news--2020-04-24--Coronavirus: Dettol maker says disinfectant should not be ingested 'under any circumstances'

The maker of Dettol has said its product should not be ingested `` under any circumstances '' after Donald Trump suggested tests should be carried out to see if COVID-19 patients could be injected with disinfectant .
In a statement , RB said since the US president 's remarks it had been asked if `` internal administration of disinfectants '' could be used to treat coronavirus patients .
`` As a global leader in health and hygiene products , we must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body ( through injection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` As with all products , our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines .
Please read the label and safety information . ''
Mr Trump made his remarks after one of his officials gave a presentation on the impacts of bleach and sunlight on coronavirus and how it reacts to different temperatures and surfaces , during Thursday 's White House task force briefing .
`` Right , and then I see the disinfectant , it knocks it out in a minute , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning , 'cause you see it gets on the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker '' So it will also be interesting to check that so you 're gon na have to use medical doctors .
But it sounds , it sounds interesting to me so we 'll see . ''
The president was already facing criticism for championing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has been shown to provide no benefit and possibly a higher risk of death .
Doctors immediately warned against the unproven idea , blasting it as `` irresponsible '' and `` dangerous '' , and said it could kill people .

The maker of Dettol has said its product should not be ingested "under any circumstances" after Donald Trump suggested tests should be carried out to see if COVID-19 patients could be injected with disinfectant.
In a statement, RB said since the US president's remarks it had been asked if "internal administration of disinfectants" could be used to treat coronavirus patients.
"As a global leader in health and hygiene products, we must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route).
"As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines. Please read the label and safety information."
Image: Improper use of disinfectants
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Lights and disinfectant: Trump's cure suggestions
Mr Trump made his remarks after one of his officials gave a presentation on the impacts of bleach and sunlight on coronavirus and how it reacts to different temperatures and surfaces, during Thursday's White House task force briefing.
"Right, and then I see the disinfectant, it knocks it out in a minute, one minute and is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning, 'cause you see it gets on the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
"So it will also be interesting to check that so you're gonna have to use medical doctors. But it sounds, it sounds interesting to me so we'll see."
The president was already facing criticism for championing hydroxychloroquine as a possible cure for COVID-19, which has been shown to provide no benefit and possibly a higher risk of death.
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Doctors immediately warned against the unproven idea, blasting it as "irresponsible" and "dangerous", and said it could kill people.


news--2020-04-24--EU negotiator Michel Barnier blasts UK for refusing to 'budge' ahead of 'short' Brexit deadline

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has lambasted the UK for imposing a `` short '' deadline for trade talks and then refusing to `` budge '' on key issues - but the UK has accused the EU of not treating it as an `` independent state '' .
Speaking at a Brussels news conference following the conclusion of the second round of negotiations on the future EU-UK relationship , Mr Barnier listed areas where there had been `` disappointing '' progress .
Without an extenstion to the Brexit transition period , during which the UK is continuing with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides have until the end of this year to strike a trade deal .
If an agreement is not reached , tariffs and quotas could be imposed on goods travelling between the EU and UK .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far resisted pressure to extend the transition period beyond the end of December , despite calls for him to do so amid the coronavirus pandemic .
After outlining those areas where little progress had been achieved in the latest round of talks , which were conducted by video conference , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , never in the history for such important negotiations with any third country , have we been under such time pressure .
`` The UK , therefore , can not impose this short , brief timeline and at the same time not budge , make progress , on some topics that are of importance to the EU . ''
The next negotiating rounds are scheduled for 11 May and 1 June .
The terms of the UK 's withdrawal agreement from the EU , which was ratified in January , allow an extension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transition period .
However , this has to be agreed before 1 July .
A UK government spokesperson described the latest negotiating round as `` full and constructive '' but admitted `` limited progress was made in bridging the gaps between us and the EU '' .
They added there was `` regret '' that the `` EU 's offer on goods trade falls well short of recent precedent in free trade agreements it has agreed with other sovereign countries '' .
There are also `` significant differences of principle in other areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
They continued : `` For example we will not make progress on the so-called 'level playing field ' and the governance provisions until the EU drops its insistence on imposing conditions on the UK which are not found in the EU 's other trade agreements and which do not take account of the fact that we have left the EU as an independent state . ''
Mr Barnier warned that `` genuine progress '' would need to be made by June if , by the end of the year , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the level of our economic interdependence and geographical proximity '' .
He accused the UK - whose negotiating team is led by Mr Johnson 's EU adviser David Frost - of not committing `` seriously '' on a `` number of fundamental points '' from the political declaration on a future UK-EU relationship , which was previously agreed by both sides .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Barnier said the political declaration needs to be implemented in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way '' , adding : `` This is not the case now yet in a number of areas .
`` I regret that and it worries me . ''
He listed four areas - including justice , fisheries and the so-called `` level playing field '' on rules and standards - where progress had been `` disappointing '' .
`` This week , the UK failed to engage substantially on these topics , '' Mr Barnier said .
`` It argued that our positions are too far apart to reach agreement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic inter-connectedness and geographic proximity require robust guarantees .
`` Yet again this is what we agreed with Boris Johnson in our joint political declaration . ''
Mr Barnier also reiterated that the UK would have to pay a `` lump-sum '' contribution to the EU budget if the transition period is extended beyond 31 December .

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has lambasted the UK for imposing a "short" deadline for trade talks and then refusing to "budge" on key issues - but the UK has accused the EU of not treating it as an "independent state".
Speaking at a Brussels news conference following the conclusion of the second round of negotiations on the future EU-UK relationship, Mr Barnier listed areas where there had been "disappointing" progress.
Without an extenstion to the Brexit transition period, during which the UK is continuing with the status quo of EU membership, both sides have until the end of this year to strike a trade deal.
If an agreement is not reached, tariffs and quotas could be imposed on goods travelling between the EU and UK.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:43 Now the UK is out of the EU, what next?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far resisted pressure to extend the transition period beyond the end of December, despite calls for him to do so amid the coronavirus pandemic.
After outlining those areas where little progress had been achieved in the latest round of talks, which were conducted by video conference, Mr Barnier said: "It's exceptional, never in the history for such important negotiations with any third country, have we been under such time pressure.
"The UK, therefore, cannot impose this short, brief timeline and at the same time not budge, make progress, on some topics that are of importance to the EU."
The next negotiating rounds are scheduled for 11 May and 1 June.
The terms of the UK's withdrawal agreement from the EU, which was ratified in January, allow an extension of up to two years to the transition period.
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However, this has to be agreed before 1 July.
A UK government spokesperson described the latest negotiating round as "full and constructive" but admitted "limited progress was made in bridging the gaps between us and the EU".
They added there was "regret" that the "EU's offer on goods trade falls well short of recent precedent in free trade agreements it has agreed with other sovereign countries".
There are also "significant differences of principle in other areas", including fisheries, the spokesperson said.
They continued: "For example we will not make progress on the so-called 'level playing field' and the governance provisions until the EU drops its insistence on imposing conditions on the UK which are not found in the EU's other trade agreements and which do not take account of the fact that we have left the EU as an independent state."
Mr Barnier warned that "genuine progress" would need to be made by June if, by the end of the year, a deal is to be struck "commensurate to the level of our economic interdependence and geographical proximity".
He accused the UK - whose negotiating team is led by Mr Johnson's EU adviser David Frost - of not committing "seriously" on a "number of fundamental points" from the political declaration on a future UK-EU relationship, which was previously agreed by both sides.
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:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Barnier said the political declaration needs to be implemented in a "serious, objective, legal way", adding: "This is not the case now yet in a number of areas.
"I regret that and it worries me."
He listed four areas - including justice, fisheries and the so-called "level playing field" on rules and standards - where progress had been "disappointing".
"This week, the UK failed to engage substantially on these topics," Mr Barnier said.
"It argued that our positions are too far apart to reach agreement.
"It also denounced the basic premise that economic inter-connectedness and geographic proximity require robust guarantees.
"Yet again this is what we agreed with Boris Johnson in our joint political declaration."
Mr Barnier also reiterated that the UK would have to pay a "lump-sum" contribution to the EU budget if the transition period is extended beyond 31 December.


news--2020-06-07--George Floyd death: Trump downplays huge day of Black Lives Matter protests

America has seen one of its largest days of protests against racism and police brutality since George Floyd died in custody .
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators , mostly wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic , marched in cities across the country on the 12th day of protests .
A second memorial service for Mr Floyd , who died in Minneapolis , Minnesota , on 25 May , was held in Raeford , North Carolina , where he was born .
Hundreds lined up to pay their respects ahead of a private family service later in the day and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DC 's protest was shaping up to be the largest in the country - and the world - as people of all colours demanded Donald Trump deal with institutional racism in America 's police forces .
A party-like atmosphere , with a serious undertone , was among the capital 's tens of thousands of protesters , which included families and people of all ages , playing music and carrying signs saying `` fed up '' , `` all lives do not matter until black lives do '' , and `` my black son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uniformed officers than earlier in the week and they were generally more relaxed , but the White House was heavily armed , with six buses of uniformed military personnel wearing body armour and carrying shields unloading into the grounds of the president 's home .
Despite the massive crowds , Mr Trump tweeted : `` Much smaller crowd in DC than anticipated . ''
The peaceful atmosphere appeared to continue across the country following pockets of violence earlier this week and last week .
Violence has largely subdued since the three police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer who knelt on Mr Floyd 's neck for almost nine minutes before he died , were arrested on Wednesday and Chauvin 's charge was upgraded to second-degree murder .
However , two police officers in Buffalo , New York , were charged with assault on Saturday after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester who smashed his head on the pavement as officers walked by .
In New York , where an 8pm curfew remains but was not tightly enforced , a large crowd of protesters marched over Brooklyn Bridge into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where many shops were boarded up over fears of looting .
Thousands more gathered in Harlem to march downtown to Washington Square Park but there were few signs of violence .
One of the more surprising protests was a gathering of about 200 people in the east Texas town of Vidor , infamous for its long association with the Ku Klux Klan .
Philadelphia saw demonstrators gathering on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum and chanting `` no justice , no peace '' .
The US 's most populous state , California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Los Angeles and San Francisco , where protesters blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge briefly as motorists honked their horns in solidarity .
Marching for George Floyd and others recently killed Most cities had lifted curfews imposed following violence , including Atlanta , where the protest to City Hall was more like a festival .
But there was a serious undertone as not only were they marching for Mr Floyd and all black people targeted unfairly by police , but also for two college students who were pulled out of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stun gun .
The incident was caught on video by a local TV station and six officers were fired and charged .
In Louisville , Kentucky , hundreds of people also had a cause closer to home as they joined a vigil for Breonna Taylor , a black woman shot and killed by police nearly three months ago as they attempted to search her home for drugs .
None were found .
And in Minneapolis , the city where Mr Floyd died , the mayor Jacob Frey was forced to walk through hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they chanted `` shame '' after he said he does not want to defund the police .
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have been out in force around the world , including in London where a march remained peaceful until Saturday evening when some people started throwing bottles at police outside Downing Street .
After a noticeably thinned down police presence , mounted officers were brought in to calm the crowd , with one officer hitting a traffic light and falling off her horse .
She remains in hospital in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made its own way back to the nearby stables .
In France , hundreds of people gathered in Paris in defiance of a police ban on large protests as they chanted Adam Traore 's name , a black man whose death in police custody has been likened to Mr Floyd 's death .
Authorities in the southern city of Marseille fired tear gas and pepper spray in skirmishes with protesters who hurled bottles and rocks .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify @ @

America has seen one of its largest days of protests against racism and police brutality since George Floyd died in custody.
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators, mostly wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, marched in cities across the country on the 12th day of protests.
A second memorial service for Mr Floyd, who died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 25 May, was held in Raeford, North Carolina, where he was born. Hundreds lined up to pay their respects ahead of a private family service later in the day and his funeral on Tuesday in Houston.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:34 Protests and memorials for George Floyd
Peaceful protests
Washington DC's protest was shaping up to be the largest in the country - and the world - as people of all colours demanded Donald Trump deal with institutional racism in America's police forces.
A party-like atmosphere, with a serious undertone, was among the capital's tens of thousands of protesters, which included families and people of all ages, playing music and carrying signs saying "fed up", "all lives do not matter until black lives do", and "my black son matters".
There were noticeably fewer uniformed officers than earlier in the week and they were generally more relaxed, but the White House was heavily armed, with six buses of uniformed military personnel wearing body armour and carrying shields unloading into the grounds of the president's home.
Despite the massive crowds, Mr Trump tweeted: "Much smaller crowd in DC than anticipated."
The peaceful atmosphere appeared to continue across the country following pockets of violence earlier this week and last week.
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Violence has largely subdued since the three police officers who were with Derek Chauvin, the officer who knelt on Mr Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes before he died, were arrested on Wednesday and Chauvin's charge was upgraded to second-degree murder.
Image: Protesters filled the newly named Black Lives Matter Plaza on 16th Street near the White House in Washington DC
However, two police officers in Buffalo, New York, were charged with assault on Saturday after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester who smashed his head on the pavement as officers walked by.
In New York, where an 8pm curfew remains but was not tightly enforced, a large crowd of protesters marched over Brooklyn Bridge into lower Manhattan and up a deserted Broadway where many shops were boarded up over fears of looting.
Thousands more gathered in Harlem to march downtown to Washington Square Park but there were few signs of violence.
Image: Thousands of demonstrators marched across San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, blocking motorists who honked their horns in support
One of the more surprising protests was a gathering of about 200 people in the east Texas town of Vidor, infamous for its long association with the Ku Klux Klan.
Philadelphia saw demonstrators gathering on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum and chanting "no justice, no peace".
The US's most populous state, California, had protests in several cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, where protesters blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge briefly as motorists honked their horns in solidarity.
Marching for George Floyd and others recently killed
Most cities had lifted curfews imposed following violence, including Atlanta, where the protest to City Hall was more like a festival.
But there was a serious undertone as not only were they marching for Mr Floyd and all black people targeted unfairly by police, but also for two college students who were pulled out of their car last Saturday and shocked with a stun gun.
The incident was caught on video by a local TV station and six officers were fired and charged.
Image: George Floyd's second memorial was held in Raeford, North Carolina, where he was born
Image: George Floyd's casket was shown to the public in Raeford before a private family memorial and ahead of his funeral in Houston next week
In Louisville, Kentucky, hundreds of people also had a cause closer to home as they joined a vigil for Breonna Taylor, a black woman shot and killed by police nearly three months ago as they attempted to search her home for drugs. None were found.
And in Minneapolis, the city where Mr Floyd died, the mayor Jacob Frey was forced to walk through hundreds of people, mainly sitting down, as they chanted "shame" after he said he does not want to defund the police.
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UK and France protests turn violent
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have been out in force around the world, including in London where a march remained peaceful until Saturday evening when some people started throwing bottles at police outside Downing Street.
After a noticeably thinned down police presence, mounted officers were brought in to calm the crowd, with one officer hitting a traffic light and falling off her horse.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:29 Moment police officer rides into traffic light
She remains in hospital in a non-life threatening condition and the horse made its own way back to the nearby stables.
In France, hundreds of people gathered in Paris in defiance of a police ban on large protests as they chanted Adam Traore's name, a black man whose death in police custody has been likened to Mr Floyd's death.
Authorities in the southern city of Marseille fired tear gas and pepper spray in skirmishes with protesters who hurled bottles and rocks.
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker


news--2020-06-07--Coronavirus: UK deaths lowest since lockdown began as 77 fatalities announced

A further 77 people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus - the lowest since the lockdown began .
No new deaths were recorded in Scotland and Northern Ireland .
The latest Department of Health figures for a 24-hour period up to 5pm on Saturday take total deaths with a positive test in all settings - including care homes - to 40,542 .
However , the actual figure is believed to be more than 50,000 as many people are believed to have died with the virus in the community without being tested .
The latest daily UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for COVID-19 after 142,123 tests were carried out - with nearly 5.6 million done in total .
Scotland recorded no new coronavirus deaths for the first time since lockdown started in March .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The daily figures for each UK nation are : • England - 72 new deaths - total hospital deaths 27,430 ( 36,192 in all settings ) Individual health authorities in the home nations collate their numbers at different times throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tally up to the UK government 's overall daily total .
Scotland 's health secretary urged caution in `` reading too much into today 's figures '' and reminded people that the number of deaths reported at the weekend is often lower .
`` It is still very likely further COVID deaths will be reported in the days ahead , '' said Jeane Freeman .
As the trend for fewer deaths and cases in the UK nations continues , Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests could cause infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sophy Ridge on Sunday show : `` Gathering in large groups is temporarily against the rules precisely because it increases the risk of the spread of this virus .
`` So I would urge people to make their argument , and I will support you in making that argument , but please do n't spread this virus which has already done so much damage and we are starting to get under control . ''

A further 77 people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus - the lowest since the lockdown began.
No new deaths were recorded in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The latest Department of Health figures for a 24-hour period up to 5pm on Saturday take total deaths with a positive test in all settings - including care homes - to 40,542.
However, the actual figure is believed to be more than 50,000 as many people are believed to have died with the virus in the community without being tested.
The latest daily UK update also showed another 1,326 people had tested positive for COVID-19 after 142,123 tests were carried out - with nearly 5.6 million done in total.
Scotland recorded no new coronavirus deaths for the first time since lockdown started in March.
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The daily figures for each UK nation are:
Scotland - 0 new deaths - total remains 2,415
Northern Ireland - 0 new deaths - total remains 537
England - 72 new deaths - total hospital deaths 27,430 (36,192 in all settings)
Wales - 5 new deaths - total 1,398
Individual health authorities in the home nations collate their numbers at different times throughout the day and so they may not tally up to the UK government's overall daily total.
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Image: There have been no new coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland
Scotland's health secretary urged caution in "reading too much into today's figures" and reminded people that the number of deaths reported at the weekend is often lower.
"It is still very likely further COVID deaths will be reported in the days ahead," said Jeane Freeman.
As the trend for fewer deaths and cases in the UK nations continues, Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests could cause infections to rise.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 20:06 Protests ‘undoubtedly a risk’ for infection
He told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday show: "Gathering in large groups is temporarily against the rules precisely because it increases the risk of the spread of this virus.
"So I would urge people to make their argument, and I will support you in making that argument, but please don't spread this virus which has already done so much damage and we are starting to get under control."


news--2020-06-06--Coronavirus: Government accused of blindsiding NHS trusts with new face mask rules

The government has been accused of placing hospitals in an `` incredibly challenging situation '' by failing to consult NHS trusts on new rules requiring outpatients , visitors and staff to wear face coverings .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock strengthened the government 's masks policy at Friday 's coronavirus briefing , announcing the changes will come into force on 15 June .
Although hospitals have more than a week to prepare , Saffron Cordery , deputy chief executive of NHS Providers , condemned the government for not consulting with trusts beforehand .
She told Sky News : `` What they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that more than 800,000 staff are able to access type-one or type-two masks on a daily basis , without any time really to put that in place and without any sense that we know the supply of masks will actually be there .
`` The government has done another one of its 'announce it before actually consulting with those who are affected ' .
`` That 's really difficult when you are a hospital chief executive working on the front line , and do n't know week-on-week what announcements are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She added : `` I think that they 've been put in an incredibly challenging situation . ''
Demand for face masks has increased in recent weeks , as advice on whether the public should wear them changes .
The government long suggested that they serve little use in stopping the transmission of COVID-19 , but they are now mandatory on public transport and encouraged in situations where social distancing is not possible .
Ms Cordery said it would be a `` major logistical challenge '' for hospitals to ensure they have enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands .
`` They 're going to have to negotiate with their logistical teams , the national supply chain that ensures PPE ( personal protective equipment ) gets to the front line , and make sure staff know how to use the masks .
`` It 's quite a big ask .
Hospital trusts are in the middle of a major operational crisis - dealing with the pandemic , which is still a major challenge , and trying to restart usual operations and procedures across the NHS .
`` Easing visiting restrictions is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients , staff and the public safe , social distancing has to be in place . ''
Ms Cordery also raised concerns about the `` longer-term '' supply of masks and other PPE , which has remained in high demand across the world .
She called on the government to offer `` complete transparency '' about stock , saying : `` Every hospital trust can then be clear on whether it can get its hands on what it needs . ''
The British Medical Association echoed Ms Cordery 's criticism , warning there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new policy would be implemented , where the masks would come from , or how outpatients and visitors would receive them .
Consultants committee chair Dr Rob Harwood said : `` Given the lack of PPE supplies throughout the pandemic , it is absolutely crucial that the government ensures there are enough supplies of face masks for staff , and adequate provision of face coverings for outpatients and the public by the 15 June . ''
The Department of Health and Social Care said `` further guidance for hospitals will be published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stocks and plans in place , and the guidance will be kept under review . ''
The government has not been alone in changing tack on face coverings , with the World Health Organisation also recommending they be used where social distancing is not possible .
The health body had previously said there was no evidence face masks worked , but now says new observations suggest they can help cut transmission of the virus .
It stresses hand washing , social distancing and other measures remain important .

The government has been accused of placing hospitals in an "incredibly challenging situation" by failing to consult NHS trusts on new rules requiring outpatients, visitors and staff to wear face coverings.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock strengthened the government's masks policy at Friday's coronavirus briefing, announcing the changes will come into force on 15 June.
Although hospitals have more than a week to prepare, Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, condemned the government for not consulting with trusts beforehand.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 10:32 'All people in hospitals to wear coverings'
She told Sky News: "What they have been asked to do is make sure that more than 800,000 staff are able to access type-one or type-two masks on a daily basis, without any time really to put that in place and without any sense that we know the supply of masks will actually be there.
"The government has done another one of its 'announce it before actually consulting with those who are affected'.
"That's really difficult when you are a hospital chief executive working on the front line, and don't know week-on-week what announcements are going to come out from the government."
She added: "I think that they've been put in an incredibly challenging situation."
Demand for face masks has increased in recent weeks, as advice on whether the public should wear them changes.
The government long suggested that they serve little use in stopping the transmission of COVID-19, but they are now mandatory on public transport and encouraged in situations where social distancing is not possible.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:57 Face coverings to be compulsory on public transport
Ms Cordery said it would be a "major logistical challenge" for hospitals to ensure they have enough supply to meet the government's new demands.
"They're going to have to negotiate with their logistical teams, the national supply chain that ensures PPE (personal protective equipment) gets to the front line, and make sure staff know how to use the masks.
"It's quite a big ask. Hospital trusts are in the middle of a major operational crisis - dealing with the pandemic, which is still a major challenge, and trying to restart usual operations and procedures across the NHS.
"Easing visiting restrictions is another major logistical challenge - to keep patients, staff and the public safe, social distancing has to be in place."
Ms Cordery also raised concerns about the "longer-term" supply of masks and other PPE, which has remained in high demand across the world.
She called on the government to offer "complete transparency" about stock, saying: "Every hospital trust can then be clear on whether it can get its hands on what it needs."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 10:10 Khan welcomes govt u-turn on masks
The British Medical Association echoed Ms Cordery's criticism, warning there was "little detail" on how the new policy would be implemented, where the masks would come from, or how outpatients and visitors would receive them.
Consultants committee chair Dr Rob Harwood said: "Given the lack of PPE supplies throughout the pandemic, it is absolutely crucial that the government ensures there are enough supplies of face masks for staff, and adequate provision of face coverings for outpatients and the public by the 15 June."
The Department of Health and Social Care said "further guidance for hospitals will be published next week to allow hospitals to get stocks and plans in place, and the guidance will be kept under review."
The government has not been alone in changing tack on face coverings, with the World Health Organisation also recommending they be used where social distancing is not possible.
The health body had previously said there was no evidence face masks worked, but now says new observations suggest they can help cut transmission of the virus. It stresses hand washing, social distancing and other measures remain important.


news--2020-06-04--Coronavirus: Spain considers reopening land borders with France and Portugal this month

Spain has announced it is considering plans to reopen its land borders with France and Portugal from 22 June .
The country shut its borders in mid-March to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , with only Spaniards , cross-border workers and truck drivers able to cross into neighbouring countries .
Spanish tourism minister Reyes Maroto said the country would probably lift quarantine measures for travellers coming from Portugal and France at the same time .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Foreign visitors to Spain will no longer have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrival in the country from the start of July .
But it is not yet clear whether British tourists will be immediately allowed to travel , as authorities have said the first tourists will be from countries at similar stages of their epidemic to Spain .
Other European countries have also announced plans to reopen their borders .
Germany is intending to lift its travel warning for European countries from 15 June , but may still advise against travel to specific countries , including the UK .
France is planning to lift restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already opened to international travellers , who do not currently have to quarantine on arrival .
Cyprus is also accepting visitors from other countries as long as they have a similar level of coronavirus to their own - the UK is not currently on the list .
The island 's authorities have promised to cover the holiday costs of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus after travelling to Cyprus , in a move it hopes will draw visitors back .
The Cypriot government said it would pay for accommodation , medicine and food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We wanted to create this package so people do n't feel afraid , '' Cyprus 's deputy tourism minister Savvas Perdios told Sky News .
`` We want to say that we will be there to take care of them and they do n't need to worry about who is going to cover the cost of those two weeks in isolation for example or their hospitalisation . ''
He said he also wanted to reassure travellers that if somebody tested positive in their hotel , they would n't all have to go into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a destination is ready to accept travellers , '' he said .
`` At the moment the defining factor is the policy of the UK and other countries to put people into quarantine on their return .
`` I certainly hope this is something that is going to be reevaluated in the coming weeks . ''
If it was Mr Perdios said he thought British tourists could be able to travel to Cyprus by the middle of July .
Travel outside of Europe is also slowly beginning to resume .
Virgin Atlantic has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London Heathrow to Hong Kong and Orlando , Florida , from 20 July .

Spain has announced it is considering plans to reopen its land borders with France and Portugal from 22 June.
The country shut its borders in mid-March to prevent the spread of COVID-19, with only Spaniards, cross-border workers and truck drivers able to cross into neighbouring countries.
Spanish tourism minister Reyes Maroto said the country would probably lift quarantine measures for travellers coming from Portugal and France at the same time.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Foreign visitors to Spain will no longer have to undergo a two week quarantine on arrival in the country from the start of July.
But it is not yet clear whether British tourists will be immediately allowed to travel, as authorities have said the first tourists will be from countries at similar stages of their epidemic to Spain.
Other European countries have also announced plans to reopen their borders.
Germany is intending to lift its travel warning for European countries from 15 June, but may still advise against travel to specific countries, including the UK.
France is planning to lift restrictions the same day.
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Meanwhile Italy has already opened to international travellers, who do not currently have to quarantine on arrival.
Image: Cyprus hopes its new measures will encourage visitors to return.
Cyprus is also accepting visitors from other countries as long as they have a similar level of coronavirus to their own - the UK is not currently on the list.
The island's authorities have promised to cover the holiday costs of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus after travelling to Cyprus, in a move it hopes will draw visitors back.
The Cypriot government said it would pay for accommodation, medicine and food for patients and their families.
"We wanted to create this package so people don't feel afraid," Cyprus's deputy tourism minister Savvas Perdios told Sky News.
"We want to say that we will be there to take care of them and they don't need to worry about who is going to cover the cost of those two weeks in isolation for example or their hospitalisation."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:33 Quarantine for travellers starts Monday
He said he also wanted to reassure travellers that if somebody tested positive in their hotel, they wouldn't all have to go into a 14-day quarantine.
"Cyprus as a destination is ready to accept travellers," he said.
"At the moment the defining factor is the policy of the UK and other countries to put people into quarantine on their return.
"I certainly hope this is something that is going to be reevaluated in the coming weeks."
If it was Mr Perdios said he thought British tourists could be able to travel to Cyprus by the middle of July.
Travel outside of Europe is also slowly beginning to resume.
Virgin Atlantic has announced that it is restarting flights from London Heathrow to Hong Kong and Orlando, Florida, from 20 July.


news--2020-06-06--Coronavirus: UK antibody testing lab will have 'major impact' on fight against COVID-19

This week has seen thousands of frontline NHS staff registering for , and being given , antibody tests for COVID-19 .
But because this is such a new virus , the benefits of any antibodies which are present once someone has recovered from the illness are still unknown .
Professor Anthony Rowbottom , is a consultant virologist at The Royal Preston Hospital , whose pathology team have been tasked with setting up a COVID-19 antibody testing facility .
Initially one of only four labs that have been chosen to do so .
`` Not all antibodies are the same , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the antibody recognises different parts of the virus .
What we do n't know is how important those parts of the virus are in providing immunity . ''
It is also unclear how long any immunity provided by the antibodies could last .
Estimates range from just a few months , to several years .
It is hoped that these tests will give scientists an understanding of how many of the population have actually been infected , which will in turn assist in the nationwide track and trace initiative .
Dr David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultant microbiologist , said : `` This news is most welcome and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is now at the forefront of measuring both the active disease using the PCR swab test and the antibody test .
`` Having both of these tests available will help us in our fight to beat COVID-19 . ''
Dr Orr is himself one of the statistics .
He has recently recovered after being infected with the virus .
So too has the hospital 's medical director , Dr Gerri Scales .
She says her positive test for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mind , but not a sense of invulnerability .
`` I feel confident in that I know I 've had the disease and that I 've recovered from it and I have the antibodies , '' she said .
`` But I do n't feel confident enough to stop using the routine precautions that I would do . ''
The laboratory here can process up to 30,000 samples every day , although it is likely that COVID-19 antibody testing will initially use only a third of that capacity .
At the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily .
`` Our advanced automation will allow us to perform thousands of tests a day .
The team work between the clinical biochemists and microbiologists will have a major impact in our fight against this wretched disease , '' says Dr Martin Myers , a consultant clinical biochemist .
The test involves blood samples being robotically processed to produce serum , which is then analysed for antibodies which will indicate exposure to coronavirus .
The virologists and biochemists do not like to refer to `` accuracy '' when talking about testing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' ( the correct identification of negatives ) and `` sensitivity '' ( the correct identification of positives ) .
Roche , the Swiss company who has manufactured the tests , says it will identify 100 % of people who have had coronavirus , which means it has 100 % sensitivity .
It also claims a specificity of over 99.8 % , meaning it picks up virtually all people who have not had coronavirus .
The government have already bought 10 million of the tests .
A Department of Health and Social Care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out millions of antibody tests to help us better understand how coronavirus is spreading across the country - which will be vital for future decisions about controlling the virus .
`` All NHS and care staff will be offered an antibody test , and , in less than a week , more than 194,000 antibody tests have already been carried out . ''
Within three days of the test being made available , 3,000 of the Lancashire NHS Trust 's 7,000 staff had registered to take it .
Another logistical problem for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of times .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The woman tasked with making it happen , with minimal disruption to patient care , is Claire Woods , the Trust 's COVID testing Operational Lead '' The quicker we can roll it out the better , '' she says .
`` Because it 's a venous sample it 's not as easy as just a capillary finger prick .
`` So it 's getting the ward staff to help out as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samples and making sure they 're all logged in through the quadra-med ( patient record ) system .
It is a timely process but we 're just inputting the staff into to make sure we can achieve this . ''
`` And is it achievable ? ''
I ask .
`` Absolutely , yes , '' she replies .
The tests are initially for hospital staff and inpatients , then wider NHS workers will have access to them before they are made publicly available .
The full roll out could take a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and test positive , know that it does n't mean any real change to their current situation .
They 'll still have to follow all the current guidelines and restrictions .
But it may just give them a little more confidence in the short term .
And in the long term the data collected from these tests could be vital in understanding how this devastating pandemic has spread , and hopefully how it can be fought .

This week has seen thousands of frontline NHS staff registering for, and being given, antibody tests for COVID-19.
But because this is such a new virus, the benefits of any antibodies which are present once someone has recovered from the illness are still unknown.
Professor Anthony Rowbottom, is a consultant virologist at The Royal Preston Hospital, whose pathology team have been tasked with setting up a COVID-19 antibody testing facility. Initially one of only four labs that have been chosen to do so.
Image: The government says 194,000 antibody tests have been carried out so far
"Not all antibodies are the same," he explains.
"We know that the antibody recognises different parts of the virus. What we don't know is how important those parts of the virus are in providing immunity."
It is also unclear how long any immunity provided by the antibodies could last. Estimates range from just a few months, to several years.
It is hoped that these tests will give scientists an understanding of how many of the population have actually been infected, which will in turn assist in the nationwide track and trace initiative.
Dr David Orr, clinical director of pathology and consultant microbiologist, said: "This news is most welcome and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is now at the forefront of measuring both the active disease using the PCR swab test and the antibody test.
"Having both of these tests available will help us in our fight to beat COVID-19."
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Dr Orr is himself one of the statistics. He has recently recovered after being infected with the virus.
So too has the hospital's medical director, Dr Gerri Scales.
She says her positive test for the antibodies has given her some peace of mind, but not a sense of invulnerability.
"I feel confident in that I know I've had the disease and that I've recovered from it and I have the antibodies," she said.
Image: Equipment used to take blood samples for virus antibodies
"But I don't feel confident enough to stop using the routine precautions that I would do."
The laboratory here can process up to 30,000 samples every day, although it is likely that COVID-19 antibody testing will initially use only a third of that capacity.
At the moment it is processing around 1,000 antibody tests daily.
"Our advanced automation will allow us to perform thousands of tests a day. The team work between the clinical biochemists and microbiologists will have a major impact in our fight against this wretched disease," says Dr Martin Myers, a consultant clinical biochemist.
The test involves blood samples being robotically processed to produce serum, which is then analysed for antibodies which will indicate exposure to coronavirus.
The virologists and biochemists do not like to refer to "accuracy" when talking about testing.
Rather, they refer to "specificity" (the correct identification of negatives) and "sensitivity" (the correct identification of positives).
Image: Computer-generated image of a COVID-19 antibody
Roche, the Swiss company who has manufactured the tests, says it will identify 100% of people who have had coronavirus, which means it has 100% sensitivity.
It also claims a specificity of over 99.8%, meaning it picks up virtually all people who have not had coronavirus. The government have already bought 10 million of the tests.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We are rolling out millions of antibody tests to help us better understand how coronavirus is spreading across the country - which will be vital for future decisions about controlling the virus.
"All NHS and care staff will be offered an antibody test, and, in less than a week, more than 194,000 antibody tests have already been carried out."
Within three days of the test being made available, 3,000 of the Lancashire NHS Trust's 7,000 staff had registered to take it. Another logistical problem for the NHS to overcome in this most difficult of times.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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The woman tasked with making it happen, with minimal disruption to patient care, is Claire Woods, the Trust's COVID testing Operational Lead
"The quicker we can roll it out the better," she says.
"Because it's a venous sample it's not as easy as just a capillary finger prick.
"So it's getting the ward staff to help out as well. Bleeding each other and taking those samples and making sure they're all logged in through the quadra-med (patient record) system. It is a timely process but we're just inputting the staff into to make sure we can achieve this."
"And is it achievable?" I ask. "Absolutely, yes," she replies.
The tests are initially for hospital staff and inpatients, then wider NHS workers will have access to them before they are made publicly available. The full roll out could take a number of months.
Those who take them, and test positive, know that it doesn't mean any real change to their current situation.
They'll still have to follow all the current guidelines and restrictions. But it may just give them a little more confidence in the short term.
And in the long term the data collected from these tests could be vital in understanding how this devastating pandemic has spread, and hopefully how it can be fought.


news--2020-06-07--Coronavirus: Brazilian government accused of hiding COVID-19 death toll after it removes data

Brazil 's government has stopped publishing a running total of coronavirus deaths and infections , prompting claims by experts it is an attempt to hide the true extent of the outbreak in the country .
It follows months of criticism of President Jair Bolsonaro 's handling of the crisis , after he dismissed the pandemic as `` a little flu '' and has refused to wear a mask or practice social distancing .
As the global total of coronavirus deaths passed 400,000 on Sunday and the number of confirmed cases 6.9 million , Brazil 's last official numbers showed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to COVID-19 and 615,000 infections - the world 's second-largest outbreak .
That is the third-highest death toll in the world , just ahead of Italy and behind the US , which has the highest , and the UK .
Brazil 's health ministry took down a website that had shown daily , weekly and monthly figures on infections and deaths in each of the country 's states .
Instead , it said it would now only be reporting cases and deaths in the past 24 hours , with Mr Bolsonaro defending the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative of the situation .
`` The cumulative data ... does not reflect the moment the country is in , '' he said on Twitter , citing a note from the ministry .
`` Other actions are under way to improve the reporting of cases and confirmation of diagnoses . ''
The website was taken down on Friday and reloaded on Saturday , with the ministry reporting 27,075 new confirmed infections and 904 related deaths .
The president said the daily update would `` avoid under-notification and inconsistencies '' .
Carlos Wizard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post at the ministry , said the federal government would be conducting a review intended to determine a `` more accurate '' toll .
`` The number we have today is fanciful or manipulated , '' he said .
A council of state health secretaries said it would fight the changes .
`` The authoritarian , insensitive , inhumane and unethical attempt to make the COVID-19 deaths invisible will not prosper , '' it said .
While precise counts of cases and deaths are difficult for governments worldwide , health researchers have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious irregularities with Brazilian government statistics , as well as a lack of testing , was making it impossible to get a handle on an escalating situation .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Last month , an investigation by Sky News revealed the scale of the crisis gripping the nation , as footage showed more than 13,000 graves being dug at the Vila Formosa cemetery , the largest in Latin America .
Days later , Arthur Virgílio Neto , the mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon region and in the heart of the rainforest , appealed to teenage environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg for help in a video posted online .
`` We have to save the lives of the protectors of the forest , '' he said .
`` We are in front of a disaster , something like barbarism . ''
The city , in northwestern Brazil , is home to about two million people , thousands of whom are indigenous people from the Amazon jungle .
Sky News ' Stuart Ramsay went there and found people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor fearing that inaction will lead to deaths that may never be known about because communities in the region are so isolated .

Brazil's government has stopped publishing a running total of coronavirus deaths and infections, prompting claims by experts it is an attempt to hide the true extent of the outbreak in the country.
It follows months of criticism of President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the crisis, after he dismissed the pandemic as "a little flu" and has refused to wear a mask or practice social distancing.
As the global total of coronavirus deaths passed 400,000 on Sunday and the number of confirmed cases 6.9 million, Brazil's last official numbers showed it had recorded more than 34,000 fatalities related to COVID-19 and 615,000 infections - the world's second-largest outbreak.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:58 'Gravediggers don’t stop digging'
That is the third-highest death toll in the world, just ahead of Italy and behind the US, which has the highest, and the UK.
Brazil's health ministry took down a website that had shown daily, weekly and monthly figures on infections and deaths in each of the country's states.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 7:22 'Bolsonaro weakens the stay at home message'
Instead, it said it would now only be reporting cases and deaths in the past 24 hours, with Mr Bolsonaro defending the move, saying the totals were not representative of the situation.
"The cumulative data... does not reflect the moment the country is in," he said on Twitter, citing a note from the ministry.
"Other actions are under way to improve the reporting of cases and confirmation of diagnoses."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:22 Amazon communities engulfed by COVID-19
The website was taken down on Friday and reloaded on Saturday, with the ministry reporting 27,075 new confirmed infections and 904 related deaths.
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The president said the daily update would "avoid under-notification and inconsistencies".
Carlos Wizard, a businessman expected to assume a high-level post at the ministry, said the federal government would be conducting a review intended to determine a "more accurate" toll. "The number we have today is fanciful or manipulated," he said.
A council of state health secretaries said it would fight the changes.
"The authoritarian, insensitive, inhumane and unethical attempt to make the COVID-19 deaths invisible will not prosper," it said.
While precise counts of cases and deaths are difficult for governments worldwide, health researchers have been saying for weeks that a series of serious irregularities with Brazilian government statistics, as well as a lack of testing, was making it impossible to get a handle on an escalating situation.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Last month, an investigation by Sky News revealed the scale of the crisis gripping the nation, as footage showed more than 13,000 graves being dug at the Vila Formosa cemetery, the largest in Latin America.
Days later, Arthur Virgílio Neto, the mayor of Manaus, situated in Brazil's Amazon region and in the heart of the rainforest, appealed to teenage environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg for help in a video posted online.
"We have to save the lives of the protectors of the forest," he said. "We are in front of a disaster, something like barbarism."
The city, in northwestern Brazil, is home to about two million people, thousands of whom are indigenous people from the Amazon jungle.
Sky News' Stuart Ramsay went there and found people dying in their beds, and the mayor fearing that inaction will lead to deaths that may never be known about because communities in the region are so isolated.


news--2020-06-07--Coronavirus: Mayors urge millions of residents to ignore easing lockdown over infection fears

Two regional leaders have urged millions of residents to ignore the government 's easing of the coronavirus lockdown and stay at home after the rate of infection was shown to be dangerously high in their areas .
The call was made by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram , Mayor of the Liverpool City Region , after a report by Public Health England and Cambridge University placed the R number - a key measure of how much COVID-19 is spreading - just above one in the North West .
A value of one or higher indicates the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the population , while a value less than one indicates it is in decline .
However , Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the government 's scientific advisory group ( SAGE ) still believed the R number was below one in all regions .
It comes as the government moved to further relax the pandemic restrictions and kick-start the economy , which is facing a deep recession and large-scale job losses as a result of the pandemic , including allowing non-essential shops to open .
In a joint statement , Mr Burnham , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.8 million people , and Mr Rotheram , whose region has 1.5 million , stressed the need `` not to over-react '' to the report 's findings and pointed out the number of infections and deaths in their areas were coming down .
But they did say the rise in the R number was `` a warning sign that must be taken seriously '' .
They added : `` First and foremost , we ask everyone to make a renewed commitment to follow the official guidance and to stay at home as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we would go further and advise people to err on the side of caution and not take full advantage of all the freedoms now available .
`` Staying at home is the best way we can protect ourselves , and each other , and get the R number in the North West back below one . ''
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The pair repeated their view that the easing of the restrictions nationally was too soon for the North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultation or forward planning '' .
They also argued that the suggested government strategy of `` local lockdown '' measures to fight any flare-up of the virus in particular areas was `` not helpful '' and a `` cause for serious concern '' .
Instead , the two mayors pressed for more detailed local information to identify at-risk areas , which could then be used to provide targeted messages and advice .
Both called for the government to revise its guidance on the reopening of schools and leave the decision to headteachers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would also be needed for people forced to self-isioate under the test and trace system , they said , and repeated their call for regions to have seats on the COBRA emergency committee , similar to the devolved administrations .

Two regional leaders have urged millions of residents to ignore the government's easing of the coronavirus lockdown and stay at home after the rate of infection was shown to be dangerously high in their areas.
The call was made by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, after a report by Public Health England and Cambridge University placed the R number - a key measure of how much COVID-19 is spreading - just above one in the North West.
Image: The rise in the R number is 'a warning sign that must be taken seriously', say the politicians
A value of one or higher indicates the coronavirus will spread at an increasing rate through the population, while a value less than one indicates it is in decline.
However, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the government's scientific advisory group (SAGE) still believed the R number was below one in all regions.
It comes as the government moved to further relax the pandemic restrictions and kick-start the economy, which is facing a deep recession and large-scale job losses as a result of the pandemic, including allowing non-essential shops to open.
In a joint statement, Mr Burnham, who is mayor for an area of 2.8 million people, and Mr Rotheram, whose region has 1.5 million, stressed the need "not to over-react" to the report's findings and pointed out the number of infections and deaths in their areas were coming down.
But they did say the rise in the R number was "a warning sign that must be taken seriously".
They added: "First and foremost, we ask everyone to make a renewed commitment to follow the official guidance and to stay at home as much as possible.
"In fact, we would go further and advise people to err on the side of caution and not take full advantage of all the freedoms now available.
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"Staying at home is the best way we can protect ourselves, and each other, and get the R number in the North West back below one."
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The pair repeated their view that the easing of the restrictions nationally was too soon for the North West and was done "without proper consultation or forward planning".
They also argued that the suggested government strategy of "local lockdown" measures to fight any flare-up of the virus in particular areas was "not helpful" and a "cause for serious concern".
Instead, the two mayors pressed for more detailed local information to identify at-risk areas, which could then be used to provide targeted messages and advice.
Both called for the government to revise its guidance on the reopening of schools and leave the decision to headteachers, in consultation with councils.
Financial support would also be needed for people forced to self-isioate under the test and trace system, they said, and repeated their call for regions to have seats on the COBRA emergency committee, similar to the devolved administrations.


news--2020-06-07--George Floyd death: Protests 'undoubtedly risk' increasing coronavirus cases, Matt Hancock says

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told Sky News `` it is undoubtedly a risk '' that the number of coronavirus cases will rise in the UK following the Black Lives Matter protests .
He told the Sophy Ridge on Sunday show : `` I support very strongly the argument that is being made by those who are protesting for more equality and against discrimination , but the virus itself does n't discriminate .
`` Gathering in large groups is temporarily against the rules precisely because it increases the risk of the spread of this virus .
`` So I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I will support you in making that argument , but please do n't spread this virus which has already done so much damage and we are starting to get under control . ''
On Saturday , tens of thousands of people across the UK defied government pleas and protested against racism after the death in the US of George Floyd .
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said 14 officers were injured during clashes with a minority of protesters in central London , following a peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another way '' of making their voices heard , rather than descending on the streets amid the coronavirus crisis .
Asked if he thought this country was racist , Mr Hancock replied : `` I do n't , but I do think that there is injustice that needs to be tackled , and I think that we are one of the most tolerant and open societies in the world , but I think there is always more that can and must be done , especially to empower people to achieve their potential .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests are `` based in response to events in America , rather than here '' , but he urged protesters to make their argument `` in a way that 's safe and controls the virus '' .
Pressed on why restrictions are being eased when the coronavirus alert level remains at 4 - which it has been since the lockdown was announced - Mr Hancock said the UK was `` winning the battle '' against the COVID-19 outbreak .
`` Sadly there are still people dying but the number of people dying each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people admitted to hospital is falling , the number of people in hospital is falling .
`` We are winning the battle against this disease and that allows us to release more of the restrictions - including putting in place this local action supported by the test and trace system .
`` But we 've got to be cautious in our approach to it because the last thing anybody wants is for the virus to get going again and us to have to go right back to square one . ''
: @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Hancock sought to play down reports of a conflict between the economy and health in relaxing the rules .
`` The worst thing for the economy would be a second spike and so there is n't this trade-off that much is made of in the media between the health and the economy , '' he said .
`` I care deeply about getting the economy going , and the best way to get the economy going is to ensure that we get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Another 204 people have died with the virus in the UK , according to the latest Department of Health figures released yesterday .
The data came alongside an indication that hospital deaths from COVID-19 in England are down .
Public Health England ( PHE ) said that 75 more people had died in hospital , the lowest number since 25 May , and the second lowest since 25 March , just after the lockdown began .

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told Sky News "it is undoubtedly a risk" that the number of coronavirus cases will rise in the UK following the Black Lives Matter protests.
He told the Sophy Ridge on Sunday show: "I support very strongly the argument that is being made by those who are protesting for more equality and against discrimination, but the virus itself doesn't discriminate.
"Gathering in large groups is temporarily against the rules precisely because it increases the risk of the spread of this virus.
"So I would urge people to make their argument, and I will support you in making that argument, but please don't spread this virus which has already done so much damage and we are starting to get under control."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:29 Moment police officer rides into traffic light
On Saturday, tens of thousands of people across the UK defied government pleas and protested against racism after the death in the US of George Floyd.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said 14 officers were injured during clashes with a minority of protesters in central London, following a peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration.
She too has urged protesters to find "another way" of making their voices heard, rather than descending on the streets amid the coronavirus crisis.
Asked if he thought this country was racist, Mr Hancock replied: "I don't, but I do think that there is injustice that needs to be tackled, and I think that we are one of the most tolerant and open societies in the world, but I think there is always more that can and must be done, especially to empower people to achieve their potential."
He said "thankfully" the protests are "based in response to events in America, rather than here", but he urged protesters to make their argument "in a way that's safe and controls the virus".
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Image: The COVID alert system being used by the government
Pressed on why restrictions are being eased when the coronavirus alert level remains at 4 - which it has been since the lockdown was announced - Mr Hancock said the UK was "winning the battle" against the COVID-19 outbreak.
"Sadly there are still people dying but the number of people dying each day is also falling, the number of people admitted to hospital is falling, the number of people in hospital is falling.
"We are winning the battle against this disease and that allows us to release more of the restrictions - including putting in place this local action supported by the test and trace system.
"But we've got to be cautious in our approach to it because the last thing anybody wants is for the virus to get going again and us to have to go right back to square one."
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Hancock sought to play down reports of a conflict between the economy and health in relaxing the rules.
"The worst thing for the economy would be a second spike and so there isn't this trade-off that much is made of in the media between the health and the economy," he said.
"I care deeply about getting the economy going, and the best way to get the economy going is to ensure that we get the number of new infections right down."
Another 204 people have died with the virus in the UK, according to the latest Department of Health figures released yesterday.
The data came alongside an indication that hospital deaths from COVID-19 in England are down.
Public Health England (PHE) said that 75 more people had died in hospital, the lowest number since 25 May, and the second lowest since 25 March, just after the lockdown began.


news--2020-06-07--Coronavirus: Americans drinking and inhaling bleach to try to prevent COVID-19 infections - study

Americans trying to prevent COVID-19 infections have reported cleaning their food and themselves with disinfectant and bleach , with some even inhaling or drinking the household cleaning products , a study has found .
According to research from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , nearly four in 10 people ( 39 % ) admitted to actions the health protection agency would consider dangerous .
The study took place in May shortly after President Donald Trump publicly asked whether injecting such products could treat COVID-19 .
Of the 502 adults surveyed , 19 % said they had put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vegetables , while 18 % admitted using household cleaning and disinfectant products on their hands or skin .
Some 4 % had drank or gargled bleach solutions , soapy water or disinfectants , 6 % had inhaled vapours from household cleaners or disinfectants , and 10 % said they had misted their body with a cleaning or disinfectant spray .
Health officials have cautioned explicitly against such behaviour .
The online poll analysed household cleaning habits during the coronavirus pandemic .
Overall , 60 % of respondents ( with an average age of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often in the month before they completed the survey than they did in the months leading up to the pandemic .
A quarter reported at least one adverse health effect which they believed was linked to the use of cleaning products , such as the skin , eye and sinus irritation , dizziness , headaches , nausea or breathing problems .
Those who reported at least one high-risk act reported health problems twice as often as those who did not behave dangerously .
The majority of participants also fared poorly on knowledge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the knowledge gaps and high-risk practices identified in this survey , most respondents believed that they knew how to clean and disinfect their homes safely ; thus , prevention messages should highlight identified gaps in knowledge about safe and effective practices and provide targeted information using innovative communication strategies regarding safe cleaning and disinfection . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The researchers acknowledged several limitations to the findings , such as not knowing whether the participants were truly representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to weight them as such ) or whether the adverse health effects were directly linked to the risky behaviour .
`` Finally , responses were recorded at a single point in time and might not reflect ongoing shifts in public opinion or cleaning and disinfection practices by the public throughout the national COVID-19 response , '' they added .
In April , CDC reported an unusual hike in poison control centre calls over harmful exposures to household cleaning products such as bleach .
Mr Trump has come under fire from medical experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether injecting COVID-19 patients with disinfectant could cure them from coronavirus .
These comments prompted the maker of Dettol to warn against its product being ingested `` under any circumstances ''

Americans trying to prevent COVID-19 infections have reported cleaning their food and themselves with disinfectant and bleach, with some even inhaling or drinking the household cleaning products, a study has found.
According to research from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly four in 10 people (39%) admitted to actions the health protection agency would consider dangerous.
The study took place in May shortly after President Donald Trump publicly asked whether injecting such products could treat COVID-19.
Image: Health officials say washing hands thoroughly and often is one of the most effective ways to prevent coronavirus
Of the 502 adults surveyed, 19% said they had put bleach on food, including fruit and vegetables, while 18% admitted using household cleaning and disinfectant products on their hands or skin.
Some 4% had drank or gargled bleach solutions, soapy water or disinfectants, 6% had inhaled vapours from household cleaners or disinfectants, and 10% said they had misted their body with a cleaning or disinfectant spray.
Health officials have cautioned explicitly against such behaviour.
The online poll analysed household cleaning habits during the coronavirus pandemic.
Overall, 60% of respondents (with an average age of 46) reported cleaning and disinfecting more often in the month before they completed the survey than they did in the months leading up to the pandemic.
A quarter reported at least one adverse health effect which they believed was linked to the use of cleaning products, such as the skin, eye and sinus irritation, dizziness, headaches, nausea or breathing problems.
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Those who reported at least one high-risk act reported health problems twice as often as those who did not behave dangerously.
The majority of participants also fared poorly on knowledge of cleaning practices.
Researchers concluded: "Despite the knowledge gaps and high-risk practices identified in this survey, most respondents believed that they knew how to clean and disinfect their homes safely; thus, prevention messages should highlight identified gaps in knowledge about safe and effective practices and provide targeted information using innovative communication strategies regarding safe cleaning and disinfection."
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The researchers acknowledged several limitations to the findings, such as not knowing whether the participants were truly representative of the broader US population (despite efforts to weight them as such) or whether the adverse health effects were directly linked to the risky behaviour.
"Finally, responses were recorded at a single point in time and might not reflect ongoing shifts in public opinion or cleaning and disinfection practices by the public throughout the national COVID-19 response," they added.
In April, CDC reported an unusual hike in poison control centre calls over harmful exposures to household cleaning products such as bleach.
Mr Trump has come under fire from medical experts for suggesting further research and tests into whether injecting COVID-19 patients with disinfectant could cure them from coronavirus.
These comments prompted the maker of Dettol to warn against its product being ingested "under any circumstances"


news--2020-06-07--Coronavirus: Oxford scientists working on COVID-19 vaccine 'near breakthrough' on antibody treatment

British scientists thought to be leading the global race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine are reportedly also close to a major breakthrough on a life-saving antibody treatment .
The Oxford University team have been confident about their work on a vaccine for coronavirus , with millions of doses already being manufactured by pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca in the expectation that it will work .
And there is now similar confidence that a separate project to create an antibody treatment for those especially vulnerable to COVID-19 will also prove successful , with testing now said to be moving at `` full speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of AstraZeneca , has described the treatment as a `` combination of two antibodies '' in an injected dose , reducing the chance that someone would develop resistance to one of them .
He told The Sunday Telegraph that the treatment could be vital for the elderly and vulnerable , `` who may not be able to develop a good response to the vaccine '' .
Healthy people can develop antibodies to a disease to fight off the infection and protect them from it in future , and coronavirus antibody testing has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
Thousands of frontline NHS staff have started being given antibody tests for COVID-19 to find out if they have had it , although scientists are still uncertain as to whether antibodies provide guaranteed immunity to the virus .
But while an effective antibody treatment could be vital for some , Mr Soriot told The Sunday Telegraph the vaccine remains the priority .
He added that production for antibody therapies is far more expensive than it is for vaccines .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soriot has previously suggested that scientists will know by July if the Oxford vaccine will work .
Trials are ongoing in the UK and have also got started in Brazil , after concerns that the UK 's falling transmission rate could stifle the work being done .
Under the leadership of President Jair Bolsonaro , who has repeatedly downplayed the threat of COVID-19 , Brazil has become one of the epicentres of the disease .
Brazil is second to the US in the number of cases globally , with more than 670,000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind the US and the UK .
AstraZeneca has signed deals ensuring millions of doses of the Oxford vaccine can be manufactured if it works .
One is with Microsoft founder Bill Gates , to supply doses to low and middle-income countries ; the other is with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations .
Around 30 million could be made available in the UK as early as September , Downing Street has said .
However , some scientists have expressed caution over how soon any vaccine could be made available .
The vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a weakened version of the common cold virus , which causes infections in chimpanzees .
The virus has been manipulated to not cause harm to humans , but contains part of COVID-19 so to trigger the body 's immune response to the virus 's spike proteins , which it uses to enter human cells and multiply .

British scientists thought to be leading the global race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine are reportedly also close to a major breakthrough on a life-saving antibody treatment.
The Oxford University team have been confident about their work on a vaccine for coronavirus, with millions of doses already being manufactured by pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca in the expectation that it will work.
And there is now similar confidence that a separate project to create an antibody treatment for those especially vulnerable to COVID-19 will also prove successful, with testing now said to be moving at "full speed".
Image: Scientists around the world are working to find a vaccine for the new coronavirus
Pascal Soriot, chief executive of AstraZeneca, has described the treatment as a "combination of two antibodies" in an injected dose, reducing the chance that someone would develop resistance to one of them.
He told The Sunday Telegraph that the treatment could be vital for the elderly and vulnerable, "who may not be able to develop a good response to the vaccine".
Healthy people can develop antibodies to a disease to fight off the infection and protect them from it in future, and coronavirus antibody testing has become a key priority for governments around the world.
Thousands of frontline NHS staff have started being given antibody tests for COVID-19 to find out if they have had it, although scientists are still uncertain as to whether antibodies provide guaranteed immunity to the virus.
But while an effective antibody treatment could be vital for some, Mr Soriot told The Sunday Telegraph the vaccine remains the priority.
He added that production for antibody therapies is far more expensive than it is for vaccines.
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Soriot has previously suggested that scientists will know by July if the Oxford vaccine will work.
Trials are ongoing in the UK and have also got started in Brazil, after concerns that the UK's falling transmission rate could stifle the work being done.
Under the leadership of President Jair Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly downplayed the threat of COVID-19, Brazil has become one of the epicentres of the disease.
Brazil is second to the US in the number of cases globally, with more than 670,000, and has reported 35,930 deaths, only behind the US and the UK.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:17 UK will have 30m vaccine doses by Sept - if it works
AstraZeneca has signed deals ensuring millions of doses of the Oxford vaccine can be manufactured if it works.
One is with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, to supply doses to low and middle-income countries; the other is with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
Around 30 million could be made available in the UK as early as September, Downing Street has said.
However, some scientists have expressed caution over how soon any vaccine could be made available.
The vaccine, named ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, is made from a weakened version of the common cold virus, which causes infections in chimpanzees.
The virus has been manipulated to not cause harm to humans, but contains part of COVID-19 so to trigger the body's immune response to the virus's spike proteins, which it uses to enter human cells and multiply.


news--2020-06-07--Coronavirus: PM to set out plans to rebuild economy amid fears of lack of strategy over second surge

Boris Johnson will make a key speech on rebuilding Britain 's economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis , amid growing concern that he does not have an effective strategy for preventing a second peak of the virus .
Fear is growing among ministers that millions of jobs may be lost if pubs and restaurants are not allowed to reopen this summer and Mr Johnson is understood to have tasked his team with developing plans to get business moving as soon as possible to prevent a major economic slowdown .
But medical professionals have warned that the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coping with the coronavirus as the death rate remains high and the rate of transmission has risen above 1 in some areas .
In a speech within the next few weeks Mr Johnson will set out how his government will fast-track infrastructure projects in order to create jobs and rebuild the economy .
He is also understood to be looking at how to increase apprenticeships , improve the use of data across government and bolster the NHS before a potential second outbreak this winter .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spotify , Spreaker However medical professionals have warned of a breakdown of trust and communication between the NHS and ministers in the wake of a government announcement calling on all hospital staff to wear face masks made earlier this week .
Chris Hopson , chief executive of NHS Providers , said hospital trusts had not been warned of the changes and highlighted fears about supply of masks to staff .
Speaking to the Observer newspaper , Mr Hopson said : `` The real concern is that we do n't have that same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not having the kind of honest and open debates that we need .
We seem to be resorting to kind of fairly cheap political rhetoric about stuff being world-class , when it clearly is n't . ''
Downing Street has insisted that Mr Johnson 's main focus remains tackling coronavirus , which has killed more than 40,000 people in the UK so far .
But there is a growing sense among Mr Johnson and his senior team that millions of job losses also present a major risk to the country and urgent plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as some lockdown measures are eased .

Boris Johnson will make a key speech on rebuilding Britain's economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, amid growing concern that he does not have an effective strategy for preventing a second peak of the virus.
Fear is growing among ministers that millions of jobs may be lost if pubs and restaurants are not allowed to reopen this summer and Mr Johnson is understood to have tasked his team with developing plans to get business moving as soon as possible to prevent a major economic slowdown.
But medical professionals have warned that the prime minister must not take his focus away from coping with the coronavirus as the death rate remains high and the rate of transmission has risen above 1 in some areas.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:17 How should the UK economy be structured?
In a speech within the next few weeks Mr Johnson will set out how his government will fast-track infrastructure projects in order to create jobs and rebuild the economy.
He is also understood to be looking at how to increase apprenticeships, improve the use of data across government and bolster the NHS before a potential second outbreak this winter.
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
However medical professionals have warned of a breakdown of trust and communication between the NHS and ministers in the wake of a government announcement calling on all hospital staff to wear face masks made earlier this week.
Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said hospital trusts had not been warned of the changes and highlighted fears about supply of masks to staff.
Speaking to the Observer newspaper, Mr Hopson said: "The real concern is that we don't have that same degree of trust, because we're not having the kind of honest and open debates that we need. We seem to be resorting to kind of fairly cheap political rhetoric about stuff being world-class, when it clearly isn't."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 8:20 After The Pandemic: Will working life change?
Downing Street has insisted that Mr Johnson's main focus remains tackling coronavirus, which has killed more than 40,000 people in the UK so far.
But there is a growing sense among Mr Johnson and his senior team that millions of job losses also present a major risk to the country and urgent plans are needed to try to support businesses as some lockdown measures are eased.