news--2020-02-19--Coronavirus: 542 fell ill during a cruise ship quarantine. How did this happen?

The 14-day quarantine on the Diamond Princess was meant to stop the coronavirus outbreak from getting worse .
But as passengers and crew are finally allowed to disembark the cruise ship - described as a `` floating prison '' by some - questions are being asked about what went wrong on board .
At least 542 cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , have been confirmed among the 3,711 kept in isolation .
This is the biggest cluster of cases outside China , making the Diamond Princess the only other place where health officials have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan 's government has repeatedly defended the effectiveness of the quarantine , the ship has seemed to serve as an incubator for the virus .
There are concerns that some of the protocols on board may have been too lax , with three Japanese health workers involved in quarantine checks falling ill themselves .
Dr Nathalie MacDermott , an outbreak expert at King 's College London , said : `` Obviously the quarantine has n't worked , and this ship has now become a source of infection . ''
Scientists believe the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cough or sneeze , but Dr MacDermott says `` there could also be another mode of transmission '' .
What the air filtration on board the ship is like , how the cabins are connected , and how waste products were disposed could help explain what happened .
`` There 's no reason this [ quarantine ] should not have worked if it had been done properly , '' Dr MacDermott added .
For a fortnight , passengers were told to stay in their cabins and avoid contact with others .
Those without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deck for an hour each day provided they wore a face mask and kept their distance .
Dr Paul Hunter , a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia , suggested that this isolation may not have been as extensive as initially thought .
`` It 's difficult to enforce a quarantine in a ship environment and I 'm absolutely sure there were some passengers who think they 're not going to let anyone tell them what they can and can not do , '' he explained .
Dr Hunter acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confined space is logistically challenging to say the least - adding that infection control procedures may have been more effective if the isolation had taken place on land .
Those on board , including more than 70 British passengers and crew , will be keen to get home and return to their normal lives - but they may not be out of the woods yet .
The Foreign Office has already confirmed that affected Britons will need to complete another 14 days of isolation when they return to the UK , and similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
Dr Hunter added : `` Given how the virus has continued to spread , we have to presume everyone leaving the ship is potentially infected , and therefore they have to go through another two-week quarantine period .
Not to do so would be reckless . ''
Other scientists have said passengers should have been removed from the ship from the beginning .
Professor Arthur Caplan , who specialises in bioethics at the New York University School of Medicine , said : `` Boats are notorious places for being incubators for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep people on the boat if there are no other options . ''
Japanese health officials maintain that the precautions taken on the ship were adequate , and have expressed hope that all on board will get home smoothly and quickly .
Asked to comment by Sky News , Princess Cruises said that the quarantine process is the responsibility of Japan 's health ministry .

The 14-day quarantine on the Diamond Princess was meant to stop the coronavirus outbreak from getting worse.
But as passengers and crew are finally allowed to disembark the cruise ship - described as a "floating prison" by some - questions are being asked about what went wrong on board.
At least 542 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, have been confirmed among the 3,711 kept in isolation.
Image: A passenger stands on a balcony aboard the Diamond Princess
This is the biggest cluster of cases outside China, making the Diamond Princess the only other place where health officials have seen COVID-19 spread easily among people.
Although Japan's government has repeatedly defended the effectiveness of the quarantine, the ship has seemed to serve as an incubator for the virus.
There are concerns that some of the protocols on board may have been too lax, with three Japanese health workers involved in quarantine checks falling ill themselves.
Dr Nathalie MacDermott, an outbreak expert at King's College London, said: "Obviously the quarantine hasn't worked, and this ship has now become a source of infection."
Scientists believe the disease is mostly spread by droplets when people cough or sneeze, but Dr MacDermott says "there could also be another mode of transmission".
Image: The Diamond Princess is the site of the most COVID-19 infections outside China
What the air filtration on board the ship is like, how the cabins are connected, and how waste products were disposed could help explain what happened.
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"There's no reason this [quarantine] should not have worked if it had been done properly," Dr MacDermott added.
For a fortnight, passengers were told to stay in their cabins and avoid contact with others. Those without a window were allowed to walk on deck for an hour each day provided they wore a face mask and kept their distance.
Dr Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, suggested that this isolation may not have been as extensive as initially thought.
"It's difficult to enforce a quarantine in a ship environment and I'm absolutely sure there were some passengers who think they're not going to let anyone tell them what they can and cannot do," he explained.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 13:31 Coronavirus: How worried should we be?
Dr Hunter acknowledged that quarantining 3,700 people in such a confined space is logistically challenging to say the least - adding that infection control procedures may have been more effective if the isolation had taken place on land.
Those on board, including more than 70 British passengers and crew, will be keen to get home and return to their normal lives - but they may not be out of the woods yet.
The Foreign Office has already confirmed that affected Britons will need to complete another 14 days of isolation when they return to the UK, and similar measures have been adopted by other countries too.
Image: American cruise ship passengers have been evacuated - but face another 14 days of quarantine
Dr Hunter added: "Given how the virus has continued to spread, we have to presume everyone leaving the ship is potentially infected, and therefore they have to go through another two-week quarantine period. Not to do so would be reckless."
Other scientists have said passengers should have been removed from the ship from the beginning.
Professor Arthur Caplan, who specialises in bioethics at the New York University School of Medicine, said: "Boats are notorious places for being incubators for viruses. It's only morally justified to keep people on the boat if there are no other options."
Image: Three Japanese health workers involved in quarantine checks fell ill themselves. Pic: David Abel
Japanese health officials maintain that the precautions taken on the ship were adequate, and have expressed hope that all on board will get home smoothly and quickly.
Asked to comment by Sky News, Princess Cruises said that the quarantine process is the responsibility of Japan's health ministry.


news--2020-02-19--Coronavirus: Britons on cruise ship in Japan face 14-day quarantine on the Wirral

Britons on board a quarantined cruise ship in Japan following the coronavirus outbreak will face 14 days of isolation in NHS accommodation at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral when they return home .
It is the same facility where 94 people , who were previously flown back to the UK from the virus ' epicentre in Wuhan , China , were also quarantined for a fortnight until they were released last week .
In a letter to staff , Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust said : `` Following the successful management of two previous groups of repatriated British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arrowe Park has been asked to host the Britons from Japan and look after them throughout their quarantine period .
`` We are still waiting for final confirmation of how many will be joining us but we wanted you to be aware of the situation as soon as we could . ''
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office ( FCO ) says UK passengers on the Diamond Princess will be evacuated `` as soon as possible '' .
There were 78 British nationals on the ship - which has been docked off the coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four have since been confirmed to have the illness , also known as Covid-19 .
But the UK government has warned anyone who gets off may not be able to join the evacuation flight .
Hundreds of people who tested negative began leaving the ship on Wednesday , but they still had to have their body temperature checked before disembarking .
Some passengers tweeted to say they received health check forms asking if they had symptoms such as a headache , fever or coughing .
The FCO is organising a repatriation flight from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes will go ahead later this week , but it is unclear how many British nationals will be on board .
It is understood only those without symptoms will be allowed to fly , while any confirmed cases will continue to be treated in Japan .
David and Sally Abel , from Oxfordshire , have been posting regular updates online from the Diamond Princess , and say they have been diagnosed with Covid-19 .
In a Facebook post on Wednesday , he said : `` We are going to a hostel because there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In four or five days we will be removed from the hostel and put into a hospital where we will receive treatment , so I ca n't see in any way we are on that flight to the UK . ''
Those who make it will be monitored and then taken to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said : `` They will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14-day quarantine period , with around-the-clock support from medical staff at all times . ''
He added that there was `` no risk to the public '' , and that the hospital would `` continue to run as normal '' .
It comes as Alan Steele , the first Briton to be diagnosed with the virus , said on Facebook that he had left hospital .
As of Wednesday afternoon , a total of 5,216 people have been tested for Covid-19 in the UK , of whom nine have come back positive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is mapping the outbreak , there are 75,284 confirmed cases .
of which are mostly in China where the outbreak began and 2,014 deaths .

Britons on board a quarantined cruise ship in Japan following the coronavirus outbreak will face 14 days of isolation in NHS accommodation at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral when they return home.
It is the same facility where 94 people, who were previously flown back to the UK from the virus' epicentre in Wuhan, China, were also quarantined for a fortnight until they were released last week.
Image: Workers in protective gear are seen near the Diamond Princess in Yokohama
In a letter to staff, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust said: "Following the successful management of two previous groups of repatriated British citizens, from Wuhan in China, Arrowe Park has been asked to host the Britons from Japan and look after them throughout their quarantine period.
"We are still waiting for final confirmation of how many will be joining us but we wanted you to be aware of the situation as soon as we could."
Image: Some passengers were seen getting taxis after being allowed to leave the ship
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) says UK passengers on the Diamond Princess will be evacuated "as soon as possible".
There were 78 British nationals on the ship - which has been docked off the coast of Yokohama since 3 February - and four have since been confirmed to have the illness, also known as Covid-19.
Image: The ship has been docked off the coast of Yokohama since 3 February
But the UK government has warned anyone who gets off may not be able to join the evacuation flight.
Hundreds of people who tested negative began leaving the ship on Wednesday, but they still had to have their body temperature checked before disembarking.
Some passengers tweeted to say they received health check forms asking if they had symptoms such as a headache, fever or coughing.
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The FCO is organising a repatriation flight from Tokyo to the UK, which it hopes will go ahead later this week, but it is unclear how many British nationals will be on board.
It is understood only those without symptoms will be allowed to fly, while any confirmed cases will continue to be treated in Japan.
David and Sally Abel, from Oxfordshire, have been posting regular updates online from the Diamond Princess, and say they have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Image: David and Sally Abel have been quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Pic: David Abel/Facebook
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he said: "We are going to a hostel because there isn't a hospital bed anywhere around.
"In four or five days we will be removed from the hostel and put into a hospital where we will receive treatment, so I can't see in any way we are on that flight to the UK."
Those who make it will be monitored and then taken to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral.
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A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: "They will be kept in this location for the 14-day quarantine period, with around-the-clock support from medical staff at all times."
He added that there was "no risk to the public", and that the hospital would "continue to run as normal".
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It comes as Alan Steele, the first Briton to be diagnosed with the virus, said on Facebook that he had left hospital.
As of Wednesday afternoon, a total of 5,216 people have been tested for Covid-19 in the UK, of whom nine have come back positive.
According to Johns Hopkins University, which is mapping the outbreak, there are 75,284 confirmed cases. of which are mostly in China where the outbreak began and 2,014 deaths.


news--2020-02-19--Japan: Passengers leaving coronavirus-hit cruise ship criticise quarantine 'nonsense'

After two weeks of coronavirus quarantine , today is the first day of freedom for more than 400 passengers who have been stuck on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan .
The vessel was initially carrying about 3,700 passengers and crew from more than 50 countries and regions .
At least 621 people have contracted the illness .
In the port car park in Yokohama , hazmat-clad officials greet the slow trickle of passengers who have tested negative and are cleared to leave , loading them on to specially adapted buses .
Inside the driver sits behind a protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the travellers who for weeks have been living in a virus hotspot .
Others are collected by relatives , overjoyed that their loved ones are hopefully out of danger .
Among the first off , a Japanese man who wheels his suitcase out of the dock gate .
He does n't want to give his name but says he is relieved to be going home and confirms his health is good .
An anonymous female passenger is also feeling confident .
She said : `` I felt totally safe , I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone on the ship to look after me . ''
But others are less positive , the ship they have been confined to has been described by some on board as a floating prison where the coronavirus infection rate keeps on rising .
Hundreds of passengers , including Britons still can not escape .
They 're waiting for evacuation but fearing infection .
At the train station , I ask a Japanese man , who has just disembarked and also does n't want to be named , if he feels enough was done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Diamond Princess ?
He said : `` The ship 's quarantine did n't work .
It looked like a quarantine - but it was nonsense .
It did n't stop the spread of the virus .
It was all over the ship . ''
More than 600 passengers have now tested positive for coronavirus after another 79 cases were confirmed today , the highest concentration outside mainland China .
The Japanese government has again defended the way it has managed the quarantine saying `` thorough action '' to prevent the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disinfectant and keeping people apart .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Yoshihide Suga , Japanese chief cabinet secretary , explains : `` With the urgency of the current situation , Japan took full measures to ensure the prevention of the spread of the infection , taking into consideration human rights and humanitarian needs , cooperating with relevant nations and taking appropriate measures . ''
But the professor of infectious diseases at Kobe University , Kentaro Iwata , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An expert who has worked with ebola and SARS , he wrote in an online blog : `` Inside the Princess Diamond I was so scared .
I was so scared of getting COVID-19 because there 's no way to tell where the virus is .
No green zone , no red zone .
Everywhere could have the virus and everybody was not careful about it .
There was no single professional infection control person inside the ship . ''
In isolation in a Japanese hospital , I speak to coronavirus patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the recently diagnosed passengers removed from the ship she has no symptoms .
A silent carrier , she was contagious without even knowing it .
She said : `` If they did n't tell me I had the virus I would n't have known .
I 'm hardly ever sick , but I think I may have had a cold that was worse than this .
I 'm experiencing no physical ailments at all , none . ''
It raises the question , how many more people could unwittingly be spreading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , still unclear when they will leave , the current focus is on getting people home , but huge questions remain unanswered about how a quarantine ship became a coronavirus breeding ground .

After two weeks of coronavirus quarantine, today is the first day of freedom for more than 400 passengers who have been stuck on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.
The vessel was initially carrying about 3,700 passengers and crew from more than 50 countries and regions.
At least 621 people have contracted the illness.
In the port car park in Yokohama, hazmat-clad officials greet the slow trickle of passengers who have tested negative and are cleared to leave, loading them on to specially adapted buses.
Inside the driver sits behind a protective layer of bubble wrap, dividing him from the travellers who for weeks have been living in a virus hotspot.
Image: Passengers can be seen disembarking the Diamond Princess
Image: A bus carrying former passengers of the cruise ship is seen about to leave the port
Others are collected by relatives, overjoyed that their loved ones are hopefully out of danger.
Among the first off, a Japanese man who wheels his suitcase out of the dock gate.
He doesn't want to give his name but says he is relieved to be going home and confirms his health is good.
An anonymous female passenger is also feeling confident.
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Image: A passenger leaves the Diamond Princess after spending two weeks in quarantine
She said: "I felt totally safe, I'm that kind of person. I trusted everyone on the ship to look after me."
But others are less positive, the ship they have been confined to has been described by some on board as a floating prison where the coronavirus infection rate keeps on rising.
Hundreds of passengers, including Britons still cannot escape. They're waiting for evacuation but fearing infection.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:28 Passenger's guide to quarantine
At the train station, I ask a Japanese man, who has just disembarked and also doesn't want to be named, if he feels enough was done to stop the spread of the virus on the Diamond Princess?
He said: "The ship's quarantine didn't work. It looked like a quarantine - but it was nonsense. It didn't stop the spread of the virus. It was all over the ship."
More than 600 passengers have now tested positive for coronavirus after another 79 cases were confirmed today, the highest concentration outside mainland China.
The Japanese government has again defended the way it has managed the quarantine saying "thorough action" to prevent the spread has been taken including using masks, disinfectant and keeping people apart.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Yoshihide Suga, Japanese chief cabinet secretary, explains: "With the urgency of the current situation, Japan took full measures to ensure the prevention of the spread of the infection, taking into consideration human rights and humanitarian needs, cooperating with relevant nations and taking appropriate measures."
But the professor of infectious diseases at Kobe University, Kentaro Iwata, has been on board and is seriously concerned.
An expert who has worked with ebola and SARS, he wrote in an online blog: "Inside the Princess Diamond I was so scared. I was so scared of getting COVID-19 because there's no way to tell where the virus is. No green zone, no red zone. Everywhere could have the virus and everybody was not careful about it. There was no single professional infection control person inside the ship."
Image: Some passengers were seen getting into taxis after being allowed to disembark the ship
In isolation in a Japanese hospital, I speak to coronavirus patient Jerri Jorgensen via Skype.
Like 68 of the recently diagnosed passengers removed from the ship she has no symptoms.
A silent carrier, she was contagious without even knowing it.
She said: "If they didn't tell me I had the virus I wouldn't have known. I'm hardly ever sick, but I think I may have had a cold that was worse than this. I'm experiencing no physical ailments at all, none."
It raises the question, how many more people could unwittingly be spreading the virus.
With passengers, including Britons, still unclear when they will leave, the current focus is on getting people home, but huge questions remain unanswered about how a quarantine ship became a coronavirus breeding ground.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: 'Zero prospect' of restrictions on travel in and out of London - Downing Street

There is `` zero prospect '' of restrictions on travel in and out of London over the coronavirus pandemic , Downing Street has said .
The government has moved to dampen down speculation that a full-scale lockdown of the capital could be enforced in order to combat COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's official spokesman said : `` There are no plans to close down the transport network in London and there is zero prospect of any restrictions being placed on travelling in and out of London . ''
Reports that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and out of their house are also not true , he added .
Police will continue to have responsibility for maintaining law and order and there are no plans to draft in the military for this purpose , the spokesman also said .
Appearing at the government 's daily coronavirus press conference on Wednesday , Mr Johnson was asked by Sky 's political editor Beth Rigby whether further enforcement measures could be taken in the capital .
The PM said he would `` not hesitate to bring forward further and faster measures where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions could have been imminent .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
But his official spokesman was at pains to play down such talk at the daily briefing with Westminster journalists .
`` The prime minister and his advisers have set out the need for social distancing measures to limit the spread of the virus to protect lives , '' he said .
`` What we are focused on is ensuring that as many people as possible take that advice and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position where they could be spreading coronavirus . ''
Asked if pubs and some shops could be ordered to shut , the spokesman replied : `` We do want people to follow the advice which we have given in relation to limiting unnecessary social contact . ''
Senior government officials have insisted that the draconian measures seen in France and Italy would not be seen in the UK .
`` There is not going to be any point where there are border guards stood around London saying 'you ca n't come in or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That 's not the sort of country we are . ''
Dozen of Tube stations closed in the capital on Thursday , with a reduced service running from Friday .
Mayor Sadiq Khan has told Londoners that they should only travel unless they `` really , really have to '' , but he insisted the network must remain open to aid front-line health workers .
He has acknowledged that the situation in London meant further action will be necessary .
`` We are clearly still in the early phase of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is at a more advanced stage in London than in other parts of the country , '' Mr Khan said .
`` This means that further measures will need to be introduced at the point at which they will have the biggest effect . ''
The PM has said London is ahead of other parts of the UK in terms of how much it has been affected by COVID-19 .
Londoners have already been told to take social distancing measures `` particularly seriously '' , including working from home where possible , avoiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnecessary social contact .
The London mayor and the PM were due to hold talks with senior officials on Thursday , amid concerns the NHS in London could be put under intense pressure unless COVID-19 is brought under control .
: : Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Downing Street were emphatic this morning about what would not be happening in the near future .
No shutdown of the London transport network , no measures to force healthy people to stay in their homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of London .
Rumours of such measures spread like wildfire yesterday , both informally across WhatsApp but also in some parts of the media .
Today Downing Street has been doing a mopping up exercise that perhaps could have been done earlier .
The rumours were rife even before Boris Johnson stood before the podium for yesterday 's press conference .
Sky 's political Editor Beth Rigby asked about further lockdown measures during that press conference .
Mr Johnson did n't shut anything down at that time , saying simply the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The rumour mill went further into overdrive , and some people started to wonder if they needed to act now before the alleged but untrue rumours of a crackdown became real .
Could the PM have done more earlier ?
Probably , but there appears to have been a real debate going on in Number 10 over how far to go .
Things are likely to have changed overnight , particularly on sight of the newspapers .
The volume of work for Whitehall is enormous .
They are trying to come up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing , key workers , shielding the vulnerable and school exams .
Perhaps not perfect but these are extraordinary times , and there is no sign everyone is n't trying their hardest to do their level best .

There is "zero prospect" of restrictions on travel in and out of London over the coronavirus pandemic, Downing Street has said.
The government has moved to dampen down speculation that a full-scale lockdown of the capital could be enforced in order to combat COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman said: "There are no plans to close down the transport network in London and there is zero prospect of any restrictions being placed on travelling in and out of London."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 PM: UK schools to close from Friday
Reports that people could be limited to one person in and out of their house are also not true, he added.
Police will continue to have responsibility for maintaining law and order and there are no plans to draft in the military for this purpose, the spokesman also said.
Appearing at the government's daily coronavirus press conference on Wednesday, Mr Johnson was asked by Sky's political editor Beth Rigby whether further enforcement measures could be taken in the capital.
The PM said he would "not hesitate to bring forward further and faster measures where necessary", sparking speculation more stringent restrictions could have been imminent.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
But his official spokesman was at pains to play down such talk at the daily briefing with Westminster journalists.
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"The prime minister and his advisers have set out the need for social distancing measures to limit the spread of the virus to protect lives," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:23 London landmarks deserted amid outbreak
"What we are focused on is ensuring that as many people as possible take that advice and don't unnecessarily put themselves in the position where they could be spreading coronavirus."
Asked if pubs and some shops could be ordered to shut, the spokesman replied: "We do want people to follow the advice which we have given in relation to limiting unnecessary social contact."
Senior government officials have insisted that the draconian measures seen in France and Italy would not be seen in the UK.
"There is not going to be any point where there are border guards stood around London saying 'you can't come in or out'," a source said.
"That's not the sort of country we are."
Dozen of Tube stations closed in the capital on Thursday, with a reduced service running from Friday.
Mayor Sadiq Khan has told Londoners that they should only travel unless they "really, really have to", but he insisted the network must remain open to aid front-line health workers.
He has acknowledged that the situation in London meant further action will be necessary.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:30 Still at the pub: Is social distancing really working?
"We are clearly still in the early phase of this crisis but the spread of the virus is at a more advanced stage in London than in other parts of the country," Mr Khan said.
"This means that further measures will need to be introduced at the point at which they will have the biggest effect."
The PM has said London is ahead of other parts of the UK in terms of how much it has been affected by COVID-19.
Londoners have already been told to take social distancing measures "particularly seriously", including working from home where possible, avoiding confined spaces, and not having any unnecessary social contact.
The London mayor and the PM were due to hold talks with senior officials on Thursday, amid concerns the NHS in London could be put under intense pressure unless COVID-19 is brought under control.
:: Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Analysis - Number 10 moves to shut down rumour mill
by Sam Coates, deputy political editor
Downing Street were emphatic this morning about what would not be happening in the near future.
No shutdown of the London transport network, no measures to force healthy people to stay in their homes, no ban on people in and out of London.
Rumours of such measures spread like wildfire yesterday, both informally across WhatsApp but also in some parts of the media.
Today Downing Street has been doing a mopping up exercise that perhaps could have been done earlier.
Image: An empty Covent Garden on Thursday morning
The rumours were rife even before Boris Johnson stood before the podium for yesterday's press conference.
Sky's political Editor Beth Rigby asked about further lockdown measures during that press conference.
Mr Johnson didn't shut anything down at that time, saying simply the government wouldn't hesitate to do whatever necessary.
The rumour mill went further into overdrive, and some people started to wonder if they needed to act now before the alleged but untrue rumours of a crackdown became real.
Image: A woman walks past Selfridges on London's Oxford Street
Could the PM have done more earlier? Probably, but there appears to have been a real debate going on in Number 10 over how far to go.
Things are likely to have changed overnight, particularly on sight of the newspapers.
The volume of work for Whitehall is enormous. They are trying to come up with plans for reworking the economy, social distancing, key workers, shielding the vulnerable and school exams.
Perhaps not perfect but these are extraordinary times, and there is no sign everyone isn't trying their hardest to do their level best.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Government using mobile location data to tackle outbreak

The government is working with mobile network O2 to analyse anonymous smartphone location data to see whether people are following its social distancing guidelines , Sky News has learned .
The partnership began following a tech summit at Number 10 , where officials discussed coronavirus outbreak planning with representatives from the UK 's largest phone networks .
A spokesperson for O2 confirmed that the company was providing aggregated data to the government so it could observe trends in public movements , particularly in London .
The project will not be able to track individuals and is not designed to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ahead of the rest of the country in terms of the spread of COVID-19 .
London has been the location for 953 of the UK 's 2,626 confirmed cases and at least 42 of its 137 deaths .
Ministers and officials believe they can use anonymous mobile phone location data to analyse how Londoners have reacted to its guidance on social distancing and the new transport restrictions .
This could help the government understand if its instructions on reduced travel are being followed , and potentially if additional services or enforcement are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport restrictions on London , where the outbreak is considered to be significantly advanced , could then be applied nationally .
Network operators are able to determine the location of individual phones to varying levels of accuracy , and most have tools which would show mobile devices as single dots on a map .
This is not the level of access the government is seeking .
In order to comply with data protection law , which considers combining multiple datasets a `` high risk '' activity , the government has only asked O2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking all the UK mobile networks .
Yet civil society groups warned that although the data sharing agreement appeared lawful , it could undermine public confidence in the government 's response to the coronavirus outbreak if it took place in secret .
Jim Killock , the director of Open Rights Group , told Sky News : `` The government needs to maintain public trust , which means they must declare what they are doing , under which laws .
`` Transparency is absolutely key to ensuring everyone trusts what the government is doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with private companies , combined with comments about sacrificing liberties , risks breeding mistrust .
`` Everyone needs the government to succeed in their fight against the virus ; all the public needs is transparency , '' Mr Killock added .
The government did not respond to repeated requests for comment by Sky News .
A spokesperson for O2 explained : `` We are fully engaged in helping in the fight against COVID-19 .
Besides zero rating access ( giving free access without data charges ) to NHS and other support websites , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operators to support those who are working tirelessly to map and control the spread of coronavirus in the UK .
'Using our mobile technology , we have the potential to build models that help to predict broadly how the virus might move .
This would in no way be able to identify or map individuals , and operates within strict privacy guidelines . ''

The government is working with mobile network O2 to analyse anonymous smartphone location data to see whether people are following its social distancing guidelines, Sky News has learned.
The partnership began following a tech summit at Number 10, where officials discussed coronavirus outbreak planning with representatives from the UK's largest phone networks.
A spokesperson for O2 confirmed that the company was providing aggregated data to the government so it could observe trends in public movements, particularly in London.
The project will not be able to track individuals and is not designed to do so.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:23 London landmarks deserted amid outbreak
The city is considered to be ahead of the rest of the country in terms of the spread of COVID-19. London has been the location for 953 of the UK's 2,626 confirmed cases and at least 42 of its 137 deaths.
Ministers and officials believe they can use anonymous mobile phone location data to analyse how Londoners have reacted to its guidance on social distancing and the new transport restrictions.
This could help the government understand if its instructions on reduced travel are being followed, and potentially if additional services or enforcement are necessary.
Lessons from the impact of transport restrictions on London, where the outbreak is considered to be significantly advanced, could then be applied nationally.
Network operators are able to determine the location of individual phones to varying levels of accuracy, and most have tools which would show mobile devices as single dots on a map.
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This is not the level of access the government is seeking.
In order to comply with data protection law, which considers combining multiple datasets a "high risk" activity, the government has only asked O2 for its location data, rather than asking all the UK mobile networks.
Yet civil society groups warned that although the data sharing agreement appeared lawful, it could undermine public confidence in the government's response to the coronavirus outbreak if it took place in secret.
Jim Killock, the director of Open Rights Group, told Sky News: "The government needs to maintain public trust, which means they must declare what they are doing, under which laws.
"Transparency is absolutely key to ensuring everyone trusts what the government is doing. As things stand, secretive discussions with private companies, combined with comments about sacrificing liberties, risks breeding mistrust.
"Everyone needs the government to succeed in their fight against the virus; all the public needs is transparency," Mr Killock added.
The government did not respond to repeated requests for comment by Sky News.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:22 Transport in London to be heavily reduced
A spokesperson for O2 explained: "We are fully engaged in helping in the fight against COVID-19. Besides zero rating access (giving free access without data charges) to NHS and other support websites, we were asked along with other mobile operators to support those who are working tirelessly to map and control the spread of coronavirus in the UK.
'Using our mobile technology, we have the potential to build models that help to predict broadly how the virus might move. This would in no way be able to identify or map individuals, and operates within strict privacy guidelines."


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Weddings should be limited to two guests, says Church of England

The Church of England has said weddings should be limited to the legal minimum number of people in attendance , Under new guidance , the institution recommends the only people in attendance at wedding services should be the couple , the priest and two witnesses , in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19 .
Apart from the couple themselves , all other people at weddings should also practice social distancing , the Church of England has said .
The fresh guidance also says that the priest does not need to touch the couple 's hands or the rings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the church tries to protect itself from the coronavirus pandemic .
It adds that streaming wedding ceremonies is the preferred option at the moment , but will work with couples that may now want to postpone the service for later on .
The Bishop of Manchester , Dr David Walker , said : `` Couples and parents , friends and families will have been planning for months , even years for their special moment , whether a wedding or a christening .
`` Now it can go ahead - but with only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to cancel or postpone .
`` Whatever decision is made , God 's love and blessing will still surround all those who would have been there that day . ''
Similar guidance has also been issued for baptisms , saying that the priest should not hold the child , and the water should only be administered using an `` appropriate implement '' , such as a shell .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Only parents and the priest will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ godparents continue to practice social distancing in the church .
On Wednesday , Princess Beatrice cancelled the reception for her upcoming wedding that was due to take place in Buckingham Palace Gardens .

The Church of England has said weddings should be limited to the legal minimum number of people in attendance,
Under new guidance, the institution recommends the only people in attendance at wedding services should be the couple, the priest and two witnesses, in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Apart from the couple themselves, all other people at weddings should also practice social distancing, the Church of England has said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 10:11 Q&A: All your coronavirus questions answered
The fresh guidance also says that the priest does not need to touch the couple's hands or the rings as part of wedding services, as the church tries to protect itself from the coronavirus pandemic.
It adds that streaming wedding ceremonies is the preferred option at the moment, but will work with couples that may now want to postpone the service for later on.
The Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, said: "Couples and parents, friends and families will have been planning for months, even years for their special moment, whether a wedding or a christening.
"Now it can go ahead - but with only the minimum required in attendance. You may need to cancel or postpone.
"Whatever decision is made, God's love and blessing will still surround all those who would have been there that day."
Similar guidance has also been issued for baptisms, saying that the priest should not hold the child, and the water should only be administered using an "appropriate implement", such as a shell.
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Only parents and the priest will be allowed at the font, while the godparents continue to practice social distancing in the church.
On Wednesday, Princess Beatrice cancelled the reception for her upcoming wedding that was due to take place in Buckingham Palace Gardens.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: 'Fake news' tweets which could make outbreak worse to be removed

Tweets that put people at risk of contracting the COVID-19 coronavirus as it rapidly spreads across the globe are to be removed by Twitter to help the public get accurate information and avoid myths and misinformation .
This includes posts which promote `` fake or ineffective treatments '' for COVID-19 as well as those that deny `` expert guidance '' on the coronavirus .
The social network site , which has millions of active users , has said such tweets would contravene its safety rules so they will be marked as harmful and removed .
The ban includes claims that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , posting unverified claims that incite people to action and cause widespread panic and posting about harmful or non-harmful treatments which do not work .
In a post on its website , Twitter said : `` We will enforce this in close co-ordination with trusted partners , including public health authorities and governments , and continue to use and consult with information from those sources when reviewing content . ''
False claims about the coronavirus and bogus cures have circulated on social media , often attracting hundreds of shares .
Citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to remove tweets that include : • Denial of expert guidance , such as : `` social distancing is not effective '' • Description of treatments or protective measures which are not immediately harmful but are known to be ineffective with the intent to mislead others , even if made in jest , such as `` coronavirus is not heat-resistant - walking outside is enough to disinfect you '' or `` use aromatherapy and essential oils to prevent COVID-19 '' • Description of harmful treatments or protection measures which are known to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , or are being shared out of context to mislead people , even if made in jest , such as `` drinking bleach and ingesting colloidal silver will cure COVID-19 '' • Denial of established scientific facts such as `` COVID-19 does not infect children because we have n't seen any cases of children being sick '' • Claims that intend to manipulate people into certain behaviour for the gain of a third party such as `` coronavirus is a fraud and not real - go out and patronise your local bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims that incite people to action and cause widespread panic , social unrest or large-scale disorder , such as `` The National Guard just announced that no more shipments of food will be arriving for 2 months - run to the grocery store ASAP and buy everything ! ''
• Specific and unverified claims made by people impersonating a government or health official or organisation such as a parody account of an Italian health official stating that the country 's quarantine is over • Propagating false or misleading information about COVID-19 such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 10 seconds , you do not have coronavirus '' • False or misleading claims on how to differentiate between COVID-19 and a different disease , such as `` if you have a wet cough , it 's not coronavirus - but a dry cough is '' • Claims that specific groups or nationalities are never susceptible to COVID-19 , such as `` people with dark skin are immune to COVID-19 due to melanin production '' • Claims that specific groups , nationalities are more susceptible to COVID-19 , such as `` avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more likely to have COVID-19 '' The action by Twitter follows an announcement from technology companies Facebook , Google , LinkedIn , Microsoft , Reddit and YouTube earlier this week in which they committed to work together and with governments in response to the pandemic .
In a joint statement , they said they would work to ensure people could stay connected to each other during isolation as well as fight any misinformation and fraud linked to the outbreak .
`` We are working closely together on COVID-19 response efforts , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of people stay connected while also jointly combating fraud and misinformation about the virus , elevating authoritative content on our platforms , and sharing critical updates in co-ordination with government healthcare agencies around the world . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Social media sites and search engines have already been placing official guidance from the NHS and World Health Organisation ( WHO ) at the top of search results .
Other platforms have also pledged to work quickly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is flagged to or spotted by them .
Research has found the rise of `` fake news '' - including misinformation and inaccurate advice on social media - could make disease outbreaks such as COVID-19 worse .
In an analysis of how the spread of misinformation affects the spread of disease , scientists at East Anglia University ( UEA ) said in February that any successful efforts to stop people sharing fake news could help save lives .
Professor of medicine Paul Hunter said : `` When it comes to COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , misinformation and fake news circulating on the internet - about how the virus originated , what causes it and how it is spread .
`` Misinformation means that bad advice can circulate very quickly - and it can change human behaviour to take greater risks . ''

Tweets that put people at risk of contracting the COVID-19 coronavirus as it rapidly spreads across the globe are to be removed by Twitter to help the public get accurate information and avoid myths and misinformation.
This includes posts which promote "fake or ineffective treatments" for COVID-19 as well as those that deny "expert guidance" on the coronavirus.
The social network site, which has millions of active users, has said such tweets would contravene its safety rules so they will be marked as harmful and removed.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:54 How do you make a misinformation vaccine?
The ban includes claims that specific groups are more susceptible to contracting the virus, posting unverified claims that incite people to action and cause widespread panic and posting about harmful or non-harmful treatments which do not work.
In a post on its website, Twitter said: "We will enforce this in close co-ordination with trusted partners, including public health authorities and governments, and continue to use and consult with information from those sources when reviewing content."
False claims about the coronavirus and bogus cures have circulated on social media, often attracting hundreds of shares.
Citing examples, Twitter said people will be required to remove tweets that include:
Denial of expert guidance, such as: "social distancing is not effective"
Description of treatments or protective measures which are not immediately harmful but are known to be ineffective with the intent to mislead others, even if made in jest, such as "coronavirus is not heat-resistant - walking outside is enough to disinfect you" or "use aromatherapy and essential oils to prevent COVID-19"
Description of harmful treatments or protection measures which are known to be ineffective, do not apply to COVID-19, or are being shared out of context to mislead people, even if made in jest, such as "drinking bleach and ingesting colloidal silver will cure COVID-19"
Denial of established scientific facts such as "COVID-19 does not infect children because we haven't seen any cases of children being sick"
Claims that intend to manipulate people into certain behaviour for the gain of a third party such as "coronavirus is a fraud and not real - go out and patronise your local bar!!"
Specific and unverified claims that incite people to action and cause widespread panic, social unrest or large-scale disorder, such as "The National Guard just announced that no more shipments of food will be arriving for 2 months - run to the grocery store ASAP and buy everything!"
Specific and unverified claims made by people impersonating a government or health official or organisation such as a parody account of an Italian health official stating that the country's quarantine is over
Propagating false or misleading information about COVID-19 such as "if you can hold your breath for 10 seconds, you do not have coronavirus"
False or misleading claims on how to differentiate between COVID-19 and a different disease, such as "if you have a wet cough, it's not coronavirus - but a dry cough is"
Claims that specific groups or nationalities are never susceptible to COVID-19, such as "people with dark skin are immune to COVID-19 due to melanin production"
Claims that specific groups, nationalities are more susceptible to COVID-19, such as "avoid businesses owned by Chinese people as they are more likely to have COVID-19"
The action by Twitter follows an announcement from technology companies Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Reddit and YouTube earlier this week in which they committed to work together and with governments in response to the pandemic.
In a joint statement, they said they would work to ensure people could stay connected to each other during isolation as well as fight any misinformation and fraud linked to the outbreak.
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"We are working closely together on COVID-19 response efforts," they said.
"We're helping millions of people stay connected while also jointly combating fraud and misinformation about the virus, elevating authoritative content on our platforms, and sharing critical updates in co-ordination with government healthcare agencies around the world."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Social media sites and search engines have already been placing official guidance from the NHS and World Health Organisation (WHO) at the top of search results.
Other platforms have also pledged to work quickly to remove any misinformation linked to the virus which is flagged to or spotted by them.
Research has found the rise of "fake news" - including misinformation and inaccurate advice on social media - could make disease outbreaks such as COVID-19 worse.
In an analysis of how the spread of misinformation affects the spread of disease, scientists at East Anglia University (UEA) said in February that any successful efforts to stop people sharing fake news could help save lives.
Professor of medicine Paul Hunter said: "When it comes to COVID-19, there has been a lot of speculation, misinformation and fake news circulating on the internet - about how the virus originated, what causes it and how it is spread.
"Misinformation means that bad advice can circulate very quickly - and it can change human behaviour to take greater risks."


news--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: London cuts Tube trains and warns 'don't travel unless you really have to'

New measures are being introduced across London 's transport network in response to the worsening coronavirus outbreak .
A partial shutdown of the London Underground is beginning today - and up to 40 stations that do not interchange with other lines are going to be closed `` until further notice '' .
As the morning rush hour began , several other stations were closed owing to `` operational restrictions '' .
The Waterloo and City line is going to shut completely from Friday , and Night Tube services that normally run on Friday and Saturday nights are being suspended .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also planning to reduce the frequency of services across its network from Monday `` to provide a service for critical workers to get where they need to '' .
The Tube , London Overground , TfL Rail , the DLR and London trams will all be affected by this reduction in service .
Late services will continue to run for `` essential journeys '' on both the Tube and Overground - with bus services continuing through the night .
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said : `` People should not be travelling , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really have to .
Londoners should be avoiding social interaction unless absolutely necessary , and that means they should be avoiding using the transport network unless absolutely necessary .
`` London will get through these extraordinarily challenging times , and ensuring the capital 's critical workers can move around the city will be crucial .
`` I 'm urging Londoners to only use public transport for essential journeys .
Everyone should follow this and the other advice to help keep themselves and each other safe . ''
The following stations could close from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government earlier this week for everyone to stop all non-essential travel .
The government is also considering closing most shops in the capital by the weekend , according to Whitehall sources .
Pharmacies and supermarkets are expected to stay open under the tougher measures .
On Monday , the prime minister ordered Britons to avoid pubs , clubs , restaurants and theatres , but no measures had been announced to close establishments .
Boris Johnson has said London is ahead of other parts of the UK in terms of how much it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already been told to take social distancing measures `` particularly seriously '' , including working from home where possible , avoiding confined spaces , and not having any unnecessary social contact .
As of 9am on Wednesday , there were 2,626 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK - a rise of 676 in the last 24 hours .
Of these , 953 are in London , and the capital accounts for at least 35 of the 104 UK deaths .
The worst-affected London boroughs are Southwark with 70 cases , Westminster with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases .
The government 's chief scientific adviser , Sir Patrick Vallance , has suggested there could be as many as 55,000 coronavirus cases already in the UK and 20,000 deaths or below would be a `` good outcome '' .
The latest developments in the UK : • Up to 20,000 service personnel are being put on standby to help drive oxygen tankers , support police and boost hospital capacity • The government has promised emergency legislation to suspend new evictions from social or rented accommodation for at least three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until further notice and exams and assessments will not be held this academic year • Thirty-two more people died in England after testing positive for coronavirus , it was reported on Wednesday , taking the total number of UK deaths to 104 • Critically ill COVID-19 patients will be given an experimental new treatment as soon as Monday , as part of the first trial of its kind : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Johnson is now holding daily televised news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public informed of the government 's response .
Number 10 has said it would be rapidly increasing the number of coronavirus tests , with as many as 25,000 people tested within NHS hospitals each day .
The prime minister also called on companies to work with the government to rapidly develop a test to establish whether people have developed immunity , in order to help get NHS staff back to work as quickly as possible .
The World Health Organisation recently criticised national governments for not conducting enough tests on their populations .

New measures are being introduced across London's transport network in response to the worsening coronavirus outbreak.
A partial shutdown of the London Underground is beginning today - and up to 40 stations that do not interchange with other lines are going to be closed "until further notice".
As the morning rush hour began, several other stations were closed owing to "operational restrictions".
Image: Services across London's transport network are being severely reduced
The Waterloo and City line is going to shut completely from Friday, and Night Tube services that normally run on Friday and Saturday nights are being suspended.
Transport for London (TfL) is also planning to reduce the frequency of services across its network from Monday "to provide a service for critical workers to get where they need to".
The Tube, London Overground, TfL Rail, the DLR and London trams will all be affected by this reduction in service.
Late services will continue to run for "essential journeys" on both the Tube and Overground - with bus services continuing through the night.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "People should not be travelling, by any means, unless they really, really have to. Londoners should be avoiding social interaction unless absolutely necessary, and that means they should be avoiding using the transport network unless absolutely necessary.
"London will get through these extraordinarily challenging times, and ensuring the capital's critical workers can move around the city will be crucial.
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"I'm urging Londoners to only use public transport for essential journeys. Everyone should follow this and the other advice to help keep themselves and each other safe."
Image: An eerily quiet Kings Cross tube station in London
The following stations could close from today:
Bakerloo line
Lambeth North
Regents Park
Warwick Avenue
Kilburn Park
Charing Cross
Central line
Holland Park
Queensway
Lancaster Gate
Chancery Lane
Redbridge
Circle line
Bayswater
Great Portland Street
Barbican
Image: A person wearing a full face mask in King's Cross underground station
District line
Bow Road
Stepney Green
Mansion House
Temple
St James's Park
Gloucester Road
Jubilee line
Swiss Cottage
St John's Wood
Bermondsey
Southwark
Northern line
Tufnell Park
Chalk Farm
Mornington Crescent
Goodge Street
Borough
Clapham South
Tooting Bec
South Wimbledon
Hampstead
Piccadilly line
Caledonian Road
Arsenal
Covent Garden
Hyde Park Corner
Bounds Green
Manor House
Victoria line
Pimlico
Blackhorse Road
It follows advice from the government earlier this week for everyone to stop all non-essential travel.
The government is also considering closing most shops in the capital by the weekend, according to Whitehall sources.
Pharmacies and supermarkets are expected to stay open under the tougher measures.
On Monday, the prime minister ordered Britons to avoid pubs, clubs, restaurants and theatres, but no measures had been announced to close establishments.
Image: A solitary drinker in The Chandos pub at Charing Cross
Boris Johnson has said London is ahead of other parts of the UK in terms of how much it has been affected by COVID-19.
Londoners have already been told to take social distancing measures "particularly seriously", including working from home where possible, avoiding confined spaces, and not having any unnecessary social contact.
As of 9am on Wednesday, there were 2,626 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK - a rise of 676 in the last 24 hours.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:39 Analysis: Just how serious could COVID-19 cases be?
Of these, 953 are in London, and the capital accounts for at least 35 of the 104 UK deaths.
The worst-affected London boroughs are Southwark with 70 cases, Westminster with 68 cases, and Lambeth with 61 confirmed cases.
The government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, has suggested there could be as many as 55,000 coronavirus cases already in the UK and 20,000 deaths or below would be a "good outcome".
Image: A London mortuary is being expanded to cope with the bodies of coronavirus victims
The latest developments in the UK:
Up to 20,000 service personnel are being put on standby to help drive oxygen tankers, support police and boost hospital capacity
to help drive oxygen tankers, support police and boost hospital capacity The government has promised emergency legislation to suspend new evictions from social or rented accommodation for at least three months
to suspend new evictions from social or rented accommodation for at least three months All schools will close from Friday until further notice and exams and assessments will not be held this academic year
from Friday until further notice and exams and assessments will not be held this academic year Thirty-two more people died in England after testing positive for coronavirus, it was reported on Wednesday, taking the total number of UK deaths to 104
after testing positive for coronavirus, it was reported on Wednesday, taking the total number of UK deaths to 104 Critically ill COVID-19 patients will be given an experimental new treatment as soon as Monday, as part of the first trial of its kind
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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Mr Johnson is now holding daily televised news conferences in Downing Street to keep the public informed of the government's response.
Number 10 has said it would be rapidly increasing the number of coronavirus tests, with as many as 25,000 people tested within NHS hospitals each day.
The prime minister also called on companies to work with the government to rapidly develop a test to establish whether people have developed immunity, in order to help get NHS staff back to work as quickly as possible.
The World Health Organisation recently criticised national governments for not conducting enough tests on their populations.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Which countries could become the next COVID-19 hotspots?

The number of coronavirus cases and deaths have reached their peak in many European and North American countries , but analysis suggests some developing nations are yet to have experienced the worst of their outbreaks .
There is no mathematical formula to pinpoint which countries might become the new hotspots in the global crisis , but a number of factors can help identify the nations where the most severe epidemics will likely take place .
Dr Samir Bhatt , a senior lecturer at Imperial College London , which advises the UK government on its response to the coronavirus crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate at which their epidemics are growing .
An analysis of doubling times around the world shows the number of cases is growing fast in central African , Latin American and southern Asian countries .
In March , Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter from Cambridge University predicted Britain would face the same problems as Italy because cases were doubling roughly every three days .
In an epidemic outbreak of an infectious disease , it is important to know the `` growth rate '' - which indicates how fast numbers are increasing .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or deaths in a country is small , a fast growth rate means those numbers could increase very rapidly .
However , the data for the amount of cases does come with caveats .
The number of COVID-19 cases is also underreported in many countries where health workers only test those with heavy symptoms .
A country 's testing capacity also needs to be considered .
Deaths are a more robust measure , but it also has limitations .
It takes time for a country to accumulate deaths because of the lag between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high number of cases could lead to a considerable number of coronavirus-related deaths .
`` Therefore testing is essential early on to get a handle on what is going on , and where possible contact tracing can help reduce onward transmission , '' says Dr Bhatt .
And he continued : `` The death rate is low in developing countries for a wide range of reasons that will differ from country to country , and these include the late onset of the outbreak , reporting differences , and differing interventions . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 is the excess of deaths , which refers to the number of fatalities above the average number for that country .
It is difficult to estimate at the moment , but several analyses across Europe have shown the number of additional deaths is higher than the number of coronavirus-related recorded deaths .
This is also the case in many countries in developing regions .
Peruvian media reported there was 2,248 more deaths in April compared to the previous year , but only half were recorded as caused by COVID-19 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded .
Similar excess of mortality has been reported in other countries badly affected .
Deaths due to respiratory diseases in the Brazilian city of Manaus are five times higher than during the same month last year .
But only one in four of those deaths were recorded as COVID-19 .
Dr Michael Tildesley , professor at Warwick university , said : `` There is still uncertainty regarding the potential death toll in Africa as a result of the pandemic .
`` The average age of the population in Africa is significantly less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence , in Europe at least , that the risk of complications owing to infection is significantly greater for the elderly .
`` However there is some concern regarding the relatively low capacity of health care systems in Africa when compared with many countries in Europe . ''
What impact could coronavirus have on developing countries ?
The UN has warned about the devastating impact COVID-19 could have on these nations .
A report by the UN suggests poverty could increase for the first time since 1990 .
To tackle the outbreak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions in early stages , according to the stringency index developed by a group of researchers at Oxford University .
The index tracks governments ' response throughout the epidemic .
Government-imposed lockdowns , advising people to stay indoors to limit the spread of the virus , and social distancing measures have helped slow the spread of coronavirus in many developed countries .
These type of measures reduce the transmission rates of the virus , what is scientifically called the effective reproduction number ( Re ) .
A study from the London School of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real time the reproduction number in several countries .
It shows that transmission rates are still high in the most affected countries in developing regions .
South Africa , where movement restrictions have been hard to implement in some densely populated townships , has controlled its outbreak with a combination of mass screening and targeted testing .
President Cyril Ramaphosa has mobilised 28,000 health workers to screen over seven million people , more than one in 10 South Africans .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Africa has been comparatively less affected , with lockdown measures put in place in many countries to reduce the risk of large scale outbreaks occurring .
`` However , the number of reported cases across the continent may be a significant underestimate , owing to the limited testing capacity in many countries in Africa .
`` The daily number of confirmed cases in some countries , such as South Africa , Egypt and Nigeria , are still rising , though in South Africa this may be due , partly at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is taking place in the country . ''

The number of coronavirus cases and deaths have reached their peak in many European and North American countries, but analysis suggests some developing nations are yet to have experienced the worst of their outbreaks.
There is no mathematical formula to pinpoint which countries might become the new hotspots in the global crisis, but a number of factors can help identify the nations where the most severe epidemics will likely take place.
Dr Samir Bhatt, a senior lecturer at Imperial College London, which advises the UK government on its response to the coronavirus crisis, suggests the first step is understanding the rate at which their epidemics are growing.
An analysis of doubling times around the world shows the number of cases is growing fast in central African, Latin American and southern Asian countries.
In March, Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter from Cambridge University predicted Britain would face the same problems as Italy because cases were doubling roughly every three days.
In an epidemic outbreak of an infectious disease, it is important to know the "growth rate" - which indicates how fast numbers are increasing.
This is because even if the number of cases or deaths in a country is small, a fast growth rate means those numbers could increase very rapidly. However, the data for the amount of cases does come with caveats.
The number of COVID-19 cases is also underreported in many countries where health workers only test those with heavy symptoms.
A country's testing capacity also needs to be considered.
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Deaths are a more robust measure, but it also has limitations.
It takes time for a country to accumulate deaths because of the lag between the infection and the outcome, but a high number of cases could lead to a considerable number of coronavirus-related deaths.
"Therefore testing is essential early on to get a handle on what is going on, and where possible contact tracing can help reduce onward transmission," says Dr Bhatt.
And he continued: "The death rate is low in developing countries for a wide range of reasons that will differ from country to country, and these include the late onset of the outbreak, reporting differences, and differing interventions."
A better measure to assess the impact of COVID-19 is the excess of deaths, which refers to the number of fatalities above the average number for that country.
It is difficult to estimate at the moment, but several analyses across Europe have shown the number of additional deaths is higher than the number of coronavirus-related recorded deaths.
This is also the case in many countries in developing regions.
Peruvian media reported there was 2,248 more deaths in April compared to the previous year, but only half were recorded as caused by COVID-19.
The other half did not have a cause recorded. Similar excess of mortality has been reported in other countries badly affected.
Image: People queue outside a bank in Puno to collect government aid during the crisis in Peru
Deaths due to respiratory diseases in the Brazilian city of Manaus are five times higher than during the same month last year. But only one in four of those deaths were recorded as COVID-19.
Image: A funeral worker arranges coffins during the coronavirus pandemic in Manaus, Brazil
Dr Michael Tildesley, professor at Warwick university, said: "There is still uncertainty regarding the potential death toll in Africa as a result of the pandemic.
"The average age of the population in Africa is significantly less than in Europe and there is clear evidence, in Europe at least, that the risk of complications owing to infection is significantly greater for the elderly.
"However there is some concern regarding the relatively low capacity of health care systems in Africa when compared with many countries in Europe."
What impact could coronavirus have on developing countries?
The UN has warned about the devastating impact COVID-19 could have on these nations.
A report by the UN suggests poverty could increase for the first time since 1990.
To tackle the outbreak, many countries in developing regions introduced strict restrictions in early stages, according to the stringency index developed by a group of researchers at Oxford University.
The index tracks governments' response throughout the epidemic. Government-imposed lockdowns, advising people to stay indoors to limit the spread of the virus, and social distancing measures have helped slow the spread of coronavirus in many developed countries.
These type of measures reduce the transmission rates of the virus, what is scientifically called the effective reproduction number (Re).
A study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is estimating in real time the reproduction number in several countries.
It shows that transmission rates are still high in the most affected countries in developing regions.
South Africa, where movement restrictions have been hard to implement in some densely populated townships, has controlled its outbreak with a combination of mass screening and targeted testing.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has mobilised 28,000 health workers to screen over seven million people, more than one in 10 South Africans.
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Dr Tildesley said: "Africa has been comparatively less affected, with lockdown measures put in place in many countries to reduce the risk of large scale outbreaks occurring.
"However, the number of reported cases across the continent may be a significant underestimate, owing to the limited testing capacity in many countries in Africa.
"The daily number of confirmed cases in some countries, such as South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria, are still rising, though in South Africa this may be due, partly at least, to the scale of testing that is taking place in the country."