news--2020-03-08--Coronavirus: 67 more people infected in UK - taking total to 273

The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK is now 273 , a rise of 67 , the biggest in a 24-hour period .
The new total is up from a figure of 206 which the Department of Health and Social Care released yesterday .
Earlier today , it was announced two more people have tested positive in Wales and last night it was revealed three more were diagnosed with the virus in Northern Ireland .
The vast majority of cases are in England .
London has at least 51 cases , the South East 41 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the smallest number is the North East and Yorkshire with at least 18 .
Among those in England that have tested positive is a student from Oxford University , who the institution said self-isolated before they attended any university or college events after feeling ill .
The Department of Health and Social Care says more than 23,500 people have been tested for the virus .
Calls to the NHS 111 service have increased by more than a third compared with the same period last year , with 120,000 extra calls in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The department 's website said : `` As of 9am on 8 March 2020 , 23,513 people have been tested in the UK , of which 23,240 were confirmed negative and 273 were confirmed as positive .
Two patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have died . ''
Earlier , health secretary Matt Hancock said on Saturday night that the government was doing everything in its power to be ready to delay the threat from coronavirus - which has now killed more than 3,600 people worldwide .
He said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Responding to coronavirus is a massive national effort and I 'm working with colleagues across government to ensure we have a proportionate emergency bill , with the right measures to deal with the impacts of a widespread COVID-19 outbreak .
`` We plan for the worst and work for the best , and the NHS is working 24/7 to fight this virus . ''
There are concerns the NHS may struggle to cope if the virus spreads quickly , so self-isolation will be used to try to slow it down .
Millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to help take the strain off the health service in the event the coronavirus outbreak becomes a pandemic , under plans proposed by Downing Street .
Three million experienced people who offer their time to health or social care services for free would have their paid employment protected for up to a month to ensure patients can be properly cared for .
Ministers are also looking at increased use of video-conferencing facilities within courts to make sure trials can go ahead , and the possibility of allowing retired NHS staff to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary basis .
Professor Martin Marshall , chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners , told Sky News using retired doctors was `` a good idea '' if it was done carefully .
Speaking to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme , he said : `` Those doctors , because they would likely to be a higher risk group , would not do face-to-face patient contact but there 's lots of other things they can do , like managing 111 , providing online care for patients .
`` I am confident they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors are trained for .
Doctors tend to respond very positively in states of emergency . ''
Amid fears that large numbers of people could be quarantined , if only at home as a result of self isolation , Mr Hancock hailed the `` good example '' set by a group of people released from hospital quarantine on Sunday , who had been repatriated to the UK last month from the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan .
The group of 30 Britons and two Irish nationals were allowed to leave Arrowe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been given the all clear .
Figures of where coronavirus cases have been identified by English local authority have revealed a wide divergence depending on where in the country they are occurring .
: : Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Hertfordshire has the most with 13 , with Devon close behind on 12 .
Kensington and Chelsea has seen the most cases in London with eight .
Many parts of England still have seen no cases .
It comes after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put on lockdown as the country struggled to cope with an outbreak that is thought to be affecting tens of thousands .
The Foreign Office 's advice to Italy has not changed since it advised against all but essential travel to 10 small towns in Lombardy .
Meanwhile , Moscow has announced a prison term of up to five years for those who fail to self-isolate .

The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK is now 273, a rise of 67, the biggest in a 24-hour period.
The new total is up from a figure of 206 which the Department of Health and Social Care released yesterday.
Earlier today, it was announced two more people have tested positive in Wales and last night it was revealed three more were diagnosed with the virus in Northern Ireland.
The vast majority of cases are in England. London has at least 51 cases, the South East 41 and the South West 35. The region with the smallest number is the North East and Yorkshire with at least 18.
Among those in England that have tested positive is a student from Oxford University, who the institution said self-isolated before they attended any university or college events after feeling ill.
The Department of Health and Social Care says more than 23,500 people have been tested for the virus.
Calls to the NHS 111 service have increased by more than a third compared with the same period last year, with 120,000 extra calls in the first week of March, the department said.
The department's website said: "As of 9am on 8 March 2020, 23,513 people have been tested in the UK, of which 23,240 were confirmed negative and 273 were confirmed as positive. Two patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have died."
Earlier, health secretary Matt Hancock said on Saturday night that the government was doing everything in its power to be ready to delay the threat from coronavirus - which has now killed more than 3,600 people worldwide.
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He said: "Public safety is my top priority. Responding to coronavirus is a massive national effort and I'm working with colleagues across government to ensure we have a proportionate emergency bill, with the right measures to deal with the impacts of a widespread COVID-19 outbreak.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:38 Royal College of GPs chair Martin Marshall says it's
"We plan for the worst and work for the best, and the NHS is working 24/7 to fight this virus."
There are concerns the NHS may struggle to cope if the virus spreads quickly, so self-isolation will be used to try to slow it down.
Millions of volunteers could be given four weeks off work to help take the strain off the health service in the event the coronavirus outbreak becomes a pandemic, under plans proposed by Downing Street.
Three million experienced people who offer their time to health or social care services for free would have their paid employment protected for up to a month to ensure patients can be properly cared for.
Ministers are also looking at increased use of video-conferencing facilities within courts to make sure trials can go ahead, and the possibility of allowing retired NHS staff to work in the health service again on a temporary basis.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 18:00 The chancellor tells Sophy Ridge he will outline measures to support businesses facing
Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, told Sky News using retired doctors was "a good idea" if it was done carefully.
Speaking to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme, he said: "Those doctors, because they would likely to be a higher risk group, would not do face-to-face patient contact but there's lots of other things they can do, like managing 111, providing online care for patients.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 8:11 Scotland's First Minister says the NHS in Scotland will need more resource from the UK govt to deal with coronavirus.
"I am confident they would respond positively. That's what doctors are trained for. Doctors tend to respond very positively in states of emergency."
Amid fears that large numbers of people could be quarantined, if only at home as a result of self isolation, Mr Hancock hailed the "good example" set by a group of people released from hospital quarantine on Sunday, who had been repatriated to the UK last month from the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.
The group of 30 Britons and two Irish nationals were allowed to leave Arrowe Park hospital in the Wirral, having been given the all clear.
Figures of where coronavirus cases have been identified by English local authority have revealed a wide divergence depending on where in the country they are occurring.
:: Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Hertfordshire has the most with 13, with Devon close behind on 12. Kensington and Chelsea has seen the most cases in London with eight.
Many parts of England still have seen no cases.
It comes after a quarter of Italy's population was put on lockdown as the country struggled to cope with an outbreak that is thought to be affecting tens of thousands.
The Foreign Office's advice to Italy has not changed since it advised against all but essential travel to 10 small towns in Lombardy.
Meanwhile, Moscow has announced a prison term of up to five years for those who fail to self-isolate.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:52 Sky's Thomas Moore looks at what the government can do to ease the strain on the NHS posed by coronavirus.
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 12.30pm weekdays


news--2020-03-07--Coronavirus: Two women charged after toilet paper brawl in Sydney supermarket

Two women have been charged after a fight at an Australian supermarket over toilet paper amid the coronavirus outbreak .
The pair , aged 23 and 60 , from the Bankstown area of Sydney have been issued court attendance notices for affray and are due before Bankstown Local Court on 28 April , police have said .
Officers were called to a store in Chullora , in the southwest of Sydney , on Saturday morning following reports of a group of women arguing and fighting in an aisle over a pack of toilet rolls .
Video of the incident was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by panic buying of supplies - particularly toilet paper - due to fears over the spread of coronavirus .
Following the incident , New South Wales state police acting inspector Andrew New told the public to refrain from panic buying , saying : `` We just ask that people do n't panic like this when they go out shopping .
`` It 's not the Thunderdome , it 's not [ the movie ] Mad Max , we do n't need to do that . ''
The shelves of many supermarkets in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stockpile goods such as canned items , frozen dinners and cleaning products , and some shops restrict toilet roll to one pack person .
It comes amid concerns they would be forced to self-isolate as the virus continues to spread .
Three people have died in Australia after contracting COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus .
An 82-year-old man , who was in a nursing home , died in Sydney , a 78-year-old man , who was evacuated from the virus-infected Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan , died in a hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in a hospital in northern Sydney .
There have been at least 63 infections in the country .

Two women have been charged after a fight at an Australian supermarket over toilet paper amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The pair, aged 23 and 60, from the Bankstown area of Sydney have been issued court attendance notices for affray and are due before Bankstown Local Court on 28 April, police have said.
Officers were called to a store in Chullora, in the southwest of Sydney, on Saturday morning following reports of a group of women arguing and fighting in an aisle over a pack of toilet rolls.
Video of the incident was shared widely online.
Australia has been affected by panic buying of supplies - particularly toilet paper - due to fears over the spread of coronavirus.
Following the incident, New South Wales state police acting inspector Andrew New told the public to refrain from panic buying, saying: "We just ask that people don't panic like this when they go out shopping.
"It's not the Thunderdome, it's not [the movie] Mad Max, we don't need to do that."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 Watch the first few months of the coronavirus outbreak as countries around the world report their first infected.
The shelves of many supermarkets in Australia have been stripped bare as consumers stockpile goods such as canned items, frozen dinners and cleaning products, and some shops restrict toilet roll to one pack person.
It comes amid concerns they would be forced to self-isolate as the virus continues to spread.
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Three people have died in Australia after contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
An 82-year-old man, who was in a nursing home, died in Sydney, a 78-year-old man, who was evacuated from the virus-infected Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, died in a hospital in Perth, and a 95-year-old woman died in a hospital in northern Sydney.
There have been at least 63 infections in the country.
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 12.30pm weekdays


news--2020-03-08--International Women's Day: Thousands demand equality at events around the world

Dozens of people have been arrested after masked men attacked women 's rights activists at a rally for International Women 's Day .
Witnesses said the men grabbed and tore banners being carried by the protesters at an unauthorised rally in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek on Sunday afternoon .
They left shortly before local police arrived , who then arrested around 60 - mostly female - activists .
Citing lawyer Bakytbek Aftandil , the Akipress news agency said the detainees were later released .
Ten of those arrested were said to have been charged with resisting police , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( £33 ) .
Meanwhile , thousands of women in other parts of the world were not phased by recent fears of coronavirus as they marched for gender equality to mark International Women 's Day .
The impacts of climate change were also heavily tied into the message at this year 's events , with demonstrators at the London rally on Sunday carrying signs that read : `` No climate justice without gender justice '' .
Speaking ahead of the rally , TV presenter and women 's rights activist Sandi Toksvig said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gendered thing '' that could ultimately leave women worse off .
She said : `` Women are the ones who are going to suffer the most , the ones who are going to do the subsistence farming , they are the ones who - when things get bad - are the victims of domestic violence .
`` We absolutely need to look at the bigger picture on this and this is where the urgency comes from . ''
`` We need men who are running the corporations to make massive changes and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , dozens of women with the Extinction Rebellion climate group stood topless on Waterloo Bridge with messages such as `` climate rape '' , `` climate murder '' and `` climate inequality '' written on their bodies .
The group said it wanted to highlight women in poorer countries suffering violence that it said would become `` the reality for all women if the climate and ecological crisis continues to go unaddressed . ''
It added : `` We are here to raise the alarm about what is happening to our sisters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK the climate and ecological emergency is your issue - it will affect you as a women if we do not persuade our government to take urgent action now . ''
As in the UK , the recent threat of coronavirus in other areas of the world did n't appear to stop people from celebrating women 's day .
In virus hotspots , such as Italy and South Korea , the occasion was marked with videos posted online from country officials .
In Italy - which has the biggest outbreak in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its population on lockdown - President Sergio Mattarella dedicated his video message to the women working to contain the illness .
He said : `` I address a grateful thought to the women - and there are many - who are working in hospitals , laboratories , red areas to counter the spread of the virus that worries us these days .
`` They work in difficult conditions , with competence and with a spirit of sacrifice , with dedication .
`` With exemplary ability to withstand very large workloads .
To them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedicate this important day . ''
In Baghdad , Iraq , women were seen marching in protective face masks against the virus .
Other countries in Asia also marked the day with gatherings going ahead in Bangladesh , Pakistan , Thailand and Indonesia .
Protesters at the rally in the Philippines were seen burning effigies of President Rodrigo Duterte , who has regularly been accused of sexism and misogyny .
Huge gatherings were also expected in Chile in what could rekindle anger from last year 's nationwide movement against inequality and the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between protesters and police .
Europe also saw its fair share of rallies on Sunday despite fears relating to the spread of COVID-19 , with events in France , Germany , Spain and Russia .
A number of demonstrators in France focused on the issue of femicide , which comes after the country recorded 130 cases of women being killed by their partners in 2019 .
Mexico has also organised a demonstration to demand justice for women who are victim to violence and femicide .
In London , hundreds of people took part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which also saw a number of famous faces in attendance .
Helen Pankhurst , the great-granddaughter of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst , said she felt the movement was `` louder and noisier '' than it had been `` in a long time '' , which led to hope for big change .
Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer was also at the rally , where she said the gender pay gap was `` absolutely ludicrous '' .
Actor George McKay , who appeared in the Oscar-nominated war film 1917 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was finally changing to embrace a more diverse industry .
He said : `` I 've witnessed the change - it is still a very male-dominated industry but I 've witnessed the change where there are more stories led by women . ''

Dozens of people have been arrested after masked men attacked women's rights activists at a rally for International Women's Day.
Witnesses said the men grabbed and tore banners being carried by the protesters at an unauthorised rally in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek on Sunday afternoon.
They left shortly before local police arrived, who then arrested around 60 - mostly female - activists.
Citing lawyer Bakytbek Aftandil, the Akipress news agency said the detainees were later released.
Image: Local police reportedly arrested around 60 people - mostly women
Ten of those arrested were said to have been charged with resisting police, which can carry a fine of 3,000 soms (£33).
Meanwhile, thousands of women in other parts of the world were not phased by recent fears of coronavirus as they marched for gender equality to mark International Women's Day.
The impacts of climate change were also heavily tied into the message at this year's events, with demonstrators at the London rally on Sunday carrying signs that read: "No climate justice without gender justice".
Speaking ahead of the rally, TV presenter and women's rights activist Sandi Toksvig said she also believed climate change was "a gendered thing" that could ultimately leave women worse off.
She said: "Women are the ones who are going to suffer the most, the ones who are going to do the subsistence farming, they are the ones who - when things get bad - are the victims of domestic violence.
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"We absolutely need to look at the bigger picture on this and this is where the urgency comes from."
Image: Extinction Rebellion staged a topless protest on Waterloo Bridge
Image: Sandi Toksvig said she believed climate change was a 'gendered thing'
"We need men who are running the corporations to make massive changes and they need to make them today."
Meanwhile, dozens of women with the Extinction Rebellion climate group stood topless on Waterloo Bridge with messages such as "climate rape", "climate murder" and "climate inequality" written on their bodies.
The group said it wanted to highlight women in poorer countries suffering violence that it said would become "the reality for all women if the climate and ecological crisis continues to go unaddressed."
It added: "We are here to raise the alarm about what is happening to our sisters around the world and to tell women in the UK the climate and ecological emergency is your issue - it will affect you as a women if we do not persuade our government to take urgent action now."
As in the UK, the recent threat of coronavirus in other areas of the world didn't appear to stop people from celebrating women's day.
Image: Women marched in Iraq while wearing protective face masks
In virus hotspots, such as Italy and South Korea, the occasion was marked with videos posted online from country officials.
In Italy - which has the biggest outbreak in Europe and has placed a quarter of its population on lockdown - President Sergio Mattarella dedicated his video message to the women working to contain the illness.
He said: "I address a grateful thought to the women - and there are many - who are working in hospitals, laboratories, red areas to counter the spread of the virus that worries us these days.
"They work in difficult conditions, with competence and with a spirit of sacrifice, with dedication.
"With exemplary ability to withstand very large workloads. To them, in particular, I wish to dedicate this important day."
In Baghdad, Iraq, women were seen marching in protective face masks against the virus.
Image: Women demonstrated for gender equality in Algeria
Image: Protesters in the Philippines burned effigies of the president
Other countries in Asia also marked the day with gatherings going ahead in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand and Indonesia.
Protesters at the rally in the Philippines were seen burning effigies of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has regularly been accused of sexism and misogyny.
Huge gatherings were also expected in Chile in what could rekindle anger from last year's nationwide movement against inequality and the cost of living that led to violent unrest between protesters and police.
Image: The rally in Bishkek was interrupted after masked men attacked attendees
Europe also saw its fair share of rallies on Sunday despite fears relating to the spread of COVID-19, with events in France, Germany, Spain and Russia.
A number of demonstrators in France focused on the issue of femicide, which comes after the country recorded 130 cases of women being killed by their partners in 2019.
Mexico has also organised a demonstration to demand justice for women who are victim to violence and femicide.
In London, hundreds of people took part in the main rally in Whitehall, which also saw a number of famous faces in attendance.
Image: Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer said gender pay gaps were 'ludicrous'
Image: Jeremy Corbyn joined protesters for the rally in Whitehall
Helen Pankhurst, the great-granddaughter of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst, said she felt the movement was "louder and noisier" than it had been "in a long time", which led to hope for big change.
Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer was also at the rally, where she said the gender pay gap was "absolutely ludicrous".
Actor George McKay, who appeared in the Oscar-nominated war film 1917, said he believed the film industry was finally changing to embrace a more diverse industry.
He said: "I've witnessed the change - it is still a very male-dominated industry but I've witnessed the change where there are more stories led by women."


news--2020-03-08--Daniel Craig: James Bond star confirms No Time To Die will be his last film as 007

007 star Daniel Craig has confirmed that No Time To Die will be his last movie as James Bond .
There were reports the British actor was considering another outing as the spy but he took the opportunity to outline his intentions when he hosted Saturday Night Live in the US .
Craig 's fifth Bond movie was set to hit cinemas next month , but its release has been delayed until November due to coronavirus .
He also used his opening routine in the TV comedy show to joke about the impact of Phoebe Waller-Bridge on No Time To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called in to help with the script for the movie .
`` This next James Bond film is going to be my last , '' he said .
`` But it 's going to be one of the best .
Because we got Phoebe Waller-Bridge from Fleabag come to help with some of the dialogue . ''
In a reference to the tendency of the character in Fleabag to talk directly to the audience , Craig added : `` It 's not going to be that different .
Every so often I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , 'the name 's Bond , James Bond .
Is it bad that I fancy the Pope ? '
'' The first sketch the actor appeared in on Saturday Night Live was one that paid homage to Bond 's love of gambling .
Aping the reality of playing cards in places like Las Vegas , rather than the quiet tension usually seen in Bond films , it showed Craig surrounded by rowdy revellers while on a winning streak .
The multi-award winning show has been on US network NBC - owned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest episode also featured a cameo from senator Elizabeth Warren , who ended her bid for the White House on Thursday , with the politician sharing a hug with SNL star Kate McKinnon , who regularly plays her in sketches .

007 star Daniel Craig has confirmed that No Time To Die will be his last movie as James Bond.
There were reports the British actor was considering another outing as the spy but he took the opportunity to outline his intentions when he hosted Saturday Night Live in the US.
Craig's fifth Bond movie was set to hit cinemas next month, but its release has been delayed until November due to coronavirus.
Image: No Time To Die's release has been delayed until November due to coronavirus
He also used his opening routine in the TV comedy show to joke about the impact of Phoebe Waller-Bridge on No Time To Die, after the Fleabag creator was called in to help with the script for the movie.
"This next James Bond film is going to be my last," he said. "But it's going to be one of the best. Because we got Phoebe Waller-Bridge from Fleabag come to help with some of the dialogue."
In a reference to the tendency of the character in Fleabag to talk directly to the audience, Craig added: "It's not going to be that different. Every so often I will turn to the camera and I will say, 'the name's Bond, James Bond. Is it bad that I fancy the Pope?'"
The first sketch the actor appeared in on Saturday Night Live was one that paid homage to Bond's love of gambling.
Aping the reality of playing cards in places like Las Vegas, rather than the quiet tension usually seen in Bond films, it showed Craig surrounded by rowdy revellers while on a winning streak.
The multi-award winning show has been on US network NBC - owned by Sky parent Comcast - since 1975.
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The latest episode also featured a cameo from senator Elizabeth Warren, who ended her bid for the White House on Thursday, with the politician sharing a hug with SNL star Kate McKinnon, who regularly plays her in sketches.


news--2020-03-08--Coronavirus: These are the latest developments from around the world

Moscow has announced a prison term of up to five years for those who fail to self-isolate , as governments around the globe ramped up measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
The number of people worldwide who have now tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , has passed 107,000 - with more than 3,600 deaths .
Officials in the Russian capital , where cases total 15 , on Sunday announced a `` high alert regime '' and a jail term of up to five years for anyone who fails to self-isolate at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most severely hit by the coronavirus outbreak .
This includes people returning from China , South Korea , Iran , France , Germany , Italy and Spain , with checks carried out via CCTV .
Meanwhile , Iran declared a `` sacred jihad '' against the virus after more than 1,000 infections were confirmed overnight , taking the country 's total to 6,586 cases , including 49 new fatalities , bringing the number of deaths to 194 .
This was shortly followed by a report by the state-controlled IRNA news agency that IranAir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Italy , the government has introduced tough new measures to try to stop the spread of coronavirus , which includes ordering a lockdown across the hardest-hit region of Lombardy , plus 14 other northern and central provinces .
It follows a 1,247 rise in COVID-19 cases - the country 's biggest daily increase since the outbreak started in the north of the country on 21 February .
In China , a hotel being used to house people in coronavirus quarantine collapsed killing at least 10 people and trapping more than 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 47 people have been rescued from the building in the city of Quanzhou , in southeastern Fujian Province .
The country also reported 44 new cases on Sunday in a 24-hour period - the lowest level since it began publishing nationwide figures on 20 January - and 27 new fatalities .
South Korea , the hardest-hit country outside China , reported 272 new cases , taking its total to 7,313 with 50 deaths overall .
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged citizens to `` actively cooperate '' and `` show a mature sense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure healthcare workers and the sick `` who really need face masks '' are able to access or buy them .
As Argentina announced the first death from the disease in Latin America - a 64-year-old patient from Buenos Aires - Western countries looked to imitate Chinese containment measures by imposing travel controls and shutting down public events .
Sports events with spectators and school trips were banned for two weeks - and recreational centres for pensioners shut down for four weeks - in Greece , after cases there rose by seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforce a quarantine .
Austria confiscated 21,000 disposable masks that a Turkish company smuggled aboard a tour bus , seeking to profit from soaring demand .
Two more people died in the United States , taking its death toll to 19 - as New York declared a state of emergency as the number of confirmed cases statewide rose by 13 to a total of 89 .
Governor Andrew Cuomo said : `` It allows expedited purchasing and expedited hiring , which is what we need right now . ''
More than half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people testing positive for COVID-19 .
The US Army has restricted travel to and from Italy and South Korea , and banned foreign troops from participating in US exercises , exchanges and visits in the most affected countries .
It follows a sailor in Italy , a Marine at Fort Belvoir in Virginia , and a soldier in South Korea testing positive for the disease .
Police in Turkey have threatened legal action against social media accounts accused of spreading false virus information .
And this month 's Formula One race in Bahrain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be affected by the outbreak after Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad announced the grand prix would go head - but without spectators .
Bulgaria on Sunday confirmed its first four cases of the coronavirus , while Paraguay and Moldova each confirmed their first cases of the virus .
Even islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean have not been spared , as the Maldives reported its first two cases and authorities locked down two tourist resorts .
Cruise ships have increasingly been in the spotlight as they seek safe harbour on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
At the weekend , they faced trouble in waters off California , Malaysia , Egypt and Malta as those aboard were tested or confined to cabins .
Officials in California are deciding where to dock the Grand Princess cruise ship , after 21 people on board tested positive for COVID-19 .
There is evidence the ship , now idling off San Francisco , was the breeding ground for a deadly cluster of almost 20 cases during an earlier voyage .
Hundreds of people were also forced to remain on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach , California , while tests were carried out on a sick passenger .
In Egypt , a cruise ship on the Nile with more than 150 people on board is under quarantine in the southern city of Luxor after 12 positive tests .
In the port of Penang in Malaysia , the Costa Fortuna has been turned away because 64 of the 2,000 passengers aboard are from Italy .
The ship had already been rejected by Thailand , and is now heading to Singapore .
And in Malta , which recently reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the MSC Opera ship agreed not to enter the Mediterranean country 's port amid local concerns - even though there are no infections suspected on board .
The ship continued on to Messina , Sicily , where passengers were allowed to disembark after officials reviewed medical records .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker While many scientists say the world is clearly in the grip of a pandemic - a serious global outbreak - the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns the word might cause more alarm .
The virus is still much less widespread than annual flu epidemics , which cause up to five million severe cases around the world and up to 650,000 deaths annually , according to the WHO .

Moscow has announced a prison term of up to five years for those who fail to self-isolate, as governments around the globe ramped up measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The number of people worldwide who have now tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has passed 107,000 - with more than 3,600 deaths.
Officials in the Russian capital, where cases total 15, on Sunday announced a "high alert regime" and a jail term of up to five years for anyone who fails to self-isolate at home for two weeks after visiting countries most severely hit by the coronavirus outbreak.
This includes people returning from China, South Korea, Iran, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, with checks carried out via CCTV.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:32 Uneasy calm in Milan during virus lockdown
Meanwhile, Iran declared a "sacred jihad" against the virus after more than 1,000 infections were confirmed overnight, taking the country's total to 6,586 cases, including 49 new fatalities, bringing the number of deaths to 194.
This was shortly followed by a report by the state-controlled IRNA news agency that IranAir had stopped all flights to European destinations.
In Italy, the government has introduced tough new measures to try to stop the spread of coronavirus, which includes ordering a lockdown across the hardest-hit region of Lombardy, plus 14 other northern and central provinces.
It follows a 1,247 rise in COVID-19 cases - the country's biggest daily increase since the outbreak started in the north of the country on 21 February.
Image: A picture shows the deserted Piazza Duomo in Milan
In China, a hotel being used to house people in coronavirus quarantine collapsed killing at least 10 people and trapping more than 20 others. So far, at least 47 people have been rescued from the building in the city of Quanzhou, in southeastern Fujian Province.
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The country also reported 44 new cases on Sunday in a 24-hour period - the lowest level since it began publishing nationwide figures on 20 January - and 27 new fatalities.
South Korea, the hardest-hit country outside China, reported 272 new cases, taking its total to 7,313 with 50 deaths overall.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged citizens to "actively cooperate" and "show a mature sense of civil awareness" with the efforts to make sure healthcare workers and the sick "who really need face masks" are able to access or buy them.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:18 COVID-19 quarantine hotel collapses in China
As Argentina announced the first death from the disease in Latin America - a 64-year-old patient from Buenos Aires - Western countries looked to imitate Chinese containment measures by imposing travel controls and shutting down public events.
Sports events with spectators and school trips were banned for two weeks - and recreational centres for pensioners shut down for four weeks - in Greece, after cases there rose by seven to 73.
Spain deployed police to enforce a quarantine. Austria confiscated 21,000 disposable masks that a Turkish company smuggled aboard a tour bus, seeking to profit from soaring demand.
Two more people died in the United States, taking its death toll to 19 - as New York declared a state of emergency as the number of confirmed cases statewide rose by 13 to a total of 89.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said: "It allows expedited purchasing and expedited hiring, which is what we need right now."
More than half of all US states have reported cases of people testing positive for COVID-19.
The US Army has restricted travel to and from Italy and South Korea, and banned foreign troops from participating in US exercises, exchanges and visits in the most affected countries.
It follows a sailor in Italy, a Marine at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, and a soldier in South Korea testing positive for the disease.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 How coronavirus has spread
Police in Turkey have threatened legal action against social media accounts accused of spreading false virus information.
And this month's Formula One race in Bahrain has become the latest major sports event to be affected by the outbreak after Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad announced the grand prix would go head - but without spectators.
Bulgaria on Sunday confirmed its first four cases of the coronavirus, while Paraguay and Moldova each confirmed their first cases of the virus.
Even islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean have not been spared, as the Maldives reported its first two cases and authorities locked down two tourist resorts.
Cruise ships have increasingly been in the spotlight as they seek safe harbour on four continents amid fears they are spreading the virus.
At the weekend, they faced trouble in waters off California, Malaysia, Egypt and Malta as those aboard were tested or confined to cabins.
Officials in California are deciding where to dock the Grand Princess cruise ship, after 21 people on board tested positive for COVID-19.
Image: Passengers on the Grand Princess watch a helicopter land as it delivers coronavirus testing kits
There is evidence the ship, now idling off San Francisco, was the breeding ground for a deadly cluster of almost 20 cases during an earlier voyage.
Hundreds of people were also forced to remain on a Carnival Panorama cruise ship docked in Long Beach, California, while tests were carried out on a sick passenger.
Image: Hundreds of passengers were forced to stay on board a Carnival Panorama cruise while one was tested for COVID-19
In Egypt, a cruise ship on the Nile with more than 150 people on board is under quarantine in the southern city of Luxor after 12 positive tests.
In the port of Penang in Malaysia, the Costa Fortuna has been turned away because 64 of the 2,000 passengers aboard are from Italy. The ship had already been rejected by Thailand, and is now heading to Singapore.
And in Malta, which recently reported its first case of the virus, the MSC Opera ship agreed not to enter the Mediterranean country's port amid local concerns - even though there are no infections suspected on board.
The ship continued on to Messina, Sicily, where passengers were allowed to disembark after officials reviewed medical records.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
While many scientists say the world is clearly in the grip of a pandemic - a serious global outbreak - the World Health Organisation (WHO) is not calling it that yet, amid concerns the word might cause more alarm.
The virus is still much less widespread than annual flu epidemics, which cause up to five million severe cases around the world and up to 650,000 deaths annually, according to the WHO.
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 12.30pm weekdays


news--2020-03-08--Coronavirus: Man in his 60s becomes third person to die in UK after testing positive

A man in his 60s has become the third person to die in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus .
The patient had `` significant underlying health conditions '' and was being treated at North Manchester General Hospital when he died , according to England 's chief medical officer Chris Whitty .
He had also recently returned from a trip in Italy .
In a brief statement , Mr Whitty said : `` I am very sorry to report that a third patient in England who tested positive for COVID-19 has sadly died .
`` I offer my sincere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask that their privacy is respected .
`` The patient , who was being treated at the North Manchester General Hospital , was over 60 years old and had significant underlying health conditions . ''
Mr Whitty added that contact tracing was already underway .
Most recent coronavirus developments in the UK : • Three deaths in patients who tested positive with the virus • Victims were in Berkshire , Milton Keynes and Manchester • Sunday sees a rise of 67 cases to reach a total of 273 - the highest increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office advises against all but essential travel to northern Italy • People returning from affected areas in Italy told to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms • The virus-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship with more than 140 Britons on board is due to dock in Oakland , California on Monday A spokesman for the hospital confirmed on Sunday the man died while being treated for the virus at its specialist regional unit for infectious diseases .
He added : `` Our thoughts are with the patient 's family who are being supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Foreign Office has since advised against all but essential travel to virus-stricken areas of northern Italy , while the Department for Health and Social Care has said those returning from the affected areas should self-isolate for 14 days at home , even if they have no symptoms .
The announcement from Manchester on Sunday comes just days after the first two deaths were reported in the UK in patients who had tested positive for the illness .
Both had underlying health conditions and died in hospital on Thursday .
The first , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life in hospital in Reading , Berkshire , while the second , an 83-year-old man , died while being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital .
In a statement on Saturday night , the family of the second victim paid tribute to a `` truly loving and wonderful '' husband , dad , granddad and great-granddad .
They also confirmed they could not yet begin making funeral arrangements for their relative as they had also been placed into isolation as a precaution .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The total number of coronavirus cases in the UK now sits at 273 , a rise of 67 since Saturday .
This is the biggest jump in cases in a 24-hour period .
Earlier today , it was announced two more people had tested positive in Wales and last night it was revealed three more were diagnosed with the virus in Northern Ireland .
A healthcare worker at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust was also confirmed to have tested positive on Sunday evening .
The trust said in a statement the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our surgical high dependency unit on Friday , 6 March '' and was now isolated at home .
It added : `` The small number of patients and staff who came into close contact with this individual have been informed and will be appropriately isolated . ''
`` The surgical high dependency unit is temporarily closed to new admissions .
Any patient affected by the temporary closure will be contacted directly .
`` The trust is following Public Health England and NHS guidance in respect of the virus and all other services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of COVID-19 cases are in England .
London has at least 51 cases , the South East 41 and the South West 35 .
The region with the smallest number is the North East and Yorkshire with at least 18 .
Meanwhile , the Grand Princess cruise ship - which has more than 140 Britons on board - is due to dock in Oakland , California , after 21 people were confirmed to have the virus .

A man in his 60s has become the third person to die in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus.
The patient had "significant underlying health conditions" and was being treated at North Manchester General Hospital when he died, according to England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty.
He had also recently returned from a trip in Italy.
In a brief statement, Mr Whitty said: "I am very sorry to report that a third patient in England who tested positive for COVID-19 has sadly died.
"I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their privacy is respected.
"The patient, who was being treated at the North Manchester General Hospital, was over 60 years old and had significant underlying health conditions."
Mr Whitty added that contact tracing was already underway.
Most recent coronavirus developments in the UK:
Three deaths in patients who tested positive with the virus
Victims were in Berkshire, Milton Keynes and Manchester
Sunday sees a rise of 67 cases to reach a total of 273 - the highest increase in cases in a 24-hour period
Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to northern Italy
People returning from affected areas in Italy told to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms
The virus-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship with more than 140 Britons on board is due to dock in Oakland, California on Monday
A spokesman for the hospital confirmed on Sunday the man died while being treated for the virus at its specialist regional unit for infectious diseases.
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He added: "Our thoughts are with the patient's family who are being supported by our specialist bereavement staff."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:13 COVID-19 cases leap in Italy to 366 from 233
The Foreign Office has since advised against all but essential travel to virus-stricken areas of northern Italy, while the Department for Health and Social Care has said those returning from the affected areas should self-isolate for 14 days at home, even if they have no symptoms.
The announcement from Manchester on Sunday comes just days after the first two deaths were reported in the UK in patients who had tested positive for the illness.
Both had underlying health conditions and died in hospital on Thursday.
The first, a woman in 70s, lost her life in hospital in Reading, Berkshire, while the second, an 83-year-old man, died while being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
In a statement on Saturday night, the family of the second victim paid tribute to a "truly loving and wonderful" husband, dad, granddad and great-granddad.
They also confirmed they could not yet begin making funeral arrangements for their relative as they had also been placed into isolation as a precaution.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The total number of coronavirus cases in the UK now sits at 273, a rise of 67 since Saturday. This is the biggest jump in cases in a 24-hour period.
Earlier today, it was announced two more people had tested positive in Wales and last night it was revealed three more were diagnosed with the virus in Northern Ireland.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
A healthcare worker at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust was also confirmed to have tested positive on Sunday evening.
The trust said in a statement the person had worked "a single night shift in our surgical high dependency unit on Friday, 6 March" and was now isolated at home.
It added: "The small number of patients and staff who came into close contact with this individual have been informed and will be appropriately isolated."
"The surgical high dependency unit is temporarily closed to new admissions. Any patient affected by the temporary closure will be contacted directly.
"The trust is following Public Health England and NHS guidance in respect of the virus and all other services are operating normally."
The vast majority of COVID-19 cases are in England. London has at least 51 cases, the South East 41 and the South West 35. The region with the smallest number is the North East and Yorkshire with at least 18.
Meanwhile, the Grand Princess cruise ship - which has more than 140 Britons on board - is due to dock in Oakland, California, after 21 people were confirmed to have the virus.
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 12.30pm weekdays


news--2020-03-08--Coronavirus: Tesco, Asda and Ocado ration products as shoppers stockpile

Major supermarkets in the UK have started to ration certain products after some shoppers began stockpiling over coronavirus fears .
Tesco is limiting sales of antibacterial products , dried pasta , long life milk , children 's medicines , water and tinned vegetables to five items per person at its stores and online .
Asda is restricting some types of hand sanitiser to two bottles per person .
Sky News found that the Morrisons website is limiting purchases of hand wash and children 's medicines - but the retailer claims that this is unrelated to the coronavirus .
Online supermarket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several products - with shoppers restricted to two packs of toilet roll , two bottles of antibacterial gel and three bottles of Calpol .
Sainsbury 's does not seem to be limiting purchases .
Responding to disgruntled shoppers unable to buy toilet roll at their Tesco branches , the supermarket tweeted : `` We know there 's demand for certain products at the moment and we 're working really hard to maintain availability of those to help customers .
`` We have taken a common-sense approach to make sure everyone can assess [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum purchase limit ( 5 per customer ) on a few items .
Products include : anti-bac gel , wipes , sprays , bleach , dried pasta , UHT milk , tinned veg , kids medications & water .
`` Any other items outside the restriction will be monitored through the store manager 's discretion to ensure fairness to all customers . ''
There have been widespread reports of shelves emptying as a result of the outbreak , which is spreading rapidly around the world .
Panic buying has taken place despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is `` absolutely no reason '' for the British public to panic buy food or other supplies .
Sir Patrick Vallance said such measures would only be brought in if homes were put under quarantine and appropriate steps taken for places such as care homes .
Last week , Ocado warned that people were placing larger orders than usual .
On Friday , the government pledged the public will continue to have `` the food and supplies they need '' .
Environment secretary George Eustice held talks with supermarket and trade body bosses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was reassured retailers were taking `` all the necessary steps '' to keep shelves well-stocked .
At the time , he said : `` Today I spoke with chief executives from the UK 's leading supermarkets to discuss their response to coronavirus .
`` The retailers reassured me they have well-established contingency plans and are taking all the necessary steps to ensure consumers have the food and supplies they need .
`` Retailers are continuing to monitor their supply chains and have robust plans in place to minimise disruption . ''
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a common sense approach to ensure all customers are able to buy what they need .
While nationally a set number of products are being limited , there may be occasions locally where a larger range is restricted .
Despite reports , it is yet to place widespread restrictions on baked beans , ready meals and toilet roll .
In Australia , shortages of toilet roll have resulted in punch ups , as sporadic outbreaks of unrest are occurring as a result of the virus .
Mr Eustice said on Friday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular contact on the issue .
Amid reports of a spike in the sales of toilet roll , Mike Docker , managing director of paper firm WEPA UK , said : `` The ongoing coronavirus situation means we have seen a large spike in demand over the last week and sales continue to be very strong .
`` Our excellent supply chain team has met all our sales orders so far and our manufacturing is geared up to meet these higher volumes .
We are continually monitoring the situation very carefully and are @ @ @ @ @

Major supermarkets in the UK have started to ration certain products after some shoppers began stockpiling over coronavirus fears.
Tesco is limiting sales of antibacterial products, dried pasta, long life milk, children's medicines, water and tinned vegetables to five items per person at its stores and online.
Asda is restricting some types of hand sanitiser to two bottles per person.
Image: While several lines of pasta have sold out at Tesco, others are being restricted
Sky News found that the Morrisons website is limiting purchases of hand wash and children's medicines - but the retailer claims that this is unrelated to the coronavirus.
Online supermarket Ocado had also put limits on buying several products - with shoppers restricted to two packs of toilet roll, two bottles of antibacterial gel and three bottles of Calpol.
Sainsbury's does not seem to be limiting purchases.
Responding to disgruntled shoppers unable to buy toilet roll at their Tesco branches, the supermarket tweeted: "We know there's demand for certain products at the moment and we're working really hard to maintain availability of those to help customers.
"We have taken a common-sense approach to make sure everyone can assess [sic] essentials and have introduced a maximum purchase limit (5 per customer) on a few items. Products include: anti-bac gel, wipes, sprays, bleach, dried pasta, UHT milk, tinned veg, kids medications & water.
"Any other items outside the restriction will be monitored through the store manager's discretion to ensure fairness to all customers."
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Image: Empty shelves in the pasta aisle of Tesco on Sunday
There have been widespread reports of shelves emptying as a result of the outbreak, which is spreading rapidly around the world.
Panic buying has taken place despite the government's chief scientific adviser that there is "absolutely no reason" for the British public to panic buy food or other supplies.
Sir Patrick Vallance said such measures would only be brought in if homes were put under quarantine and appropriate steps taken for places such as care homes.
Image: Tesco is limiting UHT milk to five per customer
Last week, Ocado warned that people were placing larger orders than usual.
On Friday, the government pledged the public will continue to have "the food and supplies they need".
Environment secretary George Eustice held talks with supermarket and trade body bosses over food supply contingencies and said he was reassured retailers were taking "all the necessary steps" to keep shelves well-stocked.
Image: Tesco is limiting purchases of all soaps to five per person
At the time, he said: "Today I spoke with chief executives from the UK's leading supermarkets to discuss their response to coronavirus.
"The retailers reassured me they have well-established contingency plans and are taking all the necessary steps to ensure consumers have the food and supplies they need.
"Retailers are continuing to monitor their supply chains and have robust plans in place to minimise disruption."
It is understood that Tesco believes it is taking a common sense approach to ensure all customers are able to buy what they need.
Image: The Morrisons website currently prevents customers from buying any more than two bottles of Carex hand wash
While nationally a set number of products are being limited, there may be occasions locally where a larger range is restricted.
Despite reports, it is yet to place widespread restrictions on baked beans, ready meals and toilet roll.
In Australia, shortages of toilet roll have resulted in punch ups, as sporadic outbreaks of unrest are occurring as a result of the virus.
Mr Eustice said on Friday that the government and the industry will remain in regular contact on the issue.
Amid reports of a spike in the sales of toilet roll, Mike Docker, managing director of paper firm WEPA UK, said: "The ongoing coronavirus situation means we have seen a large spike in demand over the last week and sales continue to be very strong.
"Our excellent supply chain team has met all our sales orders so far and our manufacturing is geared up to meet these higher volumes. We are continually monitoring the situation very carefully and are studying sales patterns."


news--2020-04-09--Coronavirus: GDP figures show UK economy was struggling before COVID-19 lockdown

The UK economy grew 0.1 % overall in the three months to February - a worrying picture of the situation before the coronavirus lockdown .
GDP figures from the Office for National Statistics also show the economy contracted 0.1 % during February , following gains in December and January .
The figures will be concerning as they show the economy was already struggling ahead of the restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 , the illness caused by the coronavirus .
They came on the same day as a new forecast from the National Institute of Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 15-25 % in the second quarter of the year , with much of the country in lockdown .
Meanwhile , the government revealed that it had received 1.2 million claims for universal credit in the last three weeks - compared to roughly 55,000 a week in normal times .
Separately , latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that 29 % of firms have temporarily had to cut staff in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions put in place to fight it .
The measures were implemented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-essential businesses and people being told to stay home aside from a few exceptions .
This has left many businesses and workers struggling , and economists are forecasting a severe recession .
There was a notable fall in construction during February , blamed on the wet weather and flooding , and total production fell by 0.6 % in the three months to February , led by a 0.4 % decline in manufacturing output .
The services sector grew but it is one of sectors that will be worst-affected by the lockdown announced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economist at Equals , said the figures show that the UK economy entered the coronavirus crisis `` at best stagnant , with only the services economy keeping wider GDP above zero '' .
`` Previous periods of slow economic growth in the UK have seen a marked rebound in consumer spending given Brits ' propensity to grab a bargain or load up on personal debt ; without such a similar impulse , the pistons that fire the UK 's economic engine look very stuck . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , Spreaker Samuel Tombs , chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics , said : `` Looking ahead , we have assumed that GDP will be about 20 % below normal during the lockdown , which we expect to last three months .
`` This points to a quarter-on-quarter drop in GDP of 1.8 % in Q1 , followed by a huge decline of about 15 % in Q2 , though all forecasts merely are ballpark estimates at this stage .
`` Thereafter , we are relatively optimistic that a combination of mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued social distancing and occasional localised lockdowns can help to keep virus infection numbers at a level the NHS can manage in the second half of this year , without the government having to maintain the current set of severe restrictions .
`` But neither employment nor confidence will return fully to its pre-virus peak this year , suggesting that GDP still will be about 3 % below pre-virus levels in Q4 . ''
It comes at the same time as research suggesting that the coronavirus will see companies continuing to go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Red Flag Alert 's financial modelling estimates that bad debt will peak during the lockdown , rising further , with companies having to contend with £24bn in unpaid bills between now and the end of next year .
Mark Halstead , a partner at Red Flag Alert , said : `` Unpaid debt ripple effects through supply chains , meaning that one large company going out of business will financially affect hundreds of other companies .
This will prolong the impact of corporate insolvencies , causing another peak in insolvent corporate debt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 months ' time .
`` Debt can have an immediate impact on the security and operation of a company .
This will be accelerated as insolvent debt rapidly increases .
Businesses may find that customers and suppliers which were in a good shape just weeks ago , are now facing collapse .
Spotting the early signs of their difficulties can prove the difference between adjusting payment terms , avoiding incurring further financial losses and finding alternative sources of supply . ''

The UK economy grew 0.1% overall in the three months to February - a worrying picture of the situation before the coronavirus lockdown.
GDP figures from the Office for National Statistics also show the economy contracted 0.1% during February, following gains in December and January.
The figures will be concerning as they show the economy was already struggling ahead of the restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
They came on the same day as a new forecast from the National Institute of Economic Research predicting that UK GDP could shrink by 15-25% in the second quarter of the year, with much of the country in lockdown.
Meanwhile, the government revealed that it had received 1.2 million claims for universal credit in the last three weeks - compared to roughly 55,000 a week in normal times.
Separately, latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that 29% of firms have temporarily had to cut staff in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions put in place to fight it.
The measures were implemented in mid-March and included the closure of non-essential businesses and people being told to stay home aside from a few exceptions.
This has left many businesses and workers struggling, and economists are forecasting a severe recession.
There was a notable fall in construction during February, blamed on the wet weather and flooding, and total production fell by 0.6% in the three months to February, led by a 0.4% decline in manufacturing output.
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The services sector grew but it is one of sectors that will be worst-affected by the lockdown announced in March.
Jeremy Thomson Cook, chief economist at Equals, said the figures show that the UK economy entered the coronavirus crisis "at best stagnant, with only the services economy keeping wider GDP above zero".
"Previous periods of slow economic growth in the UK have seen a marked rebound in consumer spending given Brits' propensity to grab a bargain or load up on personal debt; without such a similar impulse, the pistons that fire the UK's economic engine look very stuck."
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Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said: "Looking ahead, we have assumed that GDP will be about 20% below normal during the lockdown, which we expect to last three months.
"This points to a quarter-on-quarter drop in GDP of 1.8% in Q1, followed by a huge decline of about 15% in Q2, though all forecasts merely are ballpark estimates at this stage.
"Thereafter, we are relatively optimistic that a combination of mass testing and contact tracing, together with continued social distancing and occasional localised lockdowns can help to keep virus infection numbers at a level the NHS can manage in the second half of this year, without the government having to maintain the current set of severe restrictions.
"But neither employment nor confidence will return fully to its pre-virus peak this year, suggesting that GDP still will be about 3% below pre-virus levels in Q4."
It comes at the same time as research suggesting that the coronavirus will see companies continuing to go out of business in the next 18 months.
Red Flag Alert's financial modelling estimates that bad debt will peak during the lockdown, rising further, with companies having to contend with £24bn in unpaid bills between now and the end of next year.
Mark Halstead, a partner at Red Flag Alert, said: "Unpaid debt ripple effects through supply chains, meaning that one large company going out of business will financially affect hundreds of other companies. This will prolong the impact of corporate insolvencies, causing another peak in insolvent corporate debt and business failures in about 12 to 18 months' time.
"Debt can have an immediate impact on the security and operation of a company. This will be accelerated as insolvent debt rapidly increases. Businesses may find that customers and suppliers which were in a good shape just weeks ago, are now facing collapse. Spotting the early signs of their difficulties can prove the difference between adjusting payment terms, avoiding incurring further financial losses and finding alternative sources of supply."


news--2020-04-09--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson 'continues to improve' in intensive care

The prime minister `` continues to improve '' in intensive care and had a `` good night '' in hospital , Downing Street has said .
Boris Johnson is spending his fourth full day in hospital after being admitted on Sunday evening .
He went to St Thomas ' Hospital in London on Sunday evening because his symptoms of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , remained persistent .
Then , the following day , he was moved to intensive care after his condition worsened .
But the PM looks to be on the mend , with Downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in `` good spirits '' and making `` steady progress '' .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak told that day 's coronavirus news conference that Mr Johnson was now `` sitting up in bed '' and `` engaging positively '' with medics .
Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood told Sky News earlier that the PM is `` mentally able to make decisions '' and remains `` accessible '' to his team .
Mr Johnson 's spokesman said he is continuing with `` standard oxygen treatment '' , adding : `` The prime minister had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in intensive care .
He 's in good spirits . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
The PM was last seen in public a week ago , when he joined in with the national round of applause for NHS workers .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab , who has been deputising for Mr Johnson , is expected to take part instead .
`` The prime minister thanks the NHS for the brilliant care which it is providing , '' his spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have provided wonderful , unifying moments for the entire country .
`` I 'm sure that tonight we will once again see people in their millions paying tribute to our fantastic dedicated care workers . ''
Meanwhile , Downing Street has once again emphasised the importance of Britons continuing to follow the coronavirus lockdown over the Easter weekend .
Ministers will carry out a review of the stringent measures next week , with widespread expectation that they will be extended .
`` What we absolutely need to do now is keep bearing down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean continuing with social distancing measures to ensure we are protecting the NHS and saving lives , '' the PM 's spokesman said .
`` We are at a critical point in this .
That is certainly the case as we approach the Easter bank holiday weekend . ''
The spokesman praised the `` brilliant '' public response so far , acknowledging that Britons have `` made very big sacrifices in the way they live their lives '' .
`` You are beginning to see the impact that is having but people really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is a critical juncture , '' he added .

The prime minister "continues to improve" in intensive care and had a "good night" in hospital, Downing Street has said.
Boris Johnson is spending his fourth full day in hospital after being admitted on Sunday evening.
He went to St Thomas' Hospital in London on Sunday evening because his symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, remained persistent.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 'PM is sitting up in bed' - Rishi Sunak
Then, the following day, he was moved to intensive care after his condition worsened.
But the PM looks to be on the mend, with Downing Street saying on Wednesday that Mr Johnson was in "good spirits" and making "steady progress".
Chancellor Rishi Sunak told that day's coronavirus news conference that Mr Johnson was now "sitting up in bed" and "engaging positively" with medics.
Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood told Sky News earlier that the PM is "mentally able to make decisions" and remains "accessible" to his team.
Mr Johnson's spokesman said he is continuing with "standard oxygen treatment", adding: "The prime minister had a good night and continues to improve in intensive care. He's in good spirits."
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The PM was last seen in public a week ago, when he joined in with the national round of applause for NHS workers.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has been deputising for Mr Johnson, is expected to take part instead.
"The prime minister thanks the NHS for the brilliant care which it is providing," his spokesman said.
"The claps for carers have provided wonderful, unifying moments for the entire country.
"I'm sure that tonight we will once again see people in their millions paying tribute to our fantastic dedicated care workers."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:10 Will the lockdown be lifted?
Meanwhile, Downing Street has once again emphasised the importance of Britons continuing to follow the coronavirus lockdown over the Easter weekend.
Ministers will carry out a review of the stringent measures next week, with widespread expectation that they will be extended.
"What we absolutely need to do now is keep bearing down on the rate of transmission which will mean continuing with social distancing measures to ensure we are protecting the NHS and saving lives," the PM's spokesman said.
"We are at a critical point in this. That is certainly the case as we approach the Easter bank holiday weekend."
The spokesman praised the "brilliant" public response so far, acknowledging that Britons have "made very big sacrifices in the way they live their lives".
"You are beginning to see the impact that is having but people really do need to stick with it at what is a critical juncture," he added.


news--2020-04-09--Coronavirus: 881 more people die with COVID-19 in UK, taking total to 7,978

Another 881 patients have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus - bringing the total to 7,978 .
This is a smaller increase than the 938 deaths reported on Wednesday .
The latest figures were confirmed by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab , who was speaking at the Downing Street daily briefing .
He said 243,421 people have been tested for the virus , 65,077 have tested positive , and the number of people admitted to hospital with coronavirus symptoms now stands at 16,784 .
`` And of those who have contracted the virus , 7,978 have sadly died , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 765 patients have died in England after contracting coronavirus - bringing the total to 7,248 .
The figures have been released by NHS England .
They clarified that 140 of those deaths took place on Wednesday , while 568 happened within the previous week and the remaining 57 were from March .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In Scotland , the number of people with coronavirus who have died rose by 81 on Thursday taking the total to 447 , First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported another 41 deaths , taking the total there to 286 .
And in Northern Ireland a further four people have died , meaning the total rises to 82 .
The different home nations collate their figures at different times throughout the day , so there are sometimes discrepancies between the UK government 's total when adding up the individual numbers .
Mr Raab has said the UK `` must keep going '' with lockdown measures as he warned against giving coronavirus `` a second chance to kill more people '' .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to be able to give more details on when coronavirus lockdown measures might be lifted until the end of next week .
He reiterated social distancing `` will have to stay in place '' until there was evidence that `` clearly shows we 've moved beyond the peak '' of the COVID-19 outbreak .
`` We are not done yet , we must keep going , '' Mr Raab said .
When the emergency measures came into force the government vowed they would be reviewed in three weeks ; that point is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through parliament last month states that the government has until next Thursday to review the lockdown .
There are fears people may not heed the `` stay at home '' advice this Easter weekend , when there is predicted to be good weather .
Wales has already admitted it will extend the lockdown , First Minister Mark Drakeford saying on Wednesday : `` We will not throw away the gains we have made and the lives we can save by abandoning our efforts just as they begin to bear fruit . ''
Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen in Scotland , telling Sky News on Thursday she agreed with the move and adding : '' I do n't think there is any possibility , any likelihood of these lockdown measures being lifted immediately or even imminently . ''

Another 881 patients have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus - bringing the total to 7,978.
This is a smaller increase than the 938 deaths reported on Wednesday.
The latest figures were confirmed by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who was speaking at the Downing Street daily briefing.
He said 243,421 people have been tested for the virus, 65,077 have tested positive, and the number of people admitted to hospital with coronavirus symptoms now stands at 16,784.
"And of those who have contracted the virus, 7,978 have sadly died," Mr Raab said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:59 Dozens of stars say 'thank you' to NHS
In England, 765 patients have died in England after contracting coronavirus - bringing the total to 7,248.
The figures have been released by NHS England.
They clarified that 140 of those deaths took place on Wednesday, while 568 happened within the previous week and the remaining 57 were from March.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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In Scotland, the number of people with coronavirus who have died rose by 81 on Thursday taking the total to 447, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.
Wales has reported another 41 deaths, taking the total there to 286.
And in Northern Ireland a further four people have died, meaning the total rises to 82.
The different home nations collate their figures at different times throughout the day, so there are sometimes discrepancies between the UK government's total when adding up the individual numbers.
Image: People are being urged to stay home this Easter weekend
Mr Raab has said the UK "must keep going" with lockdown measures as he warned against giving coronavirus "a second chance to kill more people".
The foreign secretary said the government did not expect to be able to give more details on when coronavirus lockdown measures might be lifted until the end of next week.
He reiterated social distancing "will have to stay in place" until there was evidence that "clearly shows we've moved beyond the peak" of the COVID-19 outbreak.
"We are not done yet, we must keep going," Mr Raab said.
When the emergency measures came into force the government vowed they would be reviewed in three weeks; that point is Easter Monday.
The Coronavirus Act rushed through parliament last month states that the government has until next Thursday to review the lockdown.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:52 'Important we stick with lockdown'
There are fears people may not heed the "stay at home" advice this Easter weekend, when there is predicted to be good weather.
Wales has already admitted it will extend the lockdown, First Minister Mark Drakeford saying on Wednesday: "We will not throw away the gains we have made and the lives we can save by abandoning our efforts just as they begin to bear fruit."
Ms Sturgeon has hinted heavily the same will happen in Scotland, telling Sky News on Thursday she agreed with the move and adding:"I don't think there is any possibility, any likelihood of these lockdown measures being lifted immediately or even imminently."


news--2020-04-09--Coronavirus: Dominic Raab says UK 'must keep going' with lockdown measures

Dominic Raab has said the UK `` must keep going '' with lockdown measures as he warned against giving coronavirus `` a second chance to kill more people '' .
The foreign secretary , speaking at Downing Street 's daily briefing , said the government did not expect to be able to give more details on when coronavirus lockdown measures might be lifted until the end of next week .
He urged people to stay home over the Easter weekend , saying social distancing `` will have to stay in place '' until there was evidence that `` clearly shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the COVID-19 outbreak .
`` We are not done yet , we must keep going , '' said Mr Raab , who is deputising for Boris Johnson while the prime minister remains in hospital .
Although there are `` early signs '' the lockdown measures - which have been in place for approaching three weeks - are `` having the impact we need to see '' , the foreign secretary stressed it was `` too early to say that conclusively '' .
`` The deaths are still rising and we have n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so it 's still too early to lift the measures that we put in place , '' he said .
`` We must stick to the plan . ''
The comments came as another 881 patients were reported to have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus - bringing the total to 7,978 .
When the government first introduced the lockdown measures , Prime Minister Boris Johnson had promised to `` look again '' at the restrictions after three weeks and `` relax them if the evidence shows we are able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emergencies , which advises ministers , will meet next week to discuss the latest evidence on the spread of coronavirus across the UK .
Ahead of an Easter weekend for which warm and sunny weather is forecast , Mr Raab added fresh emphasis to the government 's instruction for people to stay at home , as he urged people to `` think about the sacrifices '' of frontline NHS workers .
`` After all the efforts everybody has made , after all the sacrifices so many people have made , let 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary said .
`` Let 's not undo the gains we 've made , let 's not waste the sacrifices so many people have made .
`` We must n't give the coronavirus a second chance to kill more people and to hurt our country . ''
Sir Patrick Vallance , the government 's chief scientific adviser , also stressed the importance of Britons continuing to keep distance between themselves and others in order to break the transmission of coronavirus .
He said : `` The measures that everybody has taken , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do , are making a difference , they 're making a big difference .
`` We know that the social distancing is working . ''
There is beginning to be a `` flattening off '' in the number of hospital admissions , Sir Patrick added .
England 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty revealed the amount of time it was taking for the number of coronavirus infections to double had slowed from `` about three days '' to `` six or more days in almost everywhere in the country '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Downing Street briefing , Labour 's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said : `` We 've said previously that a lockdown in itself is a blunt tool without a national strategy for community testing and contact tracing .
`` We 're calling on ministers to outline the next stage of their strategy to give the public the reassurance and clarity they expect . ''
On Thursday evening , Mr Raab hosted a call with opposition party leaders - including new Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer - to update them on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He had earlier chaired a meeting of the government 's emergency COBRA committee , which was joined by senior ministers and the leaders of devolved governments in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
They were expected to have discussed how a decision about whether to extend coronavirus lockdown measures in the UK will be taken .
Mr Raab also once again chaired the daily morning meeting of the government 's coronavirus `` war cabinet '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Dominic Raab has said the UK "must keep going" with lockdown measures as he warned against giving coronavirus "a second chance to kill more people".
The foreign secretary, speaking at Downing Street's daily briefing, said the government did not expect to be able to give more details on when coronavirus lockdown measures might be lifted until the end of next week.
He urged people to stay home over the Easter weekend, saying social distancing "will have to stay in place" until there was evidence that "clearly shows we've moved beyond the peak" of the COVID-19 outbreak.
"We are not done yet, we must keep going," said Mr Raab, who is deputising for Boris Johnson while the prime minister remains in hospital.
Although there are "early signs" the lockdown measures - which have been in place for approaching three weeks - are "having the impact we need to see", the foreign secretary stressed it was "too early to say that conclusively".
"The deaths are still rising and we haven't yet reached the peak of the virus, so it's still too early to lift the measures that we put in place," he said.
"We must stick to the plan."
The comments came as another 881 patients were reported to have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus - bringing the total to 7,978.
When the government first introduced the lockdown measures, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had promised to "look again" at the restrictions after three weeks and "relax them if the evidence shows we are able to".
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The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, which advises ministers, will meet next week to discuss the latest evidence on the spread of coronavirus across the UK.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:23 Lockdown: 'Cooped up inside with little space'
Ahead of an Easter weekend for which warm and sunny weather is forecast, Mr Raab added fresh emphasis to the government's instruction for people to stay at home, as he urged people to "think about the sacrifices" of frontline NHS workers.
"After all the efforts everybody has made, after all the sacrifices so many people have made, let's not ruin it now," the foreign secretary said.
"Let's not undo the gains we've made, let's not waste the sacrifices so many people have made.
"We mustn't give the coronavirus a second chance to kill more people and to hurt our country."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:35 'You see people die'
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, also stressed the importance of Britons continuing to keep distance between themselves and others in order to break the transmission of coronavirus.
He said: "The measures that everybody has taken, the difficult things that we've all had to do, are making a difference, they're making a big difference.
"We know that the social distancing is working."
There is beginning to be a "flattening off" in the number of hospital admissions, Sir Patrick added.
England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty revealed the amount of time it was taking for the number of coronavirus infections to double had slowed from "about three days" to "six or more days in almost everywhere in the country".
Responding to Mr Raab's comments at the Downing Street briefing, Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: "We've said previously that a lockdown in itself is a blunt tool without a national strategy for community testing and contact tracing.
"We're calling on ministers to outline the next stage of their strategy to give the public the reassurance and clarity they expect."
On Thursday evening, Mr Raab hosted a call with opposition party leaders - including new Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer - to update them on the government's coronavirus response.
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:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He had earlier chaired a meeting of the government's emergency COBRA committee, which was joined by senior ministers and the leaders of devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
They were expected to have discussed how a decision about whether to extend coronavirus lockdown measures in the UK will be taken.
Mr Raab also once again chaired the daily morning meeting of the government's coronavirus "war cabinet" in the prime minister's absence.


news--2020-04-08--Coronavirus: Gang life 'has stopped' because of COVID-19

Gang rivalries have been `` put on hold '' and violence has `` stopped '' as members follow coronavirus lockdown rules , the head of a charity has told Sky News .
Sheldon Thomas , who founded the Gangsline Foundation Trust , said county lines activity has also fallen as police enforce the `` stay at home '' guidance .
County lines refers to when city gangs exploit children into selling drugs in rural areas and small towns .
Mr Thomas said `` cuckooing '' activity , where dealers take over the homes of vulnerable people to use as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
Some street dealers have even been `` throwing drugs to their customers '' in keeping with the 2m ( 6ft ) social distancing guidelines .
Mr Thomas , who was a senior gang member before turning his life around , told Sky News : `` Rivalries have been put on hold .
Stabbings have also definitely stopped .
`` Everything to do with violence and 'ops ' ( operations ) as they call it , has stopped .
`` I have n't heard of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown . ''
However , Mr Thomas warned police forces should expect the violence to resume again once the measures are lifted .
He compared the situation to the Premier League football season , adding : `` It 's just been put on hold . ''
The 55-year-old continued : `` The violence will start up again because these young people , once they 've been violated , they never forget it .
`` I spoke to a gang member from Lambeth and he said in relation to a rivalry - 'we ai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel Marczewski , a case worker for the Exit Foundation gang charity , said he has also seen a drop in violence and other crimes as a result of the lockdown .
He told Sky News : `` Gang life has all basically stopped to a large degree .
`` The guys out there on the streets are being pulled over by the police .
`` These guys are finding it very difficult to hang around their local haunts and behave as they would have done prior to the lockdown . ''
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduction in drug-dealing as gang members and their customers have to stay inside .
He added this means the `` trigger offences '' which are committed as a result of drug use , such as burglary or shoplifting , have also decreased due to the lockdown measures .
Mr Marczewski continued : `` Burglary has fallen because a lot of people are indoors .
`` And shoplifting - well a lot of shops are closed at the moment .
`` A lot of the street dynamics have changed . ''
When drug dealers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person , who usually has learning difficulties or addiction problems , the property becomes known as a `` trap house '' .
Mr Thomas said many of these homeowners or tenants have underlying health problems , causing gang members to fear spreading the virus to them in case it draws attention to their activities .
He added the increased police checks on vehicles has also deterred criminals from travelling to the trap houses .
`` You 've got to understand that gang members are not staying in trap houses now , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told me 'we ca n't go there no more ' .
`` So now they have shifted operations to their own properties .
`` That 's kind of a risky situation , because if they get raided police will find a lot of the drugs and cash in their own property . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The charity boss also said the `` stay at home '' advice has caused a drop in county lines activity , and continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing was taking place right across the country , but now it 's just in isolated areas . ''
Mr Thomas added street dealers concerned about catching the virus have been throwing drugs to their customers during transactions .
He continued : `` Gang members tend to find innovative ways to make money no matter what the situation .
`` One of the things they have been doing is throwing drugs out of car windows or from their bikes to avoid getting too close and possibly catching coronavirus .
`` Their customers throw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ band . ''
He added that he spoke to a 15-year-old gang member in Hertfordshire who felt he had to continue dealing during the lockdown to support his mother .
Mr Thomas runs both the Gangsline Foundation , which delivers workshops in schools , and Gangsline Limited , which trains government staff and police officers on how to understand gang mentality .
He goes into trap houses and engages with gang members as part of the work of his limited company , which also offers strategic advice to the government and local authorities @

Gang rivalries have been "put on hold" and violence has "stopped" as members follow coronavirus lockdown rules, the head of a charity has told Sky News.
Sheldon Thomas, who founded the Gangsline Foundation Trust, said county lines activity has also fallen as police enforce the "stay at home" guidance.
County lines refers to when city gangs exploit children into selling drugs in rural areas and small towns.
Image: Police action to enforce the lockdown has seen gang activity drop substantially. File pic
Mr Thomas said "cuckooing" activity, where dealers take over the homes of vulnerable people to use as a base, has also decreased thanks to measures designed to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Some street dealers have even been "throwing drugs to their customers" in keeping with the 2m (6ft) social distancing guidelines.
Mr Thomas, who was a senior gang member before turning his life around, told Sky News: "Rivalries have been put on hold. Stabbings have also definitely stopped.
"Everything to do with violence and 'ops' (operations) as they call it, has stopped.
"I haven't heard of any gang-related murders taking place during the lockdown."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 15:00 Coronavirus: Life in lockdown
However, Mr Thomas warned police forces should expect the violence to resume again once the measures are lifted.
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He compared the situation to the Premier League football season, adding: "It's just been put on hold."
The 55-year-old continued: "The violence will start up again because these young people, once they've been violated, they never forget it.
"I spoke to a gang member from Lambeth and he said in relation to a rivalry - 'we ain't letting that go'."
Image: Sheldon Thomas runs the Gangsline Foundation Trust
Daniel Marczewski, a case worker for the Exit Foundation gang charity, said he has also seen a drop in violence and other crimes as a result of the lockdown.
He told Sky News: "Gang life has all basically stopped to a large degree.
"The guys out there on the streets are being pulled over by the police.
"These guys are finding it very difficult to hang around their local haunts and behave as they would have done prior to the lockdown."
Mr Marczewski said this has led to a reduction in drug-dealing as gang members and their customers have to stay inside.
He added this means the "trigger offences" which are committed as a result of drug use, such as burglary or shoplifting, have also decreased due to the lockdown measures.
Mr Marczewski continued: "Burglary has fallen because a lot of people are indoors.
"And shoplifting - well a lot of shops are closed at the moment.
"A lot of the street dynamics have changed."
When drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person, who usually has learning difficulties or addiction problems, the property becomes known as a "trap house".
Mr Thomas said many of these homeowners or tenants have underlying health problems, causing gang members to fear spreading the virus to them in case it draws attention to their activities.
He added the increased police checks on vehicles has also deterred criminals from travelling to the trap houses.
"You've got to understand that gang members are not staying in trap houses now," he said.
"One gang member simply told me 'we can't go there no more'.
"So now they have shifted operations to their own properties.
"That's kind of a risky situation, because if they get raided police will find a lot of the drugs and cash in their own property."
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The charity boss also said the "stay at home" advice has caused a drop in county lines activity, and continued: "In January this kind of dealing was taking place right across the country, but now it's just in isolated areas."
Mr Thomas added street dealers concerned about catching the virus have been throwing drugs to their customers during transactions.
He continued: "Gang members tend to find innovative ways to make money no matter what the situation.
"One of the things they have been doing is throwing drugs out of car windows or from their bikes to avoid getting too close and possibly catching coronavirus.
"Their customers throw the money back wrapped in a rubber band."
He added that he spoke to a 15-year-old gang member in Hertfordshire who felt he had to continue dealing during the lockdown to support his mother.
Mr Thomas runs both the Gangsline Foundation, which delivers workshops in schools, and Gangsline Limited, which trains government staff and police officers on how to understand gang mentality.
He goes into trap houses and engages with gang members as part of the work of his limited company, which also offers strategic advice to the government and local authorities.