news--2020-06-08--Coronavirus: Matt Hancock insists COVID-19 in care homes 'coming under control'

Matt Hancock has said it is safe to send loved ones to care homes as the COVID-19 epidemic is `` coming under control '' and the virus is `` in retreat '' .
The health secretary said there had been a 79 % fall in care home deaths from COVID-19 since the peak in the week ending 24 April , according to Care Quality Commission ( CQC ) figures .
As of the week ending 29 May , which are the latest figures available , he said there have been 12,739 deaths in care homes , making up 29.1 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked if he could say it is safe to send loved ones to care homes , Mr Hancock told the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing : `` Yes .
With all of the measures that we 've put in place over the past few months , all of the billions of pounds extra that we 've put in , it 's clear that the epidemic in care homes is coming under control .
`` Even those care homes where there are cases have very strong infection control procedures in place .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proportion of people in the UK who have sadly died in care homes , it is significantly lower than in comparable countries across Europe . ''
He promised to `` continue to strengthen the measures in care homes '' .
Mr Hancock 's insistence that care homes are now safe came as the UK recorded 55 deaths in the 24 hours up to 5pm on Sunday - the country 's lowest number of daily coronavirus-related deaths since the lockdown was implemented in March .
There were also no deaths in Scotland or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considerable criticism for the number of deaths in care homes and the way in which COVID-19 was dealt with in homes for the elderly , who Mr Hancock said are 70 times more likely to die of the virus than those below 80 .
The health secretary said more than a million test kits had been sent to nearly 9,000 elderly care homes .
Mr Hancock also announced test kits will be sent to all care homes for `` working age '' people - of which there are more than 6,000 - with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care homes for the elderly .
David Pearson , chair of the newly formed COVID-19 social care support task force , said there are 1.5 million people in social care across the UK .
He said care homes for non-elderly people will also be given the personal protective equipment ( PPE ) they need and clinical advice to deal with residents and staff who test positive for COVID-19 .
Addressing what mortality rate the UK government is willing to accept to reopen the UK economy , Mr Hancock told Sky News ' political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is n't a trade-off '' If we do n't have control of this virus then the economy will suffer yet more .
`` The job of the government has been to get the rate down and hold it down whilst safely reopening the normal activities as much as is safely possible .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' That 's both on the economic front and the things that make life worth living , like being able to see your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of work .
`` It is just simplistic to say that there is a trade-off between the economy and health .
A second spike would be hugely damaging to the economy .
Of course , there are arguments over timing .
`` But , as the statistics demonstrate things are moving in the right direction , that is why we are able to say that coronavirus is in retreat and that 's why we 're able to keep taking the steps forward in the plan we 've laid out to lift some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures to take local action . ''

Matt Hancock has said it is safe to send loved ones to care homes as the COVID-19 epidemic is "coming under control" and the virus is "in retreat".
The health secretary said there had been a 79% fall in care home deaths from COVID-19 since the peak in the week ending 24 April, according to Care Quality Commission (CQC) figures.
As of the week ending 29 May, which are the latest figures available, he said there have been 12,739 deaths in care homes, making up 29.1% of all the UK's coronavirus deaths.
Image: People of 'working age' in care homes will now be sent tests
Asked if he could say it is safe to send loved ones to care homes, Mr Hancock told the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing: "Yes. With all of the measures that we've put in place over the past few months, all of the billions of pounds extra that we've put in, it's clear that the epidemic in care homes is coming under control.
"Even those care homes where there are cases have very strong infection control procedures in place.
"In fact, if you look at the proportion of people in the UK who have sadly died in care homes, it is significantly lower than in comparable countries across Europe."
He promised to "continue to strengthen the measures in care homes".
Mr Hancock's insistence that care homes are now safe came as the UK recorded 55 deaths in the 24 hours up to 5pm on Sunday - the country's lowest number of daily coronavirus-related deaths since the lockdown was implemented in March.
There were also no deaths in Scotland or London.
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Image: Matt Hancock said it is safe to send loved ones to care homes. Pic: File
The government has come under considerable criticism for the number of deaths in care homes and the way in which COVID-19 was dealt with in homes for the elderly, who Mr Hancock said are 70 times more likely to die of the virus than those below 80.
The health secretary said more than a million test kits had been sent to nearly 9,000 elderly care homes.
Mr Hancock also announced test kits will be sent to all care homes for "working age" people - of which there are more than 6,000 - with the scheme so far only applying to care homes for the elderly.
David Pearson, chair of the newly formed COVID-19 social care support task force, said there are 1.5 million people in social care across the UK.
He said care homes for non-elderly people will also be given the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need and clinical advice to deal with residents and staff who test positive for COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:55 Matt Hancock tells Sky's Beth Rigby there is no trade off between the economy and coronavirus deaths.
Addressing what mortality rate the UK government is willing to accept to reopen the UK economy, Mr Hancock told Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby: "There just isn't a trade-off
"If we don't have control of this virus then the economy will suffer yet more.
"The job of the government has been to get the rate down and hold it down whilst safely reopening the normal activities as much as is safely possible.
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"That's both on the economic front and the things that make life worth living, like being able to see your grandparents and that's a massive piece of work.
"It is just simplistic to say that there is a trade-off between the economy and health. A second spike would be hugely damaging to the economy. Of course, there are arguments over timing.
"But, as the statistics demonstrate things are moving in the right direction, that is why we are able to say that coronavirus is in retreat and that's why we're able to keep taking the steps forward in the plan we've laid out to lift some of the most difficult lockdown measures while increasing measures to take local action."


news--2020-06-08--Coronavirus: It can be done - New Zealand wipes out COVID-19 after last infected person recovers

New Zealand has successfully wiped out coronavirus after the final person known to have been infected recovered .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was confident the country had halted the spread of COVID-19 , but said it would `` almost certainly '' see more cases in the future .
`` We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now , but elimination is not a point in time , it is a sustained effort , '' she told a news conference .
`` I do want to say again , we will almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is not a sign that we have failed , it is a reality of this virus .
But if and when that occurs we have to make sure , and we are , that we are prepared . ''
It has been 17 days since the last new case was reported , with 40,000 tested in that time .
Monday also marked the first time since late February that there have been no active cases .
Following the country 's progress , ministers have approved another phase of reopening from midnight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government 's focus would be on the country 's borders , where isolation and quarantine will continue .
New Zealand 's director-general of health , Ashley Bloomfield , said having no new cases was a `` significant mark in our journey '' , but added that `` ongoing vigilance against COVID-19 will continue to be essential '' .
A number of factors have helped the nation of five million eradicate the disease swiftly , according to experts .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Pacific provided it time to observe how outbreaks spread in other countries , and Ms Ardern acted decisively by imposing a strict lockdown early in the outbreak .
Around 1,500 people contracted coronavirus in New Zealand , with just 22 deaths .
Meanwhile , China has reported four new cases , all of them brought from outside the country .
The country officially announced a total of 4,634 deaths out of 83,040 total cases since the virus was first detected in the city of Wuhan late last year .
South Korea reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Seoul region , as schools fully reopened on Monday .
Health minister Park Neunghoo called for officials to examine supplies of testing equipment in case infections continue .

New Zealand has successfully wiped out coronavirus after the final person known to have been infected recovered.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was confident the country had halted the spread of COVID-19, but said it would "almost certainly" see more cases in the future.
"We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now, but elimination is not a point in time, it is a sustained effort," she told a news conference.
Image: Parishioners socially distance inside a church in Whangarei, New Zealand
"I do want to say again, we will almost certainly see cases here again, and that is not a sign that we have failed, it is a reality of this virus. But if and when that occurs we have to make sure, and we are, that we are prepared."
It has been 17 days since the last new case was reported, with 40,000 tested in that time.
Monday also marked the first time since late February that there have been no active cases.
Following the country's progress, ministers have approved another phase of reopening from midnight, Ms Ardern said.
She said the government's focus would be on the country's borders, where isolation and quarantine will continue.
New Zealand's director-general of health, Ashley Bloomfield, said having no new cases was a "significant mark in our journey", but added that "ongoing vigilance against COVID-19 will continue to be essential".
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A number of factors have helped the nation of five million eradicate the disease swiftly, according to experts.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Its isolated location in the South Pacific provided it time to observe how outbreaks spread in other countries, and Ms Ardern acted decisively by imposing a strict lockdown early in the outbreak.
Around 1,500 people contracted coronavirus in New Zealand, with just 22 deaths.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:27 People in New Zealand celebrate the end of lockdown
Meanwhile, China has reported four new cases, all of them brought from outside the country. The country officially announced a total of 4,634 deaths out of 83,040 total cases since the virus was first detected in the city of Wuhan late last year.
South Korea reported 38 new cases, more of them in the Seoul region, as schools fully reopened on Monday. Health minister Park Neunghoo called for officials to examine supplies of testing equipment in case infections continue.


news--2020-06-04--Coronavirus infection rate in UK is second highest of any major European country

Coronavirus infection rate in UK is second highest of any major European country Coronavirus infection rate in UK is second highest of any major European country Sky News analysis reveals how cases in the UK are taking longer to fall The UK currently has the second highest coronavirus infection rate of any major European country , according to Sky News analysis .
Only Sweden , which decided not to impose a lockdown , has a higher rate of infection .
In the last week of May , there were 236 newly confirmed cases per million population in the UK .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday by the UK 's chief scientific officer , Sir Patrick Vallance , that the country 's epidemic has a `` long tail '' , with both cases and deaths taking longer to fall than he would like .
The coronavirus pandemic has evolved differently across Europe , affecting countries in the West more than those in the East .
The level of infection and the deaths in all these countries are now coming down , but not all are improving at the same pace .
In the UK and Sweden , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the shape of their epidemic is diverging from those of Spain , France and Italy .
One possible reason is the timing and strictness of the lockdown .
Measures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak have been different among countries and Sweden has been the least restrictive , as data from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response shows .
A group of researchers from the University of Oxford has tracked and compared the policies each government around the world has taken , and they have developed the containment and closure policies index to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stringency index and it includes measures such as school closures and restrictions in movement .
The UK 's stringency level has been lower than the other most affected countries ( Spain , Italy and Belgium ) .
Professor Keith Neal , Emeritus professor of the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at University of Nottingham , said it is difficult to know why the UK infection rate is not falling in line with its European neighbours without knowing where cases are prevalent .
`` While we are told 2,000 cases are being identified each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those cases are .
Infections are happening in three different settings - care homes , hospitals and the community .
It is important to know the prevalence in each as the infection is controlled differently , for example social distancing does n't work in a care home whilst infection control does . ''
Another possible reason infections are taking longer to reduce in the UK could be population density which is often a crucial factor in the spread of respiratory diseases .
Professor Neal added : `` We know that population dense cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been worst affected .
In fact , they are twice the size of Berlin which has been less affected .
This is partly due to social mixing patterns , as people in more densely populated areas have more daily contacts and that raises the potential for the virus to spread . ''
All these European countries have begun to ease their lockdowns since the beginning of May , and this might have an impact on future infections .
Monitoring the true presence of COVID-19 among the population is complicated by a lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK .
So , the figures for the number of confirmed cases should be treated with caution .
When presenting the government total of around 2,000 daily cases , Sir Patrick Vallance was quick to add that the Office for National Statistics has suggested the true number could be nearer 8,000 new daily infections .
This means the UK is only identifying one in four potential cases .
Finding new cases depends on the amount and quality of testing .
While other countries are also imperfect in this area , the UK has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The head of the UK Statistics Authority has called it `` inadequate '' and the government has not published the number of people tested for almost two weeks .
It says it is concerned some people who have taken more than one test might be double counted .
As the government continues to lift the lockdown , testing is a critical part of its strategy for monitoring the virus .
The Test , Track and Trace programme is in its early stages and some of the scientists advising the government have warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions are eased further .
They also caution that the rate of infection is still too high for contract tracing to be effective .
Nevertheless , Professor Neal believes `` contact tracing will help to discover the route of transmission and this will be vital for improving the control of COVID-19 '' in the UK .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker For now , the UK has the highest infection rate of any European country that attempted a lockdown .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will hope the 'curve ' starts to show a sharper decline over the next few weeks .
How that compares to other countries will depend on how the virus responds to the lifting of the lockdown .

Sky News analysis reveals how cases in the UK are taking longer to fall than Spain, Italy, France and Belgium.
The UK currently has the second highest coronavirus infection rate of any major European country, according to Sky News analysis.
Only Sweden, which decided not to impose a lockdown, has a higher rate of infection.
In the last week of May, there were 236 newly confirmed cases per million population in the UK.
The findings confirm the concern expressed on Wednesday by the UK's chief scientific officer, Sir Patrick Vallance, that the country's epidemic has a "long tail", with both cases and deaths taking longer to fall than he would like.
The coronavirus pandemic has evolved differently across Europe, affecting countries in the West more than those in the East.
The level of infection and the deaths in all these countries are now coming down, but not all are improving at the same pace.
In the UK and Sweden, the number of daily confirmed cases remains high and the shape of their epidemic is diverging from those of Spain, France and Italy.
One possible reason is the timing and strictness of the lockdown.
Measures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak have been different among countries and Sweden has been the least restrictive, as data from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response shows.
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A group of researchers from the University of Oxford has tracked and compared the policies each government around the world has taken, and they have developed the containment and closure policies index to allow comparisons.
This metric is called a stringency index and it includes measures such as school closures and restrictions in movement.
The UK's stringency level has been lower than the other most affected countries (Spain, Italy and Belgium).
Professor Keith Neal, Emeritus professor of the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at University of Nottingham, said it is difficult to know why the UK infection rate is not falling in line with its European neighbours without knowing where cases are prevalent.
"While we are told 2,000 cases are being identified each day, we are not told where those cases are. Infections are happening in three different settings - care homes, hospitals and the community. It is important to know the prevalence in each as the infection is controlled differently, for example social distancing doesn't work in a care home whilst infection control does."
Another possible reason infections are taking longer to reduce in the UK could be population density which is often a crucial factor in the spread of respiratory diseases.
Professor Neal added: "We know that population dense cities like London, Paris and Madrid have been worst affected. In fact, they are twice the size of Berlin which has been less affected. This is partly due to social mixing patterns, as people in more densely populated areas have more daily contacts and that raises the potential for the virus to spread."
All these European countries have begun to ease their lockdowns since the beginning of May, and this might have an impact on future infections.
Monitoring the true presence of COVID-19 among the population is complicated by a lack of quality data, not just in the UK. So, the figures for the number of confirmed cases should be treated with caution.
When presenting the government total of around 2,000 daily cases, Sir Patrick Vallance was quick to add that the Office for National Statistics has suggested the true number could be nearer 8,000 new daily infections. This means the UK is only identifying one in four potential cases.
Finding new cases depends on the amount and quality of testing.
While other countries are also imperfect in this area, the UK has been heavily criticised for its testing regime. The head of the UK Statistics Authority has called it "inadequate" and the government has not published the number of people tested for almost two weeks. It says it is concerned some people who have taken more than one test might be double counted.
As the government continues to lift the lockdown, testing is a critical part of its strategy for monitoring the virus. The Test, Track and Trace programme is in its early stages and some of the scientists advising the government have warned it needs to be fully operational before restrictions are eased further. They also caution that the rate of infection is still too high for contract tracing to be effective.
Nevertheless, Professor Neal believes "contact tracing will help to discover the route of transmission and this will be vital for improving the control of COVID-19" in the UK.
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For now, the UK has the highest infection rate of any European country that attempted a lockdown. Both Sir Patrick Vallance and the UK government will hope the 'curve' starts to show a sharper decline over the next few weeks. How that compares to other countries will depend on how the virus responds to the lifting of the lockdown.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: What the UK and France's quarantine deal means for your holiday plans

Before too long , international travellers flying into the UK will be required to quarantine themselves for two weeks in order to make sure they do not spread coronavirus .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the addition to the government 's COVID-19 strategy in an address to the nation on Sunday , without revealing a start or end date for the new measure .
However , a reciprocal agreement struck between Mr Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron later revealed that the 14-day quarantine would not apply to those moving across the Channel .
But those hoping the deal might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday would do well to keep their expectations in check - coronavirus means there is still no indication you will be able to enjoy a getaway anytime soon .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has told Sky News that trips abroad will remain off the cards despite the apparent exceptions granted for those heading to and from France .
He told Kay Burley @ Breakfast that the arrangement was focused on `` common sense measures '' across short straits , such as to maintain shipping between Calais and Dover .
Advice on the website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes clear that people should only travel between the two countries when `` strictly necessary '' - ruling out hopping on the Eurostar for sightseeing in Paris .
While travellers coming from the UK , the European Union and the Schengen zone will not need to enter quarantine immediately upon arrival in France , they will need to provide documents proving their need to enter the country .
Examples of supporting evidence listed on the embassy 's website include proof that your main residence is in France , proof that you work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross-border worker .
Transporters of goods need a certificate from their employer and to show where the goods are being delivered .
Earlier this month , Mr Macron said it was `` too early to say '' when people might be able to go on a summer holiday , whether abroad or within France .
`` We will only know this at the beginning of June , '' he said .
The UK and France are among the countries worst-hit by coronavirus .
The UK has more than 220,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 177,000 cases and 26,383 deaths .
Unlike the UK , some French businesses that had been forced to close - such as salons - have been allowed to reopen with enhanced safety measures in place .
However tourist destinations remain closed , including the likes of the Louvre , the Eiffel Tower , and Disneyland Paris , which have helped make France become the most visited country in the world .
France welcomed around 90 million visitors in each of the last three years , with more than eight million Britons making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was aiming to hit 100 million in 2020 .
With France off the cards , are there any other holiday options ?
The only other country exempt from the UK 's incoming quarantine measures is the Republic of Ireland , although this move has not been fully reciprocated .
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar introduced 14-day self-isolation rules for incoming travellers last month , other than for those residents returning from Northern Ireland .
According to the Belfast Telegraph , the Irish government will keep its existing rules in place - meaning people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to quarantine for two weeks .
Domestic holidays for Britons are also still on hiatus - based on the vague timetable outlined by Mr Johnson on Sunday , the majority of the UK 's hospitality industry will be offline for some time to come .
There is a prospective return date of 4 July for some venues such as pubs and restaurants , but this could change if coronavirus reasserts itself among the population .
Any comeback for locations like these would also need to adhere to social distancing rules .
British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to remaining closed until the end of May .
Speaking on Kay Burley @ Breakfast , Mr Raab said he was `` sorry '' to those whose holiday plans had been torpedoed , adding that he would not be making any such travel arrangements this summer .
Last month , tourism officials in Cornwall warned 80 % of the industry could collapse if guests were still not being accepted come July and August .
For now , Britons are still being broadly advised to stay at home other than for essential work @ @ @ @

Before too long, international travellers flying into the UK will be required to quarantine themselves for two weeks in order to make sure they do not spread coronavirus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the addition to the government's COVID-19 strategy in an address to the nation on Sunday, without revealing a start or end date for the new measure.
However, a reciprocal agreement struck between Mr Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron later revealed that the 14-day quarantine would not apply to those moving across the Channel.
But those hoping the deal might have rekindled hopes of a potential summer holiday would do well to keep their expectations in check - coronavirus means there is still no indication you will be able to enjoy a getaway anytime soon.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 14:07 PM's lockdown statement in full
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has told Sky News that trips abroad will remain off the cards despite the apparent exceptions granted for those heading to and from France.
He told Kay Burley@Breakfast that the arrangement was focused on "common sense measures" across short straits, such as to maintain shipping between Calais and Dover.
Advice on the website of the French embassy in London also makes clear that people should only travel between the two countries when "strictly necessary" - ruling out hopping on the Eurostar for sightseeing in Paris.
Image: The Eurostar is still operating a reduced service but there are restrictions on who can travel
While travellers coming from the UK, the European Union and the Schengen zone will not need to enter quarantine immediately upon arrival in France, they will need to provide documents proving their need to enter the country.
Examples of supporting evidence listed on the embassy's website include proof that your main residence is in France, proof that you work in healthcare, or that you are a cross-border worker.
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Transporters of goods need a certificate from their employer and to show where the goods are being delivered.
Image: France has been in lockdown for more than 50 days
Earlier this month, Mr Macron said it was "too early to say" when people might be able to go on a summer holiday, whether abroad or within France.
"We will only know this at the beginning of June," he said.
The UK and France are among the countries worst-hit by coronavirus.
The UK has more than 220,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 31,930 deaths, and France has more than 177,000 cases and 26,383 deaths.
Image: One of the final days of operation for Disneyland Paris before it closed back in March
Unlike the UK, some French businesses that had been forced to close - such as salons - have been allowed to reopen with enhanced safety measures in place.
However tourist destinations remain closed, including the likes of the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and Disneyland Paris, which have helped make France become the most visited country in the world.
France welcomed around 90 million visitors in each of the last three years, with more than eight million Britons making the trip each year, and it was aiming to hit 100 million in 2020.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:08 Explore a deserted fairytale island in France
With France off the cards, are there any other holiday options?
The only other country exempt from the UK's incoming quarantine measures is the Republic of Ireland, although this move has not been fully reciprocated.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar introduced 14-day self-isolation rules for incoming travellers last month, other than for those residents returning from Northern Ireland.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, the Irish government will keep its existing rules in place - meaning people travelling from the other home nations will have to quarantine for two weeks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Varadkar's plan to ease Ireland lockdown
Domestic holidays for Britons are also still on hiatus - based on the vague timetable outlined by Mr Johnson on Sunday, the majority of the UK's hospitality industry will be offline for some time to come.
There is a prospective return date of 4 July for some venues such as pubs and restaurants, but this could change if coronavirus reasserts itself among the population.
Any comeback for locations like these would also need to adhere to social distancing rules.
Image: Tourism officials in Cornwall say 80% of the industry could collapse if holiday makers do not return soon
British resorts such as Center Parcs had already committed to remaining closed until the end of May.
Speaking on Kay Burley@Breakfast, Mr Raab said he was "sorry" to those whose holiday plans had been torpedoed, adding that he would not be making any such travel arrangements this summer.
Last month, tourism officials in Cornwall warned 80% of the industry could collapse if guests were still not being accepted come July and August.
For now, Britons are still being broadly advised to stay at home other than for essential work and outdoor exercise.


news--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Inside Brazil's slums where COVID-19 is at risk of spreading like wildfire

Brazil is now only second behind the United States as the worst affected country for coronavirus cases .
That is despite the central government and its president , Jair Bolsonaro , continuing to play down the spread and effect of the disease .
The worst hit city in Brazil is Sao Paulo and its enormous favelas are the chief breeding grounds for COVID-19 , which has been claiming the lives of around 1,000 people a day across the country - although those official figures are hotly disputed as being too low .
In truth , if the figures are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are likely to become so very soon .
These slums are home to millions .
Millions who live with poverty , disease and crime at the best of times - but these are the worst of times .
We were taken inside the Tiradentes favela by a motorbike gang .
They provided security .
We could not move without them - it is far too dangerous for outsiders .
They call themselves the `` Cartel '' gang , working the streets of the east zone of Sao Paulo , which has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Cartel is modelled on the images of the original Hell 's Angels , but they are not a crime gang .
In the absence of effective state aid here , they are the ones delivering food and teaching people how to keep clean , wash hands and stay alive .
Here , the word `` angels '' to characterise this gang has a completely different meaning .
For these communities , they actually are angels .
They work with community leaders who tell them where they need to go to help .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , standing next to co-founder Rubia Oliveira , said : `` At the moment COVID is in the back of these families ' minds , they will only believe it when someone in their immediate family dies from it .
`` It is difficult for them to understand it , we hear this a lot .
`` We try to fight by giving them information , fighting fake news , taking out the politics and appealing to the rational part of people . ''
The fake news and the politics he is referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , and in particular the president , pours on the danger of COVID-19 .
While they are in denial , the people in favelas - who are experiencing death and being made unemployed daily - are living in fear .
Whole communities are closing their streets to outsiders , with only actual residents allowed in .
The living conditions are utterly miserable , but it is all they have and they are determined to protect it .
We travelled from the east of the city to the north , which has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the Brasilandia favela , we met community groups who raise money to hand out food boxes to people who have lost their jobs .
They are also handing the food out to try to stop people going out to find work and endangering themselves and their families - something they have to do just to eat .
Their charismatic leader Claudio Rodrigues Melo and his team closely control social distancing , making sure the recipients stay on the other side of a busy road until they are called forward for their food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big problems for the communities and why they are in so much danger .
`` There are no [ health ] services , people are poor and they live so close together that social distancing is impossible , '' he said .
After a long period of national denial and a fear of stigma , the poorest now realise they are the most likely to die from this pandemic , and in the slums they are trying to teach each other how to survive .
Refusing to open the metal gate to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She has already been ill in hospital , tested and discharged .
Fourteen days later she still has a cough and has not received her test results .
She assumes she is still in danger .
Ruth moved from her previous street where 22 neighbours died of COVID-19 .
She is terrified of the disease and terrified of being totally ostracised by society .
`` I 'm afraid , I was in the queue [ to get food ] and as soon as I said I 'd had COVID everyone moved away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said through the bars .
`` I 'm staying here locked in my house because I 'm so afraid that I do n't even show my face here .
I just move between my garage and my house , '' she said , coughing continuously .
All the favelas have community leaders who are at the forefront of trying to teach people of the dangers of the virus and the need to isolate and distance wherever possible .
Marta Sampaio took us through her community called Nova Uniao , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look people are building new shacks as well as brick homes , but in a very piecemeal way .
It is rough .
There is raw sewage in the streets and the new builds cling precariously to muddy hills facing an utterly polluted river .
It is frankly awful and it is clear that in these densely populated semi-illegal settlements there is no protection from the disease and it will spread like wildfire .
Marta said : `` It 's only natural , you see the conditions they are living in , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no infrastructure , these are the challenges we face .
`` But the situation here is critical , people here do n't even have the means to build a home . ''
She said : `` He does n't believe it 's a virus that is killing people .
He 's giving speeches saying 'it 's a little flu ' , but we as Brazilians know that this is not a joke . ''
: : Listen to the Divided States podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his confusing messages and denials .
Even the United States , a close ally , has closed its borders to Brazilians .
But the confusion continues and the numbers of people dying continues to rise .

Brazil is now only second behind the United States as the worst affected country for coronavirus cases.
That is despite the central government and its president, Jair Bolsonaro, continuing to play down the spread and effect of the disease.
The worst hit city in Brazil is Sao Paulo and its enormous favelas are the chief breeding grounds for COVID-19, which has been claiming the lives of around 1,000 people a day across the country - although those official figures are hotly disputed as being too low.
In truth, if the figures are not much worse than that already, then they are likely to become so very soon.
These slums are home to millions. Millions who live with poverty, disease and crime at the best of times - but these are the worst of times.
We were taken inside the Tiradentes favela by a motorbike gang. They provided security. We could not move without them - it is far too dangerous for outsiders.
They call themselves the "Cartel" gang, working the streets of the east zone of Sao Paulo, which has the worst infection rates in the city.
Image: The 'Cartel' gang in Tiradentes favela have placed it on lockdown
The Cartel is modelled on the images of the original Hell's Angels, but they are not a crime gang.
In the absence of effective state aid here, they are the ones delivering food and teaching people how to keep clean, wash hands and stay alive.
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Here, the word "angels" to characterise this gang has a completely different meaning. For these communities, they actually are angels.
Image: Rubia Oliveria with members of the 'Cartel' group who are delivering aid to those in the Tiradentes favela
They work with community leaders who tell them where they need to go to help.
Vanderlei Rodrigues, the gang's leader, standing next to co-founder Rubia Oliveira, said: "At the moment COVID is in the back of these families' minds, they will only believe it when someone in their immediate family dies from it.
"It is difficult for them to understand it, we hear this a lot.
"We try to fight by giving them information, fighting fake news, taking out the politics and appealing to the rational part of people."
Image: Community groups are trying to raise money for food boxes
The fake news and the politics he is referring to is the continuing scorn the national government, and in particular the president, pours on the danger of COVID-19.
While they are in denial, the people in favelas - who are experiencing death and being made unemployed daily - are living in fear.
Whole communities are closing their streets to outsiders, with only actual residents allowed in.
The living conditions are utterly miserable, but it is all they have and they are determined to protect it.
Image: Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has previously called coronavirus 'a little flu'
We travelled from the east of the city to the north, which has the highest mortality rates from the virus.
In the Brasilandia favela, we met community groups who raise money to hand out food boxes to people who have lost their jobs.
They are also handing the food out to try to stop people going out to find work and endangering themselves and their families - something they have to do just to eat.
Their charismatic leader Claudio Rodrigues Melo and his team closely control social distancing, making sure the recipients stay on the other side of a busy road until they are called forward for their food box.
Image: Claudio Rodrigues Melo and his team in Brasilandia are handing out food boxes to those who have lost their jobs
Claudio said there are three big problems for the communities and why they are in so much danger.
"There are no [health] services, people are poor and they live so close together that social distancing is impossible," he said.
After a long period of national denial and a fear of stigma, the poorest now realise they are the most likely to die from this pandemic, and in the slums they are trying to teach each other how to survive.
Many live in fear.
Image: Ruth Leite is terrified of being ostracised after she was in hospital with suspected COVID-19
Refusing to open the metal gate to her shack, Ruth Leite, is self-isolating. She has already been ill in hospital, tested and discharged.
Fourteen days later she still has a cough and has not received her test results. She assumes she is still in danger.
Ruth moved from her previous street where 22 neighbours died of COVID-19. She is terrified of the disease and terrified of being totally ostracised by society.
"I'm afraid, I was in the queue [to get food] and as soon as I said I'd had COVID everyone moved away from me - I was left alone," she said through the bars.
"I'm staying here locked in my house because I'm so afraid that I don't even show my face here. I just move between my garage and my house," she said, coughing continuously.
Image: The Brasilandia favela is very tightly packed together
All the favelas have community leaders who are at the forefront of trying to teach people of the dangers of the virus and the need to isolate and distance wherever possible.
Marta Sampaio took us through her community called Nova Uniao, a relatively new favela, and everywhere you look people are building new shacks as well as brick homes, but in a very piecemeal way.
It is rough. There is raw sewage in the streets and the new builds cling precariously to muddy hills facing an utterly polluted river.
It is frankly awful and it is clear that in these densely populated semi-illegal settlements there is no protection from the disease and it will spread like wildfire.
Image: Marta Sampaio holds Jair Bolsonaro responsible for the continuing spread of coronavirus in Brazil
Marta said: "It's only natural, you see the conditions they are living in, there is no sewage system, there's no infrastructure, these are the challenges we face.
"But the situation here is critical, people here don't even have the means to build a home."
Marta holds President Bolsanaro responsible for the continuing virus spread.
She said: "He doesn't believe it's a virus that is killing people. He's giving speeches saying 'it's a little flu', but we as Brazilians know that this is not a joke."
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:: Listen to the Divided States podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Across the country people blame the president for his confusing messages and denials.
Even the United States, a close ally, has closed its borders to Brazilians.
But the confusion continues and the numbers of people dying continues to rise.


news--2020-06-04--'Get off the grass': Homeowner interrupts Australian PM Scott Morrison's housing announcement

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was interrupted by a homeowner during a news conference who told off the media pack for standing on his freshly seeded lawn .
Mr Morrison was in the New South Wales state town of Googong to announce a new housing scheme when the resident yelled at him and reporters from his door .
`` Can everyone get off the grass please , '' he said .
The PM immediately responded , saying : `` Sure , let 's just move back from there . ''
`` Come on !
`` , the unnamed man continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just reseeded that , '' he added , pointing to the lawn .
Replying , the PM told crews to once again get back : `` Yeah , please , off the thing . ''
The man then apologised to Mr Morrison , saying `` sorry mate '' , to which he received a thumbs up from the prime minister , who said `` it 's all good , thanks '' , and continued with his speech .
He had travelled to a housing construction site 17 miles ( 28km ) south of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his government would spend nearly $ 700m ( £386m ) to support the sector hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic .
The country has had far fewer cases than most other nations , but its economy is facing its first recession in almost three decades despite billions of dollars in government support .
Mr Morrison 's handling of the outbreak has helped his popularity soar , according to a Newspoll survey conducted for The Australian newspaper last month .
The country has recorded 7,240 infections and 102 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was interrupted by a homeowner during a news conference who told off the media pack for standing on his freshly seeded lawn.
Mr Morrison was in the New South Wales state town of Googong to announce a new housing scheme when the resident yelled at him and reporters from his door.
"Can everyone get off the grass please," he said.
The PM immediately responded, saying: "Sure, let's just move back from there."
"Come on!", the unnamed man continued. "Hey guys, I've just reseeded that," he added, pointing to the lawn.
Replying, the PM told crews to once again get back: "Yeah, please, off the thing."
The man then apologised to Mr Morrison, saying "sorry mate", to which he received a thumbs up from the prime minister, who said "it's all good, thanks", and continued with his speech.
Image: The man apologised to the PM, who gave a thumbs up, saying 'it's all good'
He had travelled to a housing construction site 17 miles (28km) south of the capital, Canberra, to announce his government would spend nearly $700m (£386m) to support the sector hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
The country has had far fewer cases than most other nations, but its economy is facing its first recession in almost three decades despite billions of dollars in government support.
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Mr Morrison's handling of the outbreak has helped his popularity soar, according to a Newspoll survey conducted for The Australian newspaper last month.
The country has recorded 7,240 infections and 102 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University which is tracking the outbreak.


news--2020-06-01--Coronavirus: China would welcome 'international review' into COVID-19 pandemic, says ambassador to U

Coronavirus: China would welcome 'international review' into COVID-19 pandemic, says ambassador to UK

China would welcome an `` international review '' into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic , Beijing 's ambassador to the UK has told Sky News .
Speaking on Monday 's edition of After The Pandemic , a Sky News series of special programmes looking at what life will be like after COVID-19 , Liu Xiaoming said the purpose of such an investigation should not be to `` label any country '' .
`` This review should be independent , free from politicisation , it should be based on science , the scientists should take the lead , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organisation ] should lead this independent review .
Mr Liu rejected criticism of China 's response to the virus , claiming Beijing had `` wasted no time in sharing information '' with the international community .
`` China 's record is clean [ and ] it can stand the test of time and history , '' he declared .
However , a YouGov poll for Sky News found that 76 % of respondents thought the outbreak had damaged China 's global standing .
A total of 68 % thought the same of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also thought the UK 's global standing had been hit .
Mr Liu also claimed that the pandemic will `` make the world more united '' and countries who had `` rejected World Health Organisation advice have paid a high price '' .
On the search for a vaccine , the ambassador said China is in the `` advanced '' stages of researching one and would `` share it with the rest of the world '' if it made a breakthrough .
The COVID-19 outbreak began in the city of Wuhan , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since spread around the world .
According to Johns Hopkins University , there have been more than 6.2 million cases of the coronavirus around the globe , with more than 370,000 deaths recorded .
Ambassador Liu was joined on Monday 's programme by David Miliband , former foreign secretary and now chief executive of the International Rescue Committee , historian Niall Ferguson and Mary Robinson , former UN human rights commissioner and former president of Ireland .
Ahead of the start of After The Pandemic , Sky News commissioned polling on the post-COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was what the biggest issue facing the world will be .
Top of the pile was climate change ( 33 % ) , followed by future pandemics ( 15 % ) , poverty ( 14 % ) , China ( 11 % ) and terrorism ( 3 % ) .
Ms Robinson said nations around the world needed to emerge from the pandemic with a clear and unified plan to tackle climate change , but added she was `` distressed '' by what she was hearing at the moment .
She warned against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , telling Sky News that a number of lessons could be gleaned from the `` sudden , dramatic downturn '' brought on by the coronavirus .
Ms Robinson said one of these was that `` government matters '' , noting that a number of countries with female leaders have fared particularly well , citing the likes of New Zealand , Denmark , Germany , Iceland and Finland .
Mr Miliband said the coronavirus outbreak was `` not a short term crisis , it 's a medium to long-term change in the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` our connected world suffers from disconnected government '' .
He added that there needs to be a `` better and more independent WHO '' as a result of COVID-19 .
Mr Ferguson said the WHO `` did not cover itself in glory '' early on in the outbreak and `` legitimate questions '' need to be asked about its response .
But he said `` fault does not entirely lie with China '' , adding that the US had `` grotesquely mishandled the crisis and left it far too late to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World every night until Thursday .
It 's a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
Tuesday 's theme is Economy and Work .
He 'll be joined by the Nobel prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz , Stephanie Kelton , whose forthcoming book explores how best to deal with issues ranging from poverty to building resilient infrastructure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former chief executive of BP and Stephen Moore , senior economic adviser to Donald Trump .

China would welcome an "international review" into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, Beijing's ambassador to the UK has told Sky News.
Speaking on Monday's edition of After The Pandemic, a Sky News series of special programmes looking at what life will be like after COVID-19, Liu Xiaoming said the purpose of such an investigation should not be to "label any country".
"This review should be independent, free from politicisation, it should be based on science, the scientists should take the lead," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:51 Coronavirus risking a US-China cold war?
"The WHO [World Health Organisation] should lead this independent review.
Mr Liu rejected criticism of China's response to the virus, claiming Beijing had "wasted no time in sharing information" with the international community.
"China's record is clean [and] it can stand the test of time and history," he declared.
However, a YouGov poll for Sky News found that 76% of respondents thought the outbreak had damaged China's global standing.
A total of 68% thought the same of the United States, while 43% also thought the UK's global standing had been hit.
Mr Liu also claimed that the pandemic will "make the world more united" and countries who had "rejected World Health Organisation advice have paid a high price".
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On the search for a vaccine, the ambassador said China is in the "advanced" stages of researching one and would "share it with the rest of the world" if it made a breakthrough.
The COVID-19 outbreak began in the city of Wuhan, in China's Hubei province.
It has since spread around the world.
According to Johns Hopkins University, there have been more than 6.2 million cases of the coronavirus around the globe, with more than 370,000 deaths recorded.
Ambassador Liu was joined on Monday's programme by David Miliband, former foreign secretary and now chief executive of the International Rescue Committee, historian Niall Ferguson and Mary Robinson, former UN human rights commissioner and former president of Ireland.
Ahead of the start of After The Pandemic, Sky News commissioned polling on the post-COVID-19 world.
One of the questions asked was what the biggest issue facing the world will be.
Top of the pile was climate change (33%), followed by future pandemics (15%), poverty (14%), China (11%) and terrorism (3%).
Ms Robinson said nations around the world needed to emerge from the pandemic with a clear and unified plan to tackle climate change, but added she was "distressed" by what she was hearing at the moment.
She warned against a return to "business as usual", telling Sky News that a number of lessons could be gleaned from the "sudden, dramatic downturn" brought on by the coronavirus.
Ms Robinson said one of these was that "government matters", noting that a number of countries with female leaders have fared particularly well, citing the likes of New Zealand, Denmark, Germany, Iceland and Finland.
Mr Miliband said the coronavirus outbreak was "not a short term crisis, it's a medium to long-term change in the way we run the planet" that shows "our connected world suffers from disconnected government".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:07 How many of you trust your government?
He added that there needs to be a "better and more independent WHO" as a result of COVID-19.
Mr Ferguson said the WHO "did not cover itself in glory" early on in the outbreak and "legitimate questions" need to be asked about its response.
But he said "fault does not entirely lie with China", adding that the US had "grotesquely mishandled the crisis and left it far too late to take action".
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World every night until Thursday. It's a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
Tuesday's theme is Economy and Work. He'll be joined by the Nobel prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, Stephanie Kelton, whose forthcoming book explores how best to deal with issues ranging from poverty to building resilient infrastructure. Alongside them both is Lord Browne, the former chief executive of BP and Stephen Moore, senior economic adviser to Donald Trump.