news--2020-04-12--Coronavirus: UK could be 'worst affected country in Europe'

The UK could end up being the `` worst affected country in Europe '' from coronavirus , according to an infectious diseases expert and government adviser .
Sir Jeremy Farrar , who is a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , admitted the UK could outstrip the death rate seen in other badly-hit countries such as Italy and Spain .
On Friday , it was announced that another 980 people had died in UK hospitals with COVID-19 - a higher number in a single day than any experienced by Italy or Spain .
SAGE play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its coronavirus response and will be providing evidence to ministers this week as they review the current lockdown measures .
Despite expressing hope the UK was coming close to a point when the number of new coronavirus infections was beginning to reduce , Sir Jeremy admitted the country 's death rate could exceed that of other European countries .
`` The UK is likely to be certainly one of the worst , if not the worst affected country in Europe , '' he told the BBC 's Andrew Marr Show .
Sir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which helped found the global Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation ( CEPI ) , that is leading efforts to find a COVID-19 vaccine .
He suggested a vaccine might be available this autumn but , until one is available , it was `` probably inevitable '' that `` second and third waves '' of coronavirus would occur .
`` It is my view that treatment and vaccines are our only true exit strategy from this , '' Sir Jeremy said .
SAGE is made up of various different groups of scientists who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to provide coordinated scientific advice to ministers .
Sky News analysis of the number of coronavirus deaths in Italy , Spain and France suggests the UK is so far experiencing less deaths per 100,000 people than those other countries .
Asked about Sir Jeremy 's remarks later on Sunday at the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing Health Secretary Matt Hancock said : `` I think that sort of comment merely reinforces the importance of the central message which is that people should stay at home because that protects the NHS and saves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus is unknowable as yet because it depends on the behaviour of millions of people and the Great British public .
`` The good news is that so far we have managed to start to see a flattening of the curve because people are following the social distancing measures by and large . ''
: : Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Business Secretary Alok Sharma earlier stressed that `` different countries have different cycles '' in the spread of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government 's initial response to the outbreak on Sky News ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show .
Asked why 70,000 people had been allowed to attend the Cheltenham Festival on 13 March - the same day Italy reported the deaths of 200 more people with coronavirus - Mr Sharma said : `` We have followed , Sophy , the scientific and medical advice and we continue to do that . ''
However , he suggested the advice being given to ministers had changed as the `` situation has evolved '' .
Mr Sharma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until it was certain the peak of the outbreak in the UK had been passed until they could consider ending the lockdown measures .
Newly-elected Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer repeated his call for the government to set out it 's exit strategy from the lockdown .
`` We all know the vaccine , which is the end exit strategy , is probably 12 months away , '' he told Sophy Ridge on Sunday .
`` The question is what happens in that intervening 12 months .
`` I 'm pushing the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it , we ca n't just arrive at it without a plan . ''
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Former Bank of England governor Lord Mervyn King told the programme that the government should be `` very clear about the difficulty of an exit strategy '' .
`` I do n't think it 's sensible just to tell us all to stay indoors , I think the government can rely on the common sense of people , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy would be a `` process of trial and error '' - suggesting that some social distancing measures could be retained while other lockdown measures are eased .
Enna Park , South Korea 's ambassador to the UK , said her country would remain `` vigilant '' despite appearing to have been successful in flattening the curve of new coronavirus infections .
She said : `` The main lesson we learned is testing is very important . ''
Revealing South Korea has so far conducted 500,000 coronavirus tests , Mrs Park added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and treat . ''
As of Saturday morning , the UK had conducted less than 335,000 coronavirus tests , with the government under pressure to increase the number of daily tests .

The UK could end up being the "worst affected country in Europe" from coronavirus, according to an infectious diseases expert and government adviser.
Sir Jeremy Farrar, who is a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), admitted the UK could outstrip the death rate seen in other badly-hit countries such as Italy and Spain.
On Friday, it was announced that another 980 people had died in UK hospitals with COVID-19 - a higher number in a single day than any experienced by Italy or Spain.
SAGE play a key role in advising the government on its coronavirus response and will be providing evidence to ministers this week as they review the current lockdown measures.
Despite expressing hope the UK was coming close to a point when the number of new coronavirus infections was beginning to reduce, Sir Jeremy admitted the country's death rate could exceed that of other European countries.
"The UK is likely to be certainly one of the worst, if not the worst affected country in Europe," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 7:40 'Exit strategy will be trial and error'
Sir Jeremy is director of the Wellcome Trust, which helped found the global Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI), that is leading efforts to find a COVID-19 vaccine.
He suggested a vaccine might be available this autumn but, until one is available, it was "probably inevitable" that "second and third waves" of coronavirus would occur.
"It is my view that treatment and vaccines are our only true exit strategy from this," Sir Jeremy said.
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SAGE is made up of various different groups of scientists who feed their data into the body in efforts to provide coordinated scientific advice to ministers.
Sky News analysis of the number of coronavirus deaths in Italy, Spain and France suggests the UK is so far experiencing less deaths per 100,000 people than those other countries.
Asked about Sir Jeremy's remarks later on Sunday at the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "I think that sort of comment merely reinforces the importance of the central message which is that people should stay at home because that protects the NHS and saves lives.
"The future of this virus is unknowable as yet because it depends on the behaviour of millions of people and the Great British public.
"The good news is that so far we have managed to start to see a flattening of the curve because people are following the social distancing measures by and large."
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:: Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Business Secretary Alok Sharma earlier stressed that "different countries have different cycles" in the spread of coronavirus, as he was challenged about the government's initial response to the outbreak on Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show.
Asked why 70,000 people had been allowed to attend the Cheltenham Festival on 13 March - the same day Italy reported the deaths of 200 more people with coronavirus - Mr Sharma said: "We have followed, Sophy, the scientific and medical advice and we continue to do that."
However, he suggested the advice being given to ministers had changed as the "situation has evolved".
Mr Sharma reiterated the government would need to wait until it was certain the peak of the outbreak in the UK had been passed until they could consider ending the lockdown measures.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:30 'It's up to govt to fix the PPE shortage'
Newly-elected Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer repeated his call for the government to set out it's exit strategy from the lockdown.
"We all know the vaccine, which is the end exit strategy, is probably 12 months away," he told Sophy Ridge on Sunday.
"The question is what happens in that intervening 12 months.
"I'm pushing the government on this because we need to plan for it, we can't just arrive at it without a plan."
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 All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Former Bank of England governor Lord Mervyn King told the programme that the government should be "very clear about the difficulty of an exit strategy".
"I don't think it's sensible just to tell us all to stay indoors, I think the government can rely on the common sense of people," he said.
He said an exit strategy would be a "process of trial and error" - suggesting that some social distancing measures could be retained while other lockdown measures are eased.
Enna Park, South Korea's ambassador to the UK, said her country would remain "vigilant" despite appearing to have been successful in flattening the curve of new coronavirus infections.
She said: "The main lesson we learned is testing is very important."
Revealing South Korea has so far conducted 500,000 coronavirus tests, Mrs Park added: "Our strategy was test, trace and treat."
As of Saturday morning, the UK had conducted less than 335,000 coronavirus tests, with the government under pressure to increase the number of daily tests.


news--2020-04-11--Coronavirus: Doctor 'has nightmares' as his patients die alone

Two weeks ago , Dr Steve Kassapidis , an ICU doctor in New York , told Sky News the scene in hospitals as `` hell… biblical '' .
This was the first time anyone had revealed the true extent of life inside the city 's overwhelmed hospitals .
A fortnight on , and New York is now at the peak of the crisis .
Sky 's Alistair Bunkall caught up with Steve again outside his hospital in Queens .
Exhausted , having worked seven days a week through the coronavirus crisis , he opened up about the effect it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People will break down sometimes , weaknesses show , especially when you 're working on one of your own .
When you 're intubating a co-worker , it gets to you .
When your co-worker 's family member is intubated and is dying , it gets to you .
Unfortunately though , as physicians , we 've just got to suck it up and go to the next one .
It 's heartbreaking , especially when you have patients who die alone .
For instance I had a patient who I 've known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gentleman .
He died alone .
His family could n't come and see him .
I 've witnessed times when families call looking for their loved ones and unfortunately they passed away a day or two before and this family member did n't know .
That 's a hard call to take .
I ca n't sleep .
Obviously I worry about my family , my daughter , my loved ones .
I worry about having PTSD later on in life , when it 's all over hopefully and I wake up from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you 're not really in it you do not understand how bad it is .
You ca n't understand the full breadth of what 's going on .
And it 's better off that they do n't .
The devastation of families is unthinkable .
This wipes out families .
Wipes out cities .
Every day is etched in my memory .
It 's heart-wrenching , it 's devastating .
No one was ready for this .
Everybody tries to throw politics into this .
No politicians were ready for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker This has ripped through Europe , through China , through the US and it 's going to continue to do so and this is the worst enemy to have because you ca n't see see them .
This is endless and it keeps coming .
Comes in waves .
You ca n't let your guard down , ca n't sleep .
You 've got to keep fighting because remember every time we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , somebody dies .

Two weeks ago, Dr Steve Kassapidis, an ICU doctor in New York, told Sky News the scene in hospitals as "hell… biblical".
This was the first time anyone had revealed the true extent of life inside the city's overwhelmed hospitals.
A fortnight on, and New York is now at the peak of the crisis. Sky's Alistair Bunkall caught up with Steve again outside his hospital in Queens. Exhausted, having worked seven days a week through the coronavirus crisis, he opened up about the effect it was having on him and his colleagues.
Image: Dr Kassapidis said it 'heartbreaking' to see patients die alone
People will break down sometimes, weaknesses show, especially when you're working on one of your own.
When you're intubating a co-worker, it gets to you.
When your co-worker's family member is intubated and is dying, it gets to you.
Unfortunately though, as physicians, we've just got to suck it up and go to the next one.
It's heartbreaking, especially when you have patients who die alone. For instance I had a patient who I've known for 25 years. A sweet old gentleman. He died alone. His family couldn't come and see him.
Image: More than 8,600 people have died in New York state after contracting COVID-19
I've witnessed times when families call looking for their loved ones and unfortunately they passed away a day or two before and this family member didn't know. That's a hard call to take.
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I can't sleep. Obviously I worry about my family, my daughter, my loved ones. I worry about having PTSD later on in life, when it's all over hopefully and I wake up from nightmares in the middle of the night.
If you're not really in it you do not understand how bad it is. You can't understand the full breadth of what's going on. And it's better off that they don't.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:53 March 26: '9/11 was nothing compared to coronavirus crisis'
The devastation of families is unthinkable. This wipes out families. Wipes out cities. Every day is etched in my memory. It's heart-wrenching, it's devastating.
No one was ready for this. Everybody tries to throw politics into this. No politicians were ready for this, nobody across the world was ready for this.
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 Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
This has ripped through Europe, through China, through the US and it's going to continue to do so and this is the worst enemy to have because you can't see see them.
This is endless and it keeps coming. Comes in waves. You can't let your guard down, can't sleep.
You've got to keep fighting because remember every time we don't fight, every time we slip, somebody dies.


news--2020-04-11--Coronavirus is ripping through this care home at a frightening speed

Coronavirus is ripping through this care home at a frightening speed Coronavirus is ripping through this care home at a frightening speed 'We 've never faced anything like this' Half of the residents in a care home we visited have coronavirus .
The disease has ripped through the wards with frightening speed in the past two weeks .
COVID-19 has attacked the old and frail who are now locked in the fight of their lives .
Staffing levels are running dangerously low because nurses are either self-isolating or have been infected themselves .
They ca n't go on like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Healthcare runs three nursing homes in Sheffield and they have been hit hard by the virus .
There are nearly 40 confirmed cases and eight people have died in under two weeks alone .
One of the homes is Newfield Nursing Home , where a whole floor has been devoted to caring for patients suffering from COVID-19 .
Those infected are confined to rooms , and nurses only enter once they have put on plastic aprons , masks and gloves .
Overnight , a 94-year-old woman , who had tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Laura Hibberd is one of the nurses on the ward .
She said : `` We had daily reviews with the doctor but unfortunately she lost her fight with COVID .
`` It 's heartbreaking when the families ca n't be here .
`` We made sure that we had a staff member in with this lady so she would n't die alone . ''
In room 36 , an elderly man called John calls for help by pressing his buzzer .
Two nurses put on their protective equipment and enter the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curtains are closed .
John has been unwell for a few months but COVID-19 could kill him .
His breathing is laboured and he can hardly move , a now familiar symptom of the virus .
He groans as the nurses tend to his pressure sores .
It has been a full day since he ate or drank anything , nurse Anne Clarke says .
`` We are worried about John .
He 's getting weaker by the day .
He 's frail .
We will keep trying to get him to eat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just a few weeks ago , the care home was a hive of activity with craft clubs , music and games .
It is a different world now .
Residents are not allowed to socialise and that is having an effect , according to healthcare worker Joy Green .
`` Sometimes it 's the isolation that gets to them more than COVID .
They are missing their families .
Day after day , all they see is a mask . ''
Supplies of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) are low but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not come down with the virus , says Ms Hibberd .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' PPE is limited .
We do have it on site but it 's a daily battle .
`` I think we should have PPE readily available .
COVID is n't a surprise .
It 's not happened overnight and we knew it was coming .
It 's appalling that we 're having to struggle like this . ''
In the afternoon , a GP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with nursing staff .
They assess each individual resident , deciding who should be referred for treatment in hospital and who should stay in the home .
That course of action is then discussed with the patient and their families .
It is a grim discussion .
`` It 's not an easy conversation to have , '' said Ms Hibberd .
`` They have to decide , if there 's a deterioration , to go to hospital and have treatment or perhaps end their life in hospital or stay here and potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible . ''
I ask her if this is a conversation that hangs heavy on her .
`` It 's tough .
It 's tough , '' she says .
By the evening , John 's condition has deteriorated further .
His family decide that he should stay in the home .
Later , his wife is allowed into his room to stay by his bedside .
There are thought to be more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths in care homes in England alone but they are not counted in the official figures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting on a forgotten frontline .
This is , for now , a hidden death toll , with lives being lost in the shadows of this crisis .

Coronavirus is ripping through this care home at a frightening speed
'We've never faced anything like this'
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Half of the residents in a care home we visited have coronavirus.
The disease has ripped through the wards with frightening speed in the past two weeks. COVID-19 has attacked the old and frail who are now locked in the fight of their lives.
Staffing levels are running dangerously low because nurses are either self-isolating or have been infected themselves.
Image: Newfield Nursing Home, where half of the residents have coronavirus
They can't go on like this, one nurse says.
Palms Row Healthcare runs three nursing homes in Sheffield and they have been hit hard by the virus.
There are nearly 40 confirmed cases and eight people have died in under two weeks alone.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:51 Nurse Laura Hibberd: 'We haven't even got to our worst point'
One of the homes is Newfield Nursing Home, where a whole floor has been devoted to caring for patients suffering from COVID-19.
Those infected are confined to rooms, and nurses only enter once they have put on plastic aprons, masks and gloves.
Overnight, a 94-year-old woman, who had tested positive for the virus a few days earlier, died.
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Laura Hibberd is one of the nurses on the ward.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:27 Health Secretary tackled over lack of care home testing
She said: "We had daily reviews with the doctor but unfortunately she lost her fight with COVID.
"It's heartbreaking when the families can't be here.
"We made sure that we had a staff member in with this lady so she wouldn't die alone."
Image: John has been unwell for a few months, but COVID-19 could kill him
In room 36, an elderly man called John calls for help by pressing his buzzer.
Two nurses put on their protective equipment and enter the room. It's hot and the curtains are closed. John has been unwell for a few months but COVID-19 could kill him.
His breathing is laboured and he can hardly move, a now familiar symptom of the virus.
He groans as the nurses tend to his pressure sores.
It has been a full day since he ate or drank anything, nurse Anne Clarke says.
"We are worried about John. He's getting weaker by the day. He's frail. We will keep trying to get him to eat and drink if we can."
Just a few weeks ago, the care home was a hive of activity with craft clubs, music and games. It is a different world now.
Residents are not allowed to socialise and that is having an effect, according to healthcare worker Joy Green.
"Sometimes it's the isolation that gets to them more than COVID. They are missing their families. Day after day, all they see is a mask."
Supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) are low but they are vital to ensure more staff do not come down with the virus, says Ms Hibberd.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"PPE is limited. We do have it on site but it's a daily battle.
"I think we should have PPE readily available. COVID isn't a surprise. It's not happened overnight and we knew it was coming. It's appalling that we're having to struggle like this."
In the afternoon, a GP comes to the home for a meeting with nursing staff.
They assess each individual resident, deciding who should be referred for treatment in hospital and who should stay in the home.
That course of action is then discussed with the patient and their families. It is a grim discussion.
"It's not an easy conversation to have," said Ms Hibberd.
"They have to decide, if there's a deterioration, to go to hospital and have treatment or perhaps end their life in hospital or stay here and potentially end their life here as comfortably as possible."
I ask her if this is a conversation that hangs heavy on her.
"It's tough. It's tough," she says.
By the evening, John's condition has deteriorated further. His family decide that he should stay in the home.
Later, his wife is allowed into his room to stay by his bedside.
There are thought to be more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths in care homes in England alone but they are not counted in the official figures.
It feels like the nurses here are fighting on a forgotten frontline.
This is, for now, a hidden death toll, with lives being lost in the shadows of this crisis.


news--2020-04-12--Coronavirus: Three more nurses die after testing positive for COVID-19

Three more nurses have died after testing positive for COVID-19 , with the number of NHS staff deaths now surpassing 30 .
The nurses worked in London , Worcestershire and South Wales , and had all contracted coronavirus , although it is not known if they caught the virus while working .
Central and North West London ( CNWL ) NHS Foundation Trust confirmed Sara Trollope , a nurse employed by the trust , died at Watford General Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 .
Mrs Trollope had worked at Hillingdon Hospital , in west London , and has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with dementia .
Paying tribute to the mother-of-four , medical director Dr Paul Hopper said : `` Sara had that unbeatable combination of kindness , selflessness and total determination to get things right for patients .
She was an example to every one of us . ''
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed the death of nurse Julie Omar , who had been self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms .
: : Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The 52-year-old was an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Redditch 's Alexandra Hospital .
Trust chief executive Matthew Hopkins said : `` It is with great sorrow that I have to share with you the sad news that a much-loved member of our nursing team - Julie Omar - has died . ''
And Gareth Roberts , who had been been working as a nurse since the 1980s , died after testing positive for the virus , Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said .
Two porters at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford have also died after testing positive .
Oxford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday that both men were married to nursing staff at the hospital .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Dr Bruno Holthof , chief executive officer , and Sir Jonathan Montgomery , chair of the Trust , said : `` This tragic loss of our two colleagues touches us all .
`` We are a team and every single member of our team is precious .
We all need each other and we stand together in honouring the memories of our colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tribute to those who had died on Saturday .
He said : `` My heart goes out to their families , these are people who have put themselves on the front line .
`` The work is going on to establish whether they caught coronavirus in the line of duty while at work or whether , like so many other people , caught it in the rest of their lives . ''

Three more nurses have died after testing positive for COVID-19, with the number of NHS staff deaths now surpassing 30.
The nurses worked in London, Worcestershire and South Wales, and had all contracted coronavirus, although it is not known if they caught the virus while working.
Image: Health Secretary Matt Hancock has paid tribute to NHS workers who have died - but is facing criticism over protection equipment
Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust confirmed Sara Trollope, a nurse employed by the trust, died at Watford General Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19.
Mrs Trollope had worked at Hillingdon Hospital, in west London, and has been praised for her work with older people with dementia.
Paying tribute to the mother-of-four, medical director Dr Paul Hopper said: "Sara had that unbeatable combination of kindness, selflessness and total determination to get things right for patients. She was an example to every one of us."
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed the death of nurse Julie Omar, who had been self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms.
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
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The 52-year-old was an experienced nurse who had been working at Redditch's Alexandra Hospital.
Trust chief executive Matthew Hopkins said: "It is with great sorrow that I have to share with you the sad news that a much-loved member of our nursing team - Julie Omar - has died."
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And Gareth Roberts, who had been been working as a nurse since the 1980s, died after testing positive for the virus, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said.
Image: Gareth Roberts had been a nurse since the 1980s. Pic: Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Two porters at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford have also died after testing positive.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said on Saturday that both men were married to nursing staff at the hospital.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Dr Bruno Holthof, chief executive officer, and Sir Jonathan Montgomery, chair of the Trust, said: "This tragic loss of our two colleagues touches us all.
"We are a team and every single member of our team is precious. We all need each other and we stand together in honouring the memories of our colleagues."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock paid tribute to those who had died on Saturday.
He said: "My heart goes out to their families, these are people who have put themselves on the front line.
"The work is going on to establish whether they caught coronavirus in the line of duty while at work or whether, like so many other people, caught it in the rest of their lives."


news--2020-04-11--Coronavirus: 'Our staff are performing miracles but we're being overlooked'

Nicola Richards is the director of Palms Row Health Care , which operates three nursing homes in Sheffield .
Here she tells Sky News that despite the tireless efforts of staff , the situation is becoming increasingly desperate in the face of the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
Care homes across the country are fighting for residents ' lives like never before .
Words can not describe how difficult the conditions are on the front line as COVID-19 spreads into our homes , affecting residents and staff .
Over the past few weeks I have become increasingly concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents , but for care homes across the city and country as this virus continues to spread .
The three care homes I manage in Sheffield are now in the peak of this crisis and I 've never seen a situation like this in my 20 years of working in the care sector .
All our staff are working tirelessly to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our society and to keep safe levels of service , but the situation is becoming increasingly desperate .
We have had a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes which have very sadly resulted in deaths due to the extremely aggressive nature of this virus , particularly on older people .
In addition to this , while we are still managing to keep staffing levels safe , 20 % of our workforce are off work due to either testing positive or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 .
We have been fortunate enough to get access to personal protective equipment from our local NHS hospital trust and , after I wrote to local councillors and spoke to local media , some from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on supplies .
This not only increases the chance of transmission between residents but puts the lives of our staff and their families at risk .
Many of my frontline carers have admitted to being terrified and I ca n't say I blame them .
As well as working with our homes we are also trying to support the wider community and our local NHS during a pandemic which is overwhelming us all .
We are an essential part of the healthcare system and , like many other care homes , operate as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The NHS needs our services more than ever .
We 're not shying away from the fact that our job will be tougher than ever .
Our staff are performing miracles every day , keeping residents as safe and comfortable as they possibly can .
But contrary to national government platitudes , we are the Cinderella sector and we are being overlooked .
We need improved PPE , greater access to testing , support to allow faster recruitment of new staff and volunteers , simplification of communication from government bodies as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and politicians .
There is a role for volunteers here too .
It may sound crazy , but we need people to go to the shops to get essentials for staff and residents .
We could also do with help in supporting residents to use technology so they can video call their relatives and provide basic human company during a scary time for elderly and frail people .
And while PPE may be getting the headlines , the sad reality is funding is also vital .
After discussions with Care England yesterday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not passing on the recommended 15 % uplift in finances to care homes following emergency government funding , rather providing a vague assurance that `` additional costs '' would be met .
Care England told us that this is not just a problem in Sheffield .
So while I 've been aghast at the lack of support from local government , I have watched the national picture unfolding with dismay .
The tragic official daily death toll we are seeing does n't even account for the numbers of cases we are seeing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This means that the numbers are almost certainly vastly underestimated .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A Sky News report cites an estimate that 50 % of care homes in the UK have COVID-19 cases .
The implications of this are enormous .
The people we care for are often frail and vulnerable .
They have relatives and friends who are desperately anxious about their welfare and the only human interaction they have at the moment is with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but spread extremely thin .
Because of the reduced workforce , our carers no longer have time to sit and talk with the residents or provide games and activities to keep their minds off the horrors unfolding around them .
A death in one of our homes is never easy for staff or fellow residents , but when it happens on this scale it becomes almost unbearable .
Elderly people in our society often feel like second class citizens and one of the roles of carers is to show them that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to take hold we must fight even harder to let them know that they are not going to be dismissed and overlooked and that their lives matter .
In Sheffield we have one of the highest number of cases in the country and our care homes are reflecting the high volume of cases in our community .
We 're seeing the devastating effects of this virus first hand and our situation should be a wake-up call for the rest of the country .

Nicola Richards is the director of Palms Row Health Care, which operates three nursing homes in Sheffield.
Here she tells Sky News that despite the tireless efforts of staff, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate in the face of the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Care homes across the country are fighting for residents' lives like never before.
Words cannot describe how difficult the conditions are on the front line as COVID-19 spreads into our homes, affecting residents and staff.
Over the past few weeks I have become increasingly concerned, not just for our staff and residents, but for care homes across the city and country as this virus continues to spread.
The three care homes I manage in Sheffield are now in the peak of this crisis and I've never seen a situation like this in my 20 years of working in the care sector.
All our staff are working tirelessly to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our society and to keep safe levels of service, but the situation is becoming increasingly desperate.
We have had a number of COVID-19 cases in two of our homes which have very sadly resulted in deaths due to the extremely aggressive nature of this virus, particularly on older people.
In addition to this, while we are still managing to keep staffing levels safe, 20% of our workforce are off work due to either testing positive or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:51 Care home nurse: 'We haven't even got to our worst point'
We have been fortunate enough to get access to personal protective equipment from our local NHS hospital trust and, after I wrote to local councillors and spoke to local media, some from the council.
We are running dangerously low on supplies.
This not only increases the chance of transmission between residents but puts the lives of our staff and their families at risk.
Many of my frontline carers have admitted to being terrified and I can't say I blame them.
As well as working with our homes we are also trying to support the wider community and our local NHS during a pandemic which is overwhelming us all.
We are an essential part of the healthcare system and, like many other care homes, operate as an extension of the hospital system.
The NHS needs our services more than ever.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:29 Care worker: 'I had days off where I'd just cry'
We're not shying away from the fact that our job will be tougher than ever. Our staff are performing miracles every day, keeping residents as safe and comfortable as they possibly can.
But contrary to national government platitudes, we are the Cinderella sector and we are being overlooked.
We need improved PPE, greater access to testing, support to allow faster recruitment of new staff and volunteers, simplification of communication from government bodies as well as financial and moral support from local authorities and politicians.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:04 Inside care homes struggling with COVID-19
There is a role for volunteers here too.
It may sound crazy, but we need people to go to the shops to get essentials for staff and residents.
We could also do with help in supporting residents to use technology so they can video call their relatives and provide basic human company during a scary time for elderly and frail people.
And while PPE may be getting the headlines, the sad reality is funding is also vital.
After discussions with Care England yesterday, it turns out that our council is not passing on the recommended 15% uplift in finances to care homes following emergency government funding, rather providing a vague assurance that "additional costs" would be met.
Care England told us that this is not just a problem in Sheffield.
So while I've been aghast at the lack of support from local government, I have watched the national picture unfolding with dismay.
The tragic official daily death toll we are seeing doesn't even account for the numbers of cases we are seeing in care homes like ours across the country. This means that the numbers are almost certainly vastly underestimated.
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 All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
A Sky News report cites an estimate that 50% of care homes in the UK have COVID-19 cases. The implications of this are enormous.
The people we care for are often frail and vulnerable.
They have relatives and friends who are desperately anxious about their welfare and the only human interaction they have at the moment is with care staff who are dedicated and brave but spread extremely thin.
Because of the reduced workforce, our carers no longer have time to sit and talk with the residents or provide games and activities to keep their minds off the horrors unfolding around them.
A death in one of our homes is never easy for staff or fellow residents, but when it happens on this scale it becomes almost unbearable.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:17 Care homes asked to take COVID-19 patients
Elderly people in our society often feel like second class citizens and one of the roles of carers is to show them that they are valued and respected.
As this virus continues to take hold we must fight even harder to let them know that they are not going to be dismissed and overlooked and that their lives matter.
In Sheffield we have one of the highest number of cases in the country and our care homes are reflecting the high volume of cases in our community.
We're seeing the devastating effects of this virus first hand and our situation should be a wake-up call for the rest of the country.


news--2020-04-12--Coronavirus: 130,000 call for MPs to lose £10,000 work from home allowance

More than 130,000 people have signed a petition calling for MPs to be stripped of an additional £10,000 work from home allowance .
The one-off sum is designed to cover increased costs as MPs and their staff work from home during the coronavirus lockdown .
Critics claim the policy is in poor taste given millions of employees face being furloughed at 80 % of their pay - with some losing their jobs altogether - due to the COVID-19 outbreak .
MPs can already claim £26,000 a year to cover their office costs .
Lucy Pearson , who started the petition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us lesser mortals struggle to pay bills , navigate HMRC and for many , learn they are not entitled to any support whatsoever during these dark times , already financially stable MPs are being given yet another perk .
`` The extra budget can be used to buy equipment such as laptops and printers for MPs and their staff , or to cover additional electricity , heating and phone bills . ''
She described the petition as `` an opportunity for all of us to unite and tell those in power that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequalities that exist in this country '' .
Previously , Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said : `` It is wrong to characterise this extra £10,000 allocated by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority ( IPSA ) as MPs giving themselves additional funds .
`` On the contrary , this money is being used to enable MPs ' staff to set up home working to support distressed constituents at a time of crisis . ''
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen their casework soar as a direct result of COVID-19 .
He stressed : `` The additional budget is there to draw down on if it is needed and required - and it will have to be accounted for in the usual way . ''
IPSA was set up in the aftermath of the expenses scandal .
The authority says the allowance is in response to the fact that many MPs and their staff members `` were not set up for home working , nor for supporting constituents remotely '' .
It added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help them make that transition , while they deal with a huge increase in workload from distressed constituents as a result of coronavirus issues . ''
Sir Keir Starmer , the new Labour leader , has demanded `` urgent talks '' with the government to ensure MPs get the opportunity to challenge ministers over their handling of the coronavirus crisis .

More than 130,000 people have signed a petition calling for MPs to be stripped of an additional £10,000 work from home allowance.
The one-off sum is designed to cover increased costs as MPs and their staff work from home during the coronavirus lockdown.
Critics claim the policy is in poor taste given millions of employees face being furloughed at 80% of their pay - with some losing their jobs altogether - due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Image: Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle says it is incorrect to claim MPs are handing themselves extra cash during an emergency
MPs can already claim £26,000 a year to cover their office costs.
Lucy Pearson, who started the petition, wrote: "While the rest of us lesser mortals struggle to pay bills, navigate HMRC and for many, learn they are not entitled to any support whatsoever during these dark times, already financially stable MPs are being given yet another perk.
"The extra budget can be used to buy equipment such as laptops and printers for MPs and their staff, or to cover additional electricity, heating and phone bills."
She described the petition as "an opportunity for all of us to unite and tell those in power that we've had enough of the gross inequalities that exist in this country".
Previously, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: "It is wrong to characterise this extra £10,000 allocated by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) as MPs giving themselves additional funds.
"On the contrary, this money is being used to enable MPs' staff to set up home working to support distressed constituents at a time of crisis."
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:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Sir Lindsay added that many MPs have seen their casework soar as a direct result of COVID-19.
He stressed: "The additional budget is there to draw down on if it is needed and required - and it will have to be accounted for in the usual way."
IPSA was set up in the aftermath of the expenses scandal.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:37 Hancock: 'Stay home, however warm the weather'
The authority says the allowance is in response to the fact that many MPs and their staff members "were not set up for home working, nor for supporting constituents remotely".
It added: "This additional funding is to help them make that transition, while they deal with a huge increase in workload from distressed constituents as a result of coronavirus issues."
Sir Keir Starmer, the new Labour leader, has demanded "urgent talks" with the government to ensure MPs get the opportunity to challenge ministers over their handling of the coronavirus crisis.


news--2020-04-11--Coronavirus: Burials changing for Muslims amid UK's high COVID-19 death rate

The scale of the lives lost from coronavirus can be seen at a cemetery in south London .
Eternal Gardens , which serves the capital 's Muslim communities , has gone from burying five bodies a week to 30 .
To cope with the number of funerals , it has introduced saff-burials - a method of laying people to rest in rows named after the Arabic word for `` rows '' .
A first for British Muslims , it means 10 people can be buried in close succession , within one plot but in individual chambers - different to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive at GreenAcre cemeteries , said : `` It 's being done at the request and needs of the Muslim community , who have come to us and said : 'We really need to be able to increase the speed at which we can bury our loved ones . '
`` At the moment they 're having to wait a week to two weeks and , within the Islamic tradition , that 's far too long . ''
Muslims and Jews hasten funeral rites , a guidance that has remained unchanged for centuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's ascent to the heavens , and opens the door for loved ones left behind to start grieving .
Eternal Gardens prepared two graves , each 10 metres long and two metres wide , which can provide burials for a total of 40 people .
Mr Gomersall said : `` Before coronavirus , Eternal Gardens would probably do about five burials a week .
We 've increased that currently to 30 burials a week .
And by introducing the saff graves , we 'll be able to take that to 50 burials a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're anticipating that will last for several weeks to come . ''
On Friday afternoon , 10 people were buried in a row with wooden separation screens between each body to create individual chambers inside the grave .
In keeping with Islamic traditions , bodies are buried without coffins , and wrapped in pure cotton shrouds which are biodegradable .
London Imaam Suleiman Ghani read funeral prayers for all 10 deceased before each body was carefully lowered into their final resting places .
`` This is not a mass grave , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accommodate and to ensure that in two days they were able to dig up this grave , whereas imagine digging 10 individual graves , it may take over a week .
`` Given the large number of those that need to be buried , it makes it easier for the hospitals because they do n't have the capacity for these bodies and it 's very important for Muslims .
There has to be a burial .
There is no cremation allowed in Islam . ''
More than 2,000 people have died from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33 year-old Ayoub Akhtar from South London .
Mr Akhtar 's aunt Shaista described the day of the burial as `` painfully long '' .
She said : `` He was gentle , caring , loving and a humble person .
He was a practising Muslim . ''
Social distancing means Mr Akhtar 's family were not present in person , so they arranged a floral arrangement to accompany him on his final journey .
Mr Akhtar 's brother Nasser drove to the cemetery gates .
`` I went outside and the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait five minutes , not do anything and just go home , '' he said .
`` It 's just difficult .
The last time I saw my brother was three weeks ago .
He went in an ambulance and that was the last time I saw him . ''

The scale of the lives lost from coronavirus can be seen at a cemetery in south London.
Eternal Gardens, which serves the capital's Muslim communities, has gone from burying five bodies a week to 30.
To cope with the number of funerals, it has introduced saff-burials - a method of laying people to rest in rows named after the Arabic word for "rows".
A first for British Muslims, it means 10 people can be buried in close succession, within one plot but in individual chambers - different to a mass burial.
Richard Gomersall, chief executive at GreenAcre cemeteries, said: "It's being done at the request and needs of the Muslim community, who have come to us and said: 'We really need to be able to increase the speed at which we can bury our loved ones.'
"At the moment they're having to wait a week to two weeks and, within the Islamic tradition, that's far too long."
Muslims and Jews hasten funeral rites, a guidance that has remained unchanged for centuries. They believe it speeds the soul's ascent to the heavens, and opens the door for loved ones left behind to start grieving.
Eternal Gardens prepared two graves, each 10 metres long and two metres wide, which can provide burials for a total of 40 people.
Image: Muslims and Jews hasten funeral rites, a guidance that has remained unchanged for centuries
Mr Gomersall said: "Before coronavirus, Eternal Gardens would probably do about five burials a week. We've increased that currently to 30 burials a week. And by introducing the saff graves, we'll be able to take that to 50 burials a week. And at the moment, we're anticipating that will last for several weeks to come."
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On Friday afternoon, 10 people were buried in a row with wooden separation screens between each body to create individual chambers inside the grave. In keeping with Islamic traditions, bodies are buried without coffins, and wrapped in pure cotton shrouds which are biodegradable.
London Imaam Suleiman Ghani read funeral prayers for all 10 deceased before each body was carefully lowered into their final resting places.
"This is not a mass grave," he said. "It is only to accommodate and to ensure that in two days they were able to dig up this grave, whereas imagine digging 10 individual graves, it may take over a week.
"Given the large number of those that need to be buried, it makes it easier for the hospitals because they don't have the capacity for these bodies and it's very important for Muslims. There has to be a burial. There is no cremation allowed in Islam."
More than 2,000 people have died from coronavirus in London's hospitals, including 33 year-old Ayoub Akhtar from South London.
Image: A first for British Muslims, it means 10 people can be buried in close succession
Mr Akhtar's aunt Shaista described the day of the burial as "painfully long".
She said: "He was gentle, caring, loving and a humble person. He was a practising Muslim."
Social distancing means Mr Akhtar's family were not present in person, so they arranged a floral arrangement to accompany him on his final journey. Mr Akhtar's brother Nasser drove to the cemetery gates.
"I went outside and the most I could do was sit there, wait five minutes, not do anything and just go home," he said.
"It's just difficult. The last time I saw my brother was three weeks ago. He went in an ambulance and that was the last time I saw him."


news--2020-04-12--Coronavirus: Financial impact on Phuket 'worse than 2004 Boxing Day tsunami'

The economic impact of COVID-19 on the holiday island of Phuket is worse than the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami , according to Thai tourism chiefs .
It is claimed in the first three months of 2020 the hotel industry alone lost more than 50bn baht ( £1bn ) due to a drop in tourists .
To contain the rising number of coronavirus cases , the land and sea borders on the island have shut and a nationwide curfew is in place at night .
Usually packed tourist streets are deserted and closed off .
Shops and restaurants are shuttered , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services .
`` It 's a very big impact here now , the biggest ever to happen in Phuket .
Much worse than the tsunami , because you know the end of the tsunami but we do n't know the end of the COVID-19 , '' says Sarayuth Mallam , president of the Tourism Council of Phuket .
The tsunami on 26 December 2004 killed 279 people and injured 1,111 in Phuket , and tourism-related businesses lost around 30bn baht ( £737m ) .
But the financial pain caused by COVID-19 is even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even before an order by the governor at the start of April that they all should temporarily close .
It began with a drop in Chinese visitors in January , but as the virus spread across the world , bookings from elsewhere also started to dwindle .
It is still officially high season , but the villas at Kongsak Khoopongsakorn 's hotel are empty .
He closed the site in March after European reservations dried up , and says he may not reopen for months .
`` We are planning for the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for is October , which is another six months from now that we have to prepare cash flow to be able to pay all the bills , '' he explains .
Around 39 million foreign visitors came to Thailand in 2019 , with Phuket the most popular destination outside Bangkok .
Around 90 % of people who live on the island rely on tourism for their income .
But like much of the world , the focus here , and across the country , is on virus control .
: : Listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Police patrol Phuket 's closed beaches during the day while teams of cleaners spray the streets with disinfectant at night .
Wearing a mask is mandatory - anyone caught ignoring the rules will be fined .
The government has approved various national plans offering financial support , including a package of economic measures worth 1.9 trn baht ( £46.4bn ) .
Authorities hope a short-term lockdown will limit the spread of the virus so businesses can reopen more quickly .

The economic impact of COVID-19 on the holiday island of Phuket is worse than the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, according to Thai tourism chiefs.
It is claimed in the first three months of 2020 the hotel industry alone lost more than 50bn baht (£1bn) due to a drop in tourists.
To contain the rising number of coronavirus cases, the land and sea borders on the island have shut and a nationwide curfew is in place at night.
Image: Wearing a mask on the island is mandatory
Usually packed tourist streets are deserted and closed off.
Shops and restaurants are shuttered, aside from a few offering limited takeaway services.
"It's a very big impact here now, the biggest ever to happen in Phuket. Much worse than the tsunami, because you know the end of the tsunami but we don't know the end of the COVID-19," says Sarayuth Mallam, president of the Tourism Council of Phuket.
The tsunami on 26 December 2004 killed 279 people and injured 1,111 in Phuket, and tourism-related businesses lost around 30bn baht (£737m).
But the financial pain caused by COVID-19 is even more severe.
Many guesthouses stood empty even before an order by the governor at the start of April that they all should temporarily close.
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It began with a drop in Chinese visitors in January, but as the virus spread across the world, bookings from elsewhere also started to dwindle.
Image: Kongsak Khoopongsakorn closed his hotel site in March
It is still officially high season, but the villas at Kongsak Khoopongsakorn's hotel are empty.
He closed the site in March after European reservations dried up, and says he may not reopen for months.
"We are planning for the worst, and that worst we are planning for is October, which is another six months from now that we have to prepare cash flow to be able to pay all the bills," he explains.
Around 39 million foreign visitors came to Thailand in 2019, with Phuket the most popular destination outside Bangkok.
Around 90% of people who live on the island rely on tourism for their income.
But like much of the world, the focus here, and across the country, is on virus control.
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
Police patrol Phuket's closed beaches during the day while teams of cleaners spray the streets with disinfectant at night.
Wearing a mask is mandatory - anyone caught ignoring the rules will be fined.
The government has approved various national plans offering financial support, including a package of economic measures worth 1.9 trn baht (£46.4bn).
Authorities hope a short-term lockdown will limit the spread of the virus so businesses can reopen more quickly.


news--2020-04-11--Coronavirus: Sunak’s ex-Goldman boss to be adviser on crisis

Rishi Sunak 's former Goldman Sachs boss is to take on a key Treasury post helping the chancellor as he battles to keep Britain 's economy functioning during the coronavirus pandemic .
Sky News has learnt that Richard Sharp , who spent more than two decades at the Wall Street banking giant , is to become a strategic adviser to Mr Sunak .
Sources said he would have a broad remit to counsel the chancellor on all areas of economic policy following a month in which some entire industries have been forced to put themselves into hibernation .
The role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be unpaid and is expected to last for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis .
Mr Sharp 's appointment , which was confirmed by insiders this weekend , will make him - at least temporarily - one of the most influential figures in Whitehall .
`` He will be the Treasury 's eminence grise during the pandemic , '' said one .
`` Richard was his mentor at Goldman , as well as his direct boss . ''
Mr Sunak worked for Mr Sharp prior to the future chancellor 's departure from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirming Mr Sharp 's role could be made as soon as next week .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Sources pointed out that he also had close relationships with other decision-makers who will be central to Britain 's long-term economic recovery .
He was a member of Boris Johnson 's economic advisory council during the prime minister 's tenure as mayor of London .
The former Goldman partner also sat on the Bank of England 's financial policy committee ( FPC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting him at the heart of UK economic policy-making .
That role also placed him in close proximity to Andrew Bailey , the former head of both main UK financial regulators and recently installed as governor of the Bank of England .
Since stepping down from the FPC , Mr Sharp has taken directorships at several private companies , including Oncimmune , a developer of cancer treatments .
He has a reputation as a sharp , independent thinker and a safe pair of hands , according to former colleagues .
In 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be paranoid ' in his role as an FPC member , in which he said : `` The financial crisis illustrates the risk of ignoring fat tails : for example , some claimed they were seeing market movements so rare their models predicted it 's more likely to win the lottery 20 times in a row than to experience the losses that befell them .
`` To paraphrase [ Oscar ] Wilde , this looks more like collective carelessness than misfortune . ''
Mr Sharp , who is a former Conservative Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking his role at the Bank of England , is expected to be a central figure in shaping the chancellor 's thinking about the UK 's long-term economic strategy .
This week , it emerged that the Treasury had agreed a deal with the Bank of England 's 'ways and means facility ' to finance additional day-to-day government spending that will be required as a result of the coronavirus crisis .
Mr Sunak has signalled a willingness to rapidly adjust key policies in the face of criticism in recent weeks , modifying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scheme for small businesses after complaints that it was too restrictive .
The chancellor has authorised hundreds of billions of pounds in loan guarantees , wage subsidies , replacement income for the self-employed and individual sector bailouts .
There remain concerns , however , that the various emergency aid schemes still leave thousands of companies outside their scope , and that money for those which are successfully applying is reaching them too slowly .
Data on Britain 's first-quarter economic performance is likely to show a contraction , while the three months to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catastrophic plunge in GDP as a result of the pandemic .
Mr Sharp and the Treasury both declined to comment on Saturday .

Rishi Sunak's former Goldman Sachs boss is to take on a key Treasury post helping the chancellor as he battles to keep Britain's economy functioning during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sky News has learnt that Richard Sharp, who spent more than two decades at the Wall Street banking giant, is to become a strategic adviser to Mr Sunak.
Sources said he would have a broad remit to counsel the chancellor on all areas of economic policy following a month in which some entire industries have been forced to put themselves into hibernation.
Image: Rishi Sunak worked with Richard Sharp at the Wall Street banking giant, Goldman Sachs
The role, which requires Cabinet Office approval, will be unpaid and is expected to last for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
Mr Sharp's appointment, which was confirmed by insiders this weekend, will make him - at least temporarily - one of the most influential figures in Whitehall.
"He will be the Treasury's eminence grise during the pandemic," said one.
"Richard was his mentor at Goldman, as well as his direct boss."
Mr Sunak worked for Mr Sharp prior to the future chancellor's departure from Goldman in 2004.
A public statement confirming Mr Sharp's role could be made as soon as next week.
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Sources pointed out that he also had close relationships with other decision-makers who will be central to Britain's long-term economic recovery.
He was a member of Boris Johnson's economic advisory council during the prime minister's tenure as mayor of London.
The former Goldman partner also sat on the Bank of England's financial policy committee (FPC) for more than five years, putting him at the heart of UK economic policy-making.
That role also placed him in close proximity to Andrew Bailey, the former head of both main UK financial regulators and recently installed as governor of the Bank of England.
Since stepping down from the FPC, Mr Sharp has taken directorships at several private companies, including Oncimmune, a developer of cancer treatments.
He has a reputation as a sharp, independent thinker and a safe pair of hands, according to former colleagues.
In 2017, he gave a speech called 'It pays to be paranoid' in his role as an FPC member, in which he said: "The financial crisis illustrates the risk of ignoring fat tails: for example, some claimed they were seeing market movements so rare their models predicted it's more likely to win the lottery 20 times in a row than to experience the losses that befell them.
"To paraphrase [Oscar] Wilde, this looks more like collective carelessness than misfortune."
Mr Sharp, who is a former Conservative Party donor but has been politically independent since taking his role at the Bank of England, is expected to be a central figure in shaping the chancellor's thinking about the UK's long-term economic strategy.
This week, it emerged that the Treasury had agreed a deal with the Bank of England's 'ways and means facility' to finance additional day-to-day government spending that will be required as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
Mr Sunak has signalled a willingness to rapidly adjust key policies in the face of criticism in recent weeks, modifying the terms of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme for small businesses after complaints that it was too restrictive.
The chancellor has authorised hundreds of billions of pounds in loan guarantees, wage subsidies, replacement income for the self-employed and individual sector bailouts.
There remain concerns, however, that the various emergency aid schemes still leave thousands of companies outside their scope, and that money for those which are successfully applying is reaching them too slowly.
Data on Britain's first-quarter economic performance is likely to show a contraction, while the three months to the end of June will reflect a catastrophic plunge in GDP as a result of the pandemic.
Mr Sharp and the Treasury both declined to comment on Saturday.


news--2020-04-12--Coronavirus: Andrea Bocelli performs Easter 'prayer' in empty Milan cathedral

Andrea Bocelli , one of the world 's most famous tenors , has sung in Milan 's Duomo Cathedral , without an audience , in an effort to bring people together during the global coronavirus lockdown .
Speaking ahead of the `` Music For Hope '' event on Easter Sunday evening , the Italian opera star said it was not a concert in the normal sense , but a prayer .
He added : `` The Duomo will be completely empty .
This , on its own , already makes the situation abnormal . ''
`` But in this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wo n't be a concert and it wo n't be a performance , it will be a prayer and as a consequence it will not be important who is present physically but rather who wants to be with me spiritually in that moment . ''
He said he had been asked by Lady Gaga to join other musicians performing live-streamed events to try to inspire a sense of hope .
`` She called me and I could n't but reply 'here I am , count me in ' '' he said .
Bocelli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Emanuele Vianelli , playing one of world 's largest pipe organs and performing a repertoire of sacred works including Pietro Mascagni 's Sancta Maria .
The concert , organised at the invitation of the mayor of Milan and the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo , the body that looks after the development and conservation of the cathedral , was streamed on Bocelli 's YouTube channel .
Bocelli has admitted , that like everyone else , he is concerned and uncertain about the future amid the coronavirus pandemic .
His home country , Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations in Europe , with almost 20,000 people dying with COVID-19 .
But on Sunday , it recorded the lowest number of new cases in three weeks , with officials saying 431 people have died in the past day , bringing the total to 19,899 .
Bocelli , whose personal foundation helps people struggling with poverty and illiteracy , added : `` I 'm not so worried about the present and I do n't feel that concerned about the virus per se , but about what will happen next . ''
Italy had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak in February .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He said : `` So , getting this country to bounce back will be a big problem .
`` And we will have many people in difficulty .
I hope I am wrong but I fear that 's how it will be .
`` Certainly , we will all have to pitch in , each to his and her best ability , and we will need some wise and enlightened people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't , it will be very difficult . ''

Andrea Bocelli, one of the world's most famous tenors, has sung in Milan's Duomo Cathedral, without an audience, in an effort to bring people together during the global coronavirus lockdown.
Speaking ahead of the "Music For Hope" event on Easter Sunday evening, the Italian opera star said it was not a concert in the normal sense, but a prayer.
He added: "The Duomo will be completely empty. This, on its own, already makes the situation abnormal."
Image: The singer says his 'Music for hope' event was a prayer, not a concert
"But in this case, and I repeat, as this won't be a concert and it won't be a performance, it will be a prayer and as a consequence it will not be important who is present physically but rather who wants to be with me spiritually in that moment."
He said he had been asked by Lady Gaga to join other musicians performing live-streamed events to try to inspire a sense of hope.
"She called me and I couldn't but reply 'here I am, count me in'" he said.
Bocelli was accompanied only by the cathedral organist, Emanuele Vianelli, playing one of world's largest pipe organs
and performing a repertoire of sacred works including Pietro Mascagni's Sancta Maria.
The concert, organised at the invitation of the mayor of Milan and the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, the body that looks after the development and conservation of the cathedral, was streamed on Bocelli's YouTube channel.
Bocelli has admitted, that like everyone else, he is concerned and uncertain about the future amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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His home country, Italy, has been one of the worst-hit nations in Europe, with almost 20,000 people dying with COVID-19.
Image: Bocelli sang alone in the Duomo Cathedral, Milan
But on Sunday, it recorded the lowest number of new cases in three weeks, with officials saying 431 people have died in the past day, bringing the total to 19,899.
Bocelli, whose personal foundation helps people struggling with poverty and illiteracy, added: "I'm not so worried about the present and I don't feel that concerned about the virus per se, but about what will happen next."
Italy had already faced many economic difficulties before the outbreak in February.
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He said: "So, getting this country to bounce back will be a big problem.
"And we will have many people in difficulty. I hope I am wrong but I fear that's how it will be.
"Certainly, we will all have to pitch in, each to his and her best ability, and we will need some wise and enlightened people to guide us, because if we don't, it will be very difficult."


news--2020-04-12--COVID-19 tests: Health secretary's optimism not shared by those in social care

If there is one message I have taken away from meeting care home owners , nurses and support staff this week it is that they are desperate for coronavirus tests .
Without tests , nursing homes have no idea who has coronavirus and who has not .
And this unknown is proving deadly .
The virus is now spreading through nursing homes like wild fire and killing the most frail in its wake .
Earlier this weekend , I spent 12 hours in a care home where COVID-19 is rife .
In just two weeks , upwards of 40 residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sadly died .
One nurse said this was just the beginning .
Staff had flimsy plastic aprons and unsuitable masks .
They were worried .
On Sunday , Health Secretary Matt Hancock was upbeat in his assessment of how the NHS is coping .
But his optimism is not shared by those in social care .
And to understand why care homes matter , you have to understand how they fit into the healthcare chain .
An awful lot of care homes act as overflows for hospitals .
When hospital wards get full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds to take the strain .
These beds are called 'intermediate care ' beds and the NHS ca n't fill them quickly enough at the moment .
In fact , earlier this month the NHS contacted some of the biggest care providers and told them to block book all of their intermediate care beds for the next 12 weeks - effectively extending the usual period covering the annual winter crisis well into the spring in case COVID-19 was as bad as feared .
That might not be a problem if care managers knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not .
But that 's not always the case .
Care home managers have told me that more and more patients are coming to them from hospitals without having been tested for COVID-19 and that is contributing to increased infection rates among staff and residents .
Residents need more care while staff sickness rates sky rocket and that 's a deadly combination .
Pam Banwait is a director at Strong Life Care , a care home provider with sites in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire .
The company currently looks after 200 elderly residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employs 250 staff .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Residents are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 but the company has no tests , and so ca n't say for sure who needs protecting .
Ms Banwait said : `` We need to test .
I can not reinforce that enough .
We need to know if they have got the virus and we can only do that with tests .
They need to be made as available as possible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown for three weeks , we run the risk of importing COVID-19 into our homes without us knowing it and that could ultimately cost lives . ''
Another care manager , who wanted to remain anonymous , said : `` They are not routinely testing patients before they are discharged to a care home .
I have been personally informed it is not required .
`` I have also been informed that residents will not be admitted to hospital .
`` They are being given what can only be described as a death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` I work in a care home and they 've just had a resident sent home from hospital without being tested for COVID-19 and told to isolate the person .
`` We ca n't test to see if the carers have it so we ca n't make informed decisions about who should be protected .
They 've run out of hand gel as well as PPE . ''
At the moment , some patients leaving hospital are tested .
For example , if they 've been in a critical care ward or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vast majority of patients are not tested .
: : Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker I asked the health secretary if he could guarantee across the board that tests would be made available .
He said : `` I can .
They are coming .
Last week we were able to open up testing to staff in care homes .
`` Some of the most vulnerable live in care homes and especially nursing homes and therefore getting this right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day passes , the numbers of staff and residents getting infected with COVID-19 are steadily rising .
Many more elderly and frail will die and it is likely that those caring for them may also lose their lives to this virus .
The big problem for the government is that it can not get its hands on enough testing kits .
They are in short supply .
The truth is , they 'll be handed out to those who need them the most .
And the elderly run the risk of ending up @ @ @ @ @ @ @

If there is one message I have taken away from meeting care home owners, nurses and support staff this week it is that they are desperate for coronavirus tests.
Everyone is.
Without tests, nursing homes have no idea who has coronavirus and who has not. And this unknown is proving deadly.
The virus is now spreading through nursing homes like wild fire and killing the most frail in its wake.
Earlier this weekend, I spent 12 hours in a care home where COVID-19 is rife. In just two weeks, upwards of 40 residents have caught the virus. Eight have sadly died. One nurse said this was just the beginning.
Image: Newfield Nursing Home, where half of the residents have coronavirus
Staff had flimsy plastic aprons and unsuitable masks. They were worried.
On Sunday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock was upbeat in his assessment of how the NHS is coping. But his optimism is not shared by those in social care.
And to understand why care homes matter, you have to understand how they fit into the healthcare chain.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:51 Care home nurse: 'We haven't even got to our worst point'
An awful lot of care homes act as overflows for hospitals.
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When hospital wards get full, nursing homes get paid to provide beds to take the strain.
These beds are called 'intermediate care' beds and the NHS can't fill them quickly enough at the moment.
In fact, earlier this month the NHS contacted some of the biggest care providers and told them to block book all of their intermediate care beds for the next 12 weeks - effectively extending the usual period covering the annual winter crisis well into the spring in case COVID-19 was as bad as feared.
That might not be a problem if care managers knew whether those coming from hospital had COVID-19 or not. But that's not always the case.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:43 Care home boss Nicola Richard: 'We've never faced anything like this'
Care home managers have told me that more and more patients are coming to them from hospitals without having been tested for COVID-19 and that is contributing to increased infection rates among staff and residents.
Residents need more care while staff sickness rates sky rocket and that's a deadly combination.
Pam Banwait is a director at Strong Life Care, a care home provider with sites in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.
The company currently looks after 200 elderly residents that require residential and dementia care and employs 250 staff.
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 All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Residents are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 but the company has no tests, and so can't say for sure who needs protecting.
Ms Banwait said: "We need to test. I cannot reinforce that enough. We need to know if they have got the virus and we can only do that with tests. They need to be made as available as possible.
"Even though we've been in lockdown for three weeks, we run the risk of importing COVID-19 into our homes without us knowing it and that could ultimately cost lives."
Another care manager, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "They are not routinely testing patients before they are discharged to a care home. I have been personally informed it is not required.
"I have also been informed that residents will not be admitted to hospital.
"They are being given what can only be described as a death sentence."
Another care worker emailed: "I work in a care home and they've just had a resident sent home from hospital without being tested for COVID-19 and told to isolate the person.
"We can't test to see if the carers have it so we can't make informed decisions about who should be protected. They've run out of hand gel as well as PPE."
At the moment, some patients leaving hospital are tested.
For example, if they've been in a critical care ward or have been treated for pneumonia. But the vast majority of patients are not tested.
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 Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
I asked the health secretary if he could guarantee across the board that tests would be made available.
He said: "I can. They are coming. Last week we were able to open up testing to staff in care homes.
"Some of the most vulnerable live in care homes and especially nursing homes and therefore getting this right is so important."
As each day passes, the numbers of staff and residents getting infected with COVID-19 are steadily rising.
Many more elderly and frail will die and it is likely that those caring for them may also lose their lives to this virus.
The big problem for the government is that it cannot get its hands on enough testing kits. They are in short supply.
The truth is, they'll be handed out to those who need them the most.
And the elderly run the risk of ending up at the back of the queue.


news--2020-04-12--Coronavirus: Prince William says Britain is 'at its best when we're in a crisis'

Prince William has said the coronavirus outbreak has again shown that Britain is `` at its best when we 're in a crisis '' .
The Duke of Cambridge praised the community spirit that `` comes rushing back '' , during video calls to small charities helping to support the vulnerable in the COVID-19 pandemic .
So far more than 10,000 people with coronavirus have died in the UK , while 5,288 have tested positive for the virus .
The charities William spoke to have received money from the National Emergencies Trust ( NET ) .
In one video , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moorlands Community Charity in Goole , East Yorkshire .
Praising the public response to the crisis , he said : `` I think Britain is at its best , weirdly , when we 're in a crisis .
`` We all pull together and that community spirit and that community feel comes rushing back quicker than anything else . ''
: : Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In the footage Ms Crawford asked William to send a `` virtual high-five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied , `` You 're doing a fantastic job , please pass on many good wishes and big thank yous to all the volunteers . ''
The organisation , which delivers meals to isolated households and vital products such as baby powder and nappies , has seen a significant rise in referrals since the outbreak of COVID-19 .
William also enjoyed a joke with Ms Crawford when she explained that she and her partner were sticking to opposite sides of the house `` so that we do n't infect each other , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charity worker , William quipped : `` Is this an excuse you 've been looking for for a while Jacky ? ''
The videos were released as it was announced William has been appointed as patron of the NET .
It said £12.5m had been distributed since the emergency appeal was launched with William 's help last month .
He also made another call to community farm Dal Dy Dir in Powys , Wales , which supports people with disabilities and other marginalised groups .
Natalie Webster from the farm told him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an incredible difference '' to the volunteers and charity staff .
The prince said : `` I want to make sure that the NET is getting it right and that the money is being distributed to the right people at the right time and that also you 're feeling supported . ''
Last week the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took part in their first virtual school visit , surprising children of key workers at a school in Lancashire with a video call .
NET chairman Lord Dannatt said everyone involved with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William as its new patron .
He added : `` We look forward to working with him , and our partners in the UK Community Foundations network , to help communities across the country tackle the dramatic rise in food poverty as well as the many other increasingly pressing social issues arising from this crisis . ''
You can make donations at www.nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk or text APPEAL to 70141 to donate £10 .

Prince William has said the coronavirus outbreak has again shown that Britain is "at its best when we're in a crisis".
The Duke of Cambridge praised the community spirit that "comes rushing back", during video calls to small charities helping to support the vulnerable in the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far more than 10,000 people with coronavirus have died in the UK, while 5,288 have tested positive for the virus.
The charities William spoke to have received money from the National Emergencies Trust (NET).
In one video, he talked to Jacky Crawford from the Moorlands Community Charity in Goole, East Yorkshire.
Praising the public response to the crisis, he said: "I think Britain is at its best, weirdly, when we're in a crisis.
"We all pull together and that community spirit and that community feel comes rushing back quicker than anything else."
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
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In the footage Ms Crawford asked William to send a "virtual high-five" to the Moorlands charity and he replied, "You're doing a fantastic job, please pass on many good wishes and big thank yous to all the volunteers."
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The organisation, which delivers meals to isolated households and vital products such as baby powder and nappies, has seen a significant rise in referrals since the outbreak of COVID-19.
William also enjoyed a joke with Ms Crawford when she explained that she and her partner were sticking to opposite sides of the house "so that we don't infect each other, just in case".
Sparking laughter from the charity worker, William quipped: "Is this an excuse you've been looking for for a while Jacky?"
The videos were released as it was announced William has been appointed as patron of the NET.
It said £12.5m had been distributed since the emergency appeal was launched with William's help last month.
He also made another call to community farm Dal Dy Dir in Powys, Wales, which supports people with disabilities and other marginalised groups.
Natalie Webster from the farm told him the trust's help had made "an incredible difference" to the volunteers and charity staff.
The prince said: "I want to make sure that the NET is getting it right and that the money is being distributed to the right people at the right time and that also you're feeling supported."
Last week the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took part in their first virtual school visit, surprising children of key workers at a school in Lancashire with a video call.
NET chairman Lord Dannatt said everyone involved with the trust is "delighted" to have William as its new patron.
He added: "We look forward to working with him, and our partners in the UK Community Foundations network, to help communities across the country tackle the dramatic rise in food poverty as well as the many other increasingly pressing social issues arising from this crisis."
You can make donations at www.nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk or text APPEAL to 70141 to donate £10.