news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: The letter 'U' is helping drive stock markets down heavily

Jay Powell 's downbeat assessment on the speed of economic recovery this week has been a key driver of market behaviour The second longest-serving chairman of the US Federal Reserve , Alan Greenspan , was famed for having such an ability to move financial markets that even a cough from him could do so .
The latest incumbent in the post , Jay Powell , may not have quite the same influence as the man once dubbed `` Uncle Al , the market 's pal '' .
But he , too , has demonstrated his market-moving prowess during the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Peterson Institute of International Economics , on Wednesday , Mr Powell offered a bleak assessment of the economic outlook and the speed at which the US economy may emerge from the COVID-19 crisis .
He said that there was a growing sense that the recovery may come `` more slowly than we would like '' and said that might make it necessary for the world 's most important central bank to do more .
The Fed chairman added : `` The scope and speed of this downturn are without modern precedent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World War II . ''
He went on to say that , while the Fed would do what it could , extra spending by Washington might need to be forthcoming .
`` Additional fiscal support could be costly , but worth it if it helps avoid long-term economic damage and leaves us with a stronger recovery , '' he added .
Mr Powell 's remarks have alarmed Wall Street because , for much of his time at the Fed , he has been seen as being hawkish on the US deficit .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as aggressively as , for example , the European Central Bank has earned him criticism on numerous occasions from Donald Trump .
The policy response to COVID-19 from the US authorities has already been immense , with the White House and US Congress committed to $ 3tn ( £2.46tn ) worth of stimulus packages , while the Fed itself has provided monetary stimulus in the form of lower interest rates and by buying $ 2tn ( £1.64tn ) worth of US Treasuries ( US government IOUs ) and mortgage securities .
So the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for more US government spending and borrowing sent US stock markets lower .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 2.2 % , the S & P 500 by 1.8 % and the Nasdaq by 1.6 % - with some traders speculating that Mr Powell 's bleak choice of phrases , such as `` significant downside risk '' , triggered sell orders by automated trading programmes whose algorithms look out for such words .
Thursday 's latest grim new jobless claims numbers , revealing that a further 2.981 million Americans have registered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , added to the sense of gloom .
It has left the S & P 500 down by nearly 5 % so far this week and leaving America 's broadest stock index in line for its biggest fall in eight weeks .
As ever , it has had a knock-on effect elsewhere around the world , with Asian markets all following overnight and European stock markets following suit once trading reopened , with the FTSE 100 falling almost 3 % on the day to levels not seen for more than three weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Powell 's words are an injection of timely realism .
Before the beginning of this week , the S & P 500 had put on a stunning 31 % since bottoming out on 23 March , while the Dow had put on 30 % .
That was largely in response to optimism that the vast stimulus packages put in place would ensure a so-called `` V-shaped '' recovery , an immediate bounce-back in GDP , rather than a `` U-shaped '' recovery in which the US took longer to recover .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investors in particular - European equities have not enjoyed anything like as strong a recovery from their March lows - were beginning to get overoptimistic and too euphoric .
Those fears were given voice , shortly after Mr Powell finished speaking , by David Tepper , founder of Appaloosa Management , one of Wall Street 's most influential hedge fund managers .
The billionaire told CNBC the US stock market was the most overvalued he had seen it since 1999 - just before the dot-com bubble burst .
He added : `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's put a lot of money in here…the market is , by anybody 's standard , pretty full .
`` There 's a lot of liquidity there and the Fed 's still there .
It 's too hard to say the market ca n't go up , or something like that , but it 's not a very good risk-reward market . ''
Mr Tepper is far from the only high-profile investor issuing such warnings .
Stanley Druckenmiller , another billionaire fund manager , warned on Tuesday this week that he feared the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Speaking at a webcast hosted by the Economic Club of New York , Mr Druckenmiller - who , earlier in his career , co-managed the Quantum Fund with legendary investor George Soros - said he feared `` many years of sub-par growth '' .
He added : `` I pray I 'm wrong on this , but I just think the V out [ V-shaped recovery ] is a fantasy .
The risk-reward for equity is maybe as bad as I 've seen it in my career .
`` The wild card @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step up their [ asset ] purchases .
`` The consensus seems to be 'do n't worry , the Fed has your back ' .
There 's only one problem with that - our analysis says it 's not true . ''
Mr Druckenmiller also queries why US equity markets had rallied , during recent sessions , every time there appeared to be positive news about remdesivir , the anti-viral treatment for COVID-19 developed by drugmaker Gilead Sciences , which is currently in clinical trials .
He added : `` I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because there 's a viral drug out there . ''
There seems little doubt that US equity markets , during the fabulous rally they enjoyed in April , had become slightly detached from reality .
The S & P 500 index traditionally trades on a price-earnings ratio ( a key investment yardstick ) of around 15 times but is currently trading at around 20 times .
Given the potentially dire consequences for company earnings , should the US economy take longer than expected to emerge from the recession it is currently in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been taking their money off the table this week .

Sky's Ian King says heavy stock market losses can be traced to falling expectations of a quick recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
Jay Powell's downbeat assessment on the speed of economic recovery this week has been a key driver of market behaviour
The second longest-serving chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, was famed for having such an ability to move financial markets that even a cough from him could do so.
The latest incumbent in the post, Jay Powell, may not have quite the same influence as the man once dubbed "Uncle Al, the market's pal".
But he, too, has demonstrated his market-moving prowess during the last 24 hours.
During a webcast hosted by the Peterson Institute of International Economics, on Wednesday, Mr Powell offered a bleak assessment of the economic outlook and the speed at which the US economy may emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.
He said that there was a growing sense that the recovery may come "more slowly than we would like" and said that might make it necessary for the world's most important central bank to do more.
The Fed chairman added: "The scope and speed of this downturn are without modern precedent, significantly worse than any recession since World War II."
He went on to say that, while the Fed would do what it could, extra spending by Washington might need to be forthcoming.
"Additional fiscal support could be costly, but worth it if it helps avoid long-term economic damage and leaves us with a stronger recovery," he added.
Image: The Trump administration is coming under pressure to add to its stimulus packages
Mr Powell's remarks have alarmed Wall Street because, for much of his time at the Fed, he has been seen as being hawkish on the US deficit.
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This and his reluctance to cut interest rates as aggressively as, for example, the European Central Bank has earned him criticism on numerous occasions from Donald Trump.
The policy response to COVID-19 from the US authorities has already been immense, with the White House and US Congress committed to $3tn (£2.46tn) worth of stimulus packages, while the Fed itself has provided monetary stimulus in the form of lower interest rates and by buying $2tn (£1.64tn) worth of US Treasuries (US government IOUs) and mortgage securities.
So the fact that Mr Powell himself sees a need for more US government spending and borrowing sent US stock markets lower.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 US economy shrinks at fastest rate since 2008
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 2.2%, the S&P 500 by 1.8% and the Nasdaq by 1.6% - with some traders speculating that Mr Powell's bleak choice of phrases, such as "significant downside risk", triggered sell orders by automated trading programmes whose algorithms look out for such words.
Thursday's latest grim new jobless claims numbers, revealing that a further 2.981 million Americans have registered for unemployment benefits during the last week, added to the sense of gloom.
It has left the S&P 500 down by nearly 5% so far this week and leaving America's broadest stock index in line for its biggest fall in eight weeks.
As ever, it has had a knock-on effect elsewhere around the world, with Asian markets all following overnight and European stock markets following suit once trading reopened, with the FTSE 100 falling almost 3% on the day to levels not seen for more than three weeks.
Yet there is also a sense that Mr Powell's words are an injection of timely realism.
Before the beginning of this week, the S&P 500 had put on a stunning 31% since bottoming out on 23 March, while the Dow had put on 30%.
That was largely in response to optimism that the vast stimulus packages put in place would ensure a so-called "V-shaped" recovery, an immediate bounce-back in GDP, rather than a "U-shaped" recovery in which the US took longer to recover.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:23 Chancellor warns of a 'significant recession'
But concerns were starting to mount that US investors in particular - European equities have not enjoyed anything like as strong a recovery from their March lows - were beginning to get overoptimistic and too euphoric.
Those fears were given voice, shortly after Mr Powell finished speaking, by David Tepper, founder of Appaloosa Management, one of Wall Street's most influential hedge fund managers.
The billionaire told CNBC the US stock market was the most overvalued he had seen it since 1999 - just before the dot-com bubble burst.
He added: "The market's pretty high and the Fed's put a lot of money in here…the market is, by anybody's standard, pretty full.
"There's a lot of liquidity there and the Fed's still there. It's too hard to say the market can't go up, or something like that, but it's not a very good risk-reward market."
Mr Tepper is far from the only high-profile investor issuing such warnings.
Stanley Druckenmiller, another billionaire fund manager, warned on Tuesday this week that he feared the economic recovery would take longer than expected.
Speaking at a webcast hosted by the Economic Club of New York, Mr Druckenmiller - who, earlier in his career, co-managed the Quantum Fund with legendary investor George Soros - said he feared "many years of sub-par growth".
He added: "I pray I'm wrong on this, but I just think the V out [V-shaped recovery] is a fantasy. The risk-reward for equity is maybe as bad as I've seen it in my career.
"The wild card here is that the Fed can always step up their [asset] purchases.
"The consensus seems to be 'don't worry, the Fed has your back'. There's only one problem with that - our analysis says it's not true."
Mr Druckenmiller also queries why US equity markets had rallied, during recent sessions, every time there appeared to be positive news about remdesivir, the anti-viral treatment for COVID-19 developed by drugmaker Gilead Sciences, which is currently in clinical trials.
He added: "I don't see why anybody would change their behaviour because there's a viral drug out there."
There seems little doubt that US equity markets, during the fabulous rally they enjoyed in April, had become slightly detached from reality. The S&P 500 index traditionally trades on a price-earnings ratio (a key investment yardstick) of around 15 times but is currently trading at around 20 times.
Given the potentially dire consequences for company earnings, should the US economy take longer than expected to emerge from the recession it is currently in, it is obvious why some investors have been taking their money off the table this week.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: UK visitors will be asked to download COVID-19 tracing app

Visitors to the UK will be asked to download the NHS coronavirus contact-tracing app .
Contact details will also be requested `` so that we know where people are '' , Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said at the Downing Street press conference .
The app is being trialled on the Isle of Wight , where more than half of residents have now downloaded it , Mr Shapps added .
`` The actual number is 72,300 , '' he said .
Reaching such a number is crucial .
Earlier this month , Mr Shapps said that about 50 % to 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ software for it to be effective .
A national rollout of the application - developed by the health service 's technology arm , NHSX - is expected later this month .
It is part of a test , track and trace strategy considered central to efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
It works by using Bluetooth to detect when your phone has been near a handset belonging to someone reporting coronavirus symptoms .
The user is then sent a notification , offering advice on how to stop the disease spreading .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A COVID-19 swab test can be ordered via the app for those who have symptoms , the government has said .
It is available on Apple IOS version 11 and higher , and Android version 8 and upwards .
The prime minister 's official spokesman has admitted the `` pilot has uncovered some issues '' which are `` being fixed as we go along '' .
He added : `` The view of the health secretary and those working on the app is @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Visitors to the UK will be asked to download the NHS coronavirus contact-tracing app.
Contact details will also be requested "so that we know where people are", Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said at the Downing Street press conference.
The app is being trialled on the Isle of Wight, where more than half of residents have now downloaded it, Mr Shapps added.
"The actual number is 72,300," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Transport Sec announces £2bn funding
Reaching such a number is crucial. Earlier this month, Mr Shapps said that about 50% to 60% of people needed to use the software for it to be effective.
A national rollout of the application - developed by the health service's technology arm, NHSX - is expected later this month.
It is part of a test, track and trace strategy considered central to efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.
It works by using Bluetooth to detect when your phone has been near a handset belonging to someone reporting coronavirus symptoms.
The user is then sent a notification, offering advice on how to stop the disease spreading.
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A COVID-19 swab test can be ordered via the app for those who have symptoms, the government has said.
It is available on Apple IOS version 11 and higher, and Android version 8 and upwards.
The prime minister's official spokesman has admitted the "pilot has uncovered some issues" which are "being fixed as we go along".
He added: "The view of the health secretary and those working on the app is that it is progressing well."


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: 'NHS cannot deliver all that is now being asked of it,' health leaders say

It will take months before the NHS can fully restart services in the face of the coronavirus crisis , health charities and NHS providers have warned .
In a joint submission to the Commons Health and Social Care Committee , the Health Foundation , the King 's Fund and Nuffield Trust said the impact of the pandemic on already exhausted health service staff should not be underestimated .
And a separate report from NHS Providers , which represents NHS organisations , warned there are challenges to ramping up care for people with non-COVID conditions while still caring for COVID patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list for planned treatment stood at around 4.4 million , but is expected to be much higher when the latest figures are published later today .
The charities ' committee submission said the pandemic has exposed `` pre-existing weaknesses '' , most obviously a long-term under-investment in health and care services and a `` precarious '' social care system .
It warned that an information campaign will be needed to urge the public to overcome their fears and start using the NHS again , while preparations must also be made for a possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter pressures such as seasonal flu .
The organisations also said more personal protective equipment ( PPE ) will be needed as non-COVID services resume , more space must be allocated so patients and staff can socially distance , and there is a need for greater levels of testing .
`` These issues will still need to be tackled alongside the backlog of demand , '' they said .
Nigel Edwards , chief executive of Nuffield Trust , said : `` With the virus still at large there is no easy route back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NHS , and unfortunately that means people waiting much longer and some services being put on hold .
`` Hospitals and a whole range of services provided in the community will have to be remodelled to control infection and keep people safe , by separating out coronavirus patients and testing constantly and quickly at every level .
`` We must be honest that this will slow things down . ''
Richard Murray , chief executive of the King 's Fund , said : `` All aspects of the health and care system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running if services are to return to any semblance of normality .
`` In the case of social care , normality should not be the aim .
The sector needs increased funding and fundamental reform . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker For NHS Providers , Chief Executive , Chris Hopson , echoed some of the charities ' concerns .
`` The NHS has performed extremely well through the first peak of the virus , but that 's just the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a marathon , '' he said .
`` Only now is the scale of the challenge for the rest of the race coming into view .
`` Trusts will do all they can to restart services as quickly as possible .
`` They 'll seek to solve every problem they encounter as they 've consistently done so far .
`` They will build on the innovations they 've developed over the last two months , like the 6,000 patient consultations a day now being delivered online , compared to 200 before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the pandemic so far is not to over-promise .
`` We must recognise that the NHS can not deliver all that is now being asked of it .
Expectations are already way ahead of reality . ''

It will take months before the NHS can fully restart services in the face of the coronavirus crisis, health charities and NHS providers have warned.
In a joint submission to the Commons Health and Social Care Committee, the Health Foundation, the King's Fund and Nuffield Trust said the impact of the pandemic on already exhausted health service staff should not be underestimated.
And a separate report from NHS Providers, which represents NHS organisations, warned there are challenges to ramping up care for people with non-COVID conditions while still caring for COVID patients.
Before the outbreak, the waiting list for planned treatment stood at around 4.4 million, but is expected to be much higher when the latest figures are published later today.
The charities' committee submission said the pandemic has exposed "pre-existing weaknesses", most obviously a long-term under-investment in health and care services and a "precarious" social care system.
It warned that an information campaign will be needed to urge the public to overcome their fears and start using the NHS again, while preparations must also be made for a possible second peak of COVID-19 alongside the usual winter pressures such as seasonal flu.
The organisations also said more personal protective equipment (PPE) will be needed as non-COVID services resume, more space must be allocated so patients and staff can socially distance, and there is a need for greater levels of testing.
"These issues will still need to be tackled alongside the backlog of demand," they said.
Nigel Edwards, chief executive of Nuffield Trust, said: "With the virus still at large there is no easy route back to the way things were before in the NHS, and unfortunately that means people waiting much longer and some services being put on hold.
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"Hospitals and a whole range of services provided in the community will have to be remodelled to control infection and keep people safe, by separating out coronavirus patients and testing constantly and quickly at every level.
"We must be honest that this will slow things down."
Richard Murray, chief executive of the King's Fund, said: "All aspects of the health and care system will need to be back up and running if services are to return to any semblance of normality.
"In the case of social care, normality should not be the aim. The sector needs increased funding and fundamental reform."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
For NHS Providers, Chief Executive, Chris Hopson, echoed some of the charities' concerns.
"The NHS has performed extremely well through the first peak of the virus, but that's just the first few laps of what we know will be a marathon," he said.
"Only now is the scale of the challenge for the rest of the race coming into view.
"Trusts will do all they can to restart services as quickly as possible.
"They'll seek to solve every problem they encounter as they've consistently done so far.
"They will build on the innovations they've developed over the last two months, like the 6,000 patient consultations a day now being delivered online, compared to 200 before the crisis.
"But one key lesson from the pandemic so far is not to over-promise.
"We must recognise that the NHS cannot deliver all that is now being asked of it. Expectations are already way ahead of reality."


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: I got an antibody test. But do they really tell us anything?

At the start of March , I had a tight chest and a sore throat .
Nothing to worry about , in the normal run of things - but , boy , did I worry .
Was this COVID-19 ?
Was I spreading it ?
Should I self-isolate ?
After the symptoms disappeared , my worry turned to hope .
Had I contracted the best kind of coronavirus , the extremely mild kind ?
Had I won the lottery and acquired immunity at no cost ?
Since the start of the outbreak , I 've spoken to dozens of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the most unlikely circumstances .
My mum is pretty sure she caught it from my sister 's partner in late December , at a time when the first cases were emerging in China .
A taxi driver told me he thought he 'd had it in July last year .
`` Are you sure ? ''
I said .
Until recently , these speculations were impossible to check .
An infection will leave antibodies that can be detected by a test , but getting an accurate version of those tests has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In March , the New York Times reported that the government paid £16m for two million antibody tests from China , only to find out they did n't work .
But those tests were meant to be done at home , making them `` as simple as a pregnancy test '' , as the prime minister put it in March .
Tests done in a lab are much more reliable .
Public Health England has approved an antibody test made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it says can reliably pick up whether people have contracted the virus .
Although these are n't approved , they promise high levels of accuracy .
Medichecks , a healthcare testing company in Nottingham , offers lab-based antibody tests at a cost of £90 , which it says score very highly on the key measures of accuracy , specificity and sensitivity .
That means they only pick up people who have genuinely had COVID-19 , as opposed to another illness , and can detect even mild symptoms .
`` If the test is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms , the latest research I 've seen from the University of Washington suggests that it 's 100 % accurate , '' says Dr Sam Rodgers , medical director of Medichecks .
However , he stresses that `` this is a field that 's changing incredibly quickly '' .
With this guarantee in mind , I decided to see what it was like .
The process was straightforward , if a little awkward .
I pricked my fingers with lancets provided by the company , then filled a small vial with my blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bag and sent it off to the lab .
Four days later , my results arrived .
Feeling nervous , I opened the link .
`` Your test did not find antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in your blood sample , '' I read .
`` It is therefore highly unlikely that you have been infected with coronavirus in the past . ''
I felt gutted .
I 'd been dreaming of a lottery win .
Instead , I had nothing .
But I should n't have been - because even a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us very much at all .
`` We simply do n't know yet whether the antibodies that we can detect are protective , '' says Professor Eleanor Riley , from the immunology and infectious disease department at the University of Edinburgh .
`` An antibody test tells me that those symptoms I had a few weeks ago were due to coronavirus .
It does n't tell me that I 'm immune to reinfection . ''
Antibody tests can help public health experts track the spread of the infection , but on an individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide little useful information .
`` Individual tests at the moment are not a useful public health tool , '' she says .
`` They are a curiosity , I think , for people who can afford to pay £90 or £100 for a test and think they might have had the infection . ''
I put this to Dr Rodgers of Medichecks .
He agreed the tests would not be appropriate to use in clinical practice , and that they could n't tell anyone whether or not they were immune - something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very , very careful to make clear that it is not a measure of immunity , '' he said .
`` It is simply a sign that someone has had infection . ''
Despite that , he told me , demand was very high .
`` Most people just want to know if they 've had the infection .
`` People like to remove uncertainty from their lives .
If they are feeling uncertainty about whether or not they 've had the infection , this test will tell them . ''
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I found that I agreed .
At a time when there is so much uncertainty around , a little bit of clarity can be just the lift we need .

At the start of March, I had a tight chest and a sore throat.
Nothing to worry about, in the normal run of things - but, boy, did I worry. Was this COVID-19? Was I spreading it? Should I self-isolate?
After the symptoms disappeared, my worry turned to hope. Had I contracted the best kind of coronavirus, the extremely mild kind? Had I won the lottery and acquired immunity at no cost?
Image: The test is more reliable when done in a laboratory
Since the start of the outbreak, I've spoken to dozens of people who have had similar thoughts, sometimes in the most unlikely circumstances.
My mum is pretty sure she caught it from my sister's partner in late December, at a time when the first cases were emerging in China.
A taxi driver told me he thought he'd had it in July last year.
"Are you sure?" I said.
"Absolutely," he replied.
Until recently, these speculations were impossible to check. An infection will leave antibodies that can be detected by a test, but getting an accurate version of those tests has not been easy.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In March, the New York Times reported that the government paid £16m for two million antibody tests from China, only to find out they didn't work.
But those tests were meant to be done at home, making them "as simple as a pregnancy test", as the prime minister put it in March.
Tests done in a lab are much more reliable.
Public Health England has approved an antibody test made by the pharmaceutical company Roche, which it says can reliably pick up whether people have contracted the virus.
Private laboratories are offering similar tests.
Image: A finger prick is needed to complete the test
Although these aren't approved, they promise high levels of accuracy.
Medichecks, a healthcare testing company in Nottingham, offers lab-based antibody tests at a cost of £90, which it says score very highly on the key measures of accuracy, specificity and sensitivity.
That means they only pick up people who have genuinely had COVID-19, as opposed to another illness, and can detect even mild symptoms.
"If the test is taken 17 days after the onset of symptoms, the latest research I've seen from the University of Washington suggests that it's 100% accurate," says Dr Sam Rodgers, medical director of Medichecks.
However, he stresses that "this is a field that's changing incredibly quickly".
With this guarantee in mind, I decided to see what it was like.
The process was straightforward, if a little awkward. I pricked my fingers with lancets provided by the company, then filled a small vial with my blood.
I put my sample in a bag and sent it off to the lab.
Image: The test had to be sent back to the lab
Four days later, my results arrived. Feeling nervous, I opened the link.
"Your test did not find antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in your blood sample," I read.
"It is therefore highly unlikely that you have been infected with coronavirus in the past."
I felt gutted. I'd been dreaming of a lottery win. Instead, I had nothing.
But I shouldn't have been - because even a very accurate antibody test can't actually tell us very much at all.
"We simply don't know yet whether the antibodies that we can detect are protective," says Professor Eleanor Riley, from the immunology and infectious disease department at the University of Edinburgh.
"An antibody test tells me that those symptoms I had a few weeks ago were due to coronavirus. It doesn't tell me that I'm immune to reinfection."
Antibody tests can help public health experts track the spread of the infection, but on an individual level, Professor Riley says, they provide little useful information.
"Individual tests at the moment are not a useful public health tool," she says.
"They are a curiosity, I think, for people who can afford to pay £90 or £100 for a test and think they might have had the infection."
I put this to Dr Rodgers of Medichecks. He agreed the tests would not be appropriate to use in clinical practice, and that they couldn't tell anyone whether or not they were immune - something his company makes clear.
"We are very, very careful to make clear that it is not a measure of immunity," he said. "It is simply a sign that someone has had infection."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:49 Sky presenter tests daughter for coronavirus
Despite that, he told me, demand was very high.
"Most people just want to know if they've had the infection.
"People like to remove uncertainty from their lives. If they are feeling uncertainty about whether or not they've had the infection, this test will tell them."
Once I'd got over my disappointment, I found that I agreed.
At a time when there is so much uncertainty around, a little bit of clarity can be just the lift we need.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: City sees '30-fold increase' in rare childhood disease since COVID-19

Dozens of children in the UK , US and elsewhere in Europe have been affected by a rare inflammatory disease linked to coronavirus - including a 14-year-old boy who died in London in April .
The teenager was part of a cluster of eight cases treated at the Evelina London Children 's Hospital over a 10-day period last month .
In Bergamo , the hardest hit city in Italy , there has been a `` 30-fold increased incidence '' of Kawasaki-like disease in children at the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in the past month , a study in The Lancet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that COVID-19 `` might cause a severe form of Kawasaki-like disease '' .
As of last week , the London hospital has seen more than 20 children with the Kawasaki-like disease , according to a report from the medical team in The Lancet .
The 14-year-old spent six days in intensive care at the Evelina and tested positive for COVID-19 following his death , his medical team reported .
His main symptoms on being admitted to the hospital were a temperature over 40C , diarrhoea , abdominal pain and headache .
The youngest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evelina was aged four and two others were six .
Two of the children in the cluster , including the boy who died , were obese .
The report said : `` All children were previously fit and well .
Six of the children were of Afro-Caribbean descent , and five of the children were boys . ''
Medics said all the children had similar symptoms when they were admitted , including `` unrelenting fever '' , `` variable rash '' , conjunctivitis , swelling , pain and `` significant gastrointestinal symptoms '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant respiratory symptoms during their time in hospital , although seven were put on a ventilator to stabilise their cardiovascular systems .
All of the children survived apart from the 14-year-old .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said last month that experts are investigating the new syndrome in children `` with great urgency '' but has stressed it is rare .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In Bergamo , the other study found 10 children - seven boys and three girls - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been diagnosed between 18 February and 20 April .
The study found children diagnosed since the COVID-19 pandemic were older - previously they were about three-years-old .
Last week , New York governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed three children had died from the illness , with health officials reviewing a further 73 cases .
The condition is said to be similar to Kawasaki disease , which mainly affects children under the age of five , with symptoms including a high temperature , rashes , swelling and a toxic shock style response .
The medics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We suggest that this clinical picture represents a new phenomenon affecting previously asymptomatic children with COVID-19 infection manifesting as a hyperinflammatory syndrome with multi-organ involvement similar to Kawasaki disease shock syndrome . ''
The team said multiple specialists were needed for any children presenting with the syndrome , including from intensive care , cardiology , infectious diseases , immunology and rheumatology .

Dozens of children in the UK, US and elsewhere in Europe have been affected by a rare inflammatory disease linked to coronavirus - including a 14-year-old boy who died in London in April.
The teenager was part of a cluster of eight cases treated at the Evelina London Children's Hospital over a 10-day period last month.
In Bergamo, the hardest hit city in Italy, there has been a "30-fold increased incidence" of Kawasaki-like disease in children at the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in the past month, a study in The Lancet journal found.
Image: At Bergamo's Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital there was a 3000% increase in children with Kawasaki-like disease in a month
The Italian researchers concluded that COVID-19 "might cause a severe form of Kawasaki-like disease".
As of last week, the London hospital has seen more than 20 children with the Kawasaki-like disease, according to a report from the medical team in The Lancet.
The 14-year-old spent six days in intensive care at the Evelina and tested positive for COVID-19 following his death, his medical team reported.
His main symptoms on being admitted to the hospital were a temperature over 40C, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and headache.
The youngest child in the cluster treated at the Evelina was aged four and two others were six.
Two of the children in the cluster, including the boy who died, were obese.
The report said: "All children were previously fit and well. Six of the children were of Afro-Caribbean descent, and five of the children were boys."
Medics said all the children had similar symptoms when they were admitted, including "unrelenting fever", "variable rash", conjunctivitis, swelling, pain and "significant gastrointestinal symptoms".
Most of the children had no significant respiratory symptoms during their time in hospital, although seven were put on a ventilator to stabilise their cardiovascular systems.
All of the children survived apart from the 14-year-old.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said last month that experts are investigating the new syndrome in children "with great urgency" but has stressed it is rare.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In Bergamo, the other study found 10 children - seven boys and three girls - with an average age of seven-and-a-half had been diagnosed between 18 February and 20 April.
The study found children diagnosed since the COVID-19 pandemic were older - previously they were about three-years-old.
Last week, New York governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed three children had died from the illness, with health officials reviewing a further 73 cases.
The condition is said to be similar to Kawasaki disease, which mainly affects children under the age of five, with symptoms including a high temperature, rashes, swelling and a toxic shock style response.
The medics researching the London cases wrote: "We suggest that this clinical picture represents a new phenomenon affecting previously asymptomatic children with COVID-19 infection manifesting as a hyperinflammatory syndrome with multi-organ involvement similar to Kawasaki disease shock syndrome."
The team said multiple specialists were needed for any children presenting with the syndrome, including from intensive care, cardiology, infectious diseases, immunology and rheumatology.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: A quarter of COVID-19 patients who died in England had diabetes

A quarter of people who died with coronavirus in hospitals in England had diabetes , officials say .
People with dementia or lung problems are also among those most at risk of dying after contracting COVID-19 , according to new NHS figures .
Statistics from NHS England show that of the 22,332 people who died since 31 March , 5,873 ( 26 % ) of them were diabetic .
The breakdown of those who had type 1 and type 2 has not been released .
According to diabetes.co.uk 6 % of the UK population is diabetic .
Also , 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 - 4,048 deaths - had dementia as an underlying health condition and 15 % ( 3,254 deaths ) had chronic pulmonary disease .
Some 14 % ( 3,214 deaths ) had chronic kidney disease as an underlying health issue .
It is the first time NHS England has published a breakdown of deaths by pre-existing conditions .
Meanwhile , latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics show an average of 148,000 people in England had coronavirus at any given time between 27 April and 10 May .
An average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or one in 370 people - excluding health and care workers - were infected with the virus over the period , the results of a pilot study suggest .
There seemed little difference between young and older people when it came to who caught COVID-19 , even though it has been widely reported that the elderly are more vulnerable to the virus .
In the study , the estimated percentages who tested positive for COVID-19 , broken down by age , were : 2-19 years old : 0.32 % ; 20-40 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 69 years old : 0.32 % ; 70 years and over : 0.23 % .
However , among people working in patient-facing healthcare and social care roles , 1.33 % tested positive .
Professor Partha Kar , national speciality adviser for diabetes for the NHS , said : `` It is clear that people with diabetes are more at risk of dying from COVID-19 .
`` And more detailed analysis is currently under way to understand the link between the two although initial findings indicate that the threat in people under 40 continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS has put extra measures in place so that people living with diabetes can manage their condition better during the pandemic , including a range of online services , video consultations with your local clinical team and a dedicated helpline for those who need advice . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes as another 428 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK have died , taking the total to 33,614 .
The latest daily figure released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus-related fatalities in hospitals , care homes and the community , reported in a 24-hour period up to 5pm on Wednesday .
There have been the most number of COVID-19 tests carried out in the UK in a 24-hour period so far in the pandemic .
There was a total of 126,064 tests on Wednesday .

A quarter of people who died with coronavirus in hospitals in England had diabetes, officials say.
People with dementia or lung problems are also among those most at risk of dying after contracting COVID-19, according to new NHS figures.
Statistics from NHS England show that of the 22,332 people who died since 31 March, 5,873 (26%) of them were diabetic.
The breakdown of those who had type 1 and type 2 has not been released. According to diabetes.co.uk 6% of the UK population is diabetic.
Also, 18% of people who died after testing positive for COVID-19 - 4,048 deaths - had dementia as an underlying health condition and 15% (3,254 deaths) had chronic pulmonary disease.
Some 14% (3,214 deaths) had chronic kidney disease as an underlying health issue.
It is the first time NHS England has published a breakdown of deaths by pre-existing conditions.
Image: There have been the most number of daily COVID-19 tests carried out in the UK so far
Meanwhile, latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics show an average of 148,000 people in England had coronavirus at any given time between 27 April and 10 May.
An average of 0.27% of the community population, or one in 370 people - excluding health and care workers - were infected with the virus over the period, the results of a pilot study suggest.
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There seemed little difference between young and older people when it came to who caught COVID-19, even though it has been widely reported that the elderly are more vulnerable to the virus.
In the study, the estimated percentages who tested positive for COVID-19, broken down by age, were: 2-19 years old: 0.32%; 20-40 years old: 0.26%; 50 to 69 years old: 0.32%; 70 years and over: 0.23%.
However, among people working in patient-facing healthcare and social care roles, 1.33% tested positive.
Professor Partha Kar, national speciality adviser for diabetes for the NHS, said: "It is clear that people with diabetes are more at risk of dying from COVID-19.
"And more detailed analysis is currently under way to understand the link between the two although initial findings indicate that the threat in people under 40 continues to be very low.
"The NHS has put extra measures in place so that people living with diabetes can manage their condition better during the pandemic, including a range of online services, video consultations with your local clinical team and a dedicated helpline for those who need advice."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It comes as another 428 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK have died, taking the total to 33,614.
The latest daily figure released by the Department of Health is for coronavirus-related fatalities in hospitals, care homes and the community, reported in a 24-hour period up to 5pm on Wednesday.
There have been the most number of COVID-19 tests carried out in the UK in a 24-hour period so far in the pandemic.
There was a total of 126,064 tests on Wednesday.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: New COVID-19 antibody test approved for use in UK

A new coronavirus antibody test has been found to have 100 % specificity - which means it accurately identified all negative samples as negative .
However , the test was not 100 % accurate as it missed 16 % of the samples of people who had had COVID-19 .
This refers to the sensitivity of the test , which is the percentage of the samples that are positive and are accurately identified as so .
Public Health England ( PHE ) said scientific experts at its Porton Down facility had carried out an independent evaluation of the new blood test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The test is designed to help determine if a patient has had COVID-19 and whether they have developed antibodies against it .
The detection of these antibodies could help to indicate if a person has gained immunity against the virus .
Professor John Newton , national co-ordinator of the UK Coronavirus Testing Programme , said : `` This is a very positive development because such a highly specific antibody test is a very reliable marker of past infection .
`` This in turn may indicate some immunity to future infection although the extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity remains unclear . ''
Britain 's junior health minister Edward Argar said : `` This has the potential to be a game changer .
`` We are now moving as fast as we can to discuss with Roche purchasing of those but I ca n't give you an exact date when we 'll be able to start rolling them out . ''
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care ( DHSC ) said : `` Antibody testing is an important part of our strategy to counter the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has had the disease .
`` In addition to the recent huge expansion of the UK 's swab-based coronavirus testing capacity , we are exploring the use of antibody testing across the NHS and ultimately the wider public .
`` We are delighted that devices are progressing through validation , and are actively working on our plans for rolling out antibody testing and will make announcements in due course . ''
In March , Boris Johnson said : `` The great thing about having a test to see whether you 've had it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes on above your head and you can go back to work safe and confident in the knowledge that you are most unlikely to get it again .
`` So for an economic point of view , from a social point of view , it really could be a game-changer . ''
Severin Schwan , chief executive of Roche Group , said : `` Thanks to the enormous efforts of our dedicated colleagues we are now able to deliver a high-quality antibody test in high quantities , so we can support healthcare systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to better manage the COVID-19 health crisis .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock last week said the UK was in talks with Roche about a `` very large-scale roll-out '' of coronavirus antibody testing .
But he acknowledged that there had been problems with antibody testing , having previously said the UK would order 17.5 million home testing kits only to find they did not work .
`` There has been false hope before in antibody testing and so we 'll make announcements when we 're absolutely ready , '' he said .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won emergency approval from the US Food and Drug Administration .
What is an antibody test and why is it important ?
When a person gets infected with a virus , the body starts making specially designed proteins called antibodies to fight the infection .
After they recover , those antibodies float in the blood for months , maybe even years .
Therefore , an accurate antibody test can identify if someone has had COVID-19 and recovered , even if they showed no symptoms of the virus .
Current testing only identifies those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientists will hope to obtain valuable data on the spread of the pandemic which will help with planning for future outbreaks as well as potential vaccines and treatments .
It will also give more accurate numbers on exactly how many people were infected to see how prevalent the virus is .
There have been suggestions those who have had the virus and have recovered will have immunity , however scientists say it is too early to be sure .
Previous tests have not been as accurate meaning they detect antibodies against other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producing what is known as a false positive .

A new coronavirus antibody test has been found to have 100% specificity - which means it accurately identified all negative samples as negative.
However, the test was not 100% accurate as it missed 16% of the samples of people who had had COVID-19.
This refers to the sensitivity of the test, which is the percentage of the samples that are positive and are accurately identified as so.
Public Health England (PHE) said scientific experts at its Porton Down facility had carried out an independent evaluation of the new blood test developed by a Swiss pharmaceutical company.
The test is designed to help determine if a patient has had COVID-19 and whether they have developed antibodies against it.
The detection of these antibodies could help to indicate if a person has gained immunity against the virus.
Professor John Newton, national co-ordinator of the UK Coronavirus Testing Programme, said: "This is a very positive development because such a highly specific antibody test is a very reliable marker of past infection.
"This in turn may indicate some immunity to future infection although the extent to which the presence of antibodies indicates immunity remains unclear."
Britain's junior health minister Edward Argar said: "This has the potential to be a game changer.
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"We are now moving as fast as we can to discuss with Roche purchasing of those but I can't give you an exact date when we'll be able to start rolling them out."
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said: "Antibody testing is an important part of our strategy to counter the spread of COVID-19 and to help us understand who has had the disease.
"In addition to the recent huge expansion of the UK's swab-based coronavirus testing capacity, we are exploring the use of antibody testing across the NHS and ultimately the wider public.
"We are delighted that devices are progressing through validation, and are actively working on our plans for rolling out antibody testing and will make announcements in due course."
In March, Boris Johnson said: "The great thing about having a test to see whether you've had it enough, is suddenly a green light goes on above your head and you can go back to work safe and confident in the knowledge that you are most unlikely to get it again.
"So for an economic point of view, from a social point of view, it really could be a game-changer."
Severin Schwan, chief executive of Roche Group, said: "Thanks to the enormous efforts of our dedicated colleagues we are now able to deliver a high-quality antibody test in high quantities, so we can support healthcare systems around the world with an important tool to better manage the COVID-19 health crisis.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock last week said the UK was in talks with Roche about a "very large-scale roll-out" of coronavirus antibody testing.
But he acknowledged that there had been problems with antibody testing, having previously said the UK would order 17.5 million home testing kits only to find they did not work.
"There has been false hope before in antibody testing and so we'll make announcements when we're absolutely ready," he said.
Earlier this month, Roche's antibody test won emergency approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.
What is an antibody test and why is it important?
When a person gets infected with a virus, the body starts making specially designed proteins called antibodies to fight the infection.
After they recover, those antibodies float in the blood for months, maybe even years.
Therefore, an accurate antibody test can identify if someone has had COVID-19 and recovered, even if they showed no symptoms of the virus.
Current testing only identifies those who have it now.
If introduced, scientists will hope to obtain valuable data on the spread of the pandemic which will help with planning for future outbreaks as well as potential vaccines and treatments.
It will also give more accurate numbers on exactly how many people were infected to see how prevalent the virus is.
There have been suggestions those who have had the virus and have recovered will have immunity, however scientists say it is too early to be sure.
Previous tests have not been as accurate meaning they detect antibodies against other coronaviruses such as the common cold - producing what is known as a false positive.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: EastEnders and Coronation Street filming to resume 'within weeks'

EastEnders and Coronation Street are set to resume filming within weeks after halting production due to the coronavirus .
Plans are in place for stars to return to the famous Corrie cobbles once is it safe to do so , and it is understood this will be within weeks rather than months .
Charlotte Moore , the BBC 's director of content , has said they hope to bring EastEnders cast and crew members back on set by the end of June .
Filming on a huge range of shows was stopped due to the coronavirus lockdown , with soaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure they did not run out - and ITV even airing vintage episodes to keep fans happy .
Following the latest government lockdown announcement on Sunday , with some restrictions eased , bosses are now preparing to get back to work .
A Coronation Street spokesperson told Sky News : `` The health and well-being of our people and those who work with us has always been our highest priority and remains so as we look to restart production .
`` We are in the final stages of working with others across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in active discussions with government on this .
We will share more news in due course . ''
Earlier this month , producers for the long-running ITV series revealed the coronavirus pandemic will be included in future episodes , but will be `` handled with a light touch '' rather than `` dominating '' storylines .
A spokesperson for EastEnders confirmed to Sky News that filming in Albert Square will begin at the end of June , with cast and crew following government guidelines and with social distancing measures in place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and make-up .
Details for when ITV soap Emmerdale and Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks will return have not been released .
A spokesperson for Emmerdale told Sky News : `` ITV is in the final stages of working with others across the industry on a return-to-production protocol and we are in active discussions with government on this .
`` We will share further updates in due course . ''
Earlier this week , draft safety protocols from the British Film Commission were announced , with suggestions for extras to be replaced by CGI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when TV and film production begins again .
The plans are being consulted on this week .
In Australia , Neighbours has led the way , with filming resuming a few weeks ago .
Producer Jason Herbison and star Alan Fletcher , better known as Dr Karl Kennedy , told Sky News they were doing it with strict social distancing measures in place - with `` no scenes that require intimacy or physical contact '' .

EastEnders and Coronation Street are set to resume filming within weeks after halting production due to the coronavirus.
Plans are in place for stars to return to the famous Corrie cobbles once is it safe to do so, and it is understood this will be within weeks rather than months.
Charlotte Moore, the BBC's director of content, has said they hope to bring EastEnders cast and crew members back on set by the end of June.
Image: Coronation Street producers have said the virus will feature but won't dominate future storylines
Filming on a huge range of shows was stopped due to the coronavirus lockdown, with soaps having to spread episodes out to make sure they did not run out - and ITV even airing vintage episodes to keep fans happy.
Following the latest government lockdown announcement on Sunday, with some restrictions eased, bosses are now preparing to get back to work.
A Coronation Street spokesperson told Sky News: "The health and well-being of our people and those who work with us has always been our highest priority and remains so as we look to restart production.
"We are in the final stages of working with others across the industry on a return-to-production protocol and we are in active discussions with government on this. We will share more news in due course."
Earlier this month, producers for the long-running ITV series revealed the coronavirus pandemic will be included in future episodes, but will be "handled with a light touch" rather than "dominating" storylines.
A spokesperson for EastEnders confirmed to Sky News that filming in Albert Square will begin at the end of June, with cast and crew following government guidelines and with social distancing measures in place.
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Cast members will do their own hair and make-up.
Details for when ITV soap Emmerdale and Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks will return have not been released.
A spokesperson for Emmerdale told Sky News: "ITV is in the final stages of working with others across the industry on a return-to-production protocol and we are in active discussions with government on this.
"We will share further updates in due course."
Image: Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne, aka Dr Karl and Susan Kennedy, from Neighbours. Pic: FremantleMedia LTD
Earlier this week, draft safety protocols from the British Film Commission were announced, with suggestions for extras to be replaced by CGI and crews to be dressed in PPE when TV and film production begins again.
The plans are being consulted on this week.
In Australia, Neighbours has led the way, with filming resuming a few weeks ago.
Producer Jason Herbison and star Alan Fletcher, better known as Dr Karl Kennedy, told Sky News they were doing it with strict social distancing measures in place - with "no scenes that require intimacy or physical contact".


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Trump clashes with top health adviser over plan to reopen schools

Donald Trump has described US public health adviser Anthony Fauci 's caution about schools reopening as `` completely unacceptable '' .
Mr Trump accused Dr Fauci , who has become the de facto medical spokesman for the US during the coronavirus outbreak , of wanting to `` play all sides of the equation '' when giving out advice .
Dr Fauci gave a testimony before a Senate committee on Tuesday , where he warned relaxing rules too early could bring more `` suffering and death '' .
`` We do n't know everything about this virus and we really better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to children , '' he told the committee .
`` We just have to see on a step-by-step basis as we get into the period of time with the fall , about reopening the schools , exactly where we will be in the dynamics of the outbreak . ''
In a meeting with reporters at the White House on Wednesday , Mr Trump said he believed schools should reopen soon .
`` Our country 's got to get back and it 's got to get back as soon as possible , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back if the schools are closed . ''
Asked about Dr Fauci 's comments further , he said : `` Look , he wants to play all sides of the equation .
I was surprised by his answer actually , because , you know , it 's just to me - it 's not an acceptable answer , especially when it comes to schools.
`` The president said the coronavirus has `` had very little impact on young people '' , although there is growing concern over cases of a mysterious inflammatory syndrome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to the virus .
Dr Fauci later clarified that he was not implying students should be barred from returning to class until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed .
Mr Trump and Dr Fauci have publicly disagreed before , including on the effectiveness of certain drugs that have been tested to treat the virus .
He has also complained to aides about Dr Fauci 's positive media attention and his willingness to contradict the president .
But Mr Trump has also acknowledged that the blowback to removing the doctor would be fierce .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The US is currently the worst-hit country in the world in terms of the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths .
There have been more than 1.3 million reported cases of coronavirus in the US and nearly 85,000 people have died after contracting the illness .
But the fatality rate compared to cases is one of the lowest in the world , with just 6 % of cases resulting in deaths .

Donald Trump has described US public health adviser Anthony Fauci's caution about schools reopening as "completely unacceptable".
Mr Trump accused Dr Fauci, who has become the de facto medical spokesman for the US during the coronavirus outbreak, of wanting to "play all sides of the equation" when giving out advice.
Image: Dr Anthony Fauci testifies remotely to the senate committee
Dr Fauci gave a testimony before a Senate committee on Tuesday, where he warned relaxing rules too early could bring more "suffering and death".
"We don't know everything about this virus and we really better be pretty careful, particularly when it comes to children," he told the committee.
"We just have to see on a step-by-step basis as we get into the period of time with the fall, about reopening the schools, exactly where we will be in the dynamics of the outbreak."
In a meeting with reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Mr Trump said he believed schools should reopen soon.
"Our country's got to get back and it's got to get back as soon as possible, and I don't consider our country coming back if the schools are closed."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:40 US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci spoke about the dangers of reopening the economy too quickly
Asked about Dr Fauci's comments further, he said: "Look, he wants to play all sides of the equation. I was surprised by his answer actually, because, you know, it's just to me - it's not an acceptable answer, especially when it comes to schools. "
The president said the coronavirus has "had very little impact on young people", although there is growing concern over cases of a mysterious inflammatory syndrome in children that is thought to be related to the virus.
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Dr Fauci later clarified that he was not implying students should be barred from returning to class until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed.
Mr Trump and Dr Fauci have publicly disagreed before, including on the effectiveness of certain drugs that have been tested to treat the virus.
He has also complained to aides about Dr Fauci's positive media attention and his willingness to contradict the president.
But Mr Trump has also acknowledged that the blowback to removing the doctor would be fierce.
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The US is currently the worst-hit country in the world in terms of the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.
There have been more than 1.3 million reported cases of coronavirus in the US and nearly 85,000 people have died after contracting the illness.
But the fatality rate compared to cases is one of the lowest in the world, with just 6% of cases resulting in deaths.


news--2020-04-19--Coronavirus: Broadway actor Nick Cordero wakes from coma after having leg amputated

Broadway actor Nick Cordero has woken from a coma after having his right leg amputated due to complications from coronavirus , his wife has confirmed .
The 41-year-old Canadian has been in hospital in Los Angeles , where he was initially diagnosed with pneumonia before testing positive for COVID-19 , since the end of March .
His wife , fitness instructor Amanda Kloots , said he had finally woken from his medically induced coma .
She shared the happy news on Instagram .
`` Dada is awake , he is awake guys .
I asked the doctor today , 'Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
`` He is awake .
It 's just that Nick is so weak right now that even opening his eyes , closing his eyes , takes out , like , all of his energy . ''
Kloots also posted a video message of support sent from Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone , writing next to it : `` Code Rocky !
!
!
!
Nick will not believe this !
Thank you . ''
Code Rocky is a term used by some medical professionals in the US to indicate when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery .
A Tony-nominated actor , Cordero moved to California with his family to star in musical Rock Of Ages , and was appearing in the show until theatres closed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
While being treated in intensive care , a drop in blood pressure led to him being placed on life support and he had remained unconscious until this week .
Kloots has been posting regular health updates on social media about his condition .
Cordero underwent initial surgery to help with `` blood flow issues coming down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have his leg amputated after complications led to internal bleeding .
Kloots has been leading regular dance and sing-along sessions to help `` # WakeUpNick '' .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A GoFundMe page set up to help with Cordero 's medical care has now raised more than $ 500,000 ( £410,000 ) .
Last week , Kloots posted a message on it thanking those who have supported the couple , saying : `` Because of all your help Nick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rehab and coolest prosthetic for his leg !
`` I can not believe how many people have donated to us in a time where we are all suffering . ''

Broadway actor Nick Cordero has woken from a coma after having his right leg amputated due to complications from coronavirus, his wife has confirmed.
The 41-year-old Canadian has been in hospital in Los Angeles, where he was initially diagnosed with pneumonia before testing positive for COVID-19, since the end of March.
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His wife, fitness instructor Amanda Kloots, said he had finally woken from his medically induced coma. She shared the happy news on Instagram.
"Dada is awake, he is awake guys. I asked the doctor today, 'Can we say he's awake?'" she said. "He is awake. It's just that Nick is so weak right now that even opening his eyes, closing his eyes, takes out, like, all of his energy."
Kloots also posted a video message of support sent from Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone, writing next to it: "Code Rocky!!!! Nick will not believe this! Thank you."
Code Rocky is a term used by some medical professionals in the US to indicate when COVID-19 patients are on the road to recovery.
A Tony-nominated actor, Cordero moved to California with his family to star in musical Rock Of Ages, and was appearing in the show until theatres closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
While being treated in intensive care, a drop in blood pressure led to him being placed on life support and he had remained unconscious until this week.
Kloots has been posting regular health updates on social media about his condition.
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Cordero underwent initial surgery to help with "blood flow issues coming down to his foot" but later had to have his leg amputated after complications led to internal bleeding.
Kloots has been leading regular dance and sing-along sessions to help "#WakeUpNick".
The couple have a baby son, Elvis.
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A GoFundMe page set up to help with Cordero's medical care has now raised more than $500,000 (£410,000).
Last week, Kloots posted a message on it thanking those who have supported the couple, saying: "Because of all your help Nick will be able to receive the best rehab and coolest prosthetic for his leg!
"I cannot believe how many people have donated to us in a time where we are all suffering."


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Keep a diary to make COVID-19 contact tracing easier, baroness suggests

A member of the House of Lords has suggested a simple , non-technological way of combating coronavirus .
Conservative Baroness Rawlings urged people to keep a diary of those they meet , making it easier to trace contacts if they contract COVID-19 .
The former nurse and ex-chairman of King 's College London Council made the comments during a Lords session held online .
Lady Rawlings urged ministers to consider `` encouraging people to keep a daily diary of everyone they meet , wherever they go outside their home , so that should they fall ill with COVID-19 it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trace the source for further testing '' .
Her idea received backing from health minister Lord Bethell , who said personal tracing had a `` powerful role '' to play in isolating those with coronavirus .
He added : `` It 's going to be the responsibility of everyone in the community , not just digital apps and central databases , in order to defeat this virus . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Liberal Democrat Lord Hussain urged the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minority ethnic communities ( BAME ) for frequent coronavirus testing .
He said they were `` suffering disproportionately '' with COVID-19 because many work on the frontline as doctors , nurses and care workers .
Lord Bethell paid tribute to the `` courage and bravery '' of BAME frontline staff .
`` We owe them a huge debt , '' he said .

A member of the House of Lords has suggested a simple, non-technological way of combating coronavirus.
Conservative Baroness Rawlings urged people to keep a diary of those they meet, making it easier to trace contacts if they contract COVID-19.
The former nurse and ex-chairman of King's College London Council made the comments during a Lords session held online.
Image: Baroness Rawlings says a diary provides a 'simple, easy way to trace the source'
Lady Rawlings urged ministers to consider "encouraging people to keep a daily diary of everyone they meet, wherever they go outside their home, so that should they fall ill with COVID-19 it would be a simple, easy way to trace the source for further testing".
Her idea received backing from health minister Lord Bethell, who said personal tracing had a "powerful role" to play in isolating those with coronavirus.
He added: "It's going to be the responsibility of everyone in the community, not just digital apps and central databases, in order to defeat this virus."
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Liberal Democrat Lord Hussain urged the government to prioritise NHS staff from black and minority ethnic communities (BAME) for frequent coronavirus testing.
He said they were "suffering disproportionately" with COVID-19 because many work on the frontline as doctors, nurses and care workers.
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Lord Bethell paid tribute to the "courage and bravery" of BAME frontline staff.
"We owe them a huge debt," he said.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Calls for urgent research into whether mouthwash can reduce transmission

Mouthwash could help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 , researchers have found .
Scientists are calling for urgent research into whether normal mouthwash , readily available in stores , could be effective in reducing coronavirus transmission in the early stages of infection .
The research , led by Cardiff University , examined whether mouthwash could damage the outer lipid ( fatty ) membrane that envelopes the virus - and therefore inactivate it .
Previous studies had shown that mouthwashes which contain low amounts of ethanol , povidone-iodine or cetylpyridinium could interfere with fatty membranes around other viruses .
This latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected .
This has prompted the team to call for further investigation and research .
The next steps would include examining both existing and new formulations of mouthwash in labs and then in clinical trials , followed by population-based trials .
Lead author Professor Valerie O'Donnell , co-director of Cardiff University ’ s Systems Immunity Research Institute , said : `` Safe use of mouthwash - as in gargling - has so far not been considered by public health bodies in the UK .
`` In test tube experiments and limited clinical studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virucidal ingredients to effectively target lipids in similar enveloped viruses . ''
She added : `` What we do n't know yet is whether existing mouthwashes are active against the lipid membrane of SARS-CoV-2 .
Our review of the literature suggests that research is needed as a matter of urgency to determine its potential for use against this new virus .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' This is an under-researched area of major clinical need - and we hope that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further evaluate this . ''
Professor O'Donnell urged people to continue to follow the preventive measures issued by the UK government , including washing hands frequently and maintaining social distance , stressing that the theory around mouthwash is not yet proven .
The research has been published today in the journal Function and was carried out by teams from Cardiff University ’ s School of Medicine and the universities of Nottingham , Colorado , Ottawa , Barcelona and Cambridge ’ s Babraham Institute .

Mouthwash could help reduce the transmission of COVID-19, researchers have found.
Scientists are calling for urgent research into whether normal mouthwash, readily available in stores, could be effective in reducing coronavirus transmission in the early stages of infection.
The research, led by Cardiff University, examined whether mouthwash could damage the outer lipid (fatty) membrane that envelopes the virus - and therefore inactivate it.
Image: More research into the theory is needed urgently, scientists say
Previous studies had shown that mouthwashes which contain low amounts of ethanol, povidone-iodine or cetylpyridinium could interfere with fatty membranes around other viruses.
This latest research suggests that COVID-19 might be similarly affected. This has prompted the team to call for further investigation and research.
The next steps would include examining both existing and new formulations of mouthwash in labs and then in clinical trials, followed by population-based trials.
Lead author Professor Valerie O'Donnell, co-director of Cardiff University’s Systems Immunity Research Institute, said: "Safe use of mouthwash - as in gargling - has so far not been considered by public health bodies in the UK.
"In test tube experiments and limited clinical studies, some mouthwashes contain enough of known virucidal ingredients to effectively target lipids in similar enveloped viruses."
She added: "What we don't know yet is whether existing mouthwashes are active against the lipid membrane of SARS-CoV-2. Our review of the literature suggests that research is needed as a matter of urgency to determine its potential for use against this new virus.
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"This is an under-researched area of major clinical need - and we hope that research projects will be quickly mobilised to further evaluate this."
Professor O'Donnell urged people to continue to follow the preventive measures issued by the UK government, including washing hands frequently and maintaining social distance, stressing that the theory around mouthwash is not yet proven.
The research has been published today in the journal Function and was carried out by teams from Cardiff University’s School of Medicine and the universities of Nottingham, Colorado, Ottawa, Barcelona and Cambridge’s Babraham Institute.
It included virologists, lipid specialists, microbicide and healthcare experts.


news--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: Hundreds of care home staff and residents 'could have undetected COVID-19'

A Scottish care home boss says hundreds of staff and residents across the industry could be carrying coronavirus undetected because of `` flawed '' government advice .
Robert Kilgour , who runs 15 care homes , told Sky News their COVID-19 test results show a substantial number of staff and residents have tested positive without displaying symptoms .
This is in spite of a repeated insistence by the Scottish government that a test is only effective if someone is symptomatic .
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has argued that tests on people without coronavirus symptoms are unreliable .
Mr Kilgour says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting lives at risk .
A number of his Renaissance Care homes were subject to mass testing , following instances of COVID-19 .
When 233 residents without symptoms were tested , 25 ( 11 % ) were found to have the virus .
Testing of 146 asymptomatic staff found that nine ( 6 % ) were positive .
Mr Kilgour , executive chairman of the care home chain , told Sky News that if those figures are replicated across the sector , several hundred untested staff and residents could have the coronavirus without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very sadly , died because of a lack of availability of testing in care homes , '' he said .
`` The question is whether or not the Scottish government regards these percentages as acceptable figures .
`` The fact is , and these figures back it up , that routine mass testing should have been taking place in care homes long ago , symptoms or not .
`` Our experience contradicts , to a substantial degree , what the Scottish government has said repeatedly - that there 's no point testing people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is n't the case .
`` Everyone makes mistakes .
The Scottish government should admit that it 's dropped the ball on testing in care homes and that its policy is flawed . ''
The results from the care home chain appear consistent with a study by the University of Cambridge .
It swabbed and tested NHS staff at Addenbrooke 's Hospital in Cambridge .
Of more than 1,000 reporting fit for duty , 3 % tested positive for coronavirus .
Currently , mass testing of staff and residents only takes place as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when a care home has had COVID-19 cases .
Otherwise , there is testing of staff and residents without symptoms in care homes without any cases , but only on a `` sampling '' basis .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A Scottish government spokesperson said : `` We are undertaking advanced outbreak investigation at care homes reporting cases of COVID-19 .
`` If cases are reported , all residents and staff will be tested , regardless of symptoms .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where care homes are part of a chain and staff move between locations .
`` Sample testing is also taking place in homes where no cases have been reported .
`` Our priority is to test for clinical reasons , for example those in hospitals or care homes , followed by key workers in our health and care system .
`` Other key workers and their families have also been tested to enable them to return to work .
`` In addition the First Minister has made clear that we are engaged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support a test , trace , isolate approach and to expand surveillance will be a crucial part of any moves to lift the lockdown measures in the future . ''
Nicola Sturgeon faced criticism at First Minister 's Questions in the Scottish Parliament for her government 's performance on care home testing .
The Scottish Conservatives have labelled it an `` abject failure '' and both Scottish Labour and the Scottish Greens have called for every care home worker to be guaranteed a COVID-19 .
New figures from the National Records of Scotland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 57 % ) of deaths in Scotland occurred in care homes in the week 27 April to 3 May .
The weekly total of care home deaths had decreased for the second week running , from 314 to 238 .
The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Scotland is 3,213 .

A Scottish care home boss says hundreds of staff and residents across the industry could be carrying coronavirus undetected because of "flawed" government advice.
Robert Kilgour, who runs 15 care homes, told Sky News their COVID-19 test results show a substantial number of staff and residents have tested positive without displaying symptoms.
This is in spite of a repeated insistence by the Scottish government that a test is only effective if someone is symptomatic.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:34 Health minister: 'Completely wrong' to suggest care homes 'abandoned or deprioritised'
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has argued that tests on people without coronavirus symptoms are unreliable.
Mr Kilgour says the evidence indicates the government stance is putting lives at risk.
A number of his Renaissance Care homes were subject to mass testing, following instances of COVID-19.
When 233 residents without symptoms were tested, 25 (11%) were found to have the virus. Testing of 146 asymptomatic staff found that nine (6%) were positive.
Mr Kilgour, executive chairman of the care home chain, told Sky News that if those figures are replicated across the sector, several hundred untested staff and residents could have the coronavirus without knowing it.
"People have, very sadly, died because of a lack of availability of testing in care homes," he said.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 22:43 Special report: The killer in our care homes
"The question is whether or not the Scottish government regards these percentages as acceptable figures.
"The fact is, and these figures back it up, that routine mass testing should have been taking place in care homes long ago, symptoms or not.
"Our experience contradicts, to a substantial degree, what the Scottish government has said repeatedly - that there's no point testing people who are asymptomatic. Demonstrably, that isn't the case.
"Everyone makes mistakes. The Scottish government should admit that it's dropped the ball on testing in care homes and that its policy is flawed."
The results from the care home chain appear consistent with a study by the University of Cambridge.
It swabbed and tested NHS staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Of more than 1,000 reporting fit for duty, 3% tested positive for coronavirus.
Currently, mass testing of staff and residents only takes place as part of "enhanced outbreak investigation" when a care home has had COVID-19 cases.
Otherwise, there is testing of staff and residents without symptoms in care homes without any cases, but only on a "sampling" basis.
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A Scottish government spokesperson said: "We are undertaking advanced outbreak investigation at care homes reporting cases of COVID-19.
"If cases are reported, all residents and staff will be tested, regardless of symptoms.
"We are also testing in linked institutions where care homes are part of a chain and staff move between locations.
"Sample testing is also taking place in homes where no cases have been reported.
"Our priority is to test for clinical reasons, for example those in hospitals or care homes, followed by key workers in our health and care system.
"Other key workers and their families have also been tested to enable them to return to work.
"In addition the First Minister has made clear that we are engaged in a significant expansion of testing capacity to support a test, trace, isolate approach and to expand surveillance will be a crucial part of any moves to lift the lockdown measures in the future."
Image: Nicola Sturgeon has been criticised over the handling of the crisis in care homes
Nicola Sturgeon faced criticism at First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament for her government's performance on care home testing.
The Scottish Conservatives have labelled it an "abject failure" and both Scottish Labour and the Scottish Greens have called for every care home worker to be guaranteed a COVID-19.
New figures from the National Records of Scotland have shown again that more than half (57%) of deaths in Scotland occurred in care homes in the week 27 April to 3 May.
The weekly total of care home deaths had decreased for the second week running, from 314 to 238.
The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Scotland is 3,213.


news--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: Lockdown 'once in a lifetime opportunity' to break chain of STIs in Britain

The coronavirus lockdown is a `` once in a lifetime opportunity '' to break the chain of sexually transmitted diseases in the UK , an expert has told Sky News .
Since Britain went on lockdown in March , clinics have seen the number of sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ) plummet to around 20 % of normal levels .
But with people largely confined to their homes and unable to pass undetected STIs onto anyone outside their household , if they get tested and treated before restrictions lift , it could stop the spread of HIV , syphilis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinicians say .
Dr John McSorley , president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV ( BASHH ) told Sky News : `` COVID-19 has had an effect on people 's personal lives in that they are not having sex with anyone outside their household and many are not having sex at all .
`` This offers an unusual , once in a lifetime opportunity to break the chain of infection of STIs . ''
Leading sexual health clinic 56 Dean Street said widespread lockdown testing could help eradicate HIV nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances , tests can be inaccurate because infections within the last four to six weeks do not show up .
But with the possibility of New Zealand-style `` social bubbles '' and people visiting other households still a considerable way off in the UK , lockdown test results are currently far more reliable .
He said : `` With the overwhelming majority of the population adhering to government guidelines , an inaccurate result is now very unlikely and people can get tested and treated before they become sexually active again and risk infecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker BASHH and other sexual health charities have called on NHS commissioners to rollout online testing services to other parts of the country beyond London and major cities .
They are mainly targeting their calls for testing at people in their 20s and 30s as well as members of the LGBT community .
Self-testing kits present almost no risk of catching coronavirus as they can be done at home and sent in the post , with treatment also available on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr McSorley said .

The coronavirus lockdown is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to break the chain of sexually transmitted diseases in the UK, an expert has told Sky News.
Since Britain went on lockdown in March, clinics have seen the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) plummet to around 20% of normal levels.
But with people largely confined to their homes and unable to pass undetected STIs onto anyone outside their household, if they get tested and treated before restrictions lift, it could stop the spread of HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea like never before, clinicians say.
Dr John McSorley, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) told Sky News: "COVID-19 has had an effect on people's personal lives in that they are not having sex with anyone outside their household and many are not having sex at all.
"This offers an unusual, once in a lifetime opportunity to break the chain of infection of STIs."
Image: Self-testing kits pose almost no risk of catching coronavirus as they can be done at home
Leading sexual health clinic 56 Dean Street said widespread lockdown testing could help eradicate HIV nationwide.
Dr McSorley added that in normal circumstances, tests can be inaccurate because infections within the last four to six weeks do not show up.
But with the possibility of New Zealand-style "social bubbles" and people visiting other households still a considerable way off in the UK, lockdown test results are currently far more reliable.
He said: "With the overwhelming majority of the population adhering to government guidelines, an inaccurate result is now very unlikely and people can get tested and treated before they become sexually active again and risk infecting others."
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BASHH and other sexual health charities have called on NHS commissioners to rollout online testing services to other parts of the country beyond London and major cities.
They are mainly targeting their calls for testing at people in their 20s and 30s as well as members of the LGBT community.
Self-testing kits present almost no risk of catching coronavirus as they can be done at home and sent in the post, with treatment also available on a postal or click and collect basis, Dr McSorley said.