news--2020-01-24--Coronavirus: Race to trace 2,000 people who flew to UK from Wuhan

Border Force teams have joined the search for around 2,000 people who have flown to the UK from the Chinese region worst hit by the deadly coronavirus outbreak .
It is understood they have been recruited to help speed up the search for passengers as testing for the virus continues .
Thirty-one people have been tested and given the all clear , while the illness has reached Europe after three cases were confirmed in France on Friday .
Tests on a patient in Northern Ireland have come back negative for the virus , the Department of Health ( DoH ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officer Professor Chris Whitty said there was a `` fair chance '' cases will emerge in Britain as the overall number reported around the world climbed to more than 1,200 , including 41 deaths , all in China .
`` I am working closely with the other UK chief medical officers .
`` We all agree that the risk to the UK public remains low , but there may well be cases in the UK at some stage . ''
`` The UK has access to some of the best infectious disease and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` A public health hub will be set up in Heathrow from today .
This consists of clinicians and other public health officials , in addition to existing port health measures . ''
The public health hub at Heathrow will be staffed by a rotating team of seven clinicians working in shifts to support patients on arrival .
This is in addition to medical staff who are already permanently in place at all UK airports , the DoH said .
All 14 people tested in the UK are thought to have visited Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ originated .
Four out of five patients tested in Scotland were from China , Downing Street said .
Prof Whitty added : `` At the minute it definitely looks like this is a lot less dangerous if you get it than Ebola , and a lot less dangerous than the recent coronavirus MERS , and it 's probably less dangerous if you get it than SARS virus .
`` What we do n't know is how far it 's going to spread , that really is something we need to plan for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buzyn said that all three of the people who tested positive for the virus in her country had travelled to China and two were from the same family .
The United States has reported its second case , involving a Chicago woman in her 60s who was taken to hospital after returning from China but is reported to be doing well .
Australia has confirmed three cases , one in the state of Victoria involving a visitor from China , a man in his 50s , who was said to be in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented lockdown keeping people from travelling has been expanded to more than 50 million residents .
Authorities in Beijing and other cities have also cancelled many public celebrations and other events marking the Lunar New Year .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Symptoms of coronavirus include fever , sneezing , coughing and shortness of breath .
PHE guidance to GPs says anyone with suspected coronavirus should be placed in a room away from other patients and staff with the door closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use communal toilet facilities or be physically examined , it adds .
A letter from Prof Whitty to clinical staff said anyone who is confirmed as having the virus will be transferred to an Airborne High Consequence Infectious Disease centre ( HCID ) .
There are four interim Airborne HCID centres in England - two in London , one in Liverpool and one in Newcastle .

Border Force teams have joined the search for around 2,000 people who have flown to the UK from the Chinese region worst hit by the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
It is understood they have been recruited to help speed up the search for passengers as testing for the virus continues.
Thirty-one people have been tested and given the all clear, while the illness has reached Europe after three cases were confirmed in France on Friday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:57 Coronavirus: What you need to know
Tests on a patient in Northern Ireland have come back negative for the virus, the Department of Health (DoH) has confirmed.
England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said there was a "fair chance" cases will emerge in Britain as the overall number reported around the world climbed to more than 1,200, including 41 deaths, all in China.
"I am working closely with the other UK chief medical officers.
"We all agree that the risk to the UK public remains low, but there may well be cases in the UK at some stage."
"The UK has access to some of the best infectious disease and public health experts in the world.
"A public health hub will be set up in Heathrow from today. This consists of clinicians and other public health officials, in addition to existing port health measures."
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The public health hub at Heathrow will be staffed by a rotating team of seven clinicians working in shifts to support patients on arrival.
This is in addition to medical staff who are already permanently in place at all UK airports, the DoH said.
All 14 people tested in the UK are thought to have visited Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak originated.
Four out of five patients tested in Scotland were from China, Downing Street said.
Prof Whitty added: "At the minute it definitely looks like this is a lot less dangerous if you get it than Ebola, and a lot less dangerous than the recent coronavirus MERS, and it's probably less dangerous if you get it than SARS virus.
"What we don't know is how far it's going to spread, that really is something we need to plan for all eventualities."
French health minister Agnes Buzyn said that all three of the people who tested positive for the virus in her country had travelled to China and two were from the same family.
The United States has reported its second case, involving a Chicago woman in her 60s who was taken to hospital after returning from China but is reported to be doing well.
Australia has confirmed three cases, one in the state of Victoria involving a visitor from China, a man in his 50s, who was said to be in a stable condition.
In China, an unprecedented lockdown keeping people from travelling has been expanded to more than 50 million residents.
Authorities in Beijing and other cities have also cancelled many public celebrations and other events marking the Lunar New Year.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Symptoms of coronavirus include fever, sneezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
PHE guidance to GPs says anyone with suspected coronavirus should be placed in a room away from other patients and staff with the door closed.
They should not be allowed to use communal toilet facilities or be physically examined, it adds.
A letter from Prof Whitty to clinical staff said anyone who is confirmed as having the virus will be transferred to an Airborne High Consequence Infectious Disease centre (HCID).
There are four interim Airborne HCID centres in England - two in London, one in Liverpool and one in Newcastle.


news--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Hundreds of ventilators being manufactured every day, government says

Hundreds of new ventilators are being manufactured daily in the UK - and 300 arrived from China on Saturday , a senior government minister has said .
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said the government was working with ventilator suppliers in the UK to make existing and modified models in great numbers , with new models available soon .
`` More are coming into production in the coming weeks , subject to safety and regulatory approvals , as part of the prime minister 's call to manufacturers to scale up production , '' he said at the government 's daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gove said a team from University College London , working with Mercedes Benz , has produced a new non-invasive respirator that has been given clinical approval .
He said 250 of the products were currently being produced each day , rising to 1,000 per day next week .
`` We are also increasing the capacity of the NHS to deploy invasive ventilation , we have been buying invasive ventilators from partners abroad including Germany and Switzerland , '' he added .
`` And today 300 new ventilators arrived from China . ''
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government 's message to follow the lockdown rules and not to be tempted to break the social distancing rules during the sunny weather this weekend .
Mr Gove said the increasing death toll from the coronavirus shows `` more than ever '' that Britons must stick to the government 's guidelines .
`` I know that life under lockdown can be challenging , and some will be tempted on this sunny weekend to venture out and about , '' he said .
`` If we relax our adherence to the rules , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mr Gove urged people `` to think of those on the front line and the sacrifices they 're making for us '' , as he revealed that seven healthcare professions have now died after contracting the virus .
He said : `` Whatever the temptations this weekend , please do n't go outside to visit the lakes , the beaches , the countryside ... take pride instead in keeping your own families and communities safe .
`` The more we restrict contact , the more we slow the spread of the infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build capacity in the NHS . ''
The appeal comes after it was confirmed that another 708 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus , taking the UK 's total to 4,313 .
One of the latest victims was aged five , the youngest English victim so far .
Meanwhile , a leading scientist and government adviser has said social distancing measures in the UK could be relaxed within weeks if there are signs the epidemic is slowing .
The government has warned Britons that COVID-19 will claim more lives over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and head out to enjoy the sunshine this weekend .
Clear skies and temperatures of upwards of 18C ( 64.4F ) have been forecast for Sunday , which could make it all the more difficult for some to adhere to lockdown measures enforced to combat the spread of the virus .
NHS England national medical director Stephen Powis told the news conference that the latest figures suggest new cases of COVID-19 have begun to `` stabilise '' .
But he added there was `` no room for complacency '' and everyone should continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gove said hospital admission rates are rising in some parts of the country , up by 35 % in Yorkshire and the North East and 47 % up in the Midlands .
Conspiracy theories linking the deployment of 5G masts to the coronavirus outbreak were slammed by Mr Gove , who described them as `` dangerous nonsense '' .
Mr Powis added : `` The 5G story is complete and utter rubbish , it is nonsense , it is the worst kind of fake news . ''

Hundreds of new ventilators are being manufactured daily in the UK - and 300 arrived from China on Saturday, a senior government minister has said.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said the government was working with ventilator suppliers in the UK to make existing and modified models in great numbers, with new models available soon.
"More are coming into production in the coming weeks, subject to safety and regulatory approvals, as part of the prime minister's call to manufacturers to scale up production," he said at the government's daily COVID-19 news conference on Saturday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:14 Is the UK's coronavirus lockdown working?
Mr Gove said a team from University College London, working with Mercedes Benz, has produced a new non-invasive respirator that has been given clinical approval.
He said 250 of the products were currently being produced each day, rising to 1,000 per day next week.
"We are also increasing the capacity of the NHS to deploy invasive ventilation, we have been buying invasive ventilators from partners abroad including Germany and Switzerland," he added.
"And today 300 new ventilators arrived from China."
Image: University College London and Mercedes have developed a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) breathing aid
Another focus of the daily briefing was reiterating the government's message to follow the lockdown rules and not to be tempted to break the social distancing rules during the sunny weather this weekend.
Mr Gove said the increasing death toll from the coronavirus shows "more than ever" that Britons must stick to the government's guidelines.
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"I know that life under lockdown can be challenging, and some will be tempted on this sunny weekend to venture out and about," he said.
"If we relax our adherence to the rules, we increase the risk for others."
Image: Michael Gove said 300 more ventilators arrived from China on Saturday. File pic
Mr Gove urged people "to think of those on the front line and the sacrifices they're making for us", as he revealed that seven healthcare professions have now died after contracting the virus.
He said: "Whatever the temptations this weekend, please don't go outside to visit the lakes, the beaches, the countryside... take pride instead in keeping your own families and communities safe.
"The more we restrict contact, the more we slow the spread of the infection, the more time we have to build capacity in the NHS."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:52 COVID-19: Second NHS nurse dies
The appeal comes after it was confirmed that another 708 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the UK's total to 4,313.
One of the latest victims was aged five, the youngest English victim so far.
Meanwhile, a leading scientist and government adviser has said social distancing measures in the UK could be relaxed within weeks if there are signs the epidemic is slowing.
The government has warned Britons that COVID-19 will claim more lives over the coming weeks if people give into temptation and head out to enjoy the sunshine this weekend.
Clear skies and temperatures of upwards of 18C (64.4F) have been forecast for Sunday, which could make it all the more difficult for some to adhere to lockdown measures enforced to combat the spread of the virus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:11 'We cannot afford to relax'
NHS England national medical director Stephen Powis told the news conference that the latest figures suggest new cases of COVID-19 have begun to "stabilise".
But he added there was "no room for complacency" and everyone should continue to follow the lockdown rules.
Mr Gove said hospital admission rates are rising in some parts of the country, up by 35% in Yorkshire and the North East and 47% up in the Midlands.
Conspiracy theories linking the deployment of 5G masts to the coronavirus outbreak were slammed by Mr Gove, who described them as "dangerous nonsense".
Mr Powis added: "The 5G story is complete and utter rubbish, it is nonsense, it is the worst kind of fake news."


news--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: NHS director 'outraged and disgusted' at 5G conspiracy attacks

NHS England 's medical director has said he is `` outraged and disgusted '' at conspiracy theorists who claim 5G masts are the true cause of the coronavirus outbreak .
NHS England 's national medical director Stephen Powis , speaking alongside Cabinet Minister Michael Gove during a government coronavirus briefing , dismissed the claims as `` rubbish '' .
`` The 5G story is complete and utter rubbish , it 's nonsense , it 's the worst kind of fake news , '' said Prof Powis .
`` The reality is the mobile phone networks are absolutely critical to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home and unable to see families and friends , '' he added .
`` I am absolutely outraged and disgusted that people would be taking action against the infrastructure we need to get through this crisis . ''
Mr Gove described the claims as `` dangerous nonsense '' .
False claims about the next generation of mobile technology have spread on Facebook for many months , but are now being tied to the coronavirus outbreak .
A 5G mast in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham was set on fire on Friday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the conspiracy theorists have begun to turn violent .
Dr Michael Head , a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton , previously described the conspiracy theorists as `` a public health danger who once read a Facebook page '' .
`` Here , we also see similar groups of people keen to show their ignorance on a topic where they have no helpful expertise , nor any inclination to post useful public health messages .
`` The celebrities fanning the flames of these conspiracy theorists should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK , the trade body which represents network providers , said key workers had been abused and infrastructure threatened as a result of the claims .
Adam Finn , professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol , said : `` The internet connections these networks give us are one of the most important tools we are using to co-ordinate our response to the epidemic and efforts to do research to overcome it . ''
Brendan Wren , professor of microbial pathogenesis at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus would be `` both a physical and biological impossibility '' .
A spokesperson for the Department for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport said : `` These are baseless theories , there is absolutely no credible evidence of a link between 5G and coronavirus .
`` Threats or violence towards any key worker or damage to mobile phone masts will not be tolerated , '' they added .
Several videos claiming to show 5G towers on fire were posted to a page on Facebook which was created on Thursday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Facebook said the banned page was deleted for breaching its policies because it has the potential to cause real world harm .
However , one user claimed they reported the page early on to moderators for promoting violence , only to receive a response saying it was not deemed to be in violation of Facebook 's community standards .

NHS England's medical director has said he is "outraged and disgusted" at conspiracy theorists who claim 5G masts are the true cause of the coronavirus outbreak.
NHS England's national medical director Stephen Powis, speaking alongside Cabinet Minister Michael Gove during a government coronavirus briefing, dismissed the claims as "rubbish".
"The 5G story is complete and utter rubbish, it's nonsense, it's the worst kind of fake news," said Prof Powis.
"The reality is the mobile phone networks are absolutely critical to all of us, especially when we're at home and unable to see families and friends," he added.
"I am absolutely outraged and disgusted that people would be taking action against the infrastructure we need to get through this crisis."
Mr Gove described the claims as "dangerous nonsense".
False claims about the next generation of mobile technology have spread on Facebook for many months, but are now being tied to the coronavirus outbreak.
A 5G mast in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham was set on fire on Friday in a suspected arson attack, prompting concerns that the conspiracy theorists have begun to turn violent.
Dr Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, previously described the conspiracy theorists as "a public health danger who once read a Facebook page".
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"Here, we also see similar groups of people keen to show their ignorance on a topic where they have no helpful expertise, nor any inclination to post useful public health messages.
"The celebrities fanning the flames of these conspiracy theorists should be ashamed," Dr Head added..
Mobile UK, the trade body which represents network providers, said key workers had been abused and infrastructure threatened as a result of the claims.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:14 Is the UK's lockdown tactic working?
Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol, said: "The internet connections these networks give us are one of the most important tools we are using to co-ordinate our response to the epidemic and efforts to do research to overcome it."
Brendan Wren, professor of microbial pathogenesis at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said a connection between the phone masts and the virus would be "both a physical and biological impossibility".
A spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: "These are baseless theories, there is absolutely no credible evidence of a link between 5G and coronavirus.
"Threats or violence towards any key worker or damage to mobile phone masts will not be tolerated," they added.
Several videos claiming to show 5G towers on fire were posted to a page on Facebook which was created on Thursday and taken down by the platform on Friday.
Facebook said the banned page was deleted for breaching its policies because it has the potential to cause real world harm.
However, one user claimed they reported the page early on to moderators for promoting violence, only to receive a response saying it was not deemed to be in violation of Facebook's community standards.


news--2020-04-04--China mourns coronavirus 'martyrs' during national day of reflection

With air raid sirens wailing and flags at half-mast , China has held a three-minute nationwide moment of reflection to honour those who have died in the coronavirus outbreak .
Commemorations took place at 10am local time in all major cities , but were particularly poignant in Wuhan , the industrial centre where the virus was first detected in December .
The State Council ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast around the country and at Chinese embassies and consulates abroad , and the suspension of all public events .
Cars , trains and ships joined in what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wail in grief '' for three minutes .
China has held similar tributes in the past but rarely on a national scale .
Wuhan was placed under complete lockdown on 23 January in an effort to stem the spread of the virus and has been lauded as a `` heroic city '' by the nation 's communist leadership for the sacrifices made by its 11 million citizens .
People have gradually been allowed to travel in and out of Wuhan under strict conditions and the quarantine on the city is to be formally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China reported one new confirmed case in Wuhan and 18 among people arriving from abroad , along with four new deaths , all in Wuhan .
China now has recorded a total of 81,639 cases and 3,326 deaths , although those figures are generally considered to be understated because of a lack of testing and a reluctance to report the scale of the original outbreak .
More than 3,000 health care workers contracted COVID-19 and the government says 14 died of the disease .
Among them was Dr Li Wenliang , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news of the outbreak but has since been listed among the national `` martyrs '' .

With air raid sirens wailing and flags at half-mast, China has held a three-minute nationwide moment of reflection to honour those who have died in the coronavirus outbreak.
Commemorations took place at 10am local time in all major cities, but were particularly poignant in Wuhan, the industrial centre where the virus was first detected in December.
The State Council ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast around the country and at Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, and the suspension of all public events.
Cars, trains and ships joined in what the official Xinhua News Agency called a "wail in grief" for three minutes.
Image: People wearing face masks stand on the street to pay tribute to those who died of coronavirus
China has held similar tributes in the past but rarely on a national scale.
Wuhan was placed under complete lockdown on 23 January in an effort to stem the spread of the virus and has been lauded as a "heroic city" by the nation's communist leadership for the sacrifices made by its 11 million citizens.
People have gradually been allowed to travel in and out of Wuhan under strict conditions and the quarantine on the city is to be formally lifted on Wednesday.
On Saturday, China reported one new confirmed case in Wuhan and 18 among people arriving from abroad, along with four new deaths, all in Wuhan.
China now has recorded a total of 81,639 cases and 3,326 deaths, although those figures are generally considered to be understated because of a lack of testing and a reluctance to report the scale of the original outbreak.
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More than 3,000 health care workers contracted COVID-19 and the government says 14 died of the disease.
Among them was Dr Li Wenliang, who was threatened with punishment by police after publicising news of the outbreak but has since been listed among the national "martyrs".


news--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Twins born during India lockdown named 'Corona and Covid'

A couple in India have named their twins born amid the global coronavirus pandemic Corona and Covid .
The siblings - a girl and a boy - were born to Preeti and Vinay Verma in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh on 27 March during the ongoing nationwide lockdown , according to NDTV .
`` The delivery happened after facing several difficulties and therefore , my husband and I wanted to make the day memorable , '' the twins ' 27-year-old mother told news agency Press Trust of India .
She said the coronavirus was `` dangerous and life-threatening '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people focus on sanitation , hygiene and instil other good habits .
`` When the hospital staff also started calling the babies Corona and Covid , we finally decided to name them after the pandemic , '' she added .
The twins were born at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in the state capital , Raipur .
The couple , originally from Uttar Pradesh , live in a rented house in the Purani Basti area of the city .
They said the names would remind them about the hardships they faced during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has effectively kept 1.3 billion Indians at home for all but essential trips to places like markets or pharmacies .
There have been more than 3,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the country , including 86 deaths .
But some health experts say India could be weeks away from a surge that could overwhelm its already strained public health system .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a three-week lockdown across the country on 24 March to prevent the spread of the virus .
The lockdown , which the PM says is necessary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further hardship to the poor .
Many have lost their jobs , families are low on food and homeless shelters are overflowing .

A couple in India have named their twins born amid the global coronavirus pandemic Corona and Covid.
The siblings - a girl and a boy - were born to Preeti and Vinay Verma in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh on 27 March during the ongoing nationwide lockdown, according to NDTV.
"The delivery happened after facing several difficulties and therefore, my husband and I wanted to make the day memorable," the twins' 27-year-old mother told news agency Press Trust of India.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:50 How is India coping with lockdown?
She said the coronavirus was "dangerous and life-threatening", but the COVID-19 outbreak had also made people focus on sanitation, hygiene and instil other good habits.
"When the hospital staff also started calling the babies Corona and Covid, we finally decided to name them after the pandemic," she added.
The twins were born at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in the state capital, Raipur.
The couple, originally from Uttar Pradesh, live in a rented house in the Purani Basti area of the city.
They said the names would remind them about the hardships they faced during the lockdown.
The lockdown in India has effectively kept 1.3 billion Indians at home for all but essential trips to places like markets or pharmacies.
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There have been more than 3,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the country, including 86 deaths.
But some health experts say India could be weeks away from a surge that could overwhelm its already strained public health system.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a three-week lockdown across the country on 24 March to prevent the spread of the virus.
The lockdown, which the PM says is necessary to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe, has brought further hardship to the poor. Many have lost their jobs, families are low on food and homeless shelters are overflowing.


news--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Police patrol 'ghost town' as shops fear lockdown break-ins

Police in Northamptonshire have been carrying out patrols amid fears empty shops could be targeted by thieves .
Some business owners who have been forced to shut their doors fear burglars will focus on commercial buildings rather than houses now people are spending more time at home .
Last month the Northampton Hope Centre charity shop was broken into .
Staff are so worried it could happen again they are taking it in turns to walk past the shop during their daily exercise in order to keep an eye on it .
`` It 's a big concern for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louise Danielczuk .
`` Obviously with there not being many people about there is a big potential that our shop , like many others , could get broken into in the town centre .
`` We 've got a lot of people that are watching out for us , checking it for us .
`` We keep coming down and checking regularly , but it 's obviously a big concern that if we lose any of our stock again it will have a big impact on the charity when we do want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night the town 's streets are eerily quiet .
PCs Sean Whelan and Lewis Marks from Northamptonshire Police are among those out on foot , keeping an eye on businesses .
`` We are , as we are tonight , actively patrolling these areas , '' said PC Marks '' Usually this place on a Friday night is booming with people out drinking and having a good time .
Tonight it 's a ghost town , it 's completely different , '' PC Whelan added .
Police have been contacting businesses to advise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone who is on the streets after dark is challenged .
If they have no reason to be out they are told to return home .
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Police in Northamptonshire have been carrying out patrols amid fears empty shops could be targeted by thieves.
Some business owners who have been forced to shut their doors fear burglars will focus on commercial buildings rather than houses now people are spending more time at home.
Last month the Northampton Hope Centre charity shop was broken into.
Staff are so worried it could happen again they are taking it in turns to walk past the shop during their daily exercise in order to keep an eye on it.
"It's a big concern for us," said fundraising and marketing manager Louise Danielczuk.
"Obviously with there not being many people about there is a big potential that our shop, like many others, could get broken into in the town centre.
"We've got a lot of people that are watching out for us, checking it for us.
"We keep coming down and checking regularly, but it's obviously a big concern that if we lose any of our stock again it will have a big impact on the charity when we do want to get back open again."
By night the town's streets are eerily quiet.
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PCs Sean Whelan and Lewis Marks from Northamptonshire Police are among those out on foot, keeping an eye on businesses.
"We are, as we are tonight, actively patrolling these areas," said PC Marks
"Usually this place on a Friday night is booming with people out drinking and having a good time. Tonight it's a ghost town, it's completely different," PC Whelan added.
"Potentially it's leaving businesses a bit more vulnerable."
Police have been contacting businesses to advise them to remove any valuables from shops.
Anyone who is on the streets after dark is challenged. If they have no reason to be out they are told to return home.
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news--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: 16 care home residents die after suspected COVID-19 outbreak

Sixteen residents at a Glasgow care home have died in eight days after a suspected outbreak of coronavirus .
The residents , all with underlying health conditions , lived at Burlington Court Care Home .
Two of its staff members are being treated in separate hospitals after testing positive for COVID-19 .
Four Seasons Health Care , which runs Burlington Court , said it had `` strict protocols on infectious diseases '' in place including social distancing during `` these exceptional circumstances '' .
Because tests are only carried out if someone is admitted to hospital , it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had coronavirus .
The health of other residents and staff is being closely monitored , the company said .
The home has access to personal protective equipment and GPs have been visiting and providing medical support over the phone .
A Four Seasons Health Care spokesperson confirmed the deaths in a statement .
`` Our condolences are with their families and we are providing them with our ongoing support during this difficult time , '' they said .
`` The passing of a loved one is always traumatic irrespective of the circumstances .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sincerely grateful for the dedication of our colleagues and can assure our residents and their families that we are putting all our resources and energy into supporting and protecting everyone in our homes . ''

Sixteen residents at a Glasgow care home have died in eight days after a suspected outbreak of coronavirus.
The residents, all with underlying health conditions, lived at Burlington Court Care Home.
Two of its staff members are being treated in separate hospitals after testing positive for COVID-19.
Four Seasons Health Care, which runs Burlington Court, said it had "strict protocols on infectious diseases" in place including social distancing during "these exceptional circumstances".
Because tests are only carried out if someone is admitted to hospital, it is not known for certain whether those who died had coronavirus.
The health of other residents and staff is being closely monitored, the company said.
The home has access to personal protective equipment and GPs have been visiting and providing medical support over the phone.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:14 Is the UK's coronavirus lockdown working?
A Four Seasons Health Care spokesperson confirmed the deaths in a statement.
"Our condolences are with their families and we are providing them with our ongoing support during this difficult time," they said.
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"The passing of a loved one is always traumatic irrespective of the circumstances."
They added: "We are sincerely grateful for the dedication of our colleagues and can assure our residents and their families that we are putting all our resources and energy into supporting and protecting everyone in our homes."


news--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: UK lockdown could be relaxed in weeks, says top govt adviser

Social distancing measures in the UK could be relaxed within weeks if there are signs the coronavirus epidemic is slowing , a leading scientist and government adviser has said .
Professor Neil Ferguson - of Imperial College London , which is advising the government on its coronavirus response - said the UK 's epidemic was expected to plateau in the next week to 10 days , but said people 's behaviour was critical to determining what happens next .
He told BBC Radio 4 : `` The critical thing first is to get case numbers down , and then I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' time we will be able to move to a regime which will not be normal life , let me emphasise that , but will be somewhat more relaxed in terms of social distancing and the economy , but relying more on testing . ''
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock have urged people to `` stick with the guidance '' to stay at home and resist the temptation to break the COVID-19 outbreak social distancing rules this sunny weekend .
Asked what would happen if people flouted the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That moves us to a slightly more pessimistic scenario .
`` We still think things will plateau but we 'll be at quite high levels of infection for weeks and weeks rather than seeing quite a rapid decline as the type seen in China . ''
The government ramped up measures against the coronavirus epidemic last month after a report by Prof Ferguson 's team predicted the UK could otherwise have seen 250,000 deaths .
He said on Saturday he was also confident successful antibody tests could be ready in days , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the intense social distancing restrictions could be substituted with speedy access to testing and rapid contact tracing in a few weeks ' time .
If there is a swift decline in case numbers , ministers would consider whether they could relax certain measures in `` a way which is safe and still ensures the epidemic goes down '' .
Prof Ferguson added : `` We want to move to a situation where at least by the end of May that we 're able to substitute some less intensive measures , more based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown we have now . ''
His comments come after a key government adviser warned the UK had `` painted itself into a corner '' with no clear exit strategy from the crisis .
Professor Graham Medley , a pandemic modeller also advising the government on the COVID-19 outbreak , warned the lockdown measures are merely a `` placeholder '' .
According to a report in The Times , his modelling showed that letting people return to work or reopening schools would allow the pandemic to take off again and no way had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlling the virus .
He told the newspaper Britain must consider allowing people to catch the virus in the least deadly way possible rather than allowing the impact on the economy , people 's mental health , and harms in terms of domestic violence , child abuse and food poverty to continue indefinitely .
Prof Medley told The Times : `` This disease is so nasty that we had to suppress it completely .
Then we 've kind of painted ourselves into a corner , because then the question will be , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have done three weeks of this lockdown , so there 's a big decision coming up on April 13 .
In broad terms are we going to continue to harm children to protect vulnerable people , or not ? ''
Prof Medley added : `` If we carry on with lockdown it buys us more time , we can get more thought put into it , but it does n't resolve anything , it 's a placeholder . ''
Testing is seen as vital in tracking the virus and giving the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Currently , around 10,000 tests are being carried out each day .
The health secretary has committed to carrying out 100,000 COVID-19 tests per day in England by the end of April .
Health specialists have said they are currently `` testing to the limit of our materials '' , adding that they are ready to increase capacity , but only if given a `` reliable supply '' of equipment to do so .
The Institute of Biomedical Science ( IBMS ) warned there is a `` very real risk '' that hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients unable to be tested .
A reagent is a chemical needed to determine if a coronavirus test is positive or negative .
`` The UK has numerous high-quality accredited laboratories with suitable equipment , with the capability to process over 100,000 tests per day , set up and ready to meet testing targets , '' a spokesman for the IBMS said .
`` Currently , England could process up to 25,000 a day , which by May could rise to 100,000 , meeting the ambitious target set down by Matt Hancock , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a material supply issue with a worldwide shortage in reagent kits .
`` The supply of precision plastics that are used with the reagents are not due to be ready until mid-May . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The Department of Health and Social Care said on Friday that 684 more people died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus , bringing the total deaths in the UK to 3,605 .
Among the deaths confirmed were two NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Social distancing measures in the UK could be relaxed within weeks if there are signs the coronavirus epidemic is slowing, a leading scientist and government adviser has said.
Professor Neil Ferguson - of Imperial College London, which is advising the government on its coronavirus response - said the UK's epidemic was expected to plateau in the next week to 10 days, but said people's behaviour was critical to determining what happens next.
He told BBC Radio 4: "The critical thing first is to get case numbers down, and then I'm hopeful... in a few weeks' time we will be able to move to a regime which will not be normal life, let me emphasise that, but will be somewhat more relaxed in terms of social distancing and the economy, but relying more on testing."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:42 Hancock: 'Stay in this weekend'
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock have urged people to "stick with the guidance" to stay at home and resist the temptation to break the COVID-19 outbreak social distancing rules this sunny weekend.
Asked what would happen if people flouted the lockdown rules, Prof Ferguson replied: "That moves us to a slightly more pessimistic scenario.
"We still think things will plateau but we'll be at quite high levels of infection for weeks and weeks rather than seeing quite a rapid decline as the type seen in China."
The government ramped up measures against the coronavirus epidemic last month after a report by Prof Ferguson's team predicted the UK could otherwise have seen 250,000 deaths.
He said on Saturday he was also confident successful antibody tests could be ready in days, adding he was "hopeful" some of the intense social distancing restrictions could be substituted with speedy access to testing and rapid contact tracing in a few weeks' time.
If there is a swift decline in case numbers, ministers would consider whether they could relax certain measures in "a way which is safe and still ensures the epidemic goes down".
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Prof Ferguson added: "We want to move to a situation where at least by the end of May that we're able to substitute some less intensive measures, more based on technology and testing, for the complete lockdown we have now."
Image: A sign on Barry Island tells 'COVIDIOTS' to abide by lockdown rules
His comments come after a key government adviser warned the UK had "painted itself into a corner" with no clear exit strategy from the crisis.
Professor Graham Medley, a pandemic modeller also advising the government on the COVID-19 outbreak, warned the lockdown measures are merely a "placeholder".
According to a report in The Times, his modelling showed that letting people return to work or reopening schools would allow the pandemic to take off again and no way had been found of easing the lockdown while controlling the virus.
He told the newspaper Britain must consider allowing people to catch the virus in the least deadly way possible rather than allowing the impact on the economy, people's mental health, and harms in terms of domestic violence, child abuse and food poverty to continue indefinitely.
Prof Medley told The Times: "This disease is so nasty that we had to suppress it completely. Then we've kind of painted ourselves into a corner, because then the question will be, what do we do now?
"We will have done three weeks of this lockdown, so there's a big decision coming up on April 13. In broad terms are we going to continue to harm children to protect vulnerable people, or not?"
Prof Medley added: "If we carry on with lockdown it buys us more time, we can get more thought put into it, but it doesn't resolve anything, it's a placeholder."
Testing is seen as vital in tracking the virus and giving the UK hope of ending the current lockdown.
Currently, around 10,000 tests are being carried out each day.
The health secretary has committed to carrying out 100,000 COVID-19 tests per day in England by the end of April.
Health specialists have said they are currently "testing to the limit of our materials", adding that they are ready to increase capacity, but only if given a "reliable supply" of equipment to do so.
The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) warned there is a "very real risk" that hospitals may run out of reagents, leaving patients unable to be tested.
A reagent is a chemical needed to determine if a coronavirus test is positive or negative.
"The UK has numerous high-quality accredited laboratories with suitable equipment, with the capability to process over 100,000 tests per day, set up and ready to meet testing targets," a spokesman for the IBMS said.
"Currently, England could process up to 25,000 a day, which by May could rise to 100,000, meeting the ambitious target set down by Matt Hancock, all within the NHS. However, there is a material supply issue with a worldwide shortage in reagent kits.
"The supply of precision plastics that are used with the reagents are not due to be ready until mid-May."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The Department of Health and Social Care said on Friday that 684 more people died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total deaths in the UK to 3,605.
Among the deaths confirmed were two NHS nurses - Areema Nasreen and Aimee O'Rourke.


news--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Light lamps to dispel the 'darkness', Indian PM tells citizens

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to switch off the lights in their homes and light candles and oil lamps instead on Sunday night to dispel the `` darkness '' of the coronavirus epidemic and look forward with hope .
In a video message , he thanked the country 's 1.3 billion people for contributing to the success of a nationwide coronavirus lockdown .
He said : `` On the 5th of April at 9pm , turn off all the lights in your homes , stand at your doors or in your balconies , and light candles or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or use your mobile flashlights for nine minutes .
`` We will experience the superpower of light , clearly illuminating the common purpose we are all fighting for .
In that light , in that lustre , in that radiance , let us resolve in our minds that we are not alone , that no one is alone . ''
Mr Modi also appealed for people to stay at home and continue to adhere to the social distancing restrictions currently in place .
An earlier appeal to applaud those on the frontline of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scores of people came out on the streets and celebrated the event .
In a video news conference , Pawan Khera , a spokesman of the opposition Congress party , responded to Mr Modi 's fresh appeal : `` The country was expecting answers from the prime minister on the issues of shortage of personal protection equipment and on helping the poor and migrant labourers who were without food and money . ''
In a direct message to the PM , he added : `` The country was dejected today , people did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from you on critical questions . ''
There have been more than 3,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the country , as well as 86 deaths .
The cases have been largely driven by a congregation of members of the Tablighi Jammat , a Muslim missionary group in Delhi .
In violation of the government restrictions this 2,500-strong group which included about 1,000 foreign nationals from Malaysia , Indonesia , Bangladesh , the US and Kyrgyzstan among others had gathered at a complex located in a crowded area of Nizammudin in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` superspreaders '' have tested positive in 14 states .
Officials are still trying to find more people associated with the event .
The group 's leader , Maulana Saad Kandhalvi , and six others involved are believed to be in hiding and the government has launched a manhunt .
Their base has been sealed off and health workers have been disinfecting the dozens of rooms and quarters of the building .
It comes as officials recorded the first coronavirus-related death in India 's largest slum , Dharavi , in the financial capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been linked to the Delhi group .
Ten of its members had stayed at a house belonging to the victim .
A 35-year-old doctor who treated the man has also tested positive for COVID-19 .
Dharavi , a slum with almost a million people living and working in a 2.2 square kilometre area , is one of the most densely populated parts of India .
A spread of the virus there would put medical facilities under a massive strain .
India is midway through its 21-day nationwide lockdown .
Only key workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rest of the population can only venture out to buy food and medicines .
The government failed to factor the very large migrant population comprising daily wage earners and contract workers .
This informal sector forms almost 81 % of India 's working population .
After Mr Modi announced the measure , tens of thousands of migrant workers crammed into buses or walked for days to get back to their native villages .
The government was severely criticised for an ill-judged policy towards migrant labour .
In a radio address Mr Modi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the lockdown was necessary to stop the spread of the virus and save lives .

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to switch off the lights in their homes and light candles and oil lamps instead on Sunday night to dispel the "darkness" of the coronavirus epidemic and look forward with hope.
In a video message, he thanked the country's 1.3 billion people for contributing to the success of a nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
He said: "On the 5th of April at 9pm, turn off all the lights in your homes, stand at your doors or in your balconies, and light candles or diyas (oil lamps), torches or use your mobile flashlights for nine minutes.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:50 How is India coping with lockdown?
"We will experience the superpower of light, clearly illuminating the common purpose we are all fighting for. In that light, in that lustre, in that radiance, let us resolve in our minds that we are not alone, that no one is alone."
Mr Modi also appealed for people to stay at home and continue to adhere to the social distancing restrictions currently in place.
An earlier appeal to applaud those on the frontline of the COVID-19 battle was widely criticised after scores of people came out on the streets and celebrated the event.
In a video news conference, Pawan Khera, a spokesman of the opposition Congress party, responded to Mr Modi's fresh appeal: "The country was expecting answers from the prime minister on the issues of shortage of personal protection equipment and on helping the poor and migrant labourers who were without food and money."
In a direct message to the PM, he added: "The country was dejected today, people did not get any information they were expecting from you on critical questions."
There have been more than 3,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the country, as well as 86 deaths.
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The cases have been largely driven by a congregation of members of the Tablighi Jammat, a Muslim missionary group in Delhi.
In violation of the government restrictions this 2,500-strong group which included about 1,000 foreign nationals from Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, the US and Kyrgyzstan among others had gathered at a complex located in a crowded area of Nizammudin in the city.
At least 647 among these so-called "superspreaders" have tested positive in 14 states.
Officials are still trying to find more people associated with the event.
The group's leader, Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, and six others involved are believed to be in hiding and the government has launched a manhunt.
Their base has been sealed off and health workers have been disinfecting the dozens of rooms and quarters of the building.
Image: People stand in marked positions in a queue outside a shop in Mumbai, India
It comes as officials recorded the first coronavirus-related death in India's largest slum, Dharavi, in the financial capital of Mumbai.
The 56-year-old's death has been linked to the Delhi group. Ten of its members had stayed at a house belonging to the victim.
A 35-year-old doctor who treated the man has also tested positive for COVID-19.
Dharavi, a slum with almost a million people living and working in a 2.2 square kilometre area, is one of the most densely populated parts of India. A spread of the virus there would put medical facilities under a massive strain.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:39 Mass exodus of migrant workers in India
India is midway through its 21-day nationwide lockdown. Only key workers are allowed to leave their homes. The rest of the population can only venture out to buy food and medicines.
The government failed to factor the very large migrant population comprising daily wage earners and contract workers. This informal sector forms almost 81% of India's working population.
After Mr Modi announced the measure, tens of thousands of migrant workers crammed into buses or walked for days to get back to their native villages.
The government was severely criticised for an ill-judged policy towards migrant labour.
In a radio address Mr Modi apologised for the trouble caused, but said the lockdown was necessary to stop the spread of the virus and save lives.


news--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: British serviceperson is Falkland Islands' first case of COVID-19

A British serviceperson has become the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the Falkland Islands .
The Falklands government said the patient was transferred from a UK military base on the territory to the only civilian hospital on Tuesday with `` a range of COVID-19 symptoms '' .
The patient , who is not on a ventilator , is said to be in a stable condition .
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that a member of `` British Forces South Atlantic Islands personnel '' had tested positive for the illness .
`` The individual adhered to government guidelines and self-isolated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to colleagues or the work environment , '' a spokesperson said A health team on Mount Pleasant base - home to some 1,300 military personnel - is tracing all the people the patient had contact with .
Dr Rebecca Edwards , the chief medical officer on the islands , sought to reassure islanders , saying that the King Edward Memorial Hospital was enforcing strict isolation procedures .
`` We knew the day would come when we would have our first confirmed case , and in some respects we are fortunate that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have taken this time to plan our approach within the hospital and also from a wider perspective , '' she said in a statement .
`` We have reorganised the hospital and staffing arrangements , and put our supplies and pharmaceuticals in place , which many countries were not in a position to do before they identified their first cases . ''
But the fact the first confirmed case of COVID-19 came from the Mount Pleasant base could raise questions for the MoD about what steps had been taken to reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK to the remote British overseas territory some 8,000 miles away .
Sky News reported this week that some 25 people - a combination of military personnel and family members - were suffering possible coronavirus symptoms at Mount Pleasant base on East Falkland , set up after the 1982 war with Argentina .
They have been put in isolation as a precaution , though an initial batch of coronavirus tests came back as negative .
A number of islanders are also self-isolating after displaying symptoms of the illness .
The Falkland Islands government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precaution .
All schools and nurseries closed last Friday until at least the start of the new term in May and everyone , except those deemed critical workers , has been told to stay at home .
About a sixth of the population is classed as high-risk , mainly those over 70 with underlying health conditions .
Britain this week sent military medics and specialist kit to double the intensive care capacity on the islands because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The six-strong team , with equipment for two intensive care beds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also been dispatched , including additional oxygen , face masks and medication .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Major-General Julian Thompson , who played a leading role in repelling Argentinian forces from the Falklands almost 40 years ago , said Britain 's defences could be compromised by a COVID-19 outbreak among the military .
`` If you get it badly you are going to end up with a lot of guys ill and not fit to defend the place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking to fly some service personnel , civil servants and contractors , who are deemed particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 , back to Britain to reduce the burden on the limited medical capacity at the base should an outbreak occur .
A small number of islanders may also choose to use the Royal Air Force airbridge that runs twice-weekly between Mount Pleasant and RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire .
Alongside the 1,300 soldiers , sailors , airmen and Royal Marines stationed at Mount Pleasant are hundreds of contractors and a contingent of civil servants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast jets , along with their airborne refuelling tanker , able to scramble at any time in response to any threat .
It also has a radar array that has to be constantly manned .

A British serviceperson has become the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the Falkland Islands.
The Falklands government said the patient was transferred from a UK military base on the territory to the only civilian hospital on Tuesday with "a range of COVID-19 symptoms".
The patient, who is not on a ventilator, is said to be in a stable condition.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that a member of "British Forces South Atlantic Islands personnel" had tested positive for the illness.
"The individual adhered to government guidelines and self-isolated upon showing symptoms. There is no threat to colleagues or the work environment," a spokesperson said
Image: The only Falkland Islands hospital is in the capital Stanley
A health team on Mount Pleasant base - home to some 1,300 military personnel - is tracing all the people the patient had contact with.
Dr Rebecca Edwards, the chief medical officer on the islands, sought to reassure islanders, saying that the King Edward Memorial Hospital was enforcing strict isolation procedures.
"We knew the day would come when we would have our first confirmed case, and in some respects we are fortunate that we have been COVID-19 free until now as we have taken this time to plan our approach within the hospital and also from a wider perspective," she said in a statement.
"We have reorganised the hospital and staffing arrangements, and put our supplies and pharmaceuticals in place, which many countries were not in a position to do before they identified their first cases."
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But the fact the first confirmed case of COVID-19 came from the Mount Pleasant base could raise questions for the MoD about what steps had been taken to reduce the risk of exporting the disease from the UK to the remote British overseas territory some 8,000 miles away.
Image: About a sixth of the population is classed as high-risk
Sky News reported this week that some 25 people - a combination of military personnel and family members - were suffering possible coronavirus symptoms at Mount Pleasant base on East Falkland, set up after the 1982 war with Argentina.
They have been put in isolation as a precaution, though an initial batch of coronavirus tests came back as negative.
A number of islanders are also self-isolating after displaying symptoms of the illness.
The Falkland Islands government has imposed strict new measures as a precaution.
All schools and nurseries closed last Friday until at least the start of the new term in May and everyone, except those deemed critical workers, has been told to stay at home.
About a sixth of the population is classed as high-risk, mainly those over 70 with underlying health conditions.
Britain this week sent military medics and specialist kit to double the intensive care capacity on the islands because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The six-strong team, with equipment for two intensive care beds, arrived on Tuesday.
Other medical supplies have also been dispatched, including additional oxygen, face masks and medication.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Major-General Julian Thompson, who played a leading role in repelling Argentinian forces from the Falklands almost 40 years ago, said Britain's defences could be compromised by a COVID-19 outbreak among the military.
"If you get it badly you are going to end up with a lot of guys ill and not fit to defend the place," he said.
The military is looking to fly some service personnel, civil servants and contractors, who are deemed particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, back to Britain to reduce the burden on the limited medical capacity at the base should an outbreak occur.
A small number of islanders may also choose to use the Royal Air Force airbridge that runs twice-weekly between Mount Pleasant and RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Alongside the 1,300 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Royal Marines stationed at Mount Pleasant are hundreds of contractors and a contingent of civil servants.
The base houses a detachment of fast jets, along with their airborne refuelling tanker, able to scramble at any time in response to any threat. It also has a radar array that has to be constantly manned.


news--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Daily deaths jump by 708 - including UK's youngest victim aged five

Another 708 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK , including a five year-old child who is the youngest victim to date .
The daily increase in deaths , which includes cases from up to 5pm on Friday , took the UK 's total to 4,313 .
It comes after the figure rose by 684 on Friday and 569 on Thursday .
Of the extra 637 English deaths reported in hospitals , Public Health England said that the patients were aged between five years old and 104 years old .
The Department for Health has since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youngest person to die with COVID-19 related symptoms so far .
Before today , the youngest known victim was 13 .
The total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England now stands at 3,939 .
NHS England said that of the latest 637 deaths in the country , 40 of them - aged between 48 and 93 - had no known underlying health conditions .
No information was released about the five-year-old , but the implication is that the child had an underlying condition .
Among the UK-wide death toll are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Five of those who have died are London bus workers , the trade union Unite said earlier and the Prison Officers ' Association said two support staff workers , Bovil Peter and Patrick Beckford , also died .
The prison workers had been at north London 's Pentonville Prison and were believed to be aged in their 60s .
The largest share of deaths in England occurred in the Midlands , with 212 deaths in the region , with 127 in London and less than 100 in other regions .
The least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Previously , the largest share of deaths was in London , which has also experienced the highest rates of infection .
Cabinet member Michael Gove referred to sharply rising rates occurring in Yorkshire and in the Midlands , with rates falling slightly in London , during the government 's daily briefing from Downing Street .
Meanwhile , the number testing positive for COVID-19 in the UK as a whole has risen to 41,903 , as of 9am on Saturday , after 183,190 have been tested .
The number of people in Scotland who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 172 on Friday , the Scottish Government said .
Public Health Wales said 13 further deaths have been reported of people who had tested positive , taking the number of deaths in Wales to 154 .
Northern Ireland 's Public Health Agency reported another eight deaths , bringing the country 's total to 56 , with a total of 998 testing positive .
Mr Gove also announced a series of new Nightingale hospitals would be built in cities across the UK to boost intensive care capacity , after the Excel Centre in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary hospital on Friday .
Analysis by the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre ( ICNARC ) found that the death rate among those admitted to intensive care with COVID-19 has topped 50 % .
The centre looked at a sample of 2,249 coronavirus patients and found that out of the 690 patients whose care outcomes were known , 346 - 50.1 % - had died , while 344 had been discharged .
The remaining patients , 1,559 , were reported still to be in critical care .
As a comparison , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensive care with viral pneumonia between 2017 and 2019 died of the disease .
The coronavirus infection rate will remain high for `` weeks and weeks '' if people flout social distancing rules this weekend , a scientist advising the government has warned .
Professor Neil Ferguson , from Imperial College London , said earlier that while the epidemic was expected to plateau in the next week to 10 days , people 's behaviour was critical to determining what happens next .
His warning followed similar pleas by Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing measures and resist the temptation to enjoy the sunshine forecast for swathes of the UK on Saturday and Sunday .
Efforts were under way around the UK to dissuade people from visiting popular spots across the country .
Mr Gove reiterated the message at the daily briefing on Saturday , saying : `` I know that life under lockdown can be challenging , and some will be tempted on this sunny weekend to venture out and about .
`` If we relax our adherence to the rules , we increase the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was announced that up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales are to be temporarily released from jail in an effort to try and control the virus 's spread .
Despite the London no longer being the worst area for deaths , pressure on health services there has continued .
Watford General hospital has told people not to attend A & E until further notice , even in an emergency , and to visit other nearby hospitals or seek advice through the 111 helpline .

Another 708 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, including a five year-old child who is the youngest victim to date.
The daily increase in deaths, which includes cases from up to 5pm on Friday, took the UK's total to 4,313.
It comes after the figure rose by 684 on Friday and 569 on Thursday.
Of the extra 637 English deaths reported in hospitals, Public Health England said that the patients were aged between five years old and 104 years old.
The Department for Health has since confirmed the five-year-old is the UK's youngest person to die with COVID-19 related symptoms so far.
Before today, the youngest known victim was 13.
Image: Police officers monitor as people take their daily exercise in Greenwich Park in south London
The total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England now stands at 3,939.
NHS England said that of the latest 637 deaths in the country, 40 of them - aged between 48 and 93 - had no known underlying health conditions.
No information was released about the five-year-old, but the implication is that the child had an underlying condition.
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Among the UK-wide death toll are seven healthcare professionals, Mr Gove confirmed.
Five of those who have died are London bus workers, the trade union Unite said earlier and the Prison Officers' Association said two support staff workers, Bovil Peter and Patrick Beckford, also died.
The prison workers had been at north London's Pentonville Prison and were believed to be aged in their 60s.
The largest share of deaths in England occurred in the Midlands, with 212 deaths in the region, with 127 in London and less than 100 in other regions.
The least hit region was the South West.
Previously, the largest share of deaths was in London, which has also experienced the highest rates of infection.
Cabinet member Michael Gove referred to sharply rising rates occurring in Yorkshire and in the Midlands, with rates falling slightly in London, during the government's daily briefing from Downing Street.
Meanwhile, the number testing positive for COVID-19 in the UK as a whole has risen to 41,903, as of 9am on Saturday, after 183,190 have been tested.
The number of people in Scotland who have died is 218, up 46 from 172 on Friday, the Scottish Government said.
Public Health Wales said 13 further deaths have been reported of people who had tested positive, taking the number of deaths in Wales to 154.
Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency reported another eight deaths, bringing the country's total to 56, with a total of 998 testing positive.
Image: A 'Stay Home' sign is displayed on Bournemouth pier, as the UK continues in lockdown
Mr Gove also announced a series of new Nightingale hospitals would be built in cities across the UK to boost intensive care capacity, after the Excel Centre in London's Docklands was opened as a temporary hospital on Friday.
Analysis by the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) found that the death rate among those admitted to intensive care with COVID-19 has topped 50%.
The centre looked at a sample of 2,249 coronavirus patients and found that out of the 690 patients whose care outcomes were known, 346 - 50.1% - had died, while 344 had been discharged.
The remaining patients, 1,559, were reported still to be in critical care.
As a comparison, just 22.4% of patients admitted to intensive care with viral pneumonia between 2017 and 2019 died of the disease.
Image: Surfers in the North sea at Tynemouth, despite advice telling them to stay at home
The coronavirus infection rate will remain high for "weeks and weeks" if people flout social distancing rules this weekend, a scientist advising the government has warned.
Professor Neil Ferguson, from Imperial College London, said earlier that while the epidemic was expected to plateau in the next week to 10 days, people's behaviour was critical to determining what happens next.
His warning followed similar pleas by Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock for people to stick with the social distancing measures and resist the temptation to enjoy the sunshine forecast for swathes of the UK on Saturday and Sunday.
Efforts were under way around the UK to dissuade people from visiting popular spots across the country.
Mr Gove reiterated the message at the daily briefing on Saturday, saying: "I know that life under lockdown can be challenging, and some will be tempted on this sunny weekend to venture out and about.
"If we relax our adherence to the rules, we increase the risk for others."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:05 Are changes needed to Universal Credit?
Earlier, it was announced that up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales are to be temporarily released from jail in an effort to try and control the virus's spread.
Despite the London no longer being the worst area for deaths, pressure on health services there has continued.
Watford General hospital has told people not to attend A&E until further notice, even in an emergency, and to visit other nearby hospitals or seek advice through the 111 helpline.


news--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Queen hopes crisis will prove 'this generation is as strong as any'

The Queen , in an historic televised address , will say she hopes the coronavirus crisis will show that `` Britons of this generation were as strong as any '' as the country responds to the challenges it faces .
In her message , recorded at Windsor Castle , the 93-year-old monarch will say : `` I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time .
`` A time of disruption in the life of our country : a disruption that has brought grief to some , financial difficulties to many , and enormous changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The message about the coronavirus pandemic will be broadcast at 8pm tonight .
In what the palace describes as deeply personal words , the Queen will praise the work of those on the frontline ; NHS workers , carers and other staff keeping the country going .
Describing how proud she has been to see Britain pull together , she will say : `` I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge .
`` And those who come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this generation were as strong as any .
That the attributes of self-discipline , of quiet good-humoured resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterise this country . ''
The message was recorded at Windsor Castle , from where she 's been kept up to date as the crisis has unfolded .
Because of the scale of the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact on the country , it has always been a case of when and not if Her Majesty would record a television message .
Both the palace and No 10 would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to speak , as the cases of coronavirus keep going up .
In a message the government is keen to reinforce , the Queen will thank those who are following the official guidance to stay at home to protect the vulnerable .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker An address like this is incredibly rare .
Apart from her annual Christmas message , the Queen has only made this kind of televised address on four other occasions during her 68-year reign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deaths of Princess Diana and of the Queen Mother , and to mark her Diamond Jubilee .
This one is even more unusual because of the conditions under which it was filmed .
The white drawing room was chosen because it was large enough to allow sufficient distance between the Queen and the only cameraman who was in the room with her , wearing a face mask and gloves .
The rest of the technical crew were in another room connected by speakers and monitors .
The broadcast only went ahead after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Household , to mitigate any risk to the Queen or others , because of the strict guidance on social distancing .
In what was a logistically challenging message to film , the Queen is said to have understood that it had to be done in this way because of the advice that was given .
In 1940 Princess Elizabeth made her first ever broadcast from Windsor Castle to other Second World War evacuees .
Eighty years later , from the same place , she will again address the nation .
As Britain 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her own experiences in other difficult times , at a moment when she knows her country again needs her sympathy , support and a sense of hope .
After Prince Charles and the prime minister tested positive for COVID-19 , the Queen was said to be in good health .
The palace will not confirm if she has been tested for the virus .

The Queen, in an historic televised address, will say she hopes the coronavirus crisis will show that "Britons of this generation were as strong as any" as the country responds to the challenges it faces.
In her message, recorded at Windsor Castle, the 93-year-old monarch will say: "I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time.
"A time of disruption in the life of our country: a disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all."
The message about the coronavirus pandemic will be broadcast at 8pm tonight.
Image: The Queen left Buckingham Palace for Windsor to socially distance herself last month
In what the palace describes as deeply personal words, the Queen will praise the work of those on the frontline; NHS workers, carers and other staff keeping the country going.
Describing how proud she has been to see Britain pull together, she will say: "I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge.
"And those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any. That the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet good-humoured resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterise this country."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:37 'People will heed' the Queen's message
The message was recorded at Windsor Castle, from where she's been kept up to date as the crisis has unfolded.
Because of the scale of the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact on the country, it has always been a case of when and not if Her Majesty would record a television message.
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Both the palace and No 10 would have decided now was the right time for her to speak, as the cases of coronavirus keep going up.
In a message the government is keen to reinforce, the Queen will thank those who are following the official guidance to stay at home to protect the vulnerable.
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An address like this is incredibly rare.
Apart from her annual Christmas message, the Queen has only made this kind of televised address on four other occasions during her 68-year reign - during the Gulf War, after the deaths of Princess Diana and of the Queen Mother, and to mark her Diamond Jubilee.
This one is even more unusual because of the conditions under which it was filmed.
The white drawing room was chosen because it was large enough to allow sufficient distance between the Queen and the only cameraman who was in the room with her, wearing a face mask and gloves.
The rest of the technical crew were in another room connected by speakers and monitors.
The broadcast only went ahead after specific advice was given by the Medical Household, to mitigate any risk to the Queen or others, because of the strict guidance on social distancing.
In what was a logistically challenging message to film, the Queen is said to have understood that it had to be done in this way because of the advice that was given.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:28 Charles: NHS Nightingale is 'shining light'
In 1940 Princess Elizabeth made her first ever broadcast from Windsor Castle to other Second World War evacuees.
Eighty years later, from the same place, she will again address the nation.
As Britain's longest reigning monarch she will reflect on her own experiences in other difficult times, at a moment when she knows her country again needs her sympathy, support and a sense of hope.
After Prince Charles and the prime minister tested positive for COVID-19, the Queen was said to be in good health.
The palace will not confirm if she has been tested for the virus.


news--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Queen seeks to lift spirits in significant Sunday address to nation

Queen to give fifth special message to nation over COVID-19 Ever since the coronavirus crisis began the palace and Number 10 would have been considering carefully when this moment should happen .
And be under no illusion , the announcement that the Queen will address the nation is incredibly significant - with both the palace and the government , no doubt , having a say on choosing the perfect moment that they hope will have the maximum impact for rallying and reassuring the country .
They know that messages and gestures from Britain 's longest reigning monarch can go a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spirits of a nation that still largely respects the Royal Family .
In many ways , Sunday night at 8pm is the perfect choice .
Traditionally , it 's a time in the week when families are all in the house together getting ready for work or school .
This will be a moment that many families will share , just as they would sit down together to watch the Queen 's Christmas message .
Broadcasting it during the week running up to Easter will also potentially give the Queen the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at a time when many families would usually be together , but are currently apart .
Whatever she says , part of the message has already been delivered ; the enormity of the coronavirus crisis merits something extraordinary from our head of state .
The impact comes with the fact this kind of message is incredibly rare .
While the Queen gave a televised address to mark her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 , the only other three occasions in her 68-year reign were at times of national crisis or grief ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diana and the death of the Queen mother .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In a written statement 10 days ago , Her Majesty promised that her family stood ready to play their part .
That 's what she will do as she speaks to the nation on Sunday .
A trusted voice of reassurance during these unsettling and traumatic times .

The monarch's words can help rally and reassure the country as it continues to battle the pandemic, Sky's Rhiannon Mills says.
Ever since the coronavirus crisis began the palace and Number 10 would have been considering carefully when this moment should happen.
And be under no illusion, the announcement that the Queen will address the nation is incredibly significant - with both the palace and the government, no doubt, having a say on choosing the perfect moment that they hope will have the maximum impact for rallying and reassuring the country.
They know that messages and gestures from Britain's longest reigning monarch can go a long way when it comes to lifting the spirits of a nation that still largely respects the Royal Family.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:11 'We cannot afford to relax'
In many ways, Sunday night at 8pm is the perfect choice.
Traditionally, it's a time in the week when families are all in the house together getting ready for work or school.
This will be a moment that many families will share, just as they would sit down together to watch the Queen's Christmas message.
Broadcasting it during the week running up to Easter will also potentially give the Queen the opportunity to weave in messages about keeping faith, at a time when many families would usually be together, but are currently apart.
Whatever she says, part of the message has already been delivered; the enormity of the coronavirus crisis merits something extraordinary from our head of state. The impact comes with the fact this kind of message is incredibly rare.
While the Queen gave a televised address to mark her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the only other three occasions in her 68-year reign were at times of national crisis or grief; the Gulf War, the death of Princess Diana and the death of the Queen mother.
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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
In a written statement 10 days ago, Her Majesty promised that her family stood ready to play their part.
That's what she will do as she speaks to the nation on Sunday. A trusted voice of reassurance during these unsettling and traumatic times.


news--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Some low-risk prisoners to be released early to deal with COVID-19 outbreak

The government has announced that lower risk prisoners at the end of their custodial sentence will be considered for early release , amid fears that a prison outbreak of COVID-19 could overwhelm local hospitals .
Prisoners who are in the last two months of their custodial sentences would be considered for release on temporary licence under emergency powers .
The measures are being put in place amid fears that an outbreak of COVID-19 in a prison could spread rapidly and lead to local hospitals being overwhelmed with patients during the coronavirus crisis .
All those released early will be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to pass a risk assessment and be subject to electronic monitoring .
The change will not apply to those who have been convicted of violent or sexual offences or those who are a security concern .
It is understood the government did not want to make the change , but was forced to act because of the damage a large number of hospitalisations of prisoners would do to local health services .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and crime commissioners , academics and charities called on the government to release some inmates early to help overcrowded prisons deal with the pandemic .
Three prisoners are currently known to have died after testing positive for COVID-19 .

The government has announced that lower risk prisoners at the end of their custodial sentence will be considered for early release, amid fears that a prison outbreak of COVID-19 could overwhelm local hospitals.
Prisoners who are in the last two months of their custodial sentences would be considered for release on temporary licence under emergency powers.
The measures are being put in place amid fears that an outbreak of COVID-19 in a prison could spread rapidly and lead to local hospitals being overwhelmed with patients during the coronavirus crisis.
All those released early will be able to be recalled. They will also have to pass a risk assessment and be subject to electronic monitoring.
The change will not apply to those who have been convicted of violent or sexual offences or those who are a security concern.
It is understood the government did not want to make the change, but was forced to act because of the damage a large number of hospitalisations of prisoners would do to local health services.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It comes two days after a group of peers, police and crime commissioners, academics and charities called on the government to release some inmates early to help overcrowded prisons deal with the pandemic.
Three prisoners are currently known to have died after testing positive for COVID-19.


news--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Babysitting, food shopping, feeding pets - the students helping out their NHS colleague

Coronavirus: Babysitting, food shopping, feeding pets - the students helping out their NHS colleagues

Medical students up and down the country are helping to relieve pressure on NHS staff fighting coronavirus , by babysitting , food shopping and feeding pets .
With nurseries and care facilities closing due to the spread of COVID-19 , staff are often in need of childcare at the last minute , at anti-social hours .
Saif Khan , who is in his penultimate year of medicine at the University of Manchester , is one of those who decided he wanted to give something back to staff who have tutored and mentored him over the years .
He told Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for , let 's say , two to three hours of babysitting .
Something that is so easily done .
`` We still have our learning to do from university , but with placements cancelled we have a lot more time available to us .
`` So two to three hours to help out our colleagues is not too much to ask - and we are very glad and privileged to help them . ''
The initiative is being run through an app called Bubble .
Key workers can search for students offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profile , with reviews , experience and relevant checks .
Dr Anna Steele , a medical registrar at a London hospital , has three young girls and says having help from a medical student has been a lifesaver .
She said : `` Unfortunately at the moment I am looking after a lot of patients with coronavirus .
`` When I first heard about the school closure I was so worried because I did n't know how I would balance my job with childcare for my three children .
`` Then I heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were coming to help with key worker families .
`` My husband is at home , trying to do his normal job while homeschooling three children , with very different needs and ages .
So having a little bit of intermittent help from the medical student has been an absolute lifesaver .
I 'm so grateful for the support .
`` I think for families like mine or for key workers that are doing out of hours work or shift work or need emergency childcare cover , having medical students available to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can imagine , work is fairly stressful at the moment so having this stress taken off our shoulders is a really big help . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Hundreds of medical students had started to come together spontaneously on social media across the country to offer their free time .
But it was Ari Last who decided to launch the initiative on an app to consolidate the service .
He told Sky News : `` We have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Wednesday for two to three hours because they are running a clinic in the hospital or at home .
`` And sometimes they 're called in on an emergency and they need to find someone so they can get to the hospital late at night . ''
It is clearly a stressful time for NHS workers as unprecedented demand is placed on hospitals .
But it is hoped that taking pressure off their personal lives will make things slightly easier .

Medical students up and down the country are helping to relieve pressure on NHS staff fighting coronavirus, by babysitting, food shopping and feeding pets.
With nurseries and care facilities closing due to the spread of COVID-19, staff are often in need of childcare at the last minute, at anti-social hours.
Image: Saif Khan is in his penultimate year of medicine at the University of Manchester
Image: Mr Khan is among those who wanted to help
Saif Khan, who is in his penultimate year of medicine at the University of Manchester, is one of those who decided he wanted to give something back to staff who have tutored and mentored him over the years.
He told Sky News: "We have had requests for, let's say, two to three hours of babysitting. Something that is so easily done.
"We still have our learning to do from university, but with placements cancelled we have a lot more time available to us.
Image: Each person has a profile, with reviews, experience and relevant checks
"So two to three hours to help out our colleagues is not too much to ask - and we are very glad and privileged to help them."
The initiative is being run through an app called Bubble.
Key workers can search for students offering their time.
Each person has a profile, with reviews, experience and relevant checks.
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Dr Anna Steele, a medical registrar at a London hospital, has three young girls and says having help from a medical student has been a lifesaver.
Image: Dr Anna Steele says the scheme has been a 'lifesaver'
She said: "Unfortunately at the moment I am looking after a lot of patients with coronavirus.
"When I first heard about the school closure I was so worried because I didn't know how I would balance my job with childcare for my three children.
"Then I heard about this wonderful initiative where medical students were coming to help with key worker families.
"My husband is at home, trying to do his normal job while homeschooling three children, with very different needs and ages. So having a little bit of intermittent help from the medical student has been an absolute lifesaver. I'm so grateful for the support.
"I think for families like mine or for key workers that are doing out of hours work or shift work or need emergency childcare cover, having medical students available to help us has been transformative.
"As you can imagine, work is fairly stressful at the moment so having this stress taken off our shoulders is a really big help."
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Hundreds of medical students had started to come together spontaneously on social media across the country to offer their free time.
But it was Ari Last who decided to launch the initiative on an app to consolidate the service.
He told Sky News: "We have had requests where people need someone every Tuesday or Wednesday for two to three hours because they are running a clinic in the hospital or at home.
Image: Ari Last, the founder of the Bubble app
"And sometimes they're called in on an emergency and they need to find someone so they can get to the hospital late at night."
It is clearly a stressful time for NHS workers as unprecedented demand is placed on hospitals. But it is hoped that taking pressure off their personal lives will make things slightly easier.