news--2020-02-21--NHS starts testing suspected coronavirus patients in their own homes

The NHS has started testing suspected coronavirus patients in their own homes .
NHS staff , including nurses and paramedics , have been issued with home testing kits to stop people travelling with the infection to limit the spread of COVID-19 .
Professor Keith Willett , NHS strategic incident director for coronavirus , said : `` We have started to pilot home testing for coronavirus in London , which will be carried out by NHS staff , like nurses or paramedics , allowing people to stay home rather than having to travel , which is safer for you and your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Anyone who is concerned they have signs and symptoms , should continue to use NHS 111 as their first point of contact - they will tell you what you exactly what you need to do and where necessary , the right place to be tested . ''
Professor Willett stressed the best way to contain the virus was for the public to follow basic hygiene rules .
`` People should also play their part by following public health advice - wash your hands , cover your mouth and nose with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sneeze , and put used tissues in the bin immediately , '' he said .
There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK for over a week and the British government 's strategy is so far proving effective .
But London as a major international transport hub is vulnerable to an outbreak .
This is where the home testing kits will be trialled before being used outside the capital .
The initiative has been welcomed by paramedics and nurses .
Richard Webber from the College of Paramedics told Sky News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to suspected coronavirus cases .
But every time an ambulance is used it has to be deep cleaned - that means it is temporarily out of operation .
It makes sense to see people in their own homes rather than risk a further spread of the infection . ''
But nursing unions warned their members were already overstretched .
Dr Crystal Oldman from the Queens Nursing Institute told Sky News : `` Clearly we are working in unprecedented circumstances to contain the spread of the virus and to treat those who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It makes sense for people to be tested in their own homes rather than taking ambulances out of use while being deep cleaned .
`` However , we need to assess who is the right clinician to undertake the screening test and where any additional capacity can be created to allow the time to undertake the home visits .
`` Consideration should be given to employing nurses to specifically undertake this work , as the district nursing service is under tremendous pressure to deliver urgent care for their patients every day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ full clinics from which they can not be released without an impact on the people they are caring for . ''
Meanwhile in Scotland the new coronavirus has been made a `` notifiable disease '' , meaning medics must alert health boards if they suspect a patient is infected .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Public health regulations were amended to place COVID-19 on the list of notifiable diseases north of the border .
The list also includes cholera , rabies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood has written to NHS boards , medical practitioners and directors of diagnostic laboratories to make them aware of the changes .
The virus became a notifiable disease in Ireland on Thursday .

The NHS has started testing suspected coronavirus patients in their own homes.
NHS staff, including nurses and paramedics, have been issued with home testing kits to stop people travelling with the infection to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Professor Keith Willett, NHS strategic incident director for coronavirus, said: "We have started to pilot home testing for coronavirus in London, which will be carried out by NHS staff, like nurses or paramedics, allowing people to stay home rather than having to travel, which is safer for you and your family and limits the spread of infection.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:28 Guide to quarantine from ship passengers
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:56 WHO warns COVID-19 could spread further
"Anyone who is concerned they have signs and symptoms, should continue to use NHS 111 as their first point of contact - they will tell you what you exactly what you need to do and where necessary, the right place to be tested."
Professor Willett stressed the best way to contain the virus was for the public to follow basic hygiene rules.
"People should also play their part by following public health advice - wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze, and put used tissues in the bin immediately," he said.
There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK for over a week and the British government's strategy is so far proving effective. But London as a major international transport hub is vulnerable to an outbreak. This is where the home testing kits will be trialled before being used outside the capital.
The initiative has been welcomed by paramedics and nurses.
Richard Webber from the College of Paramedics told Sky News: "Paramedics are already being sent out to suspected coronavirus cases. But every time an ambulance is used it has to be deep cleaned - that means it is temporarily out of operation. It makes sense to see people in their own homes rather than risk a further spread of the infection."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:56 Briton who caught COVID-19 calls ship's quarantine 'a joke'
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:02 Ambassador denies coronavirus cover-up
But nursing unions warned their members were already overstretched.
Dr Crystal Oldman from the Queens Nursing Institute told Sky News: "Clearly we are working in unprecedented circumstances to contain the spread of the virus and to treat those who have the disease as speedily as possible.
"It makes sense for people to be tested in their own homes rather than taking ambulances out of use while being deep cleaned.
"However, we need to assess who is the right clinician to undertake the screening test and where any additional capacity can be created to allow the time to undertake the home visits.
"Consideration should be given to employing nurses to specifically undertake this work, as the district nursing service is under tremendous pressure to deliver urgent care for their patients every day.
"General practice nurses similarly will have full clinics from which they cannot be released without an impact on the people they are caring for."
Meanwhile in Scotland the new coronavirus has been made a "notifiable disease", meaning medics must alert health boards if they suspect a patient is infected.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Public health regulations were amended to place COVID-19 on the list of notifiable diseases north of the border. The list also includes cholera, rabies, measles and tuberculosis.
Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood has written to NHS boards, medical practitioners and directors of diagnostic laboratories to make them aware of the changes.
The virus became a notifiable disease in Ireland on Thursday.


news--2020-02-21--Italy reports second coronavirus death as infections worldwide pass 77,000

Two people have died of the coronavirus in Italy in the space of 24 hours .
A man named by Italian news agency Ansa as former construction company owner Adriano Trevisan , in his late 70s , was among almost 60 suspected or confirmed cases in Italy so far .
The father-of-three died at a hospital in Padua , in the Veneto region in northern Italy , where he had been admitted along with another person who has tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
A second patient - a woman - then died hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the north .
The deaths have prompted local authorities in Lombardy and Veneto to shut schools , businesses and restaurants .
The first case officials were able to trace the outbreak to in Italy was reported to be a 38-year-old man from Codogno , who is believed to have caught the virus from a friend who had returned from China in January .
Since meeting his friend , he was found to have been at work , run two races , played in a football team , had at least three restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on Saturday afternoon that the number of confirmed cases was 39 in Lombardy and 12 in the Veneto .
On Saturday in Codogno - a small village in Lombardy about 7 miles ( 11km ) north of Piacenza - images showed the streets deserted of people .
• Mainland China had 397 new confirmed cases on Friday , down from 889 on Thursday - the lowest number since the National Health Commission started compiling nationwide data a month ago .
It has now reported 75,569 cases and 2,239 deaths • 17 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iran , two in Hong Kong , two in Italy , two in South Korea , two from the Diamond Princess cruise liner , one each in France , Japan , the Philippines and Taiwan • Around 35 British passengers on the Diamond Princess ship quarantined in Yokohama , Japan , were on a government-chartered plane to the UK on Friday night • A total of 634 cruise ship passengers have contracted COVID-19 , including four Britons • Protesters in Ukraine attacked buses carrying evacuees from China to a hospital after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracted the virus .
• The impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the global economy will be among the topics for discussions among G20 financial leaders during their talks in Riyadh this weekend • World Health Organisation analysis has found that , of those people who get coronavirus , around 80 % have milder symptoms , around 20 % become serious or critical , and 2 % die Meanwhile , South Korea has reported another 142 cases , bringing the country 's total to 346 .
Of the new cases , 91 originated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was designated as one of the `` special care zones '' by the government .
On Friday , the confirmation of 100 cases had prompted the declaration of a health emergency in the southeastern city of Daegu , South Korea 's fourth largest .
South Korea 's prime minister Chung Se-kyun said the government would shift its focus to containing the domestic spread of coronavirus , not just its entry from abroad .
A woman in her 50s became South Korea 's second death from COVID-19 on Friday after she was transferred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Busan .
President Moon Jae-in ordered immediate action to track down followers who had recently visited the Daegu church and a hospital in the southeastern city of Cheongdo , where many cases have been reported in the past three days .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The World Health Organisation said the increase in cases in South Korea does not signal an increased risk of a pandemic as the cases were mostly linked to known , existing clusters of infections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday the turning point of the outbreak in the country has not yet come as it said the situation in Hubei province , where it originated , remained severe and complex .

Two people have died of the coronavirus in Italy in the space of 24 hours.
A man named by Italian news agency Ansa as former construction company owner Adriano Trevisan, in his late 70s, was among almost 60 suspected or confirmed cases in Italy so far.
The father-of-three died at a hospital in Padua, in the Veneto region in northern Italy, where he had been admitted along with another person who has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
Image: A sign reading "Emergency Department Closed" at the entrance to a hospital in Codogno
Image: Streets of Codogno deserted of people on Saturday morning
A second patient - a woman - then died hours after in Lombardy, a region also in the north.
The deaths have prompted local authorities in Lombardy and Veneto to shut schools, businesses and restaurants.
The first case officials were able to trace the outbreak to in Italy was reported to be a 38-year-old man from Codogno, who is believed to have caught the virus from a friend who had returned from China in January.
Since meeting his friend, he was found to have been at work, run two races, played in a football team, had at least three restaurant dinner and business meetings.
Health chiefs said on Saturday afternoon that the number of confirmed cases was 39 in Lombardy and 12 in the Veneto.
On Saturday in Codogno - a small village in Lombardy about 7 miles (11km) north of Piacenza - images showed the streets deserted of people.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 Ballet dancers train in masks amid coronavirus outbreak
In other coronavirus developments:
Mainland China had 397 new confirmed cases on Friday, down from 889 on Thursday - the lowest number since the National Health Commission started compiling nationwide data a month ago. It has now reported 75,569 cases and 2,239 deaths
17 people have died outside the mainland: Six in Iran, two in Hong Kong, two in Italy, two in South Korea, two from the Diamond Princess cruise liner, one each in France, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan
Around 35 British passengers on the Diamond Princess ship quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, were on a government-chartered plane to the UK on Friday night
ship quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, were to the UK on Friday night A total of 634 cruise ship passengers have contracted COVID-19, including four Britons
Protesters in Ukraine attacked buses carrying evacuees from China to a hospital after a fake email wrongly claimed some had already contracted the virus.
attacked buses carrying evacuees from China to a hospital after a fake email wrongly claimed some had already contracted the virus. The impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the global economy will be among the topics for discussions among G20 financial leaders during their talks in Riyadh this weekend
World Health Organisation analysis has found that, of those people who get coronavirus, around 80% have milder symptoms, around 20% become serious or critical, and 2% die
Image: The Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu has been disinfected
Meanwhile, South Korea has reported another 142 cases, bringing the country's total to 346. Of the new cases, 91 originated from a hospital in Cheongdo County, which was designated as one of the "special care zones" by the government.
On Friday, the confirmation of 100 cases had prompted the declaration of a health emergency in the southeastern city of Daegu, South Korea's fourth largest.
Image: The Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu has been disinfected
South Korea's prime minister Chung Se-kyun said the government would shift its focus to containing the domestic spread of coronavirus, not just its entry from abroad.
A woman in her 50s became South Korea's second death from COVID-19 on Friday after she was transferred from Daegu to the southeastern city of Busan.
President Moon Jae-in ordered immediate action to track down followers who had recently visited the Daegu church and a hospital in the southeastern city of Cheongdo, where many cases have been reported in the past three days.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The World Health Organisation said the increase in cases in South Korea does not signal an increased risk of a pandemic as the cases were mostly linked to known, existing clusters of infections.
China's ruling political bureau warned on Friday the turning point of the outbreak in the country has not yet come as it said the situation in Hubei province, where it originated, remained severe and complex.


news--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: How lockdown rules differ across the UK

After almost two months of being urged to stay at home , protect the NHS and save lives , the terms of the UK lockdown have now changed .
As Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeks to get parts of the British economy moving again , the restrictive measures we have become used to are now different depending on which of the home nations you live in .
The devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales are ignoring the 'stay alert ' rebrand to Downing Street 's coronavirus messaging campaign , and Northern Ireland has also decided to go its own way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wales and Northern Ireland are now managing the COVID-19 lockdown .
People across the UK have been allowed to enjoy one hour of outdoor exercise a day since the lockdown began , however everyone can now exercise outdoors as much as they like .
Those in England can also travel as far as they wish by car for the purpose of outdoor exercise , so they can visit a favourite jogging route that had until now been too far away from home .
And if people need to rest their legs after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park is now permitted in England .
Golf courses and outdoor tennis courts have also been allowed to reopen in England , but people can only play with members of their household and should keep away from others .
But those who do hit the road for exercise must not cross into Scotland and Wales , as first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford are continuing to urge people not to travel .
They are also still urging people not to go out just to relax or meet up with others .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like golf courses are in `` phase one '' of its lockdown recovery plan but for now only exercise like running and walking is allowed .
After weeks of insisting that there is no scientific evidence that face coverings could protect you from coronavirus , ministers are advising they should be worn in enclosed spaces where social distancing may not be possible .
This includes on public transport and in some shops .
Ms Sturgeon has been recommending that Scots wear face coverings since last month , and now Downing Street is issuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government in Northern Ireland .
Downing Street has even come up with instructions for how you can make a mask at home - read them here .
There is no conclusive advice on masks in Wales , with Mr Drakeford saying : `` It does n't protect you , the wearer , from anybody else , but it may protect other people from the risk of you infecting them . ''
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said it 's now fine for people to meet with one other individual from outside their household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the park and keeping two metres apart .
Theoretically , if you are in England , you could meet a friend in the park on Wednesday and your mum at the same location on Thursday .
But it must be a one-on-one meeting - multiple people from the same household can not meet with several from a different household .
The rules are more flexible in Northern Ireland , which is allowing groups of between four and six people from different households to meet up outside if they maintain social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people not to meet up with anyone they do not live with .
The prime minister wants people who can not work from home to start being `` actively encouraged '' to go to work , however this only applies to England .
He spoke about the prospect with an eye on industries like construction and manufacturing , but other outdoorsy businesses are also starting to reopen such as golf courses and garden centres .
Garden centres are also being allowed to reopen in Wales .
More quick-service food and drink locations like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen in England , although mostly in a drive-thru capacity .
In Scotland , it is still only essential workers who can not work from home who have the all-clear to go out to work .
Wales has also not followed the advice of the prime minister , but has previously introduced a new law compelling employers to ensure workers keep at least two metres apart .
Northern Ireland 's government says any changes to its advice on returning to work will be dependent on the R value ( which is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staying below one .
Despite the tweaks to the lockdown , it should be stressed that Britons are still being broadly advised to stay home other than for work and outdoor exercise .

After almost two months of being urged to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives, the terms of the UK lockdown have now changed.
As Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeks to get parts of the British economy moving again, the restrictive measures we have become used to are now different depending on which of the home nations you live in.
The devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales are ignoring the 'stay alert' rebrand to Downing Street's coronavirus messaging campaign, and Northern Ireland has also decided to go its own way.
Here's how England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are now managing the COVID-19 lockdown.
Image: Traffic into London has been busy as lockdown restrictions are eased slightly
Exercise
People across the UK have been allowed to enjoy one hour of outdoor exercise a day since the lockdown began, however everyone can now exercise outdoors as much as they like.
Those in England can also travel as far as they wish by car for the purpose of outdoor exercise, so they can visit a favourite jogging route that had until now been too far away from home.
And if people need to rest their legs after a long run, sunbathing in the park is now permitted in England.
Golf courses and outdoor tennis courts have also been allowed to reopen in England, but people can only play with members of their household and should keep away from others.
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Image: Places that do reopen need to employ restrictions to keep people safe
But those who do hit the road for exercise must not cross into Scotland and Wales, as first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford are continuing to urge people not to travel.
They are also still urging people not to go out just to relax or meet up with others.
The Northern Ireland government says public sport locations like golf courses are in "phase one" of its lockdown recovery plan but for now only exercise like running and walking is allowed.
Image: A cyclist wearing a protective face mask on Westminster Bridge, London
Face coverings
After weeks of insisting that there is no scientific evidence that face coverings could protect you from coronavirus, ministers are advising they should be worn in enclosed spaces where social distancing may not be possible.
This includes on public transport and in some shops.
Ms Sturgeon has been recommending that Scots wear face coverings since last month, and now Downing Street is issuing the same guidance - as is the government in Northern Ireland.
Downing Street has even come up with instructions for how you can make a mask at home - read them here.
There is no conclusive advice on masks in Wales, with Mr Drakeford saying: "It doesn't protect you, the wearer, from anybody else, but it may protect other people from the risk of you infecting them."
Image: People in Scotland can still go out for an hour of outdoor walking, jogging or cycling
Meeting friends and family
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said it's now fine for people to meet with one other individual from outside their household each day - so long as they are in the park and keeping two metres apart.
Theoretically, if you are in England, you could meet a friend in the park on Wednesday and your mum at the same location on Thursday.
But it must be a one-on-one meeting - multiple people from the same household cannot meet with several from a different household.
The rules are more flexible in Northern Ireland, which is allowing groups of between four and six people from different households to meet up outside if they maintain social distancing.
Scotland and Wales are still urging people not to meet up with anyone they do not live with.
Image: Sunbathers in Greenwich Park, London
Reopening businesses
The prime minister wants people who cannot work from home to start being "actively encouraged" to go to work, however this only applies to England.
He spoke about the prospect with an eye on industries like construction and manufacturing, but other outdoorsy businesses are also starting to reopen such as golf courses and garden centres.
Garden centres are also being allowed to reopen in Wales.
More quick-service food and drink locations like Burger King and Starbucks are also starting to reopen in England, although mostly in a drive-thru capacity.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:04 'Going back to work puts my family at risk'
In Scotland, it is still only essential workers who cannot work from home who have the all-clear to go out to work.
Wales has also not followed the advice of the prime minister, but has previously introduced a new law compelling employers to ensure workers keep at least two metres apart.
Northern Ireland's government says any changes to its advice on returning to work will be dependent on the R value (which is the reproductive rate at which COVID-19 spreads) staying below one.
Despite the tweaks to the lockdown, it should be stressed that Britons are still being broadly advised to stay home other than for work and outdoor exercise.


news--2020-05-12--Coronavirus: Morgues and storage rooms are full of bodies. The true death toll in Mexico City is sta

Coronavirus: Morgues and storage rooms are full of bodies. The true death toll in Mexico City is staggering

The number of people dying from the coronavirus pandemic in Mexico is five times higher than official government figures , according to health department insiders .
A Sky News investigations team working in the country 's capital Mexico City has documented cremations and funerals and gained access to morgues and storage rooms full of bodies - all indicate the official data is wrong .
In much of Mexico City , the second largest city in Latin America , there is virtually no social distancing , with open air markets and some businesses operating normally , despite the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been flattened and that there will be a dramatic drop off in virus related deaths in the coming days .
In a recent briefing , the country 's president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told the nation : `` What the world knows about Mexico is that we are taming the pandemic , and we are basically doing this because Mexican people are making a conscious effort . ''
But that has been dismissed by many dealing with the crisis as incorrect .
An official within the government , but speaking anonymously , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual mortality rate by a factor of at least five .
Senior private sector medical specialists have told Sky News that they warned the government of the impending epidemic in January but were told that there was `` nothing the government can do '' .
It has fuelled speculation among people familiar with the true figures that the government is going to try to tough out the virus spread and deal with the fallout later .
Failing to publish accurate death rates appears to be part of a strategy of containing panic in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City , which has an unofficial population of more than 30 million people and endemic poverty .
As part of its investigation , Sky News has collated mortality figures and contacted or visited dozens of hospitals , crematoria and funeral parlours .
With the help of staff , Sky News has accessed multiple hospital morgues and filmed rooms filled with bodies in bodybags , lying on gurneys or even stacked on wooden pallets because the morgue fridges are already full .
There is currently a three-day backlog for cremation at every public crematorium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent days have indicated that more burials will have to take place because burning capacity is overwhelmed .
Black smoke billows out over cemeteries as the ovens are cremating on an industrial level in the city but the bodies do n't stop coming .
In fact , the ovens simply can not cope and there are regular reports of breakdowns only adding to the backlog .
In full hazmat suits , crematorium staff are working around the clock bringing bodies to huge ovens for disposal .
Outside , the coffins that delivered COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed .
It was early morning when we visited the site but there were already a lot of coffins waiting to be removed .
Staff said the coffins are removed every day ostensibly for destruction .
But there is no independent verification of that , raising the spectre of COVID-19 coffins being reused .
In one hospital the autopsy lab is being used to store bodies in bags .
The examination tables are redundant , surrounded by bodies .
There is no room left in the hospital 's official morgue facilities .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of three storerooms workers said were used to keep the bodies .
We watched as a funeral parlour worker had to pick through corpses piled onto a wooden pallet to find the tag for the right body he had been ordered to remove for cremation .
None of the temporary morgues in the hospitals were refrigerated and the workers confirmed all the bodies were considered to be COVID-19 cases .
Outside one hospital on a main road , we filmed a funeral director as he stopped his car and opened the rear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined by a family member of the deceased person being transported , and together they removed the coffin lid and tore aside what appeared to be a plastic sheet to expose the face of the corpse .
He told us later the family member wanted to confirm the deceased as his father .
Such is the distrust in the whole system and the government 's response , families want to visually confirm that it is their relative they are cremating .
Throughout the whole identification process neither the director nor the family member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently oblivious to the danger of exposure to an infected corpse .
Sky News analysis of the data from 30 crematoria across Mexico City shows that each one is disposing of between 18 and 22 bodies each day , with a three-day backlog .
Taking an average number of 20 cremations , Sky has calculated the total number of cremations every day is 600 .
This figure does not include other crematoria or burials .
The urban area of Mexico City spans over two federal entities - Mexico City and the state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to work out the official figure for how many people have died , the figures for the two entities need to be added together .
Government figures show that the average number of people who die every day in Mexico City in May is 189 and ( averaged out over the last five years for which figures are available , 2014-18 ) and the number for the state of Mexico is 185 .
That makes a total average daily deaths of 374 .
That means there are at least 226 excess deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with most probably down to coronavirus .
In fact , crematorium sources told Sky News that 80-90 % of the deaths they are having to deal with are due to COVID-19 .
Official government data shows that Mexico City and the state of Mexico has had 1,326 COVID-19 deaths in total , throughout the entire duration of the pandemic .
In fact , the average number of daily COVID-1- linked deaths in Mexico City and the state of Mexico in May so far ( up to 12 May ) , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 % of the excess deaths dealt with by crematoria are due to coronavirus , Sky 's analysis suggests the government 's official figure is just 19 % of the true number of COVID-19 deaths in the Mexican capital and the actual figure is around five times higher than the health department 's website would indicate - the same amount we were told by our source .
Sky News has asked the government to explain the disparity in the numbers .
They are yet to respond to our request .
The point is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For family members , entry to the crematorium in Iztapalapa , one of the hardest-hit boroughs in Mexico City , is strictly limited to five people .
The rest of the family gather in groups at the gate waiting for the urn carrying the remains to be brought out .
This is the desperate human face of this tragedy .
Old and young in tears , unable to properly say goodbye , unable to attend the final service .
We spoke to one man , who asked to be called Carlos , waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They were there to collect the remains of her husband who died after experiencing `` flu-like symptoms '' followed by trouble breathing .
He did n't believe a word the government says .
`` They 're obviously lying , '' he said .
`` Here everything is a mess , they are not going to give you exact numbers , and I am not just talking about Mexico City , but the entire country .
They wo n't give you exact numbers here . ''
The number of people being cremated is staggering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and traffic around the crematoria .
The queues are endless .
Families say they are taken aback by the number of people dying and believe that ignorance , stigma and the government 's failure to publish the real numbers has left Mexico in denial of the pandemic .
Javier Maranon , who was waiting with his family for the remains of the family 's matriarch Maria who died of COVID-19 this week , told us : `` People do n't understand because there are many people who still keep going out without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the parks .
`` But the government has the responsibility to give real numbers , real figures , so that people are informed of what is going on , that there are many cases .
`` But if there are people who do n't want to understand , then that would be on that person , because the government can not be scolding each person .
But it is extremely important . ''
The Mexico outbreak is following the same trends seen across the globe .
The upward curve of death looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't cope and social distancing , let alone lockdown , is largely being ignored in Mexico City .
Short of a vaccine or a miracle , the effect on this society and this city could be utterly catastrophic .

The number of people dying from the coronavirus pandemic in Mexico is five times higher than official government figures, according to health department insiders.
A Sky News investigations team working in the country's capital Mexico City has documented cremations and funerals and gained access to morgues and storage rooms full of bodies - all indicate the official data is wrong.
In much of Mexico City, the second largest city in Latin America, there is virtually no social distancing, with open air markets and some businesses operating normally, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Image: Only the mortuary slabs are left unused in this post mortem examination room
The government claims that the virus curve has been flattened and that there will be a dramatic drop off in virus related deaths in the coming days.
In a recent briefing, the country's president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told the nation: "What the world knows about Mexico is that we are taming the pandemic, and we are basically doing this because Mexican people are making a conscious effort."
But that has been dismissed by many dealing with the crisis as incorrect.
Image: Another hearse arrives carrying a coffin at a crematorium
An official within the government, but speaking anonymously, confirms the official figures are undercounting the actual mortality rate by a factor of at least five.
Senior private sector medical specialists have told Sky News that they warned the government of the impending epidemic in January but were told that there was "nothing the government can do".
It has fuelled speculation among people familiar with the true figures that the government is going to try to tough out the virus spread and deal with the fallout later.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:11 Sky's Stuart Ramsay investigates the impact of coronavirus in Mexico, where amenities are overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of deaths.
Failing to publish accurate death rates appears to be part of a strategy of containing panic in the worst hit poorer parts of Mexico City, which has an unofficial population of more than 30 million people and endemic poverty.
As part of its investigation, Sky News has collated mortality figures and contacted or visited dozens of hospitals, crematoria and funeral parlours.
With the help of staff, Sky News has accessed multiple hospital morgues and filmed rooms filled with bodies in bodybags, lying on gurneys or even stacked on wooden pallets because the morgue fridges are already full.
Image: The number of bodies being brought into crematoria suggests government figures are wildly inaccurate
There is currently a three-day backlog for cremation at every public crematorium in the city and crematorium workers in recent days have indicated that more burials will have to take place because burning capacity is overwhelmed.
Black smoke billows out over cemeteries as the ovens are cremating on an industrial level in the city but the bodies don't stop coming.
In fact, the ovens simply cannot cope and there are regular reports of breakdowns only adding to the backlog.
In full hazmat suits, crematorium staff are working around the clock bringing bodies to huge ovens for disposal.
Image: This man wants to check a body is really his relative as he doesn't trust the authorities
Outside, the coffins that delivered COVID-19 victims are piled up waiting to be destroyed.
It was early morning when we visited the site but there were already a lot of coffins waiting to be removed.
Staff said the coffins are removed every day ostensibly for destruction. But there is no independent verification of that, raising the spectre of COVID-19 coffins being reused.
In one hospital the autopsy lab is being used to store bodies in bags. The examination tables are redundant, surrounded by bodies. There is no room left in the hospital's official morgue facilities.
Image: Bodies cover every available surface in this hospital morgue
At another hospital, we were taken into one of three storerooms workers said were used to keep the bodies. We watched as a funeral parlour worker had to pick through corpses piled onto a wooden pallet to find the tag for the right body he had been ordered to remove for cremation.
None of the temporary morgues in the hospitals were refrigerated and the workers confirmed all the bodies were considered to be COVID-19 cases.
Outside one hospital on a main road, we filmed a funeral director as he stopped his car and opened the rear door of the vehicle.
Image: Used coffins piled up outside a crematorium
He was joined by a family member of the deceased person being transported, and together they removed the coffin lid and tore aside what appeared to be a plastic sheet to expose the face of the corpse.
He told us later the family member wanted to confirm the deceased as his father.
Such is the distrust in the whole system and the government's response, families want to visually confirm that it is their relative they are cremating.
Throughout the whole identification process neither the director nor the family member wore masks, gloves or goggles, apparently oblivious to the danger of exposure to an infected corpse.
Image: Another coffin arrives at a crematorium in Mexico City
Sky News analysis of the data from 30 crematoria across Mexico City shows that each one is disposing of between 18 and 22 bodies each day, with a three-day backlog.
Taking an average number of 20 cremations, Sky has calculated the total number of cremations every day is 600. This figure does not include other crematoria or burials.
The urban area of Mexico City spans over two federal entities - Mexico City and the state of Mexico. Because of this, in order to work out the official figure for how many people have died, the figures for the two entities need to be added together.
Government figures show that the average number of people who die every day in Mexico City in May is 189 and (averaged out over the last five years for which figures are available, 2014-18) and the number for the state of Mexico is 185. That makes a total average daily deaths of 374.
That means there are at least 226 excess deaths occurring every day in early May, with most probably down to coronavirus.
In fact, crematorium sources told Sky News that 80-90% of the deaths they are having to deal with are due to COVID-19.
Official government data shows that Mexico City and the state of Mexico has had 1,326 COVID-19 deaths in total, throughout the entire duration of the pandemic.
In fact, the average number of daily COVID-1- linked deaths in Mexico City and the state of Mexico in May so far (up to 12 May), according to the government, is just 34.
Assuming 80% of the excess deaths dealt with by crematoria are due to coronavirus, Sky's analysis suggests the government's official figure is just 19% of the true number of COVID-19 deaths in the Mexican capital and the actual figure is around five times higher than the health department's website would indicate - the same amount we were told by our source.
Sky News has asked the government to explain the disparity in the numbers. They are yet to respond to our request.
The point is, people are continuing to die.
For family members, entry to the crematorium in Iztapalapa, one of the hardest-hit boroughs in Mexico City, is strictly limited to five people. The rest of the family gather in groups at the gate waiting for the urn carrying the remains to be brought out.
This is the desperate human face of this tragedy.
Old and young in tears, unable to properly say goodbye, unable to attend the final service.
We spoke to one man, who asked to be called Carlos, waiting for his sister outside the cemetery. They were there to collect the remains of her husband who died after experiencing "flu-like symptoms" followed by trouble breathing.
He didn't believe a word the government says.
"They're obviously lying," he said. "Here everything is a mess, they are not going to give you exact numbers, and I am not just talking about Mexico City, but the entire country. They won't give you exact numbers here."
Image: A woman carries away ashes of her loved one in a box
The number of people being cremated is staggering, as is the volume of hearses and traffic around the crematoria. The queues are endless.
Families say they are taken aback by the number of people dying and believe that ignorance, stigma and the government's failure to publish the real numbers has left Mexico in denial of the pandemic.
Javier Maranon, who was waiting with his family for the remains of the family's matriarch Maria who died of COVID-19 this week, told us: "People don't understand because there are many people who still keep going out without a face mask on, they keep playing in the parks.
"But the government has the responsibility to give real numbers, real figures, so that people are informed of what is going on, that there are many cases.
"But if there are people who don't want to understand, then that would be on that person, because the government cannot be scolding each person. But it is extremely important."
The Mexico outbreak is following the same trends seen across the globe.
The upward curve of death looks set to rocket, the health service can't cope and social distancing, let alone lockdown, is largely being ignored in Mexico City.
Short of a vaccine or a miracle, the effect on this society and this city could be utterly catastrophic.


news--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: 'Significant number of deaths' could occur during UK recession

A `` significant number of deaths '' could occur due to an economic recession resulting from the coronavirus pandemic , the UK 's chief statistician has warned .
New figures have shown the UK economy shrank by 2 % in the three months to the end of March , with Chancellor Rishi Sunak admitting it is `` very likely '' the country is now facing a `` significant recession '' .
Mr Sunak also said it would be `` premature '' to speculate on how quickly the economy could bounce back from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis .
Professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told MPs the total number of deaths - caused directly or indirectly - from the coronavirus pandemic would likely increase the longer the economy took to recover .
`` If we end up with an L-shaped recession , as opposed to a V-shape where we come back out quite quickly , an L-shape over a long period of time could lead to a significant number of deaths as a result of people being pushed into poverty or into long-term unemployment , '' Prof Diamond told the House of Commons ' Public Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that people in the lowest deciles of income have higher mortality rates , sadly , in our country . ''
Prof Diamond , who leads the Office for National Statistics , confirmed the UK is `` through the peak '' of coronavirus infections , but he said the country should be `` worried as we come through this current peak we do not seed another one '' .
`` There are a very , very large number of people still in the community who have COVID-19 , '' he added , telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK have coronavirus at the moment .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Prof Diamond suggested new outbreaks of coronavirus would be `` local '' rather than `` national '' with the government 's new joint biosecurity centre `` key '' to identifying them .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the new centre will monitor the UK 's coronavirus `` alert level '' in order to determine how tough social distancing restrictions need to be .
Prof Diamond told MPs he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK has the highest coronavirus death toll in Europe , although he said there was `` no doubt '' the country was at the higher level .
`` Because of the great difficulty in understanding exactly whether we 're comparing apples with apples or apples with pears , I 'm not prepared to say that the UK has the highest , '' he said .
Prof Diamond also expressed his personal belief that new laws should be introduced to require the electronic registration of deaths within 24 hours , in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registration data .

A "significant number of deaths" could occur due to an economic recession resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, the UK's chief statistician has warned.
New figures have shown the UK economy shrank by 2% in the three months to the end of March, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak admitting it is "very likely" the country is now facing a "significant recession".
Mr Sunak also said it would be "premature" to speculate on how quickly the economy could bounce back from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 'Very likely UK facing significant recession'
Professor Ian Diamond, the UK national statistician, told MPs the total number of deaths - caused directly or indirectly - from the coronavirus pandemic would likely increase the longer the economy took to recover.
"If we end up with an L-shaped recession, as opposed to a V-shape where we come back out quite quickly, an L-shape over a long period of time could lead to a significant number of deaths as a result of people being pushed into poverty or into long-term unemployment," Prof Diamond told the House of Commons' Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.
"We know that people in the lowest deciles of income have higher mortality rates, sadly, in our country."
Prof Diamond, who leads the Office for National Statistics, confirmed the UK is "through the peak" of coronavirus infections, but he said the country should be "worried as we come through this current peak we do not seed another one".
"There are a very, very large number of people still in the community who have COVID-19," he added, telling MPs an estimated 136,000 people in the UK have coronavirus at the moment.
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Prof Diamond suggested new outbreaks of coronavirus would be "local" rather than "national" with the government's new joint biosecurity centre "key" to identifying them.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the new centre will monitor the UK's coronavirus "alert level" in order to determine how tough social distancing restrictions need to be.
Prof Diamond told MPs he was "not prepared" to say the UK has the highest coronavirus death toll in Europe, although he said there was "no doubt" the country was at the higher level.
"Because of the great difficulty in understanding exactly whether we're comparing apples with apples or apples with pears, I'm not prepared to say that the UK has the highest," he said.
Prof Diamond also expressed his personal belief that new laws should be introduced to require the electronic registration of deaths within 24 hours, in order to prevent the current time lags in deaths registration data.


news--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: MPs 'alarmed' by plans for them to return to parliament in person

The Speaker of the House of Commons has warned he could suspend sittings if too many MPs enter the chamber - should the government push ahead with ending `` virtual '' proceedings .
Parliament is currently operating under a `` hybrid '' system where a maximum of 50 MPs are allowed into the Commons chamber in person , while up to 120 can join debates remotely by the Zoom video conferencing app .
However , the government has announced it expects the current arrangements to come to an end next month , with MPs instead attending in person .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday assured MPs his `` priority '' was `` to ensure that those on the estate are safe while business is facilitated '' .
He said nothing in the government 's announcement , made by Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg , `` changes the position on social distancing in and around the chamber and throughout the parliamentary estate '' .
`` I may suspend sittings between items of business to allow safe access to and exit the chamber , '' Sir Lindsay added .
`` I 'm also quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe the safe number of honourable members in the chamber risks being exceeded . ''
Sir Lindsay suggested that MPs voting in person would take around 30 minutes , possibly up to an hour , in order to observe social distancing rules if electronic voting - which has been trialled - was no longer allowed .
Valerie Vaz , Labour 's shadow leader of the House of Commons , said she was `` alarmed '' by Mr Rees-Mogg 's announcement and asked why parliament should `` contradict '' the government 's own health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual '' in June .
`` The House must lead the way in protecting the health and wellbeing of everyone who works in parliament by following public health advice to the letter , '' she said .
The SNP 's Tommy Sheppard said it was a `` fantasy '' to believe that physical sittings could resume in June without special procedures being in place .
He asked what should happen to MPs considered among those most vulnerable to coronavirus , or Scottish , Welsh or Northern Irish MPs , whose devolved governments have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker But Mr Rees-Mogg accused opposition MPs of trying to `` hide behind a veneer of virtual parliament '' as he noted how the government aims for pupils to return to schools before the summer break .
He said : `` How can we say to our schoolchildren , 'you 're safe going back ' , some of them , but that we 're not , that we 're going to hide away whilst schoolchildren are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give to our constituents ? ''
Mr Rees-Mogg claimed MPs `` in reality '' can not work from home , adding : `` The idea that our democratic system is not an essential one , is not the lifeblood of our nation , is not how the government is held to account at a time of crisis , is one that I think is surprising and extraordinary that it should be held by members of the opposition .
`` That they should not wish to be here challenging the government , holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hide behind a veneer of virtual parliament so that legislation is not progressed with . ''

The Speaker of the House of Commons has warned he could suspend sittings if too many MPs enter the chamber - should the government push ahead with ending "virtual" proceedings.
Parliament is currently operating under a "hybrid" system where a maximum of 50 MPs are allowed into the Commons chamber in person, while up to 120 can join debates remotely by the Zoom video conferencing app.
However, the government has announced it expects the current arrangements to come to an end next month, with MPs instead attending in person.
Image: Sir Lindsay Hoyle warned he could suspend crowded sittings Pic: Jessica Taylor/ UK parliament
The Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, on Wednesday assured MPs his "priority" was "to ensure that those on the estate are safe while business is facilitated".
He said nothing in the government's announcement, made by Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg, "changes the position on social distancing in and around the chamber and throughout the parliamentary estate".
"I may suspend sittings between items of business to allow safe access to and exit the chamber," Sir Lindsay added.
"I'm also quite prepared to suspend a sitting if I believe the safe number of honourable members in the chamber risks being exceeded."
Sir Lindsay suggested that MPs voting in person would take around 30 minutes, possibly up to an hour, in order to observe social distancing rules if electronic voting - which has been trialled - was no longer allowed.
Valerie Vaz, Labour's shadow leader of the House of Commons, said she was "alarmed" by Mr Rees-Mogg's announcement and asked why parliament should "contradict" the government's own health advice by returning to "business as usual" in June.
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"The House must lead the way in protecting the health and wellbeing of everyone who works in parliament by following public health advice to the letter," she said.
The SNP's Tommy Sheppard said it was a "fantasy" to believe that physical sittings could resume in June without special procedures being in place.
He asked what should happen to MPs considered among those most vulnerable to coronavirus, or Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish MPs, whose devolved governments have not yet eased any lockdown measures.
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But Mr Rees-Mogg accused opposition MPs of trying to "hide behind a veneer of virtual parliament" as he noted how the government aims for pupils to return to schools before the summer break.
He said: "How can we say to our schoolchildren, 'you're safe going back', some of them, but that we're not, that we're going to hide away whilst schoolchildren are going back - is that the right message to give to our constituents?"
Mr Rees-Mogg claimed MPs "in reality" cannot work from home, adding: "The idea that our democratic system is not an essential one, is not the lifeblood of our nation, is not how the government is held to account at a time of crisis, is one that I think is surprising and extraordinary that it should be held by members of the opposition.
"That they should not wish to be here challenging the government, holding them to account, that they wish to hide behind a veneer of virtual parliament so that legislation is not progressed with."


news--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: Building sites to increase working hours until 9pm in residential areas

Construction sites are set to increase their working hours and operate later into the evening as part of the government 's bid to restart the economy .
Between Mondays and Saturdays , building sites in England will be able to operate until 9pm in residential areas , and for longer in non-residential areas , Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced on Wednesday .
He said building sites could apply for this extension with `` immediate effect '' as it would help the industry `` catch up '' on work missed during weeks in the coronavirus lockdown .
`` Flexible working hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ builders to maintain social distancing guidelines , Mr Jenrick continued , adding that this would , in turn , ease pressure on public transport .
He added : `` These applications should be approved by local councils unless there are very compelling reasons not to do so . ''
Housebuilders Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon earlier confirmed that construction work had resumed , with the former saying the relaxation of measures was a `` very welcome '' change .
Crest Nicholson said it would restart work next Monday .
Also in the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laid out further plans to allow for the housing market to reopen .
Estate agent offices , show homes and removal companies can open from today , while virtual and in-person property viewings can also recommence .
Admitting that guidelines `` may seem confusing at first glance '' due to people being separated from families during lockdown but now being permitted to visit a stranger 's home , he stressed that viewings should be virtual , where possible .
He added : `` Where viewings do happen in person , we 've set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety of everybody involved in the property itself . ''
This will include viewings being by appointment only , a ban on open-house viewings , and a discouragement from speculative viewings , where buyers or tenants `` are not serious yet '' .
During the visits themselves , Mr Jenrick said social distancing will need to be maintained , while all internal doors inside the property should be kept open .
The occupier should also not be in the property at the time of the viewing and is advised to use this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` standing in the garden , if that 's possible '' .
Hand washing is advised , as per the usual guidelines , and all surfaces must be cleaned properly once prospective buyers have left the premises .
Those who are self-isolating and have purchased or sold a property recently `` should not be moving , '' Mr Jenrick stressed , and encouraged alternative arrangements be made to postpone moving dates for those involved .
But these new guidelines for the home-selling sector have faced criticism from some ministers who said the easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up '' .
Speaking earlier on Wednesday , SNP housing spokesman David Linden said the official messaging had changed from `` stay at home , protect the NHS and save lives , to four days later saying that you can traipse around any random stranger 's house '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Shadow housing secretary Thangam Debbonaire said the announcement focusing on movers had ignored those who are at risk of being forced to leave their homes .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us that if anyone is struggling , we 're all affected .
`` The announcement focused on those who want to move home but it ignored those who are at risk of being forced .
`` [ Mr Jenrick ] talked of show homes but not about people with no homes and we 've shown that when we work together we can virtually eliminate street homelessness in days .
There must be no going back , but people in emergency accommodation face that . ''
In response , Mr Jenrick paid tribute to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to bring rough sleepers into safer accommodation .
He added : `` But now we are in the next phase of that challenge and I do n't underestimate how difficult that will be . ''

Construction sites are set to increase their working hours and operate later into the evening as part of the government's bid to restart the economy.
Between Mondays and Saturdays, building sites in England will be able to operate until 9pm in residential areas, and for longer in non-residential areas, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced on Wednesday.
He said building sites could apply for this extension with "immediate effect" as it would help the industry "catch up" on work missed during weeks in the coronavirus lockdown.
"Flexible working hours" will also make it easier for builders to maintain social distancing guidelines, Mr Jenrick continued, adding that this would, in turn, ease pressure on public transport.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:13 How you can move house during pandemic
He added: "These applications should be approved by local councils unless there are very compelling reasons not to do so."
Housebuilders Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon earlier confirmed that construction work had resumed, with the former saying the relaxation of measures was a "very welcome" change.
Crest Nicholson said it would restart work next Monday.
Also in the government's daily press conference, Mr Jenrick later laid out further plans to allow for the housing market to reopen.
Estate agent offices, show homes and removal companies can open from today, while virtual and in-person property viewings can also recommence.
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Admitting that guidelines "may seem confusing at first glance" due to people being separated from families during lockdown but now being permitted to visit a stranger's home, he stressed that viewings should be virtual, where possible.
He added: "Where viewings do happen in person, we've set out a clear plan to ensure the safety of everybody involved in the property itself."
This will include viewings being by appointment only, a ban on open-house viewings, and a discouragement from speculative viewings, where buyers or tenants "are not serious yet".
During the visits themselves, Mr Jenrick said social distancing will need to be maintained, while all internal doors inside the property should be kept open.
The occupier should also not be in the property at the time of the viewing and is advised to use this time to take permitted exercise outside, or "standing in the garden, if that's possible".
Hand washing is advised, as per the usual guidelines, and all surfaces must be cleaned properly once prospective buyers have left the premises.
Those who are self-isolating and have purchased or sold a property recently "should not be moving," Mr Jenrick stressed, and encouraged alternative arrangements be made to postpone moving dates for those involved.
But these new guidelines for the home-selling sector have faced criticism from some ministers who said the easing of restrictions "doesn't necessarily stack up".
Speaking earlier on Wednesday, SNP housing spokesman David Linden said the official messaging had changed from "stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives, to four days later saying that you can traipse around any random stranger's house".
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Shadow housing secretary Thangam Debbonaire said the announcement focusing on movers had ignored those who are at risk of being forced to leave their homes.
She said: "This crisis has taught us that if anyone is struggling, we're all affected.
"The announcement focused on those who want to move home but it ignored those who are at risk of being forced.
"[Mr Jenrick] talked of show homes but not about people with no homes and we've shown that when we work together we can virtually eliminate street homelessness in days. There must be no going back, but people in emergency accommodation face that."
In response, Mr Jenrick paid tribute to everyone involved in the "tremendous effort" to bring rough sleepers into safer accommodation.
He added: "But now we are in the next phase of that challenge and I don't underestimate how difficult that will be."


news--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: 'Devil's breath' murder trial too complex to go ahead with social distancing

The trial of a couple accused of murdering a man with `` devil 's breath '' poison has been ruled too complex to go ahead with social distancing measures .
Diana Cristea , 18 , and her boyfriend Joel Osei , 25 , were due to stand trial at the Old Bailey next week - which is when jury cases are allowed to resume in England and Wales amid the coronavirus lockdown .
But Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb has ruled the trial would be too long and complex and would not be compatible with the strict COVID-19 guidelines due to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The couple , who are both from London , are accused of murdering dancer Adrian Murphy , 43 , after he was found dead in Battersea , south west of the capital , last year .
Prosecutors allege they gave him a substance called scopolamine , known more commonly as `` devil 's breath '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The drug comes from Colombian Borrachero trees and is used across Latin America .
Cristea , of Mill Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of no fixed address , deny any wrongdoing .
The case has been postponed for a pre-trial review on 26 June .

The trial of a couple accused of murdering a man with "devil's breath" poison has been ruled too complex to go ahead with social distancing measures.
Diana Cristea, 18, and her boyfriend Joel Osei, 25, were due to stand trial at the Old Bailey next week - which is when jury cases are allowed to resume in England and Wales amid the coronavirus lockdown.
But Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb has ruled the trial would be too long and complex and would not be compatible with the strict COVID-19 guidelines due to come into effect in courtrooms on 18 May.
The couple, who are both from London, are accused of murdering dancer Adrian Murphy, 43, after he was found dead in Battersea, south west of the capital, last year.
Prosecutors allege they gave him a substance called scopolamine, known more commonly as "devil's breath".
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The drug comes from Colombian Borrachero trees and is used across Latin America.
Cristea, of Mill Hill, north London, and Osei, of no fixed address, deny any wrongdoing.
The case has been postponed for a pre-trial review on 26 June.
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news--2020-05-13--Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis say Johnny Depp was 'never violent' in witness statements

Johnny Depp 's former partners Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis have both made statements saying the star was never violent towards them .
Paradis has described the actor as `` kind , attentive , generous and non-violent '' , according to court documents , while Ryder has said she `` can not wrap [ her ] head around '' allegations of abuse against him .
The statements have been made as part of Depp 's libel claim against The Sun newspaper .
He is suing the tabloid 's publisher , News Group Newspapers ( NGN ) , and executive editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 2018 that referred to him as a `` wife-beater '' .
The article related to allegations made against the Pirates Of The Caribbean actor by his former wife , actress Amber Heard - which Depp strenuously denies .
In a hearing conducted remotely , lawyers for the 56-year-old said they are seeking to admit evidence from Paradis and Ryder as part of his case , which is due to be tried at the High Court in London in July .
Actress , singer and model Paradis , who has two children with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness statement : `` I have known Johnny for more than 25 years .
`` We 've been partners for 14 years and we raised our two children together .
`` Through all these years I 've known Johnny to be a kind , attentive , generous , and non-violent person and father . ''
She added : `` He was never violent or abusive to me . ''
David Sherborne , representing Depp , said in court documents that his relationship with Paradis ended in 2012 , shortly before he and Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is first alleged to have been violent '' .
Ryder was in a relationship with the star in the 1990s .
In her statement , she said : `` I can not wrap my head around [ Heard 's ] accusations .
`` He was never , never violent towards me .
He was never , never abusive at all towards me . ''
Mr Depp 's lawyers also said they wish to call evidence from a former personal assistant to Heard , and a mechanic who worked for the couple .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in London on 25 March , with Depp , Heard and a number of Hollywood figures due to give evidence .
However , it was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The trial is now set to take place at the Royal Courts of Justice over three weeks from 7 July , with social distancing measures in place .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Justice Nicol , hearing the case , previously ruled that parts of Heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual violence , will be heard in private .
The exact nature of the allegations has not been disclosed to the media or public and remains unknown .
Mr Sherborne says Depp denies that he has ever hit any woman , and that he accuses Heard of being `` abusive and physically aggressive '' - which she vehemently denies .
Depp has brought separate libel proceedings against Heard in the US , which the court has previously heard are `` ongoing '' .
The pair met on the set of 2011 comedy The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February 2015 .
In May 2016 , Heard obtained a restraining order against Depp after accusing him of abuse , which he denied .
The couple settled their divorce out of court in 2017 , with Heard donating her $ 7m ( £5.5m ) settlement to charity .

Johnny Depp's former partners Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis have both made statements saying the star was never violent towards them.
Paradis has described the actor as "kind, attentive, generous and non-violent", according to court documents, while Ryder has said she "cannot wrap [her] head around" allegations of abuse against him.
The statements have been made as part of Depp's libel claim against The Sun newspaper.
Image: Depp pictured outside the High Court for a previous hearing in his libel case
He is suing the tabloid's publisher, News Group Newspapers (NGN), and executive editor Dan Wootton over an article published in April 2018 that referred to him as a "wife-beater".
The article related to allegations made against the Pirates Of The Caribbean actor by his former wife, actress Amber Heard - which Depp strenuously denies.
In a hearing conducted remotely, lawyers for the actor said they are seeking to admit evidence from Paradis and Ryder as part of his case, which is due to be tried at the High Court in London in July.
Actress, singer and model Paradis, who has two children with the Hollywood star, said in her witness statement: "I have known Johnny for more than 25 years.
"We've been partners for 14 years and we raised our two children together.
"Through all these years I've known Johnny to be a kind, attentive, generous, and non-violent person and father."
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She added: "He was never violent or abusive to me."
Image: Amber Heard and Depp met on the set of their 2011 film The Rum Diary and married in 2015
David Sherborne, representing Depp, said in court documents that his relationship with Paradis ended in 2012, shortly before he and Ms Heard were together, "and when he is first alleged to have been violent".
Ryder was in a relationship with the star in the 1990s.
In her statement, she said: "I cannot wrap my head around [Heard's] accusations.
"He was never, never violent towards me. He was never, never abusive at all towards me."
Mr Depp's lawyers also said they wish to call evidence from a former personal assistant to Heard, and a mechanic who worked for the couple.
A two-week trial was due to start in London on 25 March, with Depp, Heard and a number of Hollywood figures due to give evidence. However, it was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The trial is now set to take place at the Royal Courts of Justice over three weeks from 7 July, with social distancing measures in place.
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Mr Justice Nicol, hearing the case, previously ruled that parts of Heard's evidence, relating to allegations of sexual violence, will be heard in private.
The exact nature of the allegations has not been disclosed to the media or public and remains unknown.
Mr Sherborne says Depp denies that he has ever hit any woman, and that he accuses Heard of being "abusive and physically aggressive" - which she vehemently denies.
Depp has brought separate libel proceedings against Heard in the US, which the court has previously heard are "ongoing".
The pair met on the set of 2011 comedy The Rum Diary and married in Los Angeles in February 2015.
In May 2016, Heard obtained a restraining order against Depp after accusing him of abuse, which he denied.
The couple settled their divorce out of court in 2017, with Heard donating her $7m (£5.5m) settlement to charity.


news--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: Spain to 'reopen borders in July' - but British holidaymakers may have to wait

Spain is preparing to reopen its borders from early July - but Britons may have an extended wait before being able to travel there for holidays .
A reopening of borders , which have been closed since mid-March amid the coronavirus pandemic , could initially be for Schengen countries only , according to Spanish foreign ministry sources .
There are 26 countries in Europe 's Schengen area , which ensures relaxed border crossings between members , and does not include the UK .
Speaking to Reuters , one of the sources said travel from these countries could begin in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its `` new normal '' and looks to restart its economy .
A second source also confirmed to Reuters that borders were not believed to be reopened until this time .
It comes as Spain looks to revive its hard-hit tourism sector but also balance this with avoiding a second spike in new COVID-19 infections .
Austria and Germany , which both enacted lockdowns early in the outbreak , are planning to reopen borders fully on 15 June to try and recover its tourism sector in the summer months .
Switzerland , Lichtenstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also trialling staggered reopenings , while three Baltic states are preparing to reopen to EU travellers from 15 May .
Spain currently has a procedure in place to quarantine any incoming travellers for 14 days .
That policy is due to end later this month - but could be extended .
The Spanish government is also looking into different models of allowing foreign travellers into the country after this period - whether this includes `` sanitary corridors '' or `` medical-testing requirements , '' one of the sources said .
A sanitary corridor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Balearic Islands - could see a special opening for people from Germany and other countries where tourists usually travel from .
Every year , Spain 's popularity as a holiday destination attracts around 80 million visitors that contribute to a booming tourism industry , and which accounts for around 12 % of its gross domestic product .
This is part of a wider €150bn ( £133bn ) industry across the EU in general over the June-August travelling season .
On Wednesday , the European Commission began urging countries to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement '' should health situations across member states allow .
It is concerned that 6.4 million jobs - which make up more than half the tourism workforce - could be lost as a result of the pandemic .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The commission also encouraged domestic and intra-EU tourism as something that would `` prevail in the short-term '' , but warned that travel outside the bloc could see further disruption .
In order to avoid a rise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has encouraged airlines and airports to insist passengers wear masks , and to alter check-in and drop-off procedures to limit crowds .
Social distancing procedures should be maintained on cruises and public transport , according to its proposals .
The commission added : `` Until a vaccine or treatment is available , the needs and benefits of travel and tourism need to be weighed against the risks of again facilitating the spread of the virus that may result in a resurgence of cases , possibly leading to a reintroduction of confinement measures .
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Spain is preparing to reopen its borders from early July - but Britons may have an extended wait before being able to travel there for holidays.
A reopening of borders, which have been closed since mid-March amid the coronavirus pandemic, could initially be for Schengen countries only, according to Spanish foreign ministry sources.
There are 26 countries in Europe's Schengen area, which ensures relaxed border crossings between members, and does not include the UK.
Speaking to Reuters, one of the sources said travel from these countries could begin in early July as Spain begins to adapt to its "new normal" and looks to restart its economy.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:43 Europe loosens coronavirus controls
A second source also confirmed to Reuters that borders were not believed to be reopened until this time.
It comes as Spain looks to revive its hard-hit tourism sector but also balance this with avoiding a second spike in new COVID-19 infections.
Austria and Germany, which both enacted lockdowns early in the outbreak, are planning to reopen borders fully on 15 June to try and recover its tourism sector in the summer months.
Switzerland, Lichtenstein and some other eastern European nations are also trialling staggered reopenings, while three Baltic states are preparing to reopen to EU travellers from 15 May.
Spain currently has a procedure in place to quarantine any incoming travellers for 14 days. That policy is due to end later this month - but could be extended.
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The Spanish government is also looking into different models of allowing foreign travellers into the country after this period - whether this includes "sanitary corridors" or "medical-testing requirements," one of the sources said.
A sanitary corridor - an idea being encouraged by hoteliers on the Balearic Islands - could see a special opening for people from Germany and other countries where tourists usually travel from.
Every year, Spain's popularity as a holiday destination attracts around 80 million visitors that contribute to a booming tourism industry, and which accounts for around 12% of its gross domestic product.
This is part of a wider €150bn (£133bn) industry across the EU in general over the June-August travelling season.
On Wednesday, the European Commission began urging countries to return to the bloc's prided "unrestricted free movement" should health situations across member states allow.
It is concerned that 6.4 million jobs - which make up more than half the tourism workforce - could be lost as a result of the pandemic.
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The commission also encouraged domestic and intra-EU tourism as something that would "prevail in the short-term", but warned that travel outside the bloc could see further disruption.
In order to avoid a rise in COVID-19 infections between countries, the commission has encouraged airlines and airports to insist passengers wear masks, and to alter check-in and drop-off procedures to limit crowds.
Social distancing procedures should be maintained on cruises and public transport, according to its proposals.
The commission added: "Until a vaccine or treatment is available, the needs and benefits of travel and tourism need to be weighed against the risks of again facilitating the spread of the virus that may result in a resurgence of cases, possibly leading to a reintroduction of confinement measures."


news--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: Birmingham mows socially distant 'strips' into grass in parks to keep visitors apart

A solution to keeping people safe in parks as England 's lockdown is eased has been found by the country 's largest local authority .
With an expected surge in visitors as restrictions brought in to deal with the pandemic are loosened , Birmingham City Council has ordered two metre strips to be mown into grass in its 591 parks and open spaces .
The wider-than-normal channels will be divided by two metres spaces where the grass is left long .
From Wednesday , people can leave their homes more and are allowed to picnic and sunbathe as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O'Shea , head of the city council 's parks , said regular cutting has been paused as `` a significant number of our parks staff have been diverted on to other street-scene tasks during the early days of the coronavirus crisis '' .
He said : `` Because the grass has been left to grow for several weeks , it means where the grass is cut there will be a notable difference .
`` By cutting these channels , we will be making our parks more usable - and usable in a safer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance on how to follow the national guidelines to stay two metres away from people outside of your family .
`` The fact that we have 591 parks and open spaces of vastly differing sizes means it is not easy to promote the social distancing message across each and every site , but this is a way of doing something , best utilising the limited resources we have at this challenging time , '' he added .
Birmingham has recorded more than 3,100 coronavirus cases , second only to Kent which has more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English local authorities .
On Wednesday , another 494 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK were confirmed to have died , taking the total to 33,186 .

A solution to keeping people safe in parks as England's lockdown is eased has been found by the country's largest local authority.
With an expected surge in visitors as restrictions brought in to deal with the pandemic are loosened, Birmingham City Council has ordered two metre strips to be mown into grass in its 591 parks and open spaces.
The wider-than-normal channels will be divided by two metres spaces where the grass is left long.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 Lawn and order: Can grass keep us 2m apart?
From Wednesday, people can leave their homes more and are allowed to picnic and sunbathe as long as they observe social distancing.
Councillor John O'Shea, head of the city council's parks, said regular cutting has been paused as "a significant number of our parks staff have been diverted on to other street-scene tasks during the early days of the coronavirus crisis".
He said: "Because the grass has been left to grow for several weeks, it means where the grass is cut there will be a notable difference.
"By cutting these channels, we will be making our parks more usable - and usable in a safer way, where people will have some guidance on how to follow the national guidelines to stay two metres away from people outside of your family.
"The fact that we have 591 parks and open spaces of vastly differing sizes means it is not easy to promote the social distancing message across each and every site, but this is a way of doing something, best utilising the limited resources we have at this challenging time," he added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:27 Do you understand the new rules?
Birmingham has recorded more than 3,100 coronavirus cases, second only to Kent which has more than 4,200, in the list of English local authorities.
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On Wednesday, another 494 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK were confirmed to have died, taking the total to 33,186.


news--2020-06-14--Switzerland: Why thousands of women staged a mass scream

Thousands of women in Switzerland have taken part in a mass scream at a protest to demand equal treatment and an end to domestic violence .
During the Women 's Strike , they screamed for 60 seconds at 3.24pm - the time of day when women technically start working for free because of the wage gap .
They also staged a flash mob and held a minute 's silence for women killed by husbands or boyfriends .
Coronavirus restrictions meant there was a lower turnout than last year , when 500,000 people marched to highlight the nation 's poor record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 19-year-old student in Geneva who said her mother was killed by her violent partner , said her screams were not only for herself : `` I also scream for my sisters and brothers .
`` I scream for all the other children who lost a mother or a father , and I also scream for my mother , who would have screamed if she was still here . ''
Another Geneva resident , Rose-Angela Gramoni , said she had not missed an annual strike since they started in 1991 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the woman in her 70s said .
`` The next generation is here to take over .
But for a while , I was very sad .
I thought we fought for many things , but we did not finish the job and nobody was here to finish it . ''
Vani Niuti , 20 , said she would `` love to walk at night wearing a skirt , shorts or leggings without being insulted , without being scared to be raped '' .
Switzerland has a high quality of life but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay and equality .
Women earn roughly a fifth less than men - an improvement on 30 years ago when they earned a third less , but worse than in 2000 , government data shows .
Demonstrators decried violence against women and the LGBT community , and called for recognition of the often unpaid work of caring for family and relatives .
The first Women 's Strike took place a decade after gender equality had been enshrined in the constitution .
They marched to the slogan : `` if it 's a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Activists say many of their demands have still not been met .

Thousands of women in Switzerland have taken part in a mass scream at a protest to demand equal treatment and an end to domestic violence.
During the Women's Strike, they screamed for 60 seconds at 3.24pm - the time of day when women technically start working for free because of the wage gap.
They also staged a flash mob and held a minute's silence for women killed by husbands or boyfriends.
Image: Women in Switzerland screamed in protest against domestic abuse and gender pay gap
Coronavirus restrictions meant there was a lower turnout than last year, when 500,000 people marched to highlight the nation's poor record on women's rights.
Roxanne Errico, a 19-year-old student in Geneva who said her mother was killed by her violent partner, said her screams were not only for herself: "I also scream for my sisters and brothers.
"I scream for all the other children who lost a mother or a father, and I also scream for my mother, who would have screamed if she was still here."
Another Geneva resident, Rose-Angela Gramoni, said she had not missed an annual strike since they started in 1991.
"Now I can die in peace," the woman in her 70s said.
"The next generation is here to take over. But for a while, I was very sad. I thought we fought for many things, but we did not finish the job and nobody was here to finish it."
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Vani Niuti, 20, said she would "love to walk at night wearing a skirt, shorts or leggings without being insulted, without being scared to be raped".
Switzerland has a high quality of life but lags other developed economies in women's pay and equality.
Women earn roughly a fifth less than men - an improvement on 30 years ago when they earned a third less, but worse than in 2000, government data shows.
Demonstrators decried violence against women and the LGBT community, and called for recognition of the often unpaid work of caring for family and relatives.
The first Women's Strike took place a decade after gender equality had been enshrined in the constitution.
They marched to the slogan: "if it's a woman's will, everything will stand still."
Activists say many of their demands have still not been met.