news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: Under-20s half as likely to catch COVID-19, according to study

Under-20s are half as likely to catch COVID-19 as over-20s , making school closures less effective at stopping the spread of the virus , a new scientific study has found .
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that susceptibility to the coronavirus was low for younger people , before increasing around the age of 20 .
Nicholas Davies , one of the peer-reviewed paper 's co-authors , said there was `` a very sharp increase '' in COVID-19 susceptibility `` somewhere between the ages of 15 and 25 '' .
It is not known why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant school closures were less effective in stopping the spread of coronavirus than other respiratory diseases .
The researchers simulated outbreaks of COVID-19 and pandemic influenza in three cities with different age profiles : Birmingham , Bulawayo in Zimbabwe and Milan in Italy .
In all three cities , closing schools had a much bigger effect on the spread of influenza than COVID-19 .
`` School closures may be less effective than COVID-19 than for example , influenza , '' said co-author Rosalind Eggo .
`` This does n't mean that school closures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this meant the government could safely reduce social distancing in schools , for instance by dropping the distance between children from two metres to one metre , the researchers said they had not assessed that question .
The researchers did not assess the infectiousness of children , so the study did not analyse the impact of school closures on teachers .
Dr Eggo said : `` Whether to reopen schools or not is a very complicated question .
You need to bring in a variety of different pieces of evidence ... More studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus in children has been hotly debated , with some suggesting that young people may not be susceptible to the virus , while others argue that they contract it asymptomatically , meaning it is less likely to be detected .
The researchers found that young people 's decreased susceptibility was the most likely cause of the low incidence of the virus among under-20s , rather than asymptomatic spread .
But they were less likely to have symptoms if they caught the virus .
Among 10-to-19-years old , for instance , 79 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mildly symptomatic , compared to 31 % in those over 70 years of age .
Symptoms did tend to increase with age , the researchers found , but - unlike susceptibility - did not increase sharply .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Fears about the impact of COVID-19 on poorer countries could be unwarranted , the paper concluded , because they generally have younger populations than higher-income countries .
These demographic differences could result in fewer clinical cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers said .
The paper used epidemic data from China , Italy , Japan , Singapore , Canada and South Korea to simulate the effects of different epidemics .
Researchers said `` there was a chance '' results could `` vary from place to place '' , both because of other health conditions , or differences in the spread of the virus among different populations .

Under-20s are half as likely to catch COVID-19 as over-20s, making school closures less effective at stopping the spread of the virus, a new scientific study has found.
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that susceptibility to the coronavirus was low for younger people, before increasing around the age of 20.
Nicholas Davies , one of the peer-reviewed paper's co-authors, said there was "a very sharp increase" in COVID-19 susceptibility "somewhere between the ages of 15 and 25".
It is not known why this is the case.
The results meant school closures were less effective in stopping the spread of coronavirus than other respiratory diseases.
The researchers simulated outbreaks of COVID-19 and pandemic influenza in three cities with different age profiles: Birmingham, Bulawayo in Zimbabwe and Milan in Italy.
In all three cities, closing schools had a much bigger effect on the spread of influenza than COVID-19.
"School closures may be less effective than COVID-19 than for example, influenza," said co-author Rosalind Eggo.
"This doesn't mean that school closures are completely ineffective."
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:13 Failure to re-open schools is 'astonishing'
Asked whether this meant the government could safely reduce social distancing in schools, for instance by dropping the distance between children from two metres to one metre, the researchers said they had not assessed that question.
The researchers did not assess the infectiousness of children, so the study did not analyse the impact of school closures on teachers.
Dr Eggo said: "Whether to reopen schools or not is a very complicated question. You need to bring in a variety of different pieces of evidence... More studies are definitely needed."
The topic of coronavirus in children has been hotly debated, with some suggesting that young people may not be susceptible to the virus, while others argue that they contract it asymptomatically, meaning it is less likely to be detected.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:38 UK coronavirus deaths up to nearly 52,000
The researchers found that young people's decreased susceptibility was the most likely cause of the low incidence of the virus among under-20s, rather than asymptomatic spread.
But they were less likely to have symptoms if they caught the virus.
Among 10-to-19-years old, for instance, 79% of infections were either asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic, compared to 31% in those over 70 years of age.
Symptoms did tend to increase with age, the researchers found, but - unlike susceptibility - did not increase sharply.
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
Fears about the impact of COVID-19 on poorer countries could be unwarranted, the paper concluded, because they generally have younger populations than higher-income countries.
These demographic differences could result in fewer clinical cases in poorer countries than richer countries, the researchers said.
The paper used epidemic data from China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Canada and South Korea to simulate the effects of different epidemics.
Researchers said "there was a chance" results could "vary from place to place", both because of other health conditions, or differences in the spread of the virus among different populations.


news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: New travel bans in Beijing as COVID-19 infections spread

Chinese officials have imposed a travel ban in Beijing to stop the spread of a fresh coronavirus outbreak in the capital city .
In addition to parts of Beijing already back under lockdown , new travel restrictions have been reimposed on residents of areas considered at high risk , and limits introduced on public transport to reduce passenger numbers on buses and trains .
State media reported that , as of Wednesday morning , a total of 1,255 flights to and from the Chinese capital 's two major airports have been scrapped in an attempt to contain the outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights and 68 % of incoming flights , the Communist Party 's Global Times newspaper said .
Those who have already left Beijing must report to local health bodies as soon as possible .
The financial hub of Shanghai has demanded some travellers from Beijing be quarantined for two weeks .
It follows a spike in new coronavirus cases , which is believed to have started at Xinfadi market in the city 's southwestern Fengtai district .
State-run newspapers said the virus was discovered on chopping boards used for imported salmon at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city 's meat and vegetables .
The fish has been removed by some supermarket chains , and China has stopped importing it from Europe .
Last Thursday , it was confirmed someone who had recently visited the market had been infected .
However , Norway 's fisheries minister said on Wednesday he had concluded with the Chinese embassy that Norwegian salmon was not behind the outbreak in Beijing .
`` We can clear away uncertainty and the halt in salmon export to China , '' said Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen .
: : Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The swift action , which has put areas of the city on what has been described as a `` wartime '' footing , has stoked fears of a possible second wave of COVID-19 infections .
Beijing had essentially eradicated local transmission of the virus , but in recent days has added 137 cases in the city of 20 million people .
On Wednesday , the capital reported 31 cases , up from 27 the day before .
The new outbreak in Beijing may have started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said , according to Chinese news website Caixin .
Gao Fu told a meeting of public health officials in Shanghai on Tuesday the cluster may have already begun in May .
`` It is possible that there were already a lot of asymptomatic or mild carriers during that month , and that 's why there is a high amount of the virus in the environment , '' he said , according to Caixin .
`` This is our estimation and needs to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incubate in some dark , humid and polluted environment , which is not expected by anyone .
`` It is then exposed to many after a certain period of incubation .
I myself think that is what happened in Beijing . ''
As well as halting domestic tourism , sporting events have also been suspended in the city , while plans to reopen schools for some students have been dropped .
Those deemed high-risk - now not allowed to leave the city - include people who have been in close contact with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reintroduced in around 22 medium-risk areas , with those entering the districts also required to register with officials .
All outbound taxi and car-hailing services have been suspended .
Health officials have said more than 10,000 people at the market - which remains shut - will be tested , and the premises disinfected .
They are relying on people in Fengtai and its surrounding districts who visited the market to come forward .
As well as Shanghai , provinces including Hebei , Liaoning and Sichuan where there have been reported new infections linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on visitors from the capital .
The virus was first reported at a seafood market in Wuhan , the capital of central China 's Hubei province , in December .
There have now been around eight million people infected worldwide and more than 430,000 have died , according to Johns Hopkins University which has been tracking the outbreak .

Chinese officials have imposed a travel ban in Beijing to stop the spread of a fresh coronavirus outbreak in the capital city.
In addition to parts of Beijing already back under lockdown, new travel restrictions have been reimposed on residents of areas considered at high risk, and limits introduced on public transport to reduce passenger numbers on buses and trains.
State media reported that, as of Wednesday morning, a total of 1,255 flights to and from the Chinese capital's two major airports have been scrapped in an attempt to contain the outbreak.
Image: Officials in protective suits and masks carry out temperature checks and register people arriving in Beijing, China
That accounts for 67% of outgoing flights and 68% of incoming flights, the Communist Party's Global Times newspaper said.
Those who have already left Beijing must report to local health bodies as soon as possible.
The financial hub of Shanghai has demanded some travellers from Beijing be quarantined for two weeks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:20 COVID-19: Areas of Beijing back in lockdown
It follows a spike in new coronavirus cases, which is believed to have started at Xinfadi market in the city's southwestern Fengtai district.
State-run newspapers said the virus was discovered on chopping boards used for imported salmon at the market, which supplies much of the city's meat and vegetables.
The fish has been removed by some supermarket chains, and China has stopped importing it from Europe.
Advertisement
Last Thursday, it was confirmed someone who had recently visited the market had been infected.
However, Norway's fisheries minister said on Wednesday he had concluded with the Chinese embassy that Norwegian salmon was not behind the outbreak in Beijing.
"We can clear away uncertainty and the halt in salmon export to China," said Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen.
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 Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The swift action, which has put areas of the city on what has been described as a "wartime" footing, has stoked fears of a possible second wave of COVID-19 infections.
Beijing had essentially eradicated local transmission of the virus, but in recent days has added 137 cases in the city of 20 million people.
On Wednesday, the capital reported 31 cases, up from 27 the day before.
The new outbreak in Beijing may have started a month before it became apparent, director of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said, according to Chinese news website Caixin.
Gao Fu told a meeting of public health officials in Shanghai on Tuesday the cluster may have already begun in May.
"It is possible that there were already a lot of asymptomatic or mild carriers during that month, and that's why there is a high amount of the virus in the environment," he said, according to Caixin.
"This is our estimation and needs to be further verified.
"The Sars-CoV-2 can incubate in some dark, humid and polluted environment, which is not expected by anyone.
"It is then exposed to many after a certain period of incubation. I myself think that is what happened in Beijing."
As well as halting domestic tourism, sporting events have also been suspended in the city, while plans to reopen schools for some students have been dropped.
Those deemed high-risk - now not allowed to leave the city - include people who have been in close contact with the confirmed cases.
Image: People who have been to or have had contact with some else who may have visited the Xinfadi markets are being tested for COVID-19
Temperature checks have been reintroduced in around 22 medium-risk areas, with those entering the districts also required to register with officials.
All outbound taxi and car-hailing services have been suspended.
Image: The Xinfadi wholesale market has been closed following the spike in infections
Health officials have said more than 10,000 people at the market - which remains shut - will be tested, and the premises disinfected.
They are relying on people in Fengtai and its surrounding districts who visited the market to come forward.
As well as Shanghai, provinces including Hebei, Liaoning and Sichuan where there have been reported new infections linked to Beijing, have imposed quarantine requirements on visitors from the capital.
The virus was first reported at a seafood market in Wuhan, the capital of central China's Hubei province, in December.
There have now been around eight million people infected worldwide and more than 430,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University which has been tracking the outbreak.


news--2020-06-01--Coronavirus: Spain reports no COVID-19 deaths for first time since March

For the first time in two months , Spain has reported no new deaths from coronavirus in its daily update .
The country recorded its first death related to coronavirus on 3 March - and a month later , on 2 April , it recorded its highest single increase with 950 deaths in 24 hours .
Spain 's emergency health response chief Fernando Simon said that the latest data on those who had died after testing positive for COVID-19 was `` very , very encouraging '' .
He added that there had been just 71 new infections in the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a very good place in the evolution of the pandemic , '' said Mr Simon .
`` The statistics are following a trend .
They are going in the right direction . ''
The lockdown in Spain is being relaxed slowly and cautiously , as the virus begins to slow down in the country .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker However , transport minister Maria Reyes Maroto announced on Sunday that the ban on foreign tourists would be lifted earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get its outbreak under control .
The original target was to start welcoming visitors at the end of June , but Spain 's borders are now likely to be opened well before the month is over .
But British tourists will not be among the earliest arrivals , with officials saying the situation in the UK has to improve before they can be allowed in .
The number of people in Spain who have died with COVID-19 stands at 27,127 , with 239,638 confirmed cases , according to figures being tracked by Johns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in the UK , which has had 276,156 confirmed cases .
The UK is also yet to see its daily increase in deaths drop below three figures .

For the first time in two months, Spain has reported no new deaths from coronavirus in its daily update.
The country recorded its first death related to coronavirus on 3 March - and a month later, on 2 April, it recorded its highest single increase with 950 deaths in 24 hours.
Spain's emergency health response chief Fernando Simon said that the latest data on those who had died after testing positive for COVID-19 was "very, very encouraging".
He added that there had been just 71 new infections in the last 24-hour reporting period.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:39 May: Spaniards allowed out to exercise
"We are in a very good place in the evolution of the pandemic," said Mr Simon.
"The statistics are following a trend. They are going in the right direction."
The lockdown in Spain is being relaxed slowly and cautiously, as the virus begins to slow down in the country.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
However, transport minister Maria Reyes Maroto announced on Sunday that the ban on foreign tourists would be lifted earlier than anticipated as the country continues to get its outbreak under control.
Advertisement
The original target was to start welcoming visitors at the end of June, but Spain's borders are now likely to be opened well before the month is over.
But British tourists will not be among the earliest arrivals, with officials saying the situation in the UK has to improve before they can be allowed in.
Image: Bar terraces have opened again in Spain
The number of people in Spain who have died with COVID-19 stands at 27,127, with 239,638 confirmed cases, according to figures being tracked by Johns Hopkins University.
There have been 38,571 deaths in the UK, which has had 276,156 confirmed cases.
The UK is also yet to see its daily increase in deaths drop below three figures.


news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: Greggs cooks up store re-opening plan but expects soft sales

Greggs , the high street bakery chain , is to start re-opening shops from this Thursday but with a series of curbs to its menu .
The company , best-known for its sausage rolls , said 800 of its 2,050 UK stores would open their doors again to customers for takeaway only - days after COVID-19 restrictions covering non-essential retail outlets were relaxed in England .
It expected the rest of its store estate to resume operations in July .
On top of social distancing measures , Greggs said that it would not accept cash payments and its product range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its statement to the City said it could not predict the impact of social distancing on its ability to trade or on demand .
`` Our capacity to operate will be restricted by size of shop and we must anticipate that sales may be lower than normal for some time , '' it warned .
Rival high street fast food outlets , especially McDonald 's , have seen large queues outside drive-thru stores since they restarted sales in the wake of the lockdown .
Greggs said the safety of its employees must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials carried out at a small number of shops with staff handed new workwear including safety equipment .
Greggs confirmed it was keeping a proportion of its 25,000 staff furloughed until sales merited a full return to work .
Shares , which have lost a quarter of their market value this year , closed 5 % higher on Tuesday .
As part of its update , the company said it had temporarily suspended its new shop opening programme , with the exception of a few where it was already legally committed or anticipates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to open about 60 shops this year and close about 50 .
It is also making proposals to landlords in return for rent reductions and will move to monthly rent payments from June .

Greggs, the high street bakery chain, is to start re-opening shops from this Thursday but with a series of curbs to its menu.
The company, best-known for its sausage rolls, said 800 of its 2,050 UK stores would open their doors again to customers for takeaway only - days after COVID-19 restrictions covering non-essential retail outlets were relaxed in England.
It expected the rest of its store estate to resume operations in July.
Image: Greggs has been operating a limited delivery service through Just Eat in recent weeks
On top of social distancing measures, Greggs said that it would not accept cash payments and its product range would be limited to its best sellers.
Its statement to the City said it could not predict the impact of social distancing on its ability to trade or on demand.
"Our capacity to operate will be restricted by size of shop and we must anticipate that sales may be lower than normal for some time," it warned.
Image: Greggs' steak bakes and the vegan version will be among items available in=store
Rival high street fast food outlets, especially McDonald's, have seen large queues outside drive-thru stores since they restarted sales in the wake of the lockdown.
Greggs said the safety of its employees must come first.
The tentative re-opening follows trials carried out at a small number of shops with staff handed new workwear including safety equipment.
Advertisement
Greggs confirmed it was keeping a proportion of its 25,000 staff furloughed until sales merited a full return to work.
Shares, which have lost a quarter of their market value this year, closed 5% higher on Tuesday.
As part of its update, the company said it had temporarily suspended its new shop opening programme, with the exception of a few where it was already legally committed or anticipates strong customer traffic.
It said it expected to open about 60 shops this year and close about 50.
It is also making proposals to landlords in return for rent reductions and will move to monthly rent payments from June.


news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson believes UK has 'turned the tide' in COVID-19 fight

The prime minister says he believes the UK has `` turned the tide '' in the fight against coronavirus .
Boris Johnson made the claim during his appearance at the latest COVID-19 news briefing in Downing Street on Tuesday .
It came after he was asked about his assertion back in March that the UK could `` turn the tide '' on the coronavirus within 12 weeks .
`` I really think we did , '' the PM said , adding that `` we went through the peak '' and have `` flattened the sombrero '' .
Mr Johnson added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of lives at least '' have been saved through a collective effort to control the spread of the virus .
He acknowledged the last few months have been a `` very , very difficult time for our country - but we are coming through it '' .
Mr Johnson continued : `` We are now starting to see - with drugs like dexamethasone and the idea that perhaps you could combine that with other things - we are seeing the first chink of light , which I was perhaps a bit dubious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first chink of light and the hope that there will be preparations , treatments - there already are - that could make a big difference to mortality rates and we are making big investments in vaccines .
`` None of that negates the importance of us continuing to follow the rules , control the virus and save lives . ''
The PM declared : `` We 've turned the tide on it , we have n't yet , finally , defeated it . ''
Critics of the government 's handling of the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party - allege that Mr Johnson was too slow in introducing the lockdown .
They contend that if he had acted sooner , many lives would have been saved .
One of the government 's former key advisers told MPs earlier this month that deaths could have been reduced `` by at least half '' if the lockdown had been introduced sooner .
Professor Neil Ferguson , of London 's Imperial College , told the Commons science committee : `` The epidemic was doubling every three to four days before lockdown interventions were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' So , had we introduced lockdown measures a week earlier , we would have reduced the final toll by at least a half . ''
Critics of the government 's handling of the outbreak also point to the fact that the UK has the third highest number of recorded COVID-19 deaths in the world ( 41,969 ) .
This more than other European nations like Italy , France , Spain and Germany .
But ministers have argued that international comparisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in how deaths are recorded and data collected .

The prime minister says he believes the UK has "turned the tide" in the fight against coronavirus.
Boris Johnson made the claim during his appearance at the latest COVID-19 news briefing in Downing Street on Tuesday.
It came after he was asked about his assertion back in March that the UK could "turn the tide" on the coronavirus within 12 weeks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 March: UK can 'turn the tide within 12 weeks'
"I really think we did," the PM said, adding that "we went through the peak" and have "flattened the sombrero".
Mr Johnson added that "many, many tens of thousands of lives at least" have been saved through a collective effort to control the spread of the virus.
He acknowledged the last few months have been a "very, very difficult time for our country - but we are coming through it".
Mr Johnson continued: "We are now starting to see - with drugs like dexamethasone and the idea that perhaps you could combine that with other things - we are seeing the first chink of light, which I was perhaps a bit dubious about.
"We are seeing the first chink of light and the hope that there will be preparations, treatments - there already are - that could make a big difference to mortality rates and we are making big investments in vaccines.
"None of that negates the importance of us continuing to follow the rules, control the virus and save lives."
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:51 'COVID-19 drug breakthrough is cause to celebrate'
The PM declared: "We've turned the tide on it, we haven't yet, finally, defeated it."
Critics of the government's handling of the crisis, including Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party - allege that Mr Johnson was too slow in introducing the lockdown.
They contend that if he had acted sooner, many lives would have been saved.
One of the government's former key advisers told MPs earlier this month that deaths could have been reduced "by at least half" if the lockdown had been introduced sooner.
Professor Neil Ferguson, of London's Imperial College, told the Commons science committee: "The epidemic was doubling every three to four days before lockdown interventions were introduced.
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
"So, had we introduced lockdown measures a week earlier, we would have reduced the final toll by at least a half."
Critics of the government's handling of the outbreak also point to the fact that the UK has the third highest number of recorded COVID-19 deaths in the world (41,969).
This more than other European nations like Italy, France, Spain and Germany.
But ministers have argued that international comparisons are not comparing like-for-like due to differences in how deaths are recorded and data collected.


news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus deaths: Total reaches 47,104 in England and Wales, ONS figures show

England and Wales are still recording excess deaths as the official number of fatalities linked to coronavirus hits 47,104 , official figures show .
There were 732 excess deaths in the week ending 5 June - the lowest number of excess deaths since mid-March , according to the Office for National Statistics .
The total number of excess deaths during the coronavirus pandemic for the two regions is now at 58,579 .
And around 64,500 more people than usual have died during the outbreak in the UK as a whole , an expert from the ONS said on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have mentioned COVID-19 with 64,500 'excess ' deaths , '' ONS head of health analysis Nick Stripe tweeted .
Epidemiologists have said that excess mortality - deaths from all causes that exceed the five-year average for the time of year - is the best way of determining the number who have died from a disease outbreak because it is internationally comparable .
Scotland announced a further five deaths from coronavirus on Tuesday , bringing the number of hospital deaths to 2,453 .
The toll is still rising .
While the number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has dropped significantly from the peak of the epidemic in April , the depressing reality is it 's falling far slower than anyone would like .
The virus is still having an impact on UK mortality .
The main metric we have for this is the number of people dying of all causes above the historical average - this gives us the best sense of the direct and indirect impact of the epidemic and the lockdown .
And there were 802 of these so-called `` excess deaths '' in the UK in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in England and Wales ) .
The good news is that the excess death toll is down sharply , by almost 1,000 a week .
It is quite possible it is back down to `` normal '' levels by next week or the week after .
The bad news is that it is still high - around 7 % higher than `` normal '' levels .
So the death toll is still rising .
As of the week ending 5 June , the total number of excess deaths since mid-March had risen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of those deaths , just under 52,000 mentioned COVID-19 in the death certificate .
When you look at the places where people are dying , something else striking emerges .
While care homes were for a long time the epicentre of the COVID-19 crisis , with more excess deaths happening there than in hospitals or indeed domestic settings , something has changed in the past couple of weeks .
As of the latest week , there are more excess deaths happening in domestic settings - in other words at home - than in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 41 % more people dying at home than would typically be around this time of year .
Whether this is down to lockdown , the virus itself , other diseases that are n't being treated because of the medical system being focused on the coronavirus , we simply do not yet know .
This is depressing stuff , and if you compare the UK to other countries around the world it 's pretty clear Britain 's death toll is among the worst - though one should be careful about such comparisons since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will take some time before we have a coherent sense of the final death toll , since it is quite possible Britain will have fewer deaths than the historical average in the coming months - in other words , some of the deaths experienced in the past weeks might have happened anyway in the coming months .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker So we should reserve our judgement on the final toll .
We should also remember that behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family that has been devastated by the loss of a loved one .
These are not just data points but personal tragedies .
Sadly there are now a horrible number of them .

England and Wales are still recording excess deaths as the official number of fatalities linked to coronavirus hits 47,104, official figures show.
There were 732 excess deaths in the week ending 5 June - the lowest number of excess deaths since mid-March, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The total number of excess deaths during the coronavirus pandemic for the two regions is now at 58,579.
And around 64,500 more people than usual have died during the outbreak in the UK as a whole, an expert from the ONS said on Tuesday.
"Across the UK about 52,000 deaths have mentioned COVID-19 with 64,500 'excess' deaths," ONS head of health analysis Nick Stripe tweeted.
Epidemiologists have said that excess mortality - deaths from all causes that exceed the five-year average for the time of year - is the best way of determining the number who have died from a disease outbreak because it is internationally comparable.
Scotland announced a further five deaths from coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the number of hospital deaths to 2,453.
Analysis by Ed Conway, economics editor
The toll is still rising.
Advertisement
While the number of people dying both of COVID-19 and other causes has dropped significantly from the peak of the epidemic in April, the depressing reality is it's falling far slower than anyone would like. The virus is still having an impact on UK mortality.
The main metric we have for this is the number of people dying of all causes above the historical average - this gives us the best sense of the direct and indirect impact of the epidemic and the lockdown.
And there were 802 of these so-called "excess deaths" in the UK in the week ending 5 June (732 of them in England and Wales).
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:46 COVID-19 'support bubbles' reunite families
The good news is that the excess death toll is down sharply, by almost 1,000 a week. It is quite possible it is back down to "normal" levels by next week or the week after. The bad news is that it is still high - around 7% higher than "normal" levels.
So the death toll is still rising. As of the week ending 5 June, the total number of excess deaths since mid-March had risen to over 64,500 across the UK.
Of those deaths, just under 52,000 mentioned COVID-19 in the death certificate.
When you look at the places where people are dying, something else striking emerges.
While care homes were for a long time the epicentre of the COVID-19 crisis, with more excess deaths happening there than in hospitals or indeed domestic settings, something has changed in the past couple of weeks.
As of the latest week, there are more excess deaths happening in domestic settings - in other words at home - than in any other setting.
Indeed there are 41% more people dying at home than would typically be around this time of year. Whether this is down to lockdown, the virus itself, other diseases that aren't being treated because of the medical system being focused on the coronavirus, we simply do not yet know.
This is depressing stuff, and if you compare the UK to other countries around the world it's pretty clear Britain's death toll is among the worst - though one should be careful about such comparisons since the data is not always comparable.
Still, it will take some time before we have a coherent sense of the final death toll, since it is quite possible Britain will have fewer deaths than the historical average in the coming months - in other words, some of the deaths experienced in the past weeks might have happened anyway in the coming months.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
So we should reserve our judgement on the final toll.
We should also remember that behind every one of these statistics is a family that has been devastated by the loss of a loved one.
These are not just data points but personal tragedies. Sadly there are now a horrible number of them.


news--2020-06-16--Government's 'irresponsible' DFID move could make vulnerable children worse off

The decision to merge the Department for International Development with the Foreign Office is flawed .
It 's bad for taxpayers , bad for the UK 's national interest and bad for children living in poverty in some of the toughest places in the world .
One has to ask why on earth a decision like this would be taken and rushed out during the worst humanitarian situation the world has seen for 100 years .
The Department for International Development ( DFID ) has been a world leader in its field .
It has spent more wisely than other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been more transparent about where the money was going .
It has provided taxpayers with the best value for money .
Crucially , it is one of the best-placed organisations on the face of the earth for dealing with the current global health crisis .
DFID has brilliantly served the national interest not just by enhancing the UK 's reputation and standing , but by projecting values that are in the DNA of the public - values such as fairness , concern for others and generosity .
Above all , it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of extreme poverty and championing the cause of the children who represent our best hopes for the future .
It has provided the most vulnerable children with vital support in health and education .
I 've seen with my own eyes what aid means to girls who would otherwise be out of school in South Sudan ; to mothers able to get their children treated for life-threatening infectious diseases ; and to children in Somalia kept out of hunger by safety nets .
This would be a bad move at any time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic threatens to reverse hard-won gains in child and maternal health , education , and poverty , it is irresponsible .
It will weaken the UK 's ability to provide for the poorest children in the world when they are in the greatest need of our support and solidarity .
DFID 's independence has ensured that its aid spending was focused on fighting poverty and inequality , while aid administered by the Foreign Office has been widely criticised as less effective , less transparent and less good value for money .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national self-interest will trump the explicitly humanitarian concerns at the heart of DFID 's remit .
The government must move immediately to reduce the damage of this merger by protecting the focus and quality of aid that will now be spent through the Foreign Office .
It must adhere to the internationally agreed standards for aid spending and retain the legal safeguards and scrutiny provided by the International Development Committee and the Independent Commission for Aid Impact .
To ensure that humanitarian considerations are heard at the highest level of government , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retained .
The prime minister 's announcement diminishes the UK 's global role , and will reduce the impact of its aid .
We can only lessen the damage of this move if we hold on to the high standards that DFID set .
There will be two early tests of the government 's ability to achieve this .
One is its commitment to 12 years of education for every girl .
This has never been more important than now , when more than a billion children are out of school and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the pandemic .
The other is a promise to play a leading role in reducing child mortality .
This challenge is increasingly daunting .
We are already seeing signs that more children are dying because the spread of COVID-19 has disrupted vaccinations and routine health checks .
Save the Children will do everything in its power to make sure the worst implications of this move are avoided - and the best hopes of the British public secured .

The decision to merge the Department for International Development with the Foreign Office is flawed. It's bad for taxpayers, bad for the UK's national interest and bad for children living in poverty in some of the toughest places in the world.
One has to ask why on earth a decision like this would be taken and rushed out during the worst humanitarian situation the world has seen for 100 years.
The Department for International Development (DFID) has been a world leader in its field.
It has spent more wisely than other government departments that dispense aid. It has been more transparent about where the money was going. It has provided taxpayers with the best value for money.
Crucially, it is one of the best-placed organisations on the face of the earth for dealing with the current global health crisis.
DFID has brilliantly served the national interest not just by enhancing the UK's reputation and standing, but by projecting values that are in the DNA of the public - values such as fairness, concern for others and generosity.
Above all, it has an unrivalled track record in lifting families out of extreme poverty and championing the cause of the children who represent our best hopes for the future. It has provided the most vulnerable children with vital support in health and education.
I've seen with my own eyes what aid means to girls who would otherwise be out of school in South Sudan; to mothers able to get their children treated for life-threatening infectious diseases; and to children in Somalia kept out of hunger by safety nets.
This would be a bad move at any time. At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to reverse hard-won gains in child and maternal health, education, and poverty, it is irresponsible.
Advertisement
It will weaken the UK's ability to provide for the poorest children in the world when they are in the greatest need of our support and solidarity.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 51:16 2018: Should Britain spend so much on foreign aid?
DFID's independence has ensured that its aid spending was focused on fighting poverty and inequality, while aid administered by the Foreign Office has been widely criticised as less effective, less transparent and less good value for money.
There is now a danger that narrow views of national self-interest will trump the explicitly humanitarian concerns at the heart of DFID's remit.
The government must move immediately to reduce the damage of this merger by protecting the focus and quality of aid that will now be spent through the Foreign Office.
It must adhere to the internationally agreed standards for aid spending and retain the legal safeguards and scrutiny provided by the International Development Committee and the Independent Commission for Aid Impact.
Image: The government must protect 'the focus and quality of aid that will now be spent through the Foreign Office'
To ensure that humanitarian considerations are heard at the highest level of government, a cabinet minister for international development must be retained.
The prime minister's announcement diminishes the UK's global role, and will reduce the impact of its aid. We can only lessen the damage of this move if we hold on to the high standards that DFID set.
There will be two early tests of the government's ability to achieve this.
One is its commitment to 12 years of education for every girl. This has never been more important than now, when more than a billion children are out of school and some girls may not be able to return after the pandemic.
The other is a promise to play a leading role in reducing child mortality. This challenge is increasingly daunting. We are already seeing signs that more children are dying because the spread of COVID-19 has disrupted vaccinations and routine health checks.
Save the Children will do everything in its power to make sure the worst implications of this move are avoided - and the best hopes of the British public secured.


news--2020-06-14--Coronavirus: German tourists arrive on first flight to Spain for 'safe corridor' trial

Hundreds of mask-clad tourists from Germany landed in Mallorca for the first time since Spain closed its borders in March to tackle the coronavirus pandemic .
More than 10,000 German holidaymakers will be welcomed to the Balearic Islands , which also include Ibiza and Menorca , as part of a `` travel corridor '' to help balance the needs of Spain 's vital travel industry with new regulations to curb the country 's coronavirus outbreak .
The trial comes ahead of the rest of the country reopening to other Europeans on 21 June and gradually to international tourism from 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intense pressure to restart an industry that generates 12 % of Spain 's GDP and provides two and a half million much-needed jobs .
Through an agreement with the German tour group TUI , other operators and a number of airlines , up to 10,900 Germans will be allowed into the Balearics .
The first German travellers , all wearing face masks , landed in Mallorca from Dusseldorf on Monday afternoon after filling out a detailed health questionnaire in Germany .
On arrival they passed signs in German and Spanish reminding visitors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then queued at a distance from each other to have their temperatures read and paperwork checked by Spanish border staff also wearing masks .
Speaking ahead of the flight , one passenger said : `` I am really looking forward to it .
I have one and a half weeks off .
I booked on Tuesday .
My travel office called me and I got there immediately to book the trip .
And here we go . ''
Another , talking about social distancing on the flight , said : `` Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not prevent having less distance .
But at some point , you have to start with a kind of normality again .
Even though one has a kind of strange feeling . ''
One German traveller , Russi Batliwala , who has a holiday home on Mallorca , told Sky News he feels sorry for British tourists having to wait for their day in the sun .
He said : `` They got another two or three weeks yet .
They come up with a new version of homesick .
Homesick used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now they are sick of being at home .
Yes , I feel sorry for them , but c'est la vie . ''
The president of the Balearic Islands , Francina Armengol , announced : `` We will be the first region ( in Spain ) to open to international tourism under safe conditions '' , adding that the Germans had been chosen because of their low death rate during the pandemic and as it is where most of Spain 's tourists come from .
Germans arriving on the islands will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but must stay a minimum of five nights .
The region is popular with German visitors and people are allowed to stay in their own homes if they have properties on the islands .
Hoteliers and businesses have welcomed the move as they have been unable to operate for months due to the coronavirus crisis which hit Spain hard .
Hotels are limited to 50 % occupancy and tourists will have their body temperatures read by infra-red cameras at the hotels .
Tourists have also been warned their holiday may be much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party island of Ibiza .
`` Holidaymakers can be happy that the beaches in Palma have never been so empty , '' said Aage Duenhaupt , a spokesman for travel company TUI .
`` But there wo n't be parties in the same way this year .
And we have rejigged the sport offerings in the hotels .
There 'll be more individual sports and no team activities . ''
He added that the Mallorcan authorities will test any tourists if they have symptoms and if they test positive the guest will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel , while doctors will help determine when the guest can return home and how the person will be terated .
Denmark is also allowing visitors from Germany - but only if they have at least six nights ' accommodation booked - with cars queuing on the border on Monday morning Germany , Belgium , Croatia and Switzerland fully reopened their borders with EU countries on Monday .
All of mainland France is now in the `` green zone '' virus alert level , meaning people can travel from France to EU countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU will be possible from 1 July , depending on how other states have dealt with the epidemic .
Paris 's cafes and restaurants reopened on Monday after a surprise announcement by the president on Sunday evening .
Restaurants outside the capital had opened earlier this month and Paris cafes were allowed to serve people outside .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Greece reopened its borders on Monday to not just EU countries , as the first international flights came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thessaloniki where passengers will not face compulsory coronavirus tests , in a phased reopening of the country .
A ban on flights from Italy , Spain and the Netherlands has been lifted , however flights from the UK are still not allowed .
The Netherlands has said Dutch citizens can now visit 16 European nations , but warned it `` wo n't be as carefree '' as before the pandemic .
Foreign tourists from countries where the risks are the same or lower than the Netherlands are allowed in .

Hundreds of mask-clad tourists from Germany landed in Mallorca for the first time since Spain closed its borders in March to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 10,000 German holidaymakers will be welcomed to the Balearic Islands, which also include Ibiza and Menorca, as part of a "travel corridor" to help balance the needs of Spain's vital travel industry with new regulations to curb the country's coronavirus outbreak.
The trial comes ahead of the rest of the country reopening to other Europeans on 21 June and gradually to international tourism from 1 July.
Image: German tourists flew on a TUI flight to Mallorca
The Spanish government is under intense pressure to restart an industry that generates 12% of Spain's GDP and provides two and a half million much-needed jobs.
Through an agreement with the German tour group TUI, other operators and a number of airlines, up to 10,900 Germans will be allowed into the Balearics.
The first German travellers, all wearing face masks, landed in Mallorca from Dusseldorf on Monday afternoon after filling out a detailed health questionnaire in Germany.
On arrival they passed signs in German and Spanish reminding visitors to wash their hands and wear masks, then queued at a distance from each other to have their temperatures read and paperwork checked by Spanish border staff also wearing masks.
Speaking ahead of the flight, one passenger said: "I am really looking forward to it. I have one and a half weeks off. I booked on Tuesday. My travel office called me and I got there immediately to book the trip. And here we go."
Another, talking about social distancing on the flight, said: "Well, I am a bit concerned but you cannot prevent having less distance. But at some point, you have to start with a kind of normality again. Even though one has a kind of strange feeling."
Advertisement
Image: German tourists took precautions as they flew from Dusseldorf to Mallorca
One German traveller, Russi Batliwala, who has a holiday home on Mallorca, told Sky News he feels sorry for British tourists having to wait for their day in the sun.
He said: "They got another two or three weeks yet. They come up with a new version of homesick. Homesick used to be you wanted to go home and now they are sick of being at home. Yes, I feel sorry for them, but c'est la vie."
The president of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol, announced: "We will be the first region (in Spain) to open to international tourism under safe conditions", adding that the Germans had been chosen because of their low death rate during the pandemic and as it is where most of Spain's tourists come from.
Germans arriving on the islands will not have to go into a 14-day quarantine, but must stay a minimum of five nights.
The region is popular with German visitors and people are allowed to stay in their own homes if they have properties on the islands.
Hoteliers and businesses have welcomed the move as they have been unable to operate for months due to the coronavirus crisis which hit Spain hard.
Hotels are limited to 50% occupancy and tourists will have their body temperatures read by infra-red cameras at the hotels.
Tourists have also been warned their holiday may be much more low-key than normal, especially on the party island of Ibiza.
Image: Passengers from Dusseldorf are the first to try out a travel corridor with Spain
"Holidaymakers can be happy that the beaches in Palma have never been so empty," said Aage Duenhaupt, a spokesman for travel company TUI.
"But there won't be parties in the same way this year. And we have rejigged the sport offerings in the hotels. There'll be more individual sports and no team activities."
He added that the Mallorcan authorities will test any tourists if they have symptoms and if they test positive the guest will be transferred to another part of the hotel, while doctors will help determine when the guest can return home and how the person will be terated.
Denmark is also allowing visitors from Germany - but only if they have at least six nights' accommodation booked - with cars queuing on the border on Monday morning
Germany, Belgium, Croatia and Switzerland fully reopened their borders with EU countries on Monday.
Image: A worker prepares the buffet area in a hotel at Playa de Palma
All of mainland France is now in the "green zone" virus alert level, meaning people can travel from France to EU countries.
President Emmanuel Macron said travel outside the EU will be possible from 1 July, depending on how other states have dealt with the epidemic.
Paris's cafes and restaurants reopened on Monday after a surprise announcement by the president on Sunday evening.
Restaurants outside the capital had opened earlier this month and Paris cafes were allowed to serve people outside.
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
Greece reopened its borders on Monday to not just EU countries, as the first international flights came into Athens and the northern city of Thessaloniki where passengers will not face compulsory coronavirus tests, in a phased reopening of the country.
A ban on flights from Italy, Spain and the Netherlands has been lifted, however flights from the UK are still not allowed.
The Netherlands has said Dutch citizens can now visit 16 European nations, but warned it "won't be as carefree" as before the pandemic.
Foreign tourists from countries where the risks are the same or lower than the Netherlands are allowed in.


news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: 'Major breakthrough' as UK scientists find £5 steroid cuts COVID-19 deaths

Scientists in the UK have discovered a cheap and available treatment for COVID-19 patients .
They have described the use of common steroid drug dexamethasone in treating the coronavirus as a `` major breakthrough '' .
Professor Peter Horby , a University of Oxford academic who led the trial , said `` what we saw was really quite remarkable '' .
He said the drug reduced death rates by around 35 % for COVID-19 patients on ventilators , and by about 20 % for patients needing oxygen .
Speaking at the daily Downing Street news briefing , he said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enrolled over 11,500 patients and this makes it by far the biggest clinical trial in the world . ''
Professor Horby said the majority of patients being treated in hospital for COVID-19 were likely to benefit from the study , after conducting a trial comparing 2,000 people being treated with the drug and 4,000 without .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed it as the `` biggest breakthrough yet '' in treating the virus .
`` I am proud of these British scientists , backed by UK government funding , who have led the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world to find a coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death , '' he said .
`` I 'm very grateful to the thousands of patients in this country who volunteered for the trials - thank you . ''
The PM said the drug would be made available across the NHS and `` we have taken steps to ensure we have enough supplies , even in the event of a second peak '' .
England 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty , meanwhile , said it was `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far '' .
The findings have been published from the Recovery trial which is assessing a number of different possible coronavirus treatments .
It is thought the drug could have saved between 4,000 to 5,000 lives if it had been used earlier in the pandemic .
Martin Landray , an Oxford University professor who is co-leading the trial , said : `` This is a result that shows that if patients who have COVID-19 and are on ventilators or are on oxygen are given dexamethasone , it will save lives , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost .
`` It 's been around for probably 60 years .
`` It costs in the order of £5 ... for a complete course of treatment in the NHS , and substantially less - probably less than one dollar - in other parts of the world , for example in India . ''
Speaking earlier , Professor Horby , said dexamethasone - a generic steroid widely used in other diseases to reduce inflammation - is `` the only drug that 's so far shown to reduce mortality - and it reduces it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major breakthrough , '' he said .
There are currently no approved treatments or vaccines for COVID-19 .
More than 11,500 patients from 175 NHS hospitals have been enrolled on the Recovery trial since it was set up in March to test a range of potential coronavirus treatments .
In the dexamethasone study , 2,104 patients received 6mg of dexamethasone once a day by mouth or intravenous injection for 10 days .
Their outcomes were compared with a control group of 4,321 patients .
Over a 28-day period , the mortality rate among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for those needing oxygen it was 25 % .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Among those not requiring respiratory intervention the figure was 13 % .
While the study revealed the steroid reduced deaths in ventilated patients and in people needing oxygen , there was no change in deaths among patients who did not require respiratory support .
More than 41,700 people have died in hospitals , care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said .
However the government figures do not include all deaths involving COVID-19 across the UK , which is thought to have passed 52,000 .

Scientists in the UK have discovered a cheap and available treatment for COVID-19 patients.
They have described the use of common steroid drug dexamethasone in treating the coronavirus as a "major breakthrough".
Professor Peter Horby, a University of Oxford academic who led the trial, said "what we saw was really quite remarkable".
He said the drug reduced death rates by around 35% for COVID-19 patients on ventilators, and by about 20% for patients needing oxygen.
Speaking at the daily Downing Street news briefing, he said: "In three months, we have enrolled over 11,500 patients and this makes it by far the biggest clinical trial in the world."
Professor Horby said the majority of patients being treated in hospital for COVID-19 were likely to benefit from the study, after conducting a trial comparing 2,000 people being treated with the drug and 4,000 without.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed it as the "biggest breakthrough yet" in treating the virus.
"I am proud of these British scientists, backed by UK government funding, who have led the first, robust clinical trial anywhere in the world to find a coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death," he said.
"I'm very grateful to the thousands of patients in this country who volunteered for the trials - thank you."
Advertisement
The PM said the drug would be made available across the NHS and "we have taken steps to ensure we have enough supplies, even in the event of a second peak".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:51 'COVID-19 drug breakthrough is cause to celebrate'
England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, meanwhile, said it was "the most important trial result for COVID-19 so far".
The findings have been published from the Recovery trial which is assessing a number of different possible coronavirus treatments.
It is thought the drug could have saved between 4,000 to 5,000 lives if it had been used earlier in the pandemic.
Martin Landray, an Oxford University professor who is co-leading the trial, said: "This is a result that shows that if patients who have COVID-19 and are on ventilators or are on oxygen are given dexamethasone, it will save lives, and it will do so at a remarkably low cost.
"It's been around for probably 60 years.
"It costs in the order of £5... for a complete course of treatment in the NHS, and substantially less - probably less than one dollar - in other parts of the world, for example in India."
Speaking earlier, Professor Horby, said dexamethasone - a generic steroid widely used in other diseases to reduce inflammation - is "the only drug that's so far shown to reduce mortality - and it reduces it significantly".
"It is a major breakthrough," he said.
Image: There are currently no approved treatments or vaccines for COVID-19
There are currently no approved treatments or vaccines for COVID-19.
More than 11,500 patients from 175 NHS hospitals have been enrolled on the Recovery trial since it was set up in March to test a range of potential coronavirus treatments.
In the dexamethasone study, 2,104 patients received 6mg of dexamethasone once a day by mouth or intravenous injection for 10 days.
Their outcomes were compared with a control group of 4,321 patients.
Over a 28-day period, the mortality rate among patients requiring ventilation was 41%, and for those needing oxygen it was 25%.
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 Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Among those not requiring respiratory intervention the figure was 13%.
While the study revealed the steroid reduced deaths in ventilated patients and in people needing oxygen, there was no change in deaths among patients who did not require respiratory support.
More than 41,700 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, the Department of Health has said.
However the government figures do not include all deaths involving COVID-19 across the UK, which is thought to have passed 52,000.


news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: Charles and Camilla carry out first face-to-face royal engagement since lockdown

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have carried out the first face-to-face public royal engagement since the start of the coronavirus lockdown .
The couple visited Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to thank NHS staff in person for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic , and spent half an hour meeting around 20 key workers in the hospital grounds .
Prince Charles nodded to people and put his hands together in a namaste-style gesture , rather than shaking hands .
Talking to a member of staff who worked in A & E , Camilla was told that 12 members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them having to be treated in intensive care .
The duchess could be overheard saying how she felt the crisis had brought out the best in Britain as people have come together .
Talking about how important it was to make the visit , Prince Charles said : `` It 's been a marvellous opportunity just to see people who I know have been doing so much on the frontline and having to endure a lot of stress and strain I think in their wonderful way .
`` How they do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're delivering everything in the most effective way - and the great thing they 're all saying is it 's brought all the different departments together in a way that has n't always has n't before .
`` There 's been a great deal of marvellous cooperation , I think . ''
It 's the first time any members of the royal family have carried out an official engagement or audience in person with members of the public since lockdown started in March .
The palace is aware that anything they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the country when it comes to the current restrictions still in place due to coronavirus .
Reporting on the engagement was n't allowed until after the couple had left , to try to minimise the risk of crowds gathering to see them .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Prince Charles and Camilla have been at Birkhall , their home in Scotland , since the lockdown started - carrying out regular video calls and phone calls to keep in touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages of support for community groups and key workers .
The prince caught the virus in March and this month told Sky News he knows he was `` lucky '' and `` got away with it quite lightly '' .
But he said it has made him even more determined to `` push and shout and prod '' to make sure that nature is at the centre of the post-COVID recovery .
On Thursday , Prince Charles and Camilla will welcome French President Emmanuel Macron to Clarence House on behalf of the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of General de Gaulle 's `` Appel '' to the French people .

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have carried out the first face-to-face public royal engagement since the start of the coronavirus lockdown.
The couple visited Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to thank NHS staff in person for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and spent half an hour meeting around 20 key workers in the hospital grounds.
Prince Charles nodded to people and put his hands together in a namaste-style gesture, rather than shaking hands.
Image: Prince Charles performs a namaste greeting to Professor Mark Pietroni upon arriving at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Talking to a member of staff who worked in A&E, Camilla was told that 12 members of staff were hospitalised, with five of them having to be treated in intensive care.
The duchess could be overheard saying how she felt the crisis had brought out the best in Britain as people have come together.
Image: Charles and Camilla met frontline workers
Talking about how important it was to make the visit, Prince Charles said: "It's been a marvellous opportunity just to see people who I know have been doing so much on the frontline and having to endure a lot of stress and strain I think in their wonderful way.
"How they do it - I don't know. But they're delivering everything in the most effective way - and the great thing they're all saying is it's brought all the different departments together in a way that hasn't always hasn't before.
"There's been a great deal of marvellous cooperation, I think."
Image: Charles waves to onlookers who came out to greet him
Image: Hospital staff awaited the royals' arrival
It's the first time any members of the royal family have carried out an official engagement or audience in person with members of the public since lockdown started in March.
Advertisement
The palace is aware that anything they do is potentially setting an example to the rest of the country when it comes to the current restrictions still in place due to coronavirus.
Reporting on the engagement wasn't allowed until after the couple had left, to try to minimise the risk of crowds gathering to see them.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 22:44 In Full: Prince Charles on life after the pandemic
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Prince Charles and Camilla have been at Birkhall, their home in Scotland, since the lockdown started - carrying out regular video calls and phone calls to keep in touch with their charity patronages and releasing video messages of support for community groups and key workers.
The prince caught the virus in March and this month told Sky News he knows he was "lucky" and "got away with it quite lightly".
But he said it has made him even more determined to "push and shout and prod" to make sure that nature is at the centre of the post-COVID recovery.
On Thursday, Prince Charles and Camilla will welcome French President Emmanuel Macron to Clarence House on behalf of the UK government, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of General de Gaulle's "Appel" to the French people.


news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: Oxford University vaccine to provide protection 'for about a year', says drugmaker

A coronavirus vaccine being developed in the UK will provide protection against the disease `` for about a year '' , according to the drugmaker currently carrying out trials .
AstraZeneca has joined forces with the UK government to support a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford .
Human trials of the vaccine are under way , with the firm already having reached agreements to supply around two billion doses across the world .
Pascal Soriot , AstraZeneca 's chief executive , told Belgian radio on Tuesday that a phase one trial of the vaccine in Britain was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase three trial has already begun .
A phase three trial is usually the final phase in the clinical development of a vaccine and sees the vaccine given to thousands of people to be tested for efficacy and safety .
Commenting on the likely protection the Oxford vaccine will provide , Mr Soriot told broadcaster Bel RTL : `` We think that it will protect for about a year . ''
He added : `` If all goes well , we will have the results of the clinical trials in August/September .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be ready to deliver from October if all goes well . ''
AstraZeneca has previously acknowledged the vaccine may not work , despite its commitments to progress its clinical programme and to scale up manufacturing .
The University of Oxford vaccine , now known as AZD1222 , is based on a weakened version of the common cold that causes infections in chimpanzees .
It also contains the genetic material of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 - the strain of coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 illness .
After vaccination , the immune system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later infects the body .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The UK government has also given £41m to the development of another coronavirus vaccine developed by London 's Imperial College .
Human trials of the vaccine - on 300 people - will begin this week .
Unlike many traditional vaccines , the Imperial College vaccine uses synthetic strands of genetic code - known as RNA - based on the virus 's genetic material .
The human trials will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RNA technology .
Kate Bingham , the chair of the UK government 's vaccine taskforce , said : `` Their self-amplifying technology has the potential to be a real game-changer , not only for a COVID-19 vaccine but for the development of future vaccines '' .

A coronavirus vaccine being developed in the UK will provide protection against the disease "for about a year", according to the drugmaker currently carrying out trials.
AstraZeneca has joined forces with the UK government to support a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford.
Human trials of the vaccine are under way, with the firm already having reached agreements to supply around two billion doses across the world.
Image: AstraZeneca has already reached agreements to supply doses around the world
Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca's chief executive, told Belgian radio on Tuesday that a phase one trial of the vaccine in Britain was due to end soon, while a phase three trial has already begun.
A phase three trial is usually the final phase in the clinical development of a vaccine and sees the vaccine given to thousands of people to be tested for efficacy and safety.
Commenting on the likely protection the Oxford vaccine will provide, Mr Soriot told broadcaster Bel RTL: "We think that it will protect for about a year."
He added: "If all goes well, we will have the results of the clinical trials in August/September. We are manufacturing in parallel.
"We will be ready to deliver from October if all goes well."
AstraZeneca has previously acknowledged the vaccine may not work, despite its commitments to progress its clinical programme and to scale up manufacturing.
Advertisement
The University of Oxford vaccine, now known as AZD1222, is based on a weakened version of the common cold that causes infections in chimpanzees.
It also contains the genetic material of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 - the strain of coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 illness.
After vaccination, the immune system is primed to attack COVID-19 if it later infects the body.
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
The UK government has also given £41m to the development of another coronavirus vaccine developed by London's Imperial College.
Human trials of the vaccine - on 300 people - will begin this week.
Unlike many traditional vaccines, the Imperial College vaccine uses synthetic strands of genetic code - known as RNA - based on the virus's genetic material.
The human trials will be the first test of a new self-amplifying RNA technology.
Kate Bingham, the chair of the UK government's vaccine taskforce, said: "Their self-amplifying technology has the potential to be a real game-changer, not only for a COVID-19 vaccine but for the development of future vaccines".


news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: Thousands sign petition to temporarily close Bicester Village over COVID-19 concerns

Thousands of people have signed a petition to temporarily close Bicester Village after photos showing crowds of shoppers sparked coronavirus concerns .
More than 4,600 people have signed since Monday after the outdoor shopping centre in Oxfordshire reopened as part of the government 's roll back on the COVID-19 lockdown .
Pictures and videos on social media showed crowds of people - many of whom did not appear to be adhering to social distancing guidelines - queuing outside its famous discount designer outlets .
Laura Wicks , who launched the Change.org petition , said she was `` disgusted '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like coronavirus never happened '' .
She added : `` As a nation we are all still under the 2 metre guidelines and as a company , Bicester Village have a responsibility to keep its staff safe .
`` It is horrendous that the people who work there are being forced into an unsafe environment when so many of them have family at home . ''
Bicester Village is an upscale shopping complex located on the outskirts of the Oxfordshire town , and is known for its 160 designer boutiques .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly Chinese tourists , who travel from London for day trips .
To keep shoppers safe , it has advised them to stick to quieter hours and listed a number of `` shopping protocols '' on its website .
This included encouraging customers to keep two metres apart and sign up to `` digital queuing '' where possible .
Jo Jacobson , who visited when the site reopened and later signed the petition , said crowds were mostly outside the stores , while inside they were `` very empty '' .
They suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of customers allowed in ( to 8-10 ) there would still be plenty of social distancing space in the stores themselves but the queues outside would move faster and be shorter . ''
Meanwhile , another signatory , Chloe Mannerings , said she also supported the petition to close the village for the time being because she was concerned for the safety of her family members working there .
She wrote : `` If they get sick due to the neglect of value retail it will break my heart . ''

Thousands of people have signed a petition to temporarily close Bicester Village after photos showing crowds of shoppers sparked coronavirus concerns.
More than 4,600 people have signed since Monday after the outdoor shopping centre in Oxfordshire reopened as part of the government's roll back on the COVID-19 lockdown.
Pictures and videos on social media showed crowds of people - many of whom did not appear to be adhering to social distancing guidelines - queuing outside its famous discount designer outlets.
Laura Wicks, who launched the Change.org petition, said she was "disgusted" to see people "squashed into the street like coronavirus never happened".
Instagram Instagram , 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 Instagram 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 Instagram cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Instagram cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
She added: "As a nation we are all still under the 2 metre guidelines and as a company, Bicester Village have a responsibility to keep its staff safe.
"It is horrendous that the people who work there are being forced into an unsafe environment when so many of them have family at home."
Bicester Village is an upscale shopping complex located on the outskirts of the Oxfordshire town, and is known for its 160 designer boutiques.
It is normally extremely popular with foreign visitors, particularly Chinese tourists, who travel from London for day trips.
To keep shoppers safe, it has advised them to stick to quieter hours and listed a number of "shopping protocols" on its website.
Advertisement
This included encouraging customers to keep two metres apart and sign up to "digital queuing" where possible.
Twitter Twitter , 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 Twitter 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 Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Jo Jacobson, who visited when the site reopened and later signed the petition, said crowds were mostly outside the stores, while inside they were "very empty".
They suggested: "If the stores doubled the number of customers allowed in (to 8-10) there would still be plenty of social distancing space in the stores themselves but the queues outside would move faster and be shorter."
Meanwhile, another signatory, Chloe Mannerings, said she also supported the petition to close the village for the time being because she was concerned for the safety of her family members working there.
She wrote: "If they get sick due to the neglect of value retail it will break my heart."
Sky News has contacted Bicester Village for comment.


news--2020-06-27--Coronavirus: Minister tells businesses to 'standby' for decision on cutting two-metre distancing rul

Coronavirus: Minister tells businesses to 'standby' for decision on cutting two-metre distancing rule

Businesses have been told to `` standby '' for a decision on whether the two-metre social distancing rule will be eased .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps promised businesses the government review on halving how far apart people should stay to avoid spreading coronavirus will not be a `` long process '' .
He admitted there is `` pressure '' to relax the guidance , given the World Health Organisation says it should be `` at least one metre '' and some Conservative MPs claim 3.5 million jobs are at risk if the restrictions are n't eased .
`` This wo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's important to get it right , '' Mr Shapps told Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast .
`` As everybody knows there is lots of different evidence coming in from around the world where different countries are using different amounts of space .
`` We must not go back to the virus spreading virulently within society . ''
Britons have been told since COVID-19 cases surged in March to maintain social distancing when around others from outside their own household .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spreaker This has meant trying to keep two metres ( 6.5ft ) apart from others when outside , at work and in shops .
Government guidance acknowledges that `` this will not always be possible '' , but adds that the risk of infection increases the closer you are to someone with the virus .
Campaigners calling for the two-metre rule to be halved say it would allow more children to return to school and businesses like bars and restaurants and smaller shops to reopen .
Professors Carl Heneghan and Tom Jefferson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evidence-Based Medicine , said that `` the evidence informing policy in this outbreak is poor quality '' .
They wrote in the Daily Telegraph on Monday that evidence shows the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher in healthcare settings than in the community and higher indoors than outdoors but `` can not say '' if `` there is any measured distance that reduces your risk '' .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has defended the current policy , saying on Monday : `` There 's no magic to one or other particular measure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether it 's at two metres , one-and-a-half metres or one metre .
`` We are still going to make sure that all of the policy judgements that we rightly as politicians take and are accountable for are underpinned by the science . ''
The review into cutting the distance was confirmed over the weekend , with Chancellor Rishi Sunak vowing that it will be ministers rather than the government 's scientific advisers who will take the final decision on whether to change policy .
Some experts , including the chief medical officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously signalled their reluctance to see any easing while the COVID-19 pandemic continues .
There are different rules across the world when it comes to how much room to allow for social distancing .
France , Denmark and Singapore are among the nations that say it should be one metre .
But the UK is not an international outlier when it comes to advocating two metres : Canada and Spain have the same guidance in place .

Businesses have been told to "standby" for a decision on whether the two-metre social distancing rule will be eased.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps promised businesses the government review on halving how far apart people should stay to avoid spreading coronavirus will not be a "long process".
He admitted there is "pressure" to relax the guidance, given the World Health Organisation says it should be "at least one metre" and some Conservative MPs claim 3.5 million jobs are at risk if the restrictions aren't eased.
Image: More shops will be allowed to reopen if they can do so safely from 4 July
"This won't be a long process but it's important to get it right," Mr Shapps told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast.
"As everybody knows there is lots of different evidence coming in from around the world where different countries are using different amounts of space.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:21 Shapps: 'We've wrapped our arms around families'
"We must not go back to the virus spreading virulently within society."
Britons have been told since COVID-19 cases surged in March to maintain social distancing when around others from outside their own household.
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 Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
This has meant trying to keep two metres (6.5ft) apart from others when outside, at work and in shops.
Advertisement
Government guidance acknowledges that "this will not always be possible", but adds that the risk of infection increases the closer you are to someone with the virus.
Image: The WHO says the distance could be 'at least one metre'
Campaigners calling for the two-metre rule to be halved say it would allow more children to return to school and businesses like bars and restaurants and smaller shops to reopen.
Professors Carl Heneghan and Tom Jefferson, academics at the Oxford University Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, said that "the evidence informing policy in this outbreak is poor quality".
They wrote in the Daily Telegraph on Monday that evidence shows the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher in healthcare settings than in the community and higher indoors than outdoors but "cannot say" if "there is any measured distance that reduces your risk".
Image: Campaigners say halving the distance could help schools reopen quicker
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has defended the current policy, saying on Monday: "There's no magic to one or other particular measure, there will be different levels of risk whether it's at two metres, one-and-a-half metres or one metre.
"We are still going to make sure that all of the policy judgements that we rightly as politicians take and are accountable for are underpinned by the science."
The review into cutting the distance was confirmed over the weekend, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak vowing that it will be ministers rather than the government's scientific advisers who will take the final decision on whether to change policy.
Some experts, including the chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty, have previously signalled their reluctance to see any easing while the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
There are different rules across the world when it comes to how much room to allow for social distancing.
France, Denmark and Singapore are among the nations that say it should be one metre.
But the UK is not an international outlier when it comes to advocating two metres: Canada and Spain have the same guidance in place.