news--2020-04-08--Coronavirus: What is hydroxychloroquine - the drug Trump is pushing to treat COVID-19?

The anti-malarial drug has not been tested for treatment of coronavirus but that has n't stopped the US president aggressively promoting it as a potential `` game changer '' .
`` What do you have to lose ? ''
he said on Saturday .
`` Take it '' .
Because of a lack of conclusive scientific studies , the US government 's top infectious disease specialist , Dr Anthony Fauci , is urging caution .
But Trump appears to be taking the advice of Fox News hosts who are persistently pushing the drug .
While acknowledging that he is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common sense '' qualifies him to make such bold claims .
So what do coronavirus patients actually have to lose if they take hydroxychloroquine ?
Dr Daniel Sterman is the critical care director at New York University ( NYU ) Langone Health .
He believes almost every doctor in the United States , especially in New York City , has been approached by a family member , friend , or patient about this drug .
Doctors at his hospital are using it despite the lack of research on whether patients are actually benefiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 unfortunately - so we are doing the best we can with applying the best supportive care that we can .
But there 's a lot we do n't know about this disease .
`` And this disease is unlike many other diseases that we 've seen before .
It has unique clinical characteristics .
So we just do n't know whether any drug therapies are effective . ''
He disagrees with Trump 's claim that if it 's good for malaria - it 's good for this virus .
`` Malaria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SARS CoV-2 , '' says Dr Sterman .
`` I think that you could make an argument that it 's been proven safe to be used in malaria in large numbers of patients .
And for that reason , the drug may be safe .
`` But you ca n't say that because it works in malaria that it 's effective in treating COVID-19 . ''
While there is no comprehensive or conclusive data on hydroxychloroquine 's coronavirus efficacy , there have been some early studies that have offered a fraction of hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The early French study , which prompted all the interest in this drug , was in 20 patients , a very small subset and no controls and only a very small subset had the combination of azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine , '' says Dr Sterman .
`` And there appeared to be some synergy between the two drugs in a very small number of patients who received both .
This small study was what generated all the interest , in part because I think that we were so frustrated by the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The World Health Organisation is conducting trials to test the drug 's efficacy .
NYU 's Langone Medical Centre has also designed a trial in its patients .
`` My hope is that these randomised trials will give us definitive information as to whether or not hydroxychloroquine or is effective in COVID-19 patients , '' says Dr Sterman .
It 's not just President Trump who wants a cure .
Medical professionals battling on the front lines of this viscous disease are urgently seeking an answer .
`` ' I think we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caring for these patients around the world are struggling with two things , '' says Dr Sterman .
`` One is our desperate desire to find a drug that works and a willingness to try anything to try to save our patients . ''
President Trump has insisted `` you 're not going to die '' from this drug and has dismissed its potential side effects .
Dr Sterman says the drug is not without risk : `` We 've heard a few stories .
We 've not seen any side effects in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at our medical centre .
There certainly are risks .
The major risk that we worry about is cardiac , heart side effects . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker There are also potential risks with patients ' eyes .
Medical experts are concerned that Trump 's daily push of the drug could prompt dangerous home use and mixing with other medications .
Dr Sterman says no one should take it without their doctor 's supervision .
Trump says the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wants more .
India is the world 's largest producer of the drug and after pressure from Trump - he threatened retaliation if they did not lift their export ban - it has approved some exports to the US .
The scramble to get hold of it has meant shortages for people with conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis .
`` That 's a big concern , '' says Dr Sterman .
`` If there are shortages of the drug because people are prescribing it for themselves or hoarding it , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deprive patients who really rely on this drug for treatment of their chronic disease in a proven fashion from having that proven beneficial drug . ''
Dr Sterman says he wo n't comment on the criticisms levelled at Trump for his persistent promotion of the drug .
`` I think that the bottom line is that this is a very scary time for everyone .
`` This is affecting everyone in the world in a way that I 've never seen .
So I can understand an emotional reaction to the possibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That being said , as a physician and as a physician investigator , my goal is to get answers as to whether what our emotions tell us are absolutely true . ''
The New York Times has reported that there may be more to Trump 's new obsession .
If this drug is accepted for coronavirus treatment , certain pharmaceutical companies will profit .
It is reporting that Trump has a link to one of those companies and therefore could benefit financially .
Whatever his motives , Trump is adamant that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat COVID-19 .
The experts want a solution that is effective and safe .
We just do n't know yet if hydroxychloroquine fits that crucial bill .

Donald Trump is obsessed with hydroxychloroquine.
The anti-malarial drug has not been tested for treatment of coronavirus but that hasn't stopped the US president aggressively promoting it as a potential "game changer".
"What do you have to lose?" he said on Saturday. "Take it".
Because of a lack of conclusive scientific studies, the US government's top infectious disease specialist, Dr Anthony Fauci, is urging caution. But Trump appears to be taking the advice of Fox News hosts who are persistently pushing the drug.
While acknowledging that he is not a doctor, Trump insists his "common sense" qualifies him to make such bold claims.
So what do coronavirus patients actually have to lose if they take hydroxychloroquine?
Dr Daniel Sterman is the critical care director at New York University (NYU) Langone Health. He believes almost every doctor in the United States, especially in New York City, has been approached by a family member, friend, or patient about this drug.
Doctors at his hospital are using it despite the lack of research on whether patients are actually benefiting.
"There are no proven therapies for COVID-19 unfortunately - so we are doing the best we can with applying the best supportive care that we can. But there's a lot we don't know about this disease.
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"And this disease is unlike many other diseases that we've seen before. It has unique clinical characteristics. So we just don't know whether any drug therapies are effective."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:34 Trump threatens 'hold' on WHO funding
He disagrees with Trump's claim that if it's good for malaria - it's good for this virus.
"Malaria is a very different organism than the SARS CoV-2," says Dr Sterman.
"I think that you could make an argument that it's been proven safe to be used in malaria in large numbers of patients. And for that reason, the drug may be safe.
"But you can't say that because it works in malaria that it's effective in treating COVID-19."
While there is no comprehensive or conclusive data on hydroxychloroquine's coronavirus efficacy, there have been some early studies that have offered a fraction of hope - a specific one from France.
"The early French study, which prompted all the interest in this drug, was in 20 patients, a very small subset and no controls and only a very small subset had the combination of azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine," says Dr Sterman.
"And there appeared to be some synergy between the two drugs in a very small number of patients who received both. This small study was what generated all the interest, in part because I think that we were so frustrated by the fact that we had no therapies to offer."
Image: The drug had a small trial in France
The World Health Organisation is conducting trials to test the drug's efficacy. NYU's Langone Medical Centre has also designed a trial in its patients.
"My hope is that these randomised trials will give us definitive information as to whether or not hydroxychloroquine or is effective in COVID-19 patients," says Dr Sterman.
It's not just President Trump who wants a cure. Medical professionals battling on the front lines of this viscous disease are urgently seeking an answer.
"'I think we struggle, all the doctors who are caring for these patients around the world are struggling with two things," says Dr Sterman. "One is our desperate desire to find a drug that works and a willingness to try anything to try to save our patients."
President Trump has insisted "you're not going to die" from this drug and has dismissed its potential side effects.
Dr Sterman says the drug is not without risk: "We've heard a few stories. We've not seen any side effects in the patients who've been administered hydroxychloroquine at our medical centre. There certainly are risks. The major risk that we worry about is cardiac, heart side effects."
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
There are also potential risks with patients' eyes.
Medical experts are concerned that Trump's daily push of the drug could prompt dangerous home use and mixing with other medications. Dr Sterman says no one should take it without their doctor's supervision.
Trump says the US has stockpiled 29 million doses - but he wants more.
India is the world's largest producer of the drug and after pressure from Trump - he threatened retaliation if they did not lift their export ban - it has approved some exports to the US.
The scramble to get hold of it has meant shortages for people with conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
"That's a big concern," says Dr Sterman. "If there are shortages of the drug because people are prescribing it for themselves or hoarding it, for non FDA approved reasons, it may deprive patients who really rely on this drug for treatment of their chronic disease in a proven fashion from having that proven beneficial drug."
Dr Sterman says he won't comment on the criticisms levelled at Trump for his persistent promotion of the drug.
"I think that the bottom line is that this is a very scary time for everyone.
"This is affecting everyone in the world in a way that I've never seen. So I can understand an emotional reaction to the possibility of having a drug that can help you.
"That being said, as a physician and as a physician investigator, my goal is to get answers as to whether what our emotions tell us are absolutely true."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:25 5 April: Trump warns of 'a lot of death' ahead
The New York Times has reported that there may be more to Trump's new obsession.
If this drug is accepted for coronavirus treatment, certain pharmaceutical companies will profit. It is reporting that Trump has a link to one of those companies and therefore could benefit financially.
Whatever his motives, Trump is adamant that this drug should immediately be approved to treat COVID-19.
The experts want a solution that is effective and safe. We just don't know yet if hydroxychloroquine fits that crucial bill.


news--2020-04-08--Coronavirus: Wales extends lockdown as minister says UK 'not ready' to relax restrictions

Wales has extended its lockdown to beyond the Easter weekend , hours after a minister told Sky News it was `` not the right moment '' for the UK as a whole to consider relaxing the restrictions .
Britons have been living under stringent restrictions on movement in the last few weeks in a bid to halt the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
After health minister Edward Argar told Kay Burley @ Breakfast it was `` not the right moment '' to make any changes , Wales ' devolved government has confirmed its measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-week timeframe laid out by Downing Street last month .
The Welsh housing and local government minister Julie James said : `` It 's almost two-and-a-half weeks since we asked people to stay at home , to work from home whenever they can , and to stop making unnecessary journeys .
`` These measures will remain in place next week . ''
Earlier , Mr Argar had told Sky News : `` We will be led by the scientific evidence of when is the right moment for the changes to be made .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right moment . ''
The government instructions state that people should only be leaving their house during the lockdown for food , health reasons , outdoor exercise or to go to work if they can not do their job from home .
When he announced the lockdown last month , Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the measures would be reviewed every three weeks .
On Easter Monday , it will be three weeks since the lockdown was imposed .
But the PM 's admission to hospital - and subsequent move to intensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the review into question and raised fears of a power vacuum .
Mr Johnson 's condition remains `` stable '' , according to the latest update from Downing Street on Tuesday evening .
Speaking at the government 's daily coronavirus press conference that day , Dominic Raab suggested the lockdown review could be pushed back .
The foreign secretary , who is deputising in Mr Johnson 's absence , stressed ministers could not consider easing the lockdown restrictions until it was clear the peak of the epidemic had passed and it could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later confirmed the review would take place after the three-week mark originally committed to .
However , emergency legislation put before parliament three days after the lockdown was introduced states that a review must take place every 21 days , with the first deadline on 16 April .
Sky 's deputy political editor Sam Coates reports that some government figures are saying there are `` tentative '' talks about how the lockdown could be eased .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr Argar reiterated the point made by the foreign secretary about ensuring the peak of the outbreak has passed before easing the lockdown restrictions .
`` As the chief scientific adviser said there are some positive signs in terms of the rate of growth of the virus slowing , '' he said .
`` But we do n't know - the evidence is n't there yet as to whether we 've reached the peak .
`` The message this weekend , this week , is hugely important .
It 's keep staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By doing that , we will save lives .
`` Now is not the time to let up , now is the time to double down , keep following that advice and sticking with it . ''
London mayor Sadiq Khan said the UK was `` nowhere near lifting the lockdown '' .
`` We think the peak - which is the worst part of the virus - is still probably a week-and-a-half away , '' he told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme .
Data from a tracker app suggests that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus .
The number of people aged 20-69 who are reporting COVID-19 symptoms has fallen from 1.9 million to 1.4 million across the UK , according to analysis of data from the COVID Symptom Tracker app .
Contributors can track their daily health on the specially created app , which is also being used by healthcare and hospital workers nationwide .

Wales has extended its lockdown to beyond the Easter weekend, hours after a minister told Sky News it was "not the right moment" for the UK as a whole to consider relaxing the restrictions.
Britons have been living under stringent restrictions on movement in the last few weeks in a bid to halt the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
After health minister Edward Argar told Kay Burley@Breakfast it was "not the right moment" to make any changes, Wales' devolved government has confirmed its measures will remain in place beyond the original three-week timeframe laid out by Downing Street last month.
The Welsh housing and local government minister Julie James said: "It's almost two-and-a-half weeks since we asked people to stay at home, to work from home whenever they can, and to stop making unnecessary journeys.
"These measures will remain in place next week."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:45 Can government function without the PM?
Earlier, Mr Argar had told Sky News: "We will be led by the scientific evidence of when is the right moment for the changes to be made.
"At the moment that is not the right moment."
The government instructions state that people should only be leaving their house during the lockdown for food, health reasons, outdoor exercise or to go to work if they cannot do their job from home.
When he announced the lockdown last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the measures would be reviewed every three weeks.
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On Easter Monday, it will be three weeks since the lockdown was imposed.
But the PM's admission to hospital - and subsequent move to intensive care - has thrown the timing of the review into question and raised fears of a power vacuum.
Mr Johnson's condition remains "stable", according to the latest update from Downing Street on Tuesday evening.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:14 'PM is a fighter - I'm confident he'll pull through'
Speaking at the government's daily coronavirus press conference that day, Dominic Raab suggested the lockdown review could be pushed back.
The foreign secretary, who is deputising in Mr Johnson's absence, stressed ministers could not consider easing the lockdown restrictions until it was clear the peak of the epidemic had passed and it could be "responsibly done".
Downing Street later confirmed the review would take place after the three-week mark originally committed to.
However, emergency legislation put before parliament three days after the lockdown was introduced states that a review must take place every 21 days, with the first deadline on 16 April.
Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates reports that some government figures are saying there are "tentative" talks about how the lockdown could be eased.
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Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday, Mr Argar reiterated the point made by the foreign secretary about ensuring the peak of the outbreak has passed before easing the lockdown restrictions.
"As the chief scientific adviser said there are some positive signs in terms of the rate of growth of the virus slowing," he said.
"But we don't know - the evidence isn't there yet as to whether we've reached the peak.
"The message this weekend, this week, is hugely important. It's keep staying at home, keep protecting our NHS. By doing that, we will save lives.
"Now is not the time to let up, now is the time to double down, keep following that advice and sticking with it."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 'Caution' when comparing UK to Germany
London mayor Sadiq Khan said the UK was "nowhere near lifting the lockdown".
"We think the peak - which is the worst part of the virus - is still probably a week-and-a-half away," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Data from a tracker app suggests that the lockdown is working to halt the spread of the virus.
The number of people aged 20-69 who are reporting COVID-19 symptoms has fallen from 1.9 million to 1.4 million across the UK, according to analysis of data from the COVID Symptom Tracker app.
Contributors can track their daily health on the specially created app, which is also being used by healthcare and hospital workers nationwide.


news--2020-04-08--Coronavirus: Cambridge University laboratory will handle up to 30,000 COVID-19 tests a day

A new coronavirus testing laboratory will be established at Cambridge University - but it might not be fully up and running until May .
The government has set a target of achieving 100,000 daily tests for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , by the end of April .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the promise as part of a five-point strategy to ramp up testing across the country .
There has been criticism of government efforts to increase testing , amid disquiet that the UK is lagging behind other countries .
The Department of Health has announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antibody tests , saying firms would `` develop and roll out millions of coronavirus tests in the coming months '' .
Pharmaceutical firms including AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline ( GSK ) will primarily focus on tests to identify whether people currently have the virus , known as antigen tests .
Cambridge University is working with AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline on its new facility , which aims to process 30,000 tests per day at its Anne McLaren Laboratory .
The university 's vice-chancellor , Stephen Toope said the facility aims to be `` fully up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We have a goal of , by the beginning of May , early May , having a facility that 's fully up and running and would be able to process roughly 30,000 tests a day , '' Professor Toope told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme .
`` That would go a long way towards meeting the government 's target of 100,000 a day . ''
Pascal Soriot , chief executive of AstraZeneca , told the same programme that his company carries out PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) tests `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here is to bring this to a big scale and achieve 30,000 tests per day , '' he explained .
`` We believe we will start testing by mid-April and be at scale indeed with 30,000 tests per day by early May . ''
Mr Soriot said the lab would begin with 1,000 to 2,000 tests per day by mid-April , then `` ramp up progressively '' to 30,000 tests in the first week of May .
Sharing a link to a story about the new laboratory on Twitter , Mr Hancock said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those setting it up `` as part of our National Effort for testing '' .
In a joint statement the university , AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline said : `` This facility will be used for high throughput screening for COVID-19 testing and to explore the use of alternative chemical reagents for test kits in order to help overcome current supply shortages .
`` Alongside this new testing facility , AstraZeneca and GSK are working together to provide process optimisation support to the UK national testing centres in Milton Keynes , Alderley Park and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automation and robotics to help the national testing system to continue to expand capacity over the coming weeks .
`` While diagnostic testing is not part of either company 's core business , we are moving as fast as we can to help where possible - with a focus on providing our world-class scientific and technical expertise - working both with the government 's screening programme and alongside the wider life sciences sector and specialist diagnostic companies . ''
Further updates would be provided in due course , they said .
: : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
`` We continue to pay tribute to those working on the front lines of this pandemic , in the UK and globally , '' the joint statement added .
`` Defeating COVID-19 requires a collective effort from everyone working in healthcare and we are committed to playing our part . ''
Meanwhile , it has been claimed that a lack of blood samples from patients who have been diagnosed with the coronavirus is hampering efforts to validate antibody tests .
Public Health England ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of positive blood samples for screening antibody tests to see if they work , while the Department of Health is endeavouring to set up a blood bank .
PHE says that part of the problem is that it takes time for an immune response to develop , meaning blood from those who have suffered from the virus is only just reaching the maturity needed for use in antibody tests .
But some private labs have said their attempts to validate tests that can be used by frontline staff and the public at large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the samples it does have .
PHE medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle said : `` The government wants as many labs as possible to support the scaling up of the UK 's testing capacity and any commercial companies that can help should contact the Department of Health and Social Care ( DHSC ) .
`` PHE has only a very small number of positive blood samples .
`` It takes time for an immune response to develop ; for most people infected in the UK , this will have been in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only now reaching maturity to be used in this capacity .
`` A blood bank will be developed that companies can use to validate their technology . ''

A new coronavirus testing laboratory will be established at Cambridge University - but it might not be fully up and running until May.
The government has set a target of achieving 100,000 daily tests for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, by the end of April.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the promise as part of a five-point strategy to ramp up testing across the country.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:22 Hancock: Aim is 100,000 daily COVID-19 tests
There has been criticism of government efforts to increase testing, amid disquiet that the UK is lagging behind other countries.
The Department of Health has announced new business consortium to rapidly develop new antibody tests, saying firms would "develop and roll out millions of coronavirus tests in the coming months".
Pharmaceutical firms including AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will primarily focus on tests to identify whether people currently have the virus, known as antigen tests.
Cambridge University is working with AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline on its new facility, which aims to process 30,000 tests per day at its Anne McLaren Laboratory.
The university's vice-chancellor, Stephen Toope said the facility aims to be "fully up and running" after the government's target.
"We have a goal of, by the beginning of May, early May, having a facility that's fully up and running and would be able to process roughly 30,000 tests a day," Professor Toope told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:49 Questions over how testing pledge will be met
"That would go a long way towards meeting the government's target of 100,000 a day."
Pascal Soriot, chief executive of AstraZeneca, told the same programme that his company carries out PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests "very regularly".
"The challenge here is to bring this to a big scale and achieve 30,000 tests per day," he explained.
"We believe we will start testing by mid-April and be at scale indeed with 30,000 tests per day by early May."
Mr Soriot said the lab would begin with 1,000 to 2,000 tests per day by mid-April, then "ramp up progressively" to 30,000 tests in the first week of May.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 13:02 Hancock: 'It's a big task and a big ask'
Sharing a link to a story about the new laboratory on Twitter, Mr Hancock said he gave a "big welcome" to those setting it up "as part of our National Effort for testing".
In a joint statement the university, AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline said: "This facility will be used for high throughput screening for COVID-19 testing and to explore the use of alternative chemical reagents for test kits in order to help overcome current supply shortages.
"Alongside this new testing facility, AstraZeneca and GSK are working together to provide process optimisation support to the UK national testing centres in Milton Keynes, Alderley Park and Glasgow for COVID-19, providing expertise in automation and robotics to help the national testing system to continue to expand capacity over the coming weeks.
"While diagnostic testing is not part of either company's core business, we are moving as fast as we can to help where possible - with a focus on providing our world-class scientific and technical expertise - working both with the government's screening programme and alongside the wider life sciences sector and specialist diagnostic companies."
Further updates would be provided in due course, they said.
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"We continue to pay tribute to those working on the front lines of this pandemic, in the UK and globally," the joint statement added.
"Defeating COVID-19 requires a collective effort from everyone working in healthcare and we are committed to playing our part."
Meanwhile, it has been claimed that a lack of blood samples from patients who have been diagnosed with the coronavirus is hampering efforts to validate antibody tests.
Public Health England (PHE) has only a small number of positive blood samples for screening antibody tests to see if they work, while the Department of Health is endeavouring to set up a blood bank.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:51 Has government 'dropped the ball' on testing?
PHE says that part of the problem is that it takes time for an immune response to develop, meaning blood from those who have suffered from the virus is only just reaching the maturity needed for use in antibody tests.
But some private labs have said their attempts to validate tests that can be used by frontline staff and the public at large are being hampered by PHE not sharing the samples it does have.
PHE medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle said: "The government wants as many labs as possible to support the scaling up of the UK's testing capacity and any commercial companies that can help should contact the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
"PHE has only a very small number of positive blood samples.
"It takes time for an immune response to develop; for most people infected in the UK, this will have been in the past six weeks and so their blood is only now reaching maturity to be used in this capacity.
"A blood bank will be developed that companies can use to validate their technology."


news--2020-04-08--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson 'improving' and 'sitting up in bed', says Chancellor Rishi Sunak

Boris Johnson remains in intensive care but is `` improving '' and `` sitting up in bed '' engaging with doctors , Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said .
The prime minister was moved into intensive care at St Thomas ' Hospital in London on Monday night - more than a week after he tested positive for coronavirus - when his health deteriorated .
Mr Johnson was initially admitted to hospital for tests on Sunday night after continuing to display COVID-19 symptoms .
Speaking at Downing Street 's daily coronavirus briefing on Wednesday , Mr Sunak said the prime minister was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS team .
`` The latest from the hospital is the prime minister remains in intensive care where his condition is improving , '' the chancellor said .
`` I can also tell you that he has been sitting up in bed and engaging positively with the clinical team .
`` The prime minister is not only my colleague and my boss but also my friend , and my thoughts are with him and his family . ''
Mr Sunak said the prime minister 's situation `` reminds us how indiscriminate this disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 'll all trying our absolute best , none of us are superhuman and impervious to getting sick during this process .
`` And that 's what makes this whole thing so awful for all of us . ''
Responding to the update on the prime minister , Health Secretary Matt Hancock posted on Twitter : `` So good that the PM is sitting up and his condition is improving .
`` He will fight through ! ''
Downing Street later said Mr Johnson `` continues to make steady progress '' , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister as remaining in `` good spirits '' after spending his third night in hospital .
Mr Johnson was responding to treatment and no longer working , his spokesman said .
The prime minister has received oxygen support but is breathing without any other assistance .
Speaking alongside Mr Sunak at Wednesday 's press briefing , the government 's deputy chief scientific adviser Professor Angela McLean said the spread of coronavirus in the UK was `` not accelerating out of control '' .
NHS England 's national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the benefits '' of lockdown measures in slowing the spread of COVID-19 .
But he warned now `` is not the time to become complacent '' and appeared to admonish Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho for holding a training session with one of the football club 's players .
Prof Powis said : `` It 's not the time to think that the job is being done .
`` This is the time to continue ... whether you 're me , whether you 're a member of the public , frankly if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep with social distancing and ensure that the hard work - and the hardship that everybody is no doubt encountering - leads to those benefits . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Sunak revealed there will be a meeting of the government 's emergency COBRA committee on Thursday , to be chaired by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and involving the leaders of devolved governments in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
They will discuss how to review the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson had committed to look again at once they had been in place for three weeks , a period which ends on Easter Monday .
Mr Sunak said : `` We committed there would be a review in and around three weeks , that review will be based on the evidence and data provided by SAGE [ the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ] which will only be available next week .
`` But I think rather than speculate about the future , I think we should focus very seriously on the here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is an expectation that ministers will likely decide to rollover the lockdown measures and keep stringent social distancing guidance in place for longer , with the government having said it is unclear when the coronavirus outbreak will peak in the UK .
Mr Raab - who is now deputising for Mr Johnson - chaired the daily morning meeting of the government 's coronavirus `` war cabinet '' for the third day in a row on Wednesday .
As of 5pm on Tuesday , 7,097 people had died in the UK after testing @ @ @ @ @ @

Boris Johnson remains in intensive care but is "improving" and "sitting up in bed" engaging with doctors, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said.
The prime minister was moved into intensive care at St Thomas' Hospital in London on Monday night - more than a week after he tested positive for coronavirus - when his health deteriorated.
Mr Johnson was initially admitted to hospital for tests on Sunday night after continuing to display COVID-19 symptoms.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 'PM is sitting up in bed' - Rishi Sunak
Speaking at Downing Street's daily coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said the prime minister was receiving "excellent care" from his NHS team.
"The latest from the hospital is the prime minister remains in intensive care where his condition is improving," the chancellor said.
"I can also tell you that he has been sitting up in bed and engaging positively with the clinical team.
"The prime minister is not only my colleague and my boss but also my friend, and my thoughts are with him and his family."
Mr Sunak said the prime minister's situation "reminds us how indiscriminate this disease is".
He added: "We'll all trying our absolute best, none of us are superhuman and impervious to getting sick during this process.
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"And that's what makes this whole thing so awful for all of us."
Responding to the update on the prime minister, Health Secretary Matt Hancock posted on Twitter: "So good that the PM is sitting up and his condition is improving.
"He will fight through!"
Downing Street later said Mr Johnson "continues to make steady progress", with Number 10 having earlier described the prime minister as remaining in "good spirits" after spending his third night in hospital.
Mr Johnson was responding to treatment and no longer working, his spokesman said.
The prime minister has received oxygen support but is breathing without any other assistance.
Speaking alongside Mr Sunak at Wednesday's press briefing, the government's deputy chief scientific adviser Professor Angela McLean said the spread of coronavirus in the UK was "not accelerating out of control".
NHS England's national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said the UK was "beginning to see the benefits" of lockdown measures in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
But he warned now "is not the time to become complacent" and appeared to admonish Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho for holding a training session with one of the football club's players.
Prof Powis said: "It's not the time to think that the job is being done.
"This is the time to continue... whether you're me, whether you're a member of the public, frankly if you're a football team, to continue to keep with social distancing and ensure that the hard work - and the hardship that everybody is no doubt encountering - leads to those benefits."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Sunak revealed there will be a meeting of the government's emergency COBRA committee on Thursday, to be chaired by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and involving the leaders of devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
They will discuss how to review the UK's lockdown measures, which Mr Johnson had committed to look again at once they had been in place for three weeks, a period which ends on Easter Monday.
Mr Sunak said: "We committed there would be a review in and around three weeks, that review will be based on the evidence and data provided by SAGE [the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies] which will only be available next week.
"But I think rather than speculate about the future, I think we should focus very seriously on the here and now and the present."
There is an expectation that ministers will likely decide to rollover the lockdown measures and keep stringent social distancing guidance in place for longer, with the government having said it is unclear when the coronavirus outbreak will peak in the UK.
Mr Raab - who is now deputising for Mr Johnson - chaired the daily morning meeting of the government's coronavirus "war cabinet" for the third day in a row on Wednesday.
As of 5pm on Tuesday, 7,097 people had died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus in hospitals.


news--2020-04-08--Coronavirus: Man jailed for three months for stealing face masks from London hospital

A man has been jailed for stealing face masks from a hospital .
Lerun Hussain , 34 , took the vital protective equipment from King 's College Hospital in London , where one of the UK 's youngest coronavirus victims is among the patients to have died after testing positive for COVID-19 .
Police were called to the hospital at around 11.20am on Sunday after Hussain was detained by security staff .
They had caught Hussain stealing three surgical masks and officers arrested him on suspicion of theft , as well as for being in breach of a court order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London , was charged with theft later that day and appeared in court on Tuesday .
Croydon Magistrates ' Court sentenced him to three months in prison after he pleaded guilty to the theft charge .
His attempt to target the hospital came as NHS workers continue to appeal for more personal protective equipment , which many have said is in short supply .
One NHS doctor told Sky News last week his GP surgery had to appeal to its own patients for help with its supply , while others have said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the task .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Speaking under condition of anonymity , a paramedic told Sky News he is concerned he is unwittingly spreading coronavirus between patients because of his `` sub-standard '' and `` inappropriate '' equipment .
Concerns have also been expressed about the availability of protective personal equipment to other health workers , including pharmacists and care home staff .

A man has been jailed for stealing face masks from a hospital.
Lerun Hussain, 34, took the vital protective equipment from King's College Hospital in London, where one of the UK's youngest coronavirus victims is among the patients to have died after testing positive for COVID-19.
Police were called to the hospital at around 11.20am on Sunday after Hussain was detained by security staff.
They had caught Hussain stealing three surgical masks and officers arrested him on suspicion of theft, as well as for being in breach of a court order.
Hussain, from Clapham, south London, was charged with theft later that day and appeared in court on Tuesday.
Croydon Magistrates' Court sentenced him to three months in prison after he pleaded guilty to the theft charge.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:52 Army delivers 50,000 face masks to hospital
His attempt to target the hospital came as NHS workers continue to appeal for more personal protective equipment, which many have said is in short supply.
One NHS doctor told Sky News last week his GP surgery had to appeal to its own patients for help with its supply, while others have said the equipment they do have is not up to the task.
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Speaking under condition of anonymity, a paramedic told Sky News he is concerned he is unwittingly spreading coronavirus between patients because of his "sub-standard" and "inappropriate" equipment.
Concerns have also been expressed about the availability of protective personal equipment to other health workers, including pharmacists and care home staff.


news--2020-04-08--Coronavirus: New middle-door only boarding trial for buses to protect bus drivers and key workers

A new trial of how passengers board buses is being launched to protect public transport staff and key workers making essential journeys from contracting coronavirus .
Transport for London ( TfL ) has confirmed middle-door only boarding of buses will begin in the capital this week to help stop the spread of the coronavirus epidemic .
At least nine bus drivers have died in the UK after testing positive for COVID-19 , prompting calls for more stringent safety measures , particularly in relation to the provision of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 in London .
The new boarding trial follows other measures which have been put in place after talks with bus operators and unions .
These include using signage to discourage people from sitting near drivers and putting extra protection on the screen separating them from passengers .
TfL says it hopes the new boarding method will mean key workers can continue to rely on buses to travel around London .
Travel on the capital 's buses has dropped by 85 % since the lockdown was announced .
The trial will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routes operated by bus firm Abellio out of its depot in Walworth , south-east London , including two that serve hospitals .
Passengers using London buses normally board using the front door and leave using the middle door to smooth the flow of people .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Claire Mann , director of bus operations at TfL , said : `` London 's hard-working transport workers are making a heroic effort at the frontline of the fight against this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we consider everything we can to protect them .
`` We 've already delivered many other enhanced safety measures and by trialling middle-door only boarding on buses we can gain the information we need to see if we can further improve safety on London 's buses .
`` Most Londoners can do their bit to protect our bus colleagues and other critical workers by remembering : stay home , do n't travel , save lives . ''
On Tuesday transport minister Chris Heaton-Harris acknowledged that some transport workers do not have the appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' transport select committee , Mr Heaton-Harris said officials are working to pinpoint areas with a `` risk of short supply '' .
He added that the Government wants to ensure the equipment is `` in the right place at the right time '' .
Buses minister Baroness Vere told the committee that Public Health England ( PHE ) has not called for bus drivers to be given face masks as `` there is little evidence of widespread benefit to using face masks outside clinical and care settings '' .
She went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things that can be done '' and insisted the Department for Transport is working with bus operators to ensure they `` understand exactly what they should be doing '' .
This includes having adequate supplies of hand sanitiser , keeping contact between drivers and passengers to a minimum and encouraging the use of contactless payments .

A new trial of how passengers board buses is being launched to protect public transport staff and key workers making essential journeys from contracting coronavirus.
Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed middle-door only boarding of buses will begin in the capital this week to help stop the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
At least nine bus drivers have died in the UK after testing positive for COVID-19, prompting calls for more stringent safety measures, particularly in relation to the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:00 How does coronavirus attack the body?
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told Sky News 14 transport workers have died from COVID-19 in London.
The new boarding trial follows other measures which have been put in place after talks with bus operators and unions.
These include using signage to discourage people from sitting near drivers and putting extra protection on the screen separating them from passengers.
TfL says it hopes the new boarding method will mean key workers can continue to rely on buses to travel around London.
Travel on the capital's buses has dropped by 85% since the lockdown was announced.
The trial will be in place from this week on several routes operated by bus firm Abellio out of its depot in Walworth, south-east London, including two that serve hospitals.
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Passengers using London buses normally board using the front door and leave using the middle door to smooth the flow of people.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Claire Mann, director of bus operations at TfL, said: "London's hard-working transport workers are making a heroic effort at the frontline of the fight against this pandemic, and it is only right we consider everything we can to protect them.
"We've already delivered many other enhanced safety measures and by trialling middle-door only boarding on buses we can gain the information we need to see if we can further improve safety on London's buses.
"Most Londoners can do their bit to protect our bus colleagues and other critical workers by remembering: stay home, don't travel, save lives."
On Tuesday transport minister Chris Heaton-Harris acknowledged that some transport workers do not have the appropriate PPE.
Giving evidence to the Commons' transport select committee, Mr Heaton-Harris said officials are working to pinpoint areas with a "risk of short supply".
He added that the Government wants to ensure the equipment is "in the right place at the right time".
Buses minister Baroness Vere told the committee that Public Health England (PHE) has not called for bus drivers to be given face masks as "there is little evidence of widespread benefit to using face masks outside clinical and care settings".
She went on to say "there's lots of things that can be done" and insisted the Department for Transport is working with bus operators to ensure they "understand exactly what they should be doing".
This includes having adequate supplies of hand sanitiser, keeping contact between drivers and passengers to a minimum and encouraging the use of contactless payments.


news--2020-01-27--Where next for markets after coronavirus prompts sell-off?

Where next for markets after coronavirus prompts sell-off ?
Where next for markets after coronavirus prompts sell-off ?
US markets opened in the red as worries over the virus gripped investors Sell now , ask questions later .
That appears to be the approach investors are taking as they assess the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak in China and beyond .
Equity markets everywhere have sold off .
China and Hong Kong are currently closed for the Lunar New Year holiday , but the Nikkei in Japan fell by 2 % overnight and European stock indices have all fallen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stock indices are now showing a loss for 2020 as a whole .
The FTSE 100 is the worst affected of the main European indices because of the heavy weighting in it of resources stocks .
For the miners , the likes of Rio Tinto , BHP and Anglo American have been hit hard because Chinese demand is a significant driver of their earnings .
Shares of the oil and gas companies have likewise fallen because concerns over Chinese demand have sent Brent Crude back below $ 60 a barrel for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Wall Street , where the S & P 500 index on Friday suffered its worst one-day fall in three months , the major indices opened lower having just suffered their worst week since August last year .
Foreign exchange markets have also seen the concerns over coronavirus dramatically played out .
The Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar have fallen sharply , reflecting the dependence of Australia and New Zealand on the Chinese economy , as did the Canadian dollar .
Currencies to have benefited include the Swiss franc and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for at times of crisis , as well as the US dollar .
In other asset classes , there has been buying of traditional safe haven assets , most notably US Treasury bonds and gold .
So how bad can it get and where do markets go from here ?
One of the big debating points in markets currently is the extent to which there are parallels with the SARS outbreak of 2003 , centred on China and Hong Kong , in which 8,000 people were infected and around 700 died .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chinese GDP fell from 12 % during the first three months of 2003 to about 3.5 % during July , August and September .
That would suggest that China 's economy , which grew at just 6.1 % in 2019 , its weakest annual growth in 29 years , could be in for a severe hit , particularly since the coronavirus has struck at a time when millions of people are travelling around the country for new year celebrations .
That case is supported by the fact that China 's economy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumer spending and activities like travel and tourism than it was 17 years ago .
Moreover , China 's transport infrastructure has improved immeasurably in that period , particularly high-speed rail travel .
Chinese people have greater access to travel , both inside and outside China , than ever before .
Yet there is also a case for saying things may not be as severe .
Gareth Leather , Asia economist at consultancy Capital Economics , argues that , while in 2003 the authorities in China were initially slow to respond , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus and proactive in trying to contain it - as shown by the rapid lockdown of major cities where the virus has been identified .
He said : `` The contrast with 2003 , when China 's authorities were heavily criticised for trying to conceal the spread of SARS , is marked . ''
Ning Zhang , an economist at investment bank UBS in Hong Kong , agreed : `` China has learnt lessons from SARS .
`` The government is now working much more proactively and transparently to contain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's public health system is now more experienced than before as well .
`` Given the limited information , the mortality rate of Wuhan pneumonia seems notably lower than SARS . ''
The other reason to be slightly wary of drawing too many comparisons with 2003 , when it comes to trying to predict where markets go next , is that circumstances in the global economy and in markets were very different 17 years ago .
In early 2003 , the markets were only slowly recovering from the bursting of the dot-com bubble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & P 500 and the FTSE 100 had just fallen for three consecutive years , something that was unprecedented for the Footsie and which , in the case of the S & P , had not been seen since the early 1940s .
In 2020 , the S & P 500 has suffered only two down years in the last 10 and the Footsie just four , while both indices entered 2020 - as did others - either at or close to their all-time high .
Major economies like the US and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic growth .
Many professional investors are , accordingly , haunted by the notion that such economies are closer to the next recession than the last one and that equity markets in particular are due a tumble .
So many have been happy to take profits and sell without thinking too hard about it .
Another big difference between now and early 2003 is that , then , the world was gripped by the build-up to the Iraq War .
SARS was merely one of a number of factors on the minds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case that , with Chinese and Hong Kong markets closed , there is no one geography capable of taking a lead and staging a rally on which other markets may build .
The loss of investors from much of the Far East also deprives the markets of liquidity .
It may be that the magnitude of some of the recent falls merely reflect mark-downs in prices rather than actual selling .
And , at some point , there will be a time to buy .
When will that be ?
Mixo Das , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy at investment bank JP Morgan in Hong Kong , told clients : `` Past experience of market performance around such events suggests that markets tend to bottom with the peak in new cases and news flow .
`` Given [ those ] considerations , it is likely that we have not seen that yet . ''
Accordingly , anyone trying to call a `` bottom '' to the recent sell-offs now may be taking a risk .
Many investors will feel it is too early , in the jargon , to adopt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the extent to which the coronavirus has spread can be properly established .

Stock indices around the world have fallen sharply prompting some to draw comparisons with the reaction to previous outbreaks.
Where next for markets after coronavirus prompts sell-off?
US markets opened in the red as worries over the virus gripped investors
Sell now, ask questions later.
That appears to be the approach investors are taking as they assess the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak in China and beyond.
Equity markets everywhere have sold off.
China and Hong Kong are currently closed for the Lunar New Year holiday, but the Nikkei in Japan fell by 2% overnight and European stock indices have all fallen sharply.
All of the main European stock indices are now showing a loss for 2020 as a whole.
The FTSE 100 is the worst affected of the main European indices because of the heavy weighting in it of resources stocks.
For the miners, the likes of Rio Tinto, BHP and Anglo American have been hit hard because Chinese demand is a significant driver of their earnings.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:52 Why oil traders are worried about China virus
Shares of the oil and gas companies have likewise fallen because concerns over Chinese demand have sent Brent Crude back below $60 a barrel for the first time since 1 November last year.
On Wall Street, where the S&P 500 index on Friday suffered its worst one-day fall in three months, the major indices opened lower having just suffered their worst week since August last year.
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Foreign exchange markets have also seen the concerns over coronavirus dramatically played out.
The Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar have fallen sharply, reflecting the dependence of Australia and New Zealand on the Chinese economy, as did the Canadian dollar.
Currencies to have benefited include the Swiss franc and the Japanese yen, which are traditionally reached for at times of crisis, as well as the US dollar.
In other asset classes, there has been buying of traditional safe haven assets, most notably US Treasury bonds and gold.
So how bad can it get and where do markets go from here?
One of the big debating points in markets currently is the extent to which there are parallels with the SARS outbreak of 2003, centred on China and Hong Kong, in which 8,000 people were infected and around 700 died.
On that occasion, on an annualised basis, Chinese GDP fell from 12% during the first three months of 2003 to about 3.5% during July, August and September.
Image: Shares in miners such as Rio Tinto have been hit hard
That would suggest that China's economy, which grew at just 6.1% in 2019, its weakest annual growth in 29 years, could be in for a severe hit, particularly since the coronavirus has struck at a time when millions of people are travelling around the country for new year celebrations.
That case is supported by the fact that China's economy is more dependent on the services sector, consumer spending and activities like travel and tourism than it was 17 years ago.
Moreover, China's transport infrastructure has improved immeasurably in that period, particularly high-speed rail travel.
Chinese people have greater access to travel, both inside and outside China, than ever before.
Yet there is also a case for saying things may not be as severe.
Gareth Leather, Asia economist at consultancy Capital Economics, argues that, while in 2003 the authorities in China were initially slow to respond, they have been more open about the spread of the coronavirus and proactive in trying to contain it - as shown by the rapid lockdown of major cities where the virus has been identified.
He said: "The contrast with 2003, when China's authorities were heavily criticised for trying to conceal the spread of SARS, is marked."
Ning Zhang, an economist at investment bank UBS in Hong Kong, agreed: "China has learnt lessons from SARS.
"The government is now working much more proactively and transparently to contain the Wuhan pneumonia than SARS, and China's public health system is now more experienced than before as well.
"Given the limited information, the mortality rate of Wuhan pneumonia seems notably lower than SARS."
The other reason to be slightly wary of drawing too many comparisons with 2003, when it comes to trying to predict where markets go next, is that circumstances in the global economy and in markets were very different 17 years ago.
In early 2003, the markets were only slowly recovering from the bursting of the dot-com bubble.
Leading stock indices like the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 had just fallen for three consecutive years, something that was unprecedented for the Footsie and which, in the case of the S&P, had not been seen since the early 1940s.
In 2020, the S&P 500 has suffered only two down years in the last 10 and the Footsie just four, while both indices entered 2020 - as did others - either at or close to their all-time high.
Major economies like the US and the UK have enjoyed a decade of unbroken economic growth.
Many professional investors are, accordingly, haunted by the notion that such economies are closer to the next recession than the last one and that equity markets in particular are due a tumble.
So many have been happy to take profits and sell without thinking too hard about it.
Another big difference between now and early 2003 is that, then, the world was gripped by the build-up to the Iraq War.
Image: Some have drawn parallels with the SARS outbreak in 2003
SARS was merely one of a number of factors on the minds of investors.
It may also be the case that, with Chinese and Hong Kong markets closed, there is no one geography capable of taking a lead and staging a rally on which other markets may build.
The loss of investors from much of the Far East also deprives the markets of liquidity.
It may be that the magnitude of some of the recent falls merely reflect mark-downs in prices rather than actual selling.
And, at some point, there will be a time to buy. When will that be?
Mixo Das, head of Asia equity strategy and quantitative strategy at investment bank JP Morgan in Hong Kong, told clients: "Past experience of market performance around such events suggests that markets tend to bottom with the peak in new cases and news flow.
"Given [those] considerations, it is likely that we have not seen that yet."
Accordingly, anyone trying to call a "bottom" to the recent sell-offs now may be taking a risk.
Many investors will feel it is too early, in the jargon, to adopt a 'risk-on' stance.
Not until the extent to which the coronavirus has spread can be properly established.


news--2020-01-27--China's virus outbreak is hitting oil prices and financial markets

China 's coronavirus outbreak continues to spread fear through world markets , with oil prices falling to their lowest point in three months and the FTSE 100 losing more than 2 % in early Monday trading .
By early Monday afternoon , Brent crude was at $ 58.81 ( £45.02 ) a barrel , down 3.1 % and at its lowest level since October .
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al Saud , energy minister in one of the world 's major oil producing countries , Saudi Arabia , said members of OPEC ( the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market if necessary .
He said markets were being `` primarily driven by psychological factors and extremely negative expectations adopted by some market participants despite [ the virus 's ] very limited impact on global oil demand '' .
Andy Critchlow , head of news in EMEA for S & P Global Platts , told Sky 's Ian King Live that , compared to when the SARS outbreak hit in 2002-03 , China has a larger consumer base and it is , as a result , a larger consumer of crude oil .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strong narrative behind the oil market at the moment - in many respects it is the only narrative in the oil market .
`` That 's why oil traders are so worried about this : if China 's economy wobbles as a result of this virus then over 2020 all the forecasts about Chinese oil demand growth will have to be revised . ''
Meanwhile , in the UK , the FTSE 100 had fallen by more than 2.2 % by 1.30pm with France 's CAC 40 and Germany 's DAX both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior market analyst at Oanda , told Sky 's Ian King Live programme : `` We still really do n't know what the full scale of this is going to be and quite often when we have this in markets we do tend to fear the worst and then price in the best at some stage later on .
`` It 's a knee-jerk reaction but that does n't always necessarily mean we 're going to see the reverse of that in the near future . ''
He added : `` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ultimately the grander impact on the markets is going to come from how far this disease spreads .
Look at where we were a week ago to where we are now - it has been quite an increase .
If you look a week into the future - if this is n't contained I 'd expect the market reaction to be far more severe . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes as China tightens travel restrictions in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has now killed 80 people and infected more than 2,000 .
China 's Lunar New Year is usually a very busy time for travel , entertaining and gift-giving but tens of millions of people are in cities that are under lockdown .
Analysts at S & P Global estimate that if spending on holiday-related services in China falls 10 % over the holiday period , the country 's growth will slow 1.2 percentage points .
Other countries are also fearful - early on Monday Russian tour operators said they had stopped selling tours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary ban on visitors from Wuhan and Hubei .
Shares in travel-related sectors such as airlines and hotel groups have been suffering since the virus outbreak was confirmed .
Among the biggest losers were airlines including British Airways owner IAG , which was down 5.9 % , and hotel groups , with InterContinental losing 5.3 % .
Luxury brands were also hit hard , as they rely heavily on Chinese consumers .
Burberry was down 4.3 % and Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy ( LVMH ) was down 3.4 % .
Stephen Innes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct impact on tourism and travel , `` any economic shock to China 's colossal industrial and consumption engines will spread rapidly to other countries through the increased trade and financial linkages associated with globalisation '' .
While most Asian markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holiday , Japan 's Nikkei was down 2 % , on track for its biggest one-day fall in three weeks .
Markets in India , Thailand and Indonesia were also lower .

China's coronavirus outbreak continues to spread fear through world markets, with oil prices falling to their lowest point in three months and the FTSE 100 losing more than 2% in early Monday trading.
By early Monday afternoon, Brent crude was at $58.81 (£45.02) a barrel, down 3.1% and at its lowest level since October.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al Saud, energy minister in one of the world's major oil producing countries, Saudi Arabia, said members of OPEC (the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) could respond to steady the oil market if necessary.
Image: Oil prices are down around 2% on virus fears
He said markets were being "primarily driven by psychological factors and extremely negative expectations adopted by some market participants despite [the virus's] very limited impact on global oil demand".
Andy Critchlow, head of news in EMEA for S&P Global Platts, told Sky's Ian King Live that, compared to when the SARS outbreak hit in 2002-03, China has a larger consumer base and it is, as a result, a larger consumer of crude oil.
He said: "It really is the strong narrative behind the oil market at the moment - in many respects it is the only narrative in the oil market.
"That's why oil traders are so worried about this: if China's economy wobbles as a result of this virus then over 2020 all the forecasts about Chinese oil demand growth will have to be revised."
Meanwhile, in the UK, the FTSE 100 had fallen by more than 2.2% by 1.30pm with France's CAC 40 and Germany's DAX both down 2.2%.
Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda, told Sky's Ian King Live programme: "We still really don't know what the full scale of this is going to be and quite often when we have this in markets we do tend to fear the worst and then price in the best at some stage later on.
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"It's a knee-jerk reaction but that doesn't always necessarily mean we're going to see the reverse of that in the near future."
Image: The Lunar New Year period is usually a popular time for shopping in China
He added: "This is still something we know very little about and ultimately the grander impact on the markets is going to come from how far this disease spreads. Look at where we were a week ago to where we are now - it has been quite an increase. If you look a week into the future - if this isn't contained I'd expect the market reaction to be far more severe."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It comes as China tightens travel restrictions in an effort to contain the virus, which has now killed 80 people and infected more than 2,000.
China's Lunar New Year is usually a very busy time for travel, entertaining and gift-giving but tens of millions of people are in cities that are under lockdown.
Analysts at S&P Global estimate that if spending on holiday-related services in China falls 10% over the holiday period, the country's growth will slow 1.2 percentage points.
Other countries are also fearful - early on Monday Russian tour operators said they had stopped selling tours to China, while Malaysia imposed a temporary ban on visitors from Wuhan and Hubei.
Shares in travel-related sectors such as airlines and hotel groups have been suffering since the virus outbreak was confirmed.
Among the biggest losers were airlines including British Airways owner IAG, which was down 5.9%, and hotel groups, with InterContinental losing 5.3%.
Luxury brands were also hit hard, as they rely heavily on Chinese consumers. Burberry was down 4.3% and Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) was down 3.4%.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:50 The deadly coronavirus is likely to already be in the UK
Stephen Innes of AxiCorp said that, apart from the direct impact on tourism and travel, "any economic shock to China's colossal industrial and consumption engines will spread rapidly to other countries through the increased trade and financial linkages associated with globalisation".
While most Asian markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holiday, Japan's Nikkei was down 2%, on track for its biggest one-day fall in three weeks. Markets in India, Thailand and Indonesia were also lower.


news--2020-01-27--China coronavirus: Anger among Britons stranded in epicentre Wuhan

Britons stranded in the epicentre of China 's coronavirus outbreak have voiced anger at the UK government , saying they have heard `` absolutely nothing '' about how they can get to safety .
Up to 300 British nationals are believed to be stuck in Wuhan in China 's Hubei province and the Foreign Office has urged them to leave the area if they can .
But authorities in Wuhan have closed all transport hubs , including airports and railway and bus stations , and the UK government is now examining the logistics of airlifting Britons out of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives in Wuhan , told Sky News `` there is a lot of anger among the British community '' in the city over a lack of contact from UK authorities .
He said he and his 81-year-old grandmother , who is visiting him , are stranded and she is running out of medication for a serious lung condition .
`` It 's getting pretty much into a serious situation for us now , so it 's getting quite stressful , '' Mr Lambert said .
`` She suffers with COPD ( chronic obstructive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of medication at the moment .
[ She has ] probably enough medication to last another week and then we 're struggling to find out what we can do after that . ''
Asked what he thought the UK government should be doing to help its stranded citizens , Mr Lambert said : `` A start would be to make contact with their citizens in Wuhan .
We 've heard absolutely nothing from them .
`` I heard the home secretary on Sky News yesterday saying they 're looking at various options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your citizens in Wuhan . ''
The deadly coronavirus has killed 81 people in China and is likely to already be in the UK , according to England 's director for health protection .
China has warned the ability of the coronavirus to spread is getting stronger and the number of confirmed cases has reached more than 2,700 .
Mr Lambert said he believed the UK government was not acting quickly enough , adding : `` They 've not really said what they 're going to do or how they 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their website is 'If you 're in Wuhan , get out . '
I do n't know how we 're supposed to get out .
We are locked into the city .
`` It seems the most ridiculous thing to tell us to do when we ca n't get out of here . ''
Mr Lambert added : `` There is a lot of anger among the British community at the moment because we 're not being contacted , we 're not being told what 's going on .
`` We see other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help them in the best way they can and we 've had absolutely nothing . ''
Mr Lambert said supermarkets in Wuhan were still open but the advice was to `` only go out if you absolutely have to '' .
`` There 's a ban on cars driving around the city , there 's a limited supply of taxis and there 's no public transport so that makes it more difficult to get around and get the supplies we need , '' he said .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , Spreaker Adam Bridgeman - who has been living in China for six years and has a four-week-old baby with his Chinese wife -echoed Mr Lambert 's comments , saying he had not received `` any contact from the British authorities '' .
He told Sky News : `` At the moment we 've been told not to leave the city , and not to leave our apartment unless we really need to .
`` It 's a bit stressful with the baby .
We 've been told by the doctors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a check-up , but we ca n't really go there with this going on , putting our newborn baby at risk , because he 's especially vulnerable to the virus . ''
Mr Bridgeman , from Kent , said that taking the rubbish out was a `` bit of an operation , with masks and so on '' .
He added that his mother was supposed to be visiting at the moment , but her flight was cancelled because of the coronavirus , and she was `` upset '' .
Bethan Webber , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yvonne Griffiths , is stranded in Wuhan , told Sky News : `` We 're just a bit helpless and hopeless really because we do n't have any means at this end to do anything about it .
`` The advice from the Foreign Office so far is , at best , ridiculous and , at worst , hugely disappointing to the point of offensive really - stating that people should leave if they can and then in the next sentence stating that all transport links are on lockdown . ''
Meanwhile British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been working in Wuhan , said there had been no reassurance from the British authorities whom they have `` struggled '' to contact Ms Hunt told BBC Breakfast that emailing and trying to ring the authorities had brought a `` useless automated response back from the embassy saying not to go '' to the area .
The UK government has said it `` looking at all options '' to help Britons stranded in Wuhan and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has reportedly ordered officials to examine the logistics of an airlift .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel to Hubei province and told UK citizens : `` If you 're in this area and able to leave , you should do so . ''
It said anyone in the province who needs assistance can call a 24-hour helpline .
A Foreign Office spokesman said : `` We are working to make an option available for British nationals to leave Hubei Province due to the heavy travel restrictions and increased difficulty of accessing consular or medical assistance .
`` The safety and security of British nationals is our number one priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in close touch with the Chinese authorities .
`` If you are a British national in Hubei Province and require assistance please contact our 24/7 number +86 ( 0 ) 10 8529 6600 or ( +44 ) ( 0 ) 207 008 1500 . ''

Britons stranded in the epicentre of China's coronavirus outbreak have voiced anger at the UK government, saying they have heard "absolutely nothing" about how they can get to safety.
Up to 300 British nationals are believed to be stuck in Wuhan in China's Hubei province and the Foreign Office has urged them to leave the area if they can.
But authorities in Wuhan have closed all transport hubs, including airports and railway and bus stations, and the UK government is now examining the logistics of airlifting Britons out of the city.
Image: Workers in protective suits check the temperature of a passenger arriving at the Xianning North Station
British teacher Kharn Lambert, who lives in Wuhan, told Sky News "there is a lot of anger among the British community" in the city over a lack of contact from UK authorities.
He said he and his 81-year-old grandmother, who is visiting him, are stranded and she is running out of medication for a serious lung condition.
"It's getting pretty much into a serious situation for us now, so it's getting quite stressful," Mr Lambert said.
"She suffers with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and she's running out of medication at the moment. [She has] probably enough medication to last another week and then we're struggling to find out what we can do after that."
Asked what he thought the UK government should be doing to help its stranded citizens, Mr Lambert said: "A start would be to make contact with their citizens in Wuhan. We've heard absolutely nothing from them.
"I heard the home secretary on Sky News yesterday saying they're looking at various options. The first option should be contact your citizens in Wuhan."
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Image: Kharn Lambert branded the Foreign Office's travel advice 'ridiculous'
The deadly coronavirus has killed 81 people in China and is likely to already be in the UK, according to England's director for health protection.
China has warned the ability of the coronavirus to spread is getting stronger and the number of confirmed cases has reached more than 2,700.
Mr Lambert said he believed the UK government was not acting quickly enough, adding: "They've not really said what they're going to do or how they're going to do it.
"Their advice on their website is 'If you're in Wuhan, get out.' I don't know how we're supposed to get out. We are locked into the city.
"It seems the most ridiculous thing to tell us to do when we can't get out of here."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:57 Coronavirus: What you need to know
Mr Lambert added: "There is a lot of anger among the British community at the moment because we're not being contacted, we're not being told what's going on.
"We see other countries contacting their citizens to try and help them in the best way they can and we've had absolutely nothing."
Mr Lambert said supermarkets in Wuhan were still open but the advice was to "only go out if you absolutely have to".
"There's a ban on cars driving around the city, there's a limited supply of taxis and there's no public transport so that makes it more difficult to get around and get the supplies we need," he said.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Adam Bridgeman - who has been living in China for six years and has a four-week-old baby with his Chinese wife -echoed Mr Lambert's comments, saying he had not received "any contact from the British authorities".
He told Sky News: "At the moment we've been told not to leave the city, and not to leave our apartment unless we really need to.
"It's a bit stressful with the baby. We've been told by the doctors to go to the hospital this week for a check-up, but we can't really go there with this going on, putting our newborn baby at risk, because he's especially vulnerable to the virus."
Mr Bridgeman, from Kent, said that taking the rubbish out was a "bit of an operation, with masks and so on".
He added that his mother was supposed to be visiting at the moment, but her flight was cancelled because of the coronavirus, and she was "upset".
Image: Adam Bridgeman has been living in China for six years
Bethan Webber, whose mother, Birmingham City University lecturer Yvonne Griffiths, is stranded in Wuhan, told Sky News: "We're just a bit helpless and hopeless really because we don't have any means at this end to do anything about it.
"The advice from the Foreign Office so far is, at best, ridiculous and, at worst, hugely disappointing to the point of offensive really - stating that people should leave if they can and then in the next sentence stating that all transport links are on lockdown."
Image: Bethan Webber, whose mother is stranded in Wuhan, says she feels 'helpless'
Meanwhile British teachers Jason Neal and Sophie Hunt, who have been working in Wuhan, said there had been no reassurance from the British authorities whom they have "struggled" to contact
Ms Hunt told BBC Breakfast that emailing and trying to ring the authorities had brought a "useless automated response back from the embassy saying not to go" to the area.
The UK government has said it "looking at all options" to help Britons stranded in Wuhan and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has reportedly ordered officials to examine the logistics of an airlift.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:05 Patel: UK 'looking at all options' to stop virus
The Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Hubei province and told UK citizens: "If you're in this area and able to leave, you should do so."
It said anyone in the province who needs assistance can call a 24-hour helpline.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are working to make an option available for British nationals to leave Hubei Province due to the heavy travel restrictions and increased difficulty of accessing consular or medical assistance.
"The safety and security of British nationals is our number one priority. We continue to monitor developments and are in close touch with the Chinese authorities.
"If you are a British national in Hubei Province and require assistance please contact our 24/7 number +86 (0) 10 8529 6600 or (+44) (0)207 008 1500."


news--2020-01-27--Coronavirus: Recent travellers from Wuhan to UK told to self-isolate

Anyone in the UK who has recently arrived from Wuhan - where the deadly coronavirus broke out - is now being urged to `` self-isolate '' .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that any travellers who have returned from the Chinese city in the last two weeks should stay indoors , avoid contact with other people and contact the NHS 111 service .
They should also stay off public transport , although it is okay for friends and family to bring parcels or medicines .
Mr Hancock added that officials are still trying to trace 1,460 people who landed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also admitted `` we ca n't be 100 % certain '' that the virus does not spread if an infected person has no symptoms .
So far 100 people have died in China 's Hubei province because of coronavirus , with 2,714 cases diagnosed and Beijing has warned its ability to spread is getting stronger .
Tests on 73 people for the virus in the UK have all come back negative so far .
Speaking in the House of Commons , Mr Hancock said : `` If you develop respiratory symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , and are now in the UK , call your GP or ring 111 informing them of your symptoms and your recent travel to the city .
`` Do not leave your home until you have been given advice by a clinician . ''
He continued : `` I want to stress that the NHS remains well prepared .
`` The NHS has expert teams in every ambulance service and a number of specialist hospital units with highly trained staff and equipment ready to receive and care for patients with any highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Foreign Office is working on repatriating Britons who are stranded in Hubei , Mr Hancock added , stressing he wanted `` appropriate measures in place '' to protect them and the wider public on their arrival .
A hub has also been set up by Public Health England at Heathrow Airport to meet all flights from China , the health secretary confirmed .
Dr Yvonne Doyle , England 's director for health protection , warned earlier on Monday that it is likely the coronavirus is already in the UK .
Asked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in the country , she said : `` I would expect so . ''
Meanwhile , Britons stranded in the epicentre of the outbreak have expressed anger at the UK government , saying they have heard `` absolutely nothing '' about how they can get to safety .
Up to 300 UK citizens are believed to be stuck in Wuhan , as authorities have closed all transport hubs , including airports and railway and bus stations .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has reportedly ordered officials to look at measures including airlifting them @ @

Anyone in the UK who has recently arrived from Wuhan - where the deadly coronavirus broke out - is now being urged to "self-isolate".
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that any travellers who have returned from the Chinese city in the last two weeks should stay indoors, avoid contact with other people and contact the NHS 111 service.
They should also stay off public transport, although it is okay for friends and family to bring parcels or medicines.
Image: Tests on 73 people for the virus in the UK have all come back negative
Mr Hancock added that officials are still trying to trace 1,460 people who landed in the UK from the wider Hubei province.
He also admitted "we can't be 100% certain" that the virus does not spread if an infected person has no symptoms.
So far 100 people have died in China's Hubei province because of coronavirus, with 2,714 cases diagnosed and Beijing has warned its ability to spread is getting stronger.
Tests on 73 people for the virus in the UK have all come back negative so far.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Hancock said: "If you develop respiratory symptoms within 14 days of travel from the area, and are now in the UK, call your GP or ring 111 informing them of your symptoms and your recent travel to the city.
"Do not leave your home until you have been given advice by a clinician."
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He continued: "I want to stress that the NHS remains well prepared.
"The NHS has expert teams in every ambulance service and a number of specialist hospital units with highly trained staff and equipment ready to receive and care for patients with any highly infectious disease including this one."
The Foreign Office is working on repatriating Britons who are stranded in Hubei, Mr Hancock added, stressing he wanted "appropriate measures in place" to protect them and the wider public on their arrival.
A hub has also been set up by Public Health England at Heathrow Airport to meet all flights from China, the health secretary confirmed.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, England's director for health protection, warned earlier on Monday that it is likely the coronavirus is already in the UK.
Asked by Sky News if there could already be cases in the country, she said: "I would expect so."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:46 Drone captures coronavirus hospital construction in China
Meanwhile, Britons stranded in the epicentre of the outbreak have expressed anger at the UK government, saying they have heard "absolutely nothing" about how they can get to safety.
Up to 300 UK citizens are believed to be stuck in Wuhan, as authorities have closed all transport hubs, including airports and railway and bus stations.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has reportedly ordered officials to look at measures including airlifting them out.