hostel where guests have tested positive for coronavirus and no one being allowed to leave.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We recognise British tourists abroad are finding it difficult to return to the UK because of the unprecedented international travel and domestic restrictions that are being introduced around the world - often with very little or no notice.
"The FCO is working around the clock to support British travellers in this situation to allow them to come back to the UK."
He added that the government is seeking to keep key transit routes open as long as possible and is in touch with international partners and the airline industry "to make this happen".
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"Consular staff are supporting those with urgent need while providing travel advice and support to those still abroad," the spokesman said.
On Thursday, Sky News reported that four young British women feared being forced to stay locked down in a hostel in Peru for up to three months after two fellow residents tested positive for COVID-19.
The group from London and Kent, who remain in the hostel, said they are not allowed to leave their dormitory except for meals and to go to the bathroom under strict quarantine rules.
They were imposed by the Peruvian authorities on Wednesday just as the first UK rescue flight was due to travel to Peru to transport some 200 other stranded British travellers home.
Image: The women say they are confined to their dormitories except for mealtimes
Image: There are tight restrictions at the hostel
"Pretty much everyone in this hostel will get coronavirus," Sabina Gordon, 22, told Sky News. "We are just in a COVID-19 petri dish."
Since the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, the Foreign Office has helped bring home around 1,400 people on specially chartered government flights from China and Peru, as well as around 1,900 people on cruise ships from places including California, Brazil and Japan.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The Foreign Office has helped more than 4,000 people return from Jamaica and around 8,500 people get back from Morocco over the past week.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:20 Easyjet grounds all flights
Around 5,000 Britons were able to leave Bali after the British team in Indonesia worked with their counterparts to unblock a visa permissions issue.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: BrightHouse and Carluccio's collapse with 4,500 jobs at risk

A total of 4,500 high street jobs are hanging by a thread after BrightHouse , the rent-to-own retailer , and restaurant chain Carluccio 's filed for administration .
Sky News understands that the two companies were in court on Monday morning to formalise insolvency proceedings after closures triggered by the coronavirus outbreak tipped them into bankruptcy .
The administrations came within 72 hours of the government announcing emergency reforms to insolvency rules , including suspending the law on wrongful trading .
Alok Sharma , the business secretary , said the overhaul would be implemented retrospectively by the end of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those firms extra time and space to weather the storm and be ready when the crisis ends , whilst ensuring creditors get the best return possible in the circumstances , '' he said .
However , the decisions by directors at BrightHouse and Carluccio 's to press ahead with insolvency proceedings underlines the degree of distress facing many British companies .
BrightHouse , which employs 2,400 people , has appointed Grant Thornton as administrator , with an announcement expected by Tuesday morning .
The retailer , which offers loans to consumers to purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ machines , trades from 240 stores across the UK and has roughly 200,000 customers .
Its insolvency is likely to mean that customers with outstanding mis-selling complaints will receive only a fraction of the sums they are seeking .
Although BrightHouse 's problems are long-standing , insiders said that discussions with regulators and other stakeholders about restructuring its liabilities had evaporated after the COVID-19 outbreak .
Administrators are expected to put the business into effective run-off by continuing to collect outstanding loans from customers .
Some new lending activity may also continue for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Analysts are sceptical that a buyer will emerge for a substantial part of its operations .
There is greater optimism about the future of Carluccio 's , which trades from just over 70 restaurants and remains a popular brand among middle-class diners .
Administrators at FRP Advisory plan to utilise the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to furlough the majority of the company 's 2,000 employees whilst they assess options .
In response to an enquiry from Sky News , Geoff Rowley , joint administrator and partner at FRP , said : `` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues currently facing the hospitality sector following the onset of COVID-19 are well documented .
`` In the absence of being able to continue to trade Carluccio 's , in the short term , we are urgently focused on the options available to preserve the future of the business and protect its employees .
`` We welcome the latest update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and look forward to working with HMRC to access the support it provides for companies in administration and their employees . ''

A total of 4,500 high street jobs are hanging by a thread after BrightHouse, the rent-to-own retailer, and restaurant chain Carluccio's filed for administration.
Sky News understands that the two companies were in court on Monday morning to formalise insolvency proceedings after closures triggered by the coronavirus outbreak tipped them into bankruptcy.
The administrations came within 72 hours of the government announcing emergency reforms to insolvency rules, including suspending the law on wrongful trading.
Image: A Carluccio's restaurant in Norwich
Alok Sharma, the business secretary, said the overhaul would be implemented retrospectively by the end of this week.
"These measures will give those firms extra time and space to weather the storm and be ready when the crisis ends, whilst ensuring creditors get the best return possible in the circumstances," he said.
However, the decisions by directors at BrightHouse and Carluccio's to press ahead with insolvency proceedings underlines the degree of distress facing many British companies.
BrightHouse, which employs 2,400 people, has appointed Grant Thornton as administrator, with an announcement expected by Tuesday morning.
The retailer, which offers loans to consumers to purchase electrical items such as televisions and washing machines, trades from 240 stores across the UK and has roughly 200,000 customers.
Its insolvency is likely to mean that customers with outstanding mis-selling complaints will receive only a fraction of the sums they are seeking.
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Although BrightHouse's problems are long-standing, insiders said that discussions with regulators and other stakeholders about restructuring its liabilities had evaporated after the COVID-19 outbreak.
Administrators are expected to put the business into effective run-off by continuing to collect outstanding loans from customers.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:20 EasyJet grounds all flights
Some new lending activity may also continue for a limited period, sources indicated.
Analysts are sceptical that a buyer will emerge for a substantial part of its operations.
BrightHouse and Grant Thornton declined to comment.
There is greater optimism about the future of Carluccio's, which trades from just over 70 restaurants and remains a popular brand among middle-class diners.
Administrators at FRP Advisory plan to utilise the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to furlough the majority of the company's 2,000 employees whilst they assess options.
In response to an enquiry from Sky News, Geoff Rowley, joint administrator and partner at FRP, said: "We are operating in unprecedented times and the issues currently facing the hospitality sector following the onset of COVID-19 are well documented.
"In the absence of being able to continue to trade Carluccio's, in the short term, we are urgently focused on the options available to preserve the future of the business and protect its employees.
"We welcome the latest update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and look forward to working with HMRC to access the support it provides for companies in administration and their employees."


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Spain surpasses China COVID-19 cases as deaths rise to 7,340

Spain has become the third country to confirm more cases of coronavirus than China - as its number of deaths rose by 812 in a day to reach a total of 7,340 .
Confirmed COVID-19 cases have increased by 6,398 since Sunday to reach 85,195 in total , Spain 's health ministry said .
The country has now joined the United States and Italy in having more coronavirus cases than China , which had confirmed 82,156 cases as of Monday .
At midday on Monday , a minute 's silence was held in Madrid , Spain 's hardest hit city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an adagio was heard in one of the capital 's best known squares , Puerta del Sol .
Monday 's figures for those who have died in Spain were slightly less than Sunday , when 838 people died - the highest number yet for the country .
Authorities stepped up the country 's 15-day lockdown on Monday , with a new two-week period of `` hibernation '' to alleviate pressure on the healthcare system , a Spanish cabinet member said .
Only workers in hospitals , pharmacies , the food supply chain and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the end of Easter , in mid-April , while everyone else has been asked to stay at home and scale back their work .
Spain 's government has ordered that flags be flown at half-mast and a minute 's silence be observed every day to pay respects to those who have died .
With a population of 47 million compared to China 's 1.14bn , Spain 's healthcare system is struggling to cope with the number of seriously ill patients at once , with hotels converted into makeshift hospitals and a Madrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At least six of Spain 's 17 regions have reached their limit of ICU beds , with three more close as Madrid started using a convention centre as a hospital and field hospitals continue to be frantically built .
Also on Monday , a health official said Spain 's health emergency chief , Fernando Simon , had tested positive for COVID-19 .
He is leading the country 's coronavirus response and is in regular contact with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official Maria Jose Sierra , who replaced Dr Simon at a daily news conference , said Spain 's trend in daily infections had changed since a lockdown was imposed on 14 March , with new infections now rising at about 12 % a day over the past five days instead of the previous 20 % .
She also announced 12,298 health workers in Spain have tested positive for coronavirus - about 14 % of the country 's cases , roughly the same proportion as last week .
Spain and nearby Italy account for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus deaths , with Italian officials cheering when they reported only 756 deaths in one day on Sunday .
Italy has reported 97,689 infections and 10,779 deaths so far , but on Sunday said the number of confirmed cases had increased by only 5.4 % in the past 24 hours and deaths had decreased by about 10 % a day since Friday .

Spain has become the third country to confirm more cases of coronavirus than China - as its number of deaths rose by 812 in a day to reach a total of 7,340.
Confirmed COVID-19 cases have increased by 6,398 since Sunday to reach 85,195 in total, Spain's health ministry said.
The country has now joined the United States and Italy in having more coronavirus cases than China, which had confirmed 82,156 cases as of Monday.
Image: Military Emergencies Unit members helped transport patients from a Madrid hospital to the Ifema convention centre to relieve crowded hospitals
At midday on Monday, a minute's silence was held in Madrid, Spain's hardest hit city, for those who have died as an adagio was heard in one of the capital's best known squares, Puerta del Sol.
Monday's figures for those who have died in Spain were slightly less than Sunday, when 838 people died - the highest number yet for the country.
Authorities stepped up the country's 15-day lockdown on Monday, with a new two-week period of "hibernation" to alleviate pressure on the healthcare system, a Spanish cabinet member said.
Only workers in hospitals, pharmacies, the food supply chain and other essential industries are allowed to work until the end of Easter, in mid-April, while everyone else has been asked to stay at home and scale back their work.
Spain's government has ordered that flags be flown at half-mast and a minute's silence be observed every day to pay respects to those who have died.
With a population of 47 million compared to China's 1.14bn, Spain's healthcare system is struggling to cope with the number of seriously ill patients at once, with hotels converted into makeshift hospitals and a Madrid ice rink turned into a temporary morgue.
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Image: Nearly half of Spain's coronavirus deaths have been in Madrid
Image: Hundreds of bodies are being stored at an ice rink in Madrid which has been turned into a temporary morgue
At least six of Spain's 17 regions have reached their limit of ICU beds, with three more close as Madrid started using a convention centre as a hospital and field hospitals continue to be frantically built.
Also on Monday, a health official said Spain's health emergency chief, Fernando Simon, had tested positive for COVID-19. He is leading the country's coronavirus response and is in regular contact with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
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Health official Maria Jose Sierra, who replaced Dr Simon at a daily news conference, said Spain's trend in daily infections had changed since a lockdown was imposed on 14 March, with new infections now rising at about 12% a day over the past five days instead of the previous 20%.
She also announced 12,298 health workers in Spain have tested positive for coronavirus - about 14% of the country's cases, roughly the same proportion as last week.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:29 Medical director: 'It is really, really bad in Spain'
Spain and nearby Italy account for more than half the world's 34,000 coronavirus deaths, with Italian officials cheering when they reported only 756 deaths in one day on Sunday.
Italy has reported 97,689 infections and 10,779 deaths so far, but on Sunday said the number of confirmed cases had increased by only 5.4% in the past 24 hours and deaths had decreased by about 10% a day since Friday.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Prince Charles ends self-isolation after contracting COVID-19

It has been confirmed that the Prince of Wales is out of isolation after contracting coronavirus .
A short statement said : `` Clarence House has confirmed today that , having consulted with his doctor , the Prince of Wales is now out of self-isolation . ''
The royal has spent seven days by himself , in line with the standard government and medical guidelines .
Last Wednesday , Clarence House revealed that Prince Charles had tested positive for COVID-19 after feeling unwell over the weekend .
He was tested last Monday with the results coming back the next day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , the palace said both the prince and the Duchess of Cornwall would be self-isolating at Birkhall , their home in Scotland , which they had travelled to at the weekend .
They said the prince was continuing to work at his desk and had only mild symptoms .
It is not clear where he caught the virus , after he attended a large number of meetings and engagements in early March .
On Thursday night , Clarence House posted videos on its Instagram account of Charles and Camilla clapping separately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honouring the work of medical staff .
It is understood the prince is now in good health and is living and working under the current government advice that those over 70 should stay indoors .
He will continue to have meetings , but these will take place over the phone or through video conferencing and he will only carry out exercise within the current self-distancing guidelines .
The Duchess of Cornwall is still in self-isolation and will be until the end of the week , in line with the current medical advice to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your home has the virus .
She has not developed any symptoms .
Last week , Buckingham Palace said the Queen remained in good health and is following all the appropriate advice with regards to her welfare , but they would not confirm if she has been tested for the virus or not .
Over the weekend , the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge gave their backing to a new push to support the public 's mental health during the coronavirus outbreak , saying that `` by pulling together and taking small steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better prepared for the times ahead '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The government and Public Health England have published new online guidance and given leading mental health charities £5m to expand support services .
It comes in recognition of the unprecedented challenges that the pandemic , and long periods of isolation , pose for the nation 's mental health .

It has been confirmed that the Prince of Wales is out of isolation after contracting coronavirus.
A short statement said: "Clarence House has confirmed today that, having consulted with his doctor, the Prince of Wales is now out of self-isolation."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Prince Charles avoids handshakes at London awards show
The royal has spent seven days by himself, in line with the standard government and medical guidelines.
Last Wednesday, Clarence House revealed that Prince Charles had tested positive for COVID-19 after feeling unwell over the weekend.
He was tested last Monday with the results coming back the next day confirming he had the virus.
At the time, the palace said both the prince and the Duchess of Cornwall would be self-isolating at Birkhall, their home in Scotland, which they had travelled to at the weekend.
They said the prince was continuing to work at his desk and had only mild symptoms.
It is not clear where he caught the virus, after he attended a large number of meetings and engagements in early March.
On Thursday night, Clarence House posted videos on its Instagram account of Charles and Camilla clapping separately for #ClapForOurNHS - a national campaign honouring the work of medical staff.
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Image: Charles and Camilla joined in the round of applause to thank NHS workers. Pic: Instagram
It is understood the prince is now in good health and is living and working under the current government advice that those over 70 should stay indoors.
He will continue to have meetings, but these will take place over the phone or through video conferencing and he will only carry out exercise within the current self-distancing guidelines.
The Duchess of Cornwall is still in self-isolation and will be until the end of the week, in line with the current medical advice to self-isolate for 14 days if someone in your home has the virus.
She has not developed any symptoms.
Last week, Buckingham Palace said the Queen remained in good health and is following all the appropriate advice with regards to her welfare, but they would not confirm if she has been tested for the virus or not.
Over the weekend, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge gave their backing to a new push to support the public's mental health during the coronavirus outbreak, saying that "by pulling together and taking small steps each day, we can all be better prepared for the times ahead".
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The government and Public Health England have published new online guidance and given leading mental health charities £5m to expand support services.
It comes in recognition of the unprecedented challenges that the pandemic, and long periods of isolation, pose for the nation's mental health.


news--2020-03-27--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson self-isolates after testing positive for COVID-19

Boris Johnson has gone into self-isolation for seven days having tested positive for coronavirus .
The prime minister , 55 , tweeted a video message confirming he has COVID-19 , writing : `` Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus .
`` I am now self-isolating , but I will continue to lead the government 's response via video-conference as we fight this virus . ''
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has also caught the virus and is self-isolating at home .
Downing Street said Mr Johnson was tested on the advice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday afternoon , having been experiencing `` mild symptoms '' earlier the same day .
The test was carried out in Number 10 by NHS staff and the positive result was confirmed at around midnight , they added .
`` He is continuing to lead the government 's response to coronavirus , '' a spokesperson confirmed .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Number 10 also said meals will be left outside Mr Johnson 's door while he self-isolates .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a workplace , staff do not need to self-isolate unless they have symptoms - such as a new persistent cough or raised temperature .
Mr Johnson , whose partner Carrie Symonds is pregnant , was last seen outside Number 10 on Thursday night , joining Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of a nationwide applause for NHS workers as they battle the pandemic .
A Treasury source said Mr Sunak is not self-isolating because he does n't have any symptoms , but other people in the prime minister 's office are .
Mr Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , sitting in a gap between his Home Secretary Priti Patel and Chief Whip Mark Spencer .
And all of this week he has been chairing the daily `` war cabinet '' on Britain 's COVID-19 emergency response , involving some face-to-face meetings with those at the heart of managing the health , economic and communication response to the crisis .
But Mr Johnson has appeared over videolink for two important calls - with cabinet ministers and other leaders of the G20 countries .
He also did not travel to Buckingham Palace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Queen on Wednesday - instead calling her on the phone .
The pair last met on 11 March .
Mr Johnson 's senior adviser Dominic Cummings was seen running out of Downing Street after the news broke .
Mr Hancock confirmed in a video message on Twitter on Friday he had COVID-19 after showing `` very mild '' symptoms and is now self-isolating while working from home .
It is `` vital we follow the advice to protect our NHS and save lives '' , he warned .
Prof Whitty is also now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a third cabinet minister - the Scottish Secretary Alister Jack .
> Back on 3 March , the prime minister revealed in a news conference he shook hands with COVID-19 patients .
`` I was at a hospital the other night where there were actually a few coronavirus patients and I shook hands with everybody , you 'll be pleased to know , '' he said .
Sam Coates , Sky News ' deputy political editor , said : `` This is an enormous challenge for the centre of government today .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern that a large number of people in No 10 might have been exposed and might not have to be tested . ''
Mr Johnson 's spokesman said a few days ago that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab would stand in if he becomes incapacitated .
But they confirmed on Friday Mr Raab is not taking over any functions from the prime minister yet .
US President Donald Trump phoned Mr Johnson and wished him a `` speedy recovery '' , Downing Street said .
Jeremy Corbyn did too , tweeting : `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Coronavirus can and does affect anyone .
Everyone be safe .
Our own health depends on everybody else . ''
Michel Barnier , the EU 's chief Brexit negotiator , also wished Mr Johnson well and tweeted : `` My thoughts are with him and , indeed , with all families in the UK and across Europe and the world that are affected by coronavirus .
I am convinced Europe can overcome these difficulties together . ''
Fears grew about how far COVID-19 spread at the heart of government after health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus earlier in March .
She has since recovered and was clapped by MPs when she returned to the Commons on Wednesday to hear the health secretary make a statement .

Boris Johnson has gone into self-isolation for seven days having tested positive for coronavirus.
The prime minister, 55, tweeted a video message confirming he has COVID-19, writing: "Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus.
"I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government's response via video-conference as we fight this virus."
Image: The PM visited a lab to see a model of the virus in early March
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has also caught the virus and is self-isolating at home.
Downing Street said Mr Johnson was tested on the advice of his chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty on Thursday afternoon, having been experiencing "mild symptoms" earlier the same day.
Image: Matt Hancock was sat next to Boris Johnson on Wednesday
The test was carried out in Number 10 by NHS staff and the positive result was confirmed at around midnight, they added.
"He is continuing to lead the government's response to coronavirus," a spokesperson confirmed.
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Number 10 also said meals will be left outside Mr Johnson's door while he self-isolates.
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And they added because the building is considered a workplace, staff do not need to self-isolate unless they have symptoms - such as a new persistent cough or raised temperature.
Mr Johnson, whose partner Carrie Symonds is pregnant, was last seen outside Number 10 on Thursday night, joining Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of a nationwide applause for NHS workers as they battle the pandemic.
A Treasury source said Mr Sunak is not self-isolating because he doesn't have any symptoms, but other people in the prime minister's office are.
Image: Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak clapped for NHS workers outside No 10 on Thursday night
Mr Johnson also appeared at PMQs as normal on Wednesday, sitting in a gap between his Home Secretary Priti Patel and Chief Whip Mark Spencer.
And all of this week he has been chairing the daily "war cabinet" on Britain's COVID-19 emergency response, involving some face-to-face meetings with those at the heart of managing the health, economic and communication response to the crisis.
Image: Mr Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds is pregnant
But Mr Johnson has appeared over videolink for two important calls - with cabinet ministers and other leaders of the G20 countries.
He also did not travel to Buckingham Palace for his weekly private meeting with the Queen on Wednesday - instead calling her on the phone. The pair last met on 11 March.
Mr Johnson's senior adviser Dominic Cummings was seen running out of Downing Street after the news broke.
Image: The Queen held her weekly phone call with Mr Johnson on the phone
Mr Hancock confirmed in a video message on Twitter on Friday he had COVID-19 after showing "very mild" symptoms and is now self-isolating while working from home.
It is "vital we follow the advice to protect our NHS and save lives", he warned.
Image: The cabinet met over conference call. Pic: Andrew Parsons/Number 10
Prof Whitty is also now self-isolating after reporting having coronavirus symptoms as is a third cabinet minister - the Scottish Secretary Alister Jack.
Image: Mr Johnson was tested on the advice of his chief medical officer Chris Whitty (left)
>Back on 3 March, the prime minister revealed in a news conference he shook hands with COVID-19 patients.
"I was at a hospital the other night where there were actually a few coronavirus patients and I shook hands with everybody, you'll be pleased to know," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:49 'I shook hands with everybody' at coronavirus hospital
Sam Coates, Sky News' deputy political editor, said: "This is an enormous challenge for the centre of government today.
"There will be a lot of concern that a large number of people in No 10 might have been exposed and might not have to be tested."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:15 PM's chief adviser seen running from No 10
Mr Johnson's spokesman said a few days ago that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab would stand in if he becomes incapacitated.
But they confirmed on Friday Mr Raab is not taking over any functions from the prime minister yet.
Image: Dominic Raab will take over if the PM is incapacitated
US President Donald Trump phoned Mr Johnson and wished him a "speedy recovery", Downing Street said.
Jeremy Corbyn did too, tweeting: "I hope his family are safe and healthy.
"Coronavirus can and does affect anyone. Everyone be safe. Our own health depends on everybody else."
Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, also wished Mr Johnson well and tweeted: "My thoughts are with him and, indeed, with all families in the UK and across Europe and the world that are affected by coronavirus. I am convinced Europe can overcome these difficulties together."
Fears grew about how far COVID-19 spread at the heart of government after health minister Nadine Dorries tested positive for the virus earlier in March.
She has since recovered and was clapped by MPs when she returned to the Commons on Wednesday to hear the health secretary make a statement.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavius: PM adviser Dominic Cummings becomes latest govt official to self-isolate

The prime minister 's chief adviser Dominic Cummings is in self-isolation after showing coronavirus symptoms , No 10 has confirmed .
He started developing symptoms over the weekend and will be staying in contact with the rest of the Downing Street team during his quarantine period .
Boris Johnson 's spokesman said on Monday that Mr Cummings had not yet been tested .
On Friday , the prime minister became the first leader of a major world power to test positive for the virus .
His health minister , Matt Hancock , subsequently tested positive , while the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack are self-isolating after experiencing symptoms .
Mr Cummings was filmed running across Downing Street shortly after the prime minister posted a video message announcing he had tested positive for coronavirus .
Britain 's initial response to containing the spread of the highly contagious respiratory infection was modest in comparison to European countries such as Italy .
However , Mr Johnson imposed stringent controls after projections showed a quarter of a million people in the UK could die .
The prime minister insisted he would still be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street through `` the wizardry of modern technology '' .
The government 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the prime minister was already using `` digital tools '' to manage meetings .
Mr Johnson said in a video message that the UK will get through the crisis `` together '' , as he praised the 750,000 volunteers who have offered to assist the health service .
His remarks came after England 's deputy chief medical officer , Dr Jenny Harries , said it could be six months or more before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Housing , Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick warned additional lockdown measures could be enforced if current restrictions are deemed to be insufficient , or if Britons fail to comply with them .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He said teams are working `` around the clock '' to deliver equipment to frontline NHS staff - with 170 million masks , 42.8 million gloves and 2.3 million pairs of eye protectors delivered to 58,000 healthcare facilities so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Johnson said `` we have 20,000 NHS staff coming back to the colours - doctors and nurses - it 's a most amazing thing '' .
The government said testing of NHS staff began over the weekend , with roll-out across England from today .
It was confirmed on Sunday that another 207 people in the UK have died after testing positive for coronavirus - taking the total to 1,235 .
Dr Amged El-Hawrani became the first frontline hospital worker in the UK to die after contracting coronavirus .

The prime minister's chief adviser Dominic Cummings is in self-isolation after showing coronavirus symptoms, No 10 has confirmed.
He started developing symptoms over the weekend and will be staying in contact with the rest of the Downing Street team during his quarantine period.
Boris Johnson's spokesman said on Monday that Mr Cummings had not yet been tested.
On Friday, the prime minister became the first leader of a major world power to test positive for the virus.
Image: Boris Johnson (R) with chief adviser Dominic Cummings
His health minister, Matt Hancock, subsequently tested positive, while the government's chief medical adviser, Chris Whitty, and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack are self-isolating after experiencing symptoms.
Mr Cummings was filmed running across Downing Street shortly after the prime minister posted a video message announcing he had tested positive for coronavirus.
Britain's initial response to containing the spread of the highly contagious respiratory infection was modest in comparison to European countries such as Italy.
However, Mr Johnson imposed stringent controls after projections showed a quarter of a million people in the UK could die.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:15 PM's chief adviser seen running from No 10
The prime minister insisted he would still be able to work as he self-isolates in 11 Downing Street through "the wizardry of modern technology".
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The government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the prime minister was already using "digital tools" to manage meetings.
Mr Johnson said in a video message that the UK will get through the crisis "together", as he praised the 750,000 volunteers who have offered to assist the health service.
His remarks came after England's deputy chief medical officer, Dr Jenny Harries, said it could be six months or more before the UK gets back to normal from the pandemic.
Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick warned additional lockdown measures could be enforced if current restrictions are deemed to be insufficient, or if Britons fail to comply with them.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He said teams are working "around the clock" to deliver equipment to frontline NHS staff - with 170 million masks, 42.8 million gloves and 2.3 million pairs of eye protectors delivered to 58,000 healthcare facilities so far.
In a two-and-a-half minute message, Mr Johnson said "we have 20,000 NHS staff coming back to the colours - doctors and nurses - it's a most amazing thing".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:25 PM's video message from his virus isolation
The government said testing of NHS staff began over the weekend, with roll-out across England from today.
It was confirmed on Sunday that another 207 people in the UK have died after testing positive for coronavirus - taking the total to 1,235.
Dr Amged El-Hawrani became the first frontline hospital worker in the UK to die after contracting coronavirus.


news--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Government cracks down on fake advice on social media and WhatsApp

The government is cracking down on fake advice spread about the coronavirus , from myths about how to treat symptoms to scam text messages warning people they face jail for leaving their homes .
Many have likely come across questionable advice about COVID-19 online , on social media and on messaging apps such as WhatsApp , and Downing Street says five to 10 incidents are being identified every day .
Among them are : • Texts claiming to be from the government warning that people were being fined for leaving the house .
• Scams purporting to be from HMRC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• False hospital advice advising people to gargle and drink water every 15 minutes to `` wash the coronavirus down into the stomach , where the acid could kill it '' .
• Another fake tip saying people could test themselves for the virus by holding their breath for 10 seconds .
• Doctored screenshots of official guidance on the government website suggesting the UK was to enter lockdown from Friday 20 March - three days before it actually happened .
Downing Street says a Rapid Response Unit has been set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No 10 , to tackle these kinds of narratives as the disease continues to spread across the UK .
The dedicated team will respond to disinformation in various ways , including issuing direct rebuttals on social media , promoting public health campaigns , and working with tech companies to remove the offending posts .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker People are also being advised to look out for telling signs that advice they see online is incorrect .
They should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check the source and the facts , look beyond the headline , and think about whether suspicious images and videos appear to be doctored .
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the government would be further ramping up its public information campaign , including adverts featuring chief medical officer Chris Whitty , so long as the pandemic continues .
`` We need people to follow expert medical advice and stay at home , protect the NHS and save lives , '' he said .
`` It is vital that this message hits home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is knocked down quickly .
`` We are working with social media companies - and I will be pressing them this week for further action to stem the spread of falsehoods and rumours which could cost lives . ''
The Rapid Response Unit is being led by Conservative MP Damian Collins .
He has partnered with the Infotagion website , which will allow people to post screenshots of suspicious coronavirus advice they have seen or received online .

The government is cracking down on fake advice spread about the coronavirus, from myths about how to treat symptoms to scam text messages warning people they face jail for leaving their homes.
Many have likely come across questionable advice about COVID-19 online, on social media and on messaging apps such as WhatsApp, and Downing Street says five to 10 incidents are being identified every day.
Among them are:
Texts claiming to be from the government warning that people were being fined for leaving the house.
Scams purporting to be from HMRC offering tax refunds because of coronavirus disruption.
disruption. False hospital advice advising people to gargle and drink water every 15 minutes to "wash the coronavirus down into the stomach, where the acid could kill it".
Another fake tip saying people could test themselves for the virus by holding their breath for 10 seconds.
Doctored screenshots of official guidance on the government website suggesting the UK was to enter lockdown from Friday 20 March - three days before it actually happened.
Image: People have received messages claiming they would receive tax refunds because of coronavirus
Image: One false text suggested people's movements were being traced
Downing Street says a Rapid Response Unit has been set up, working within the Cabinet Office and No 10, to tackle these kinds of narratives as the disease continues to spread across the UK.
The dedicated team will respond to disinformation in various ways, including issuing direct rebuttals on social media, promoting public health campaigns, and working with tech companies to remove the offending posts.
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
People are also being advised to look out for telling signs that advice they see online is incorrect.
They should check for bad spelling and grammar, check the source and the facts, look beyond the headline, and think about whether suspicious images and videos appear to be doctored.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:41 Government's coronavirus TV advert
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the government would be further ramping up its public information campaign, including adverts featuring chief medical officer Chris Whitty, so long as the pandemic continues.
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"We need people to follow expert medical advice and stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives," he said.
"It is vital that this message hits home and that this misinformation and disinformation which undermines it is knocked down quickly.
"We are working with social media companies - and I will be pressing them this week for further action to stem the spread of falsehoods and rumours which could cost lives."
The Rapid Response Unit is being led by Conservative MP Damian Collins.
He has partnered with the Infotagion website, which will allow people to post screenshots of suspicious coronavirus advice they have seen or received online.