news--2020-03-19--Hotel giants in talks with government to boost virus bed space

Some of the world ’ s biggest hotel operators are holding talks with the government about providing vacant beds to the NHS as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates across Britain .
Sky News has learnt that hotel groups are in discussions on Thursday afternoon with ministers and Whitehall officials to offer `` huge '' additional capacity to help the NHS cope with an anticipated spike in medical demand .
City sources said that companies including Best Western Hotels , Hilton , Holiday Inn , Travelodge and Whitbread 's Premier Inn chain were among those involved in the talks .
Among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - which have been hit by a savage fall in demand - to provide rooms for vulnerable groups who are at enhanced risk of contracting coronavirus during the coming months .
They are also understood to have raised the idea of using spare hotel rooms for NHS staff who can not return home after treating COVID-19 infections because of the risk of passing the virus on to family members .
A third area floated by some industry figures has been the potential use of hotel cleaning staff to bolster the NHS 's ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unclear whether this issue was discussed on the call with Whitehall .
Further details of the hotel industry 's participation in the coronavirus recovery effort are likely to emerge in the coming days .
Earlier this week , Rob Paterson , who runs Best Western 's UK operations , said : `` We are in unprecedented territory so we would be willing to take unprecedented steps to support the national effort .
`` If the NHS wants additional bedspace , and we can partner with other companies to provide the right medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it safely , then we would be willing to start having those conversations immediately . ''
It was unclear whether Thursday 's call also covered the financial strains facing the hospitality industry as a result of the virus outbreak .
Leading figures in the sector have warned that one million jobs or more are under imminent threat unless the government agrees to pay a proportion of the wages of company employees whose jobs will effectively be mothballed for several months .
The hotel industry talks make it the latest sector to find its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help with the fight against COVID-19 .
Engineering and manufacturing companies including Meggitt have been drafted in to aid the quickfire design of new medical ventilators amid a predicted surge in demand as more people become seriously ill. Major food retailers and banks have also been holding frequent talks with ministers about the need to keep the food and financial supply chains operating as the crisis facing Britain 's economy intensifies .

Some of the world’s biggest hotel operators are holding talks with the government about providing vacant beds to the NHS as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates across Britain.
Sky News has learnt that hotel groups are in discussions on Thursday afternoon with ministers and Whitehall officials to offer "huge" additional capacity to help the NHS cope with an anticipated spike in medical demand.
City sources said that companies including Best Western Hotels, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Travelodge and Whitbread's Premier Inn chain were among those involved in the talks.
Among the proposals being discussed was for hotel operators - which have been hit by a savage fall in demand - to provide rooms for vulnerable groups who are at enhanced risk of contracting coronavirus during the coming months.
They are also understood to have raised the idea of using spare hotel rooms for NHS staff who cannot return home after treating COVID-19 infections because of the risk of passing the virus on to family members.
A third area floated by some industry figures has been the potential use of hotel cleaning staff to bolster the NHS's ability to clean hospital facilities, although it was unclear whether this issue was discussed on the call with Whitehall.
Image: Premier Inn is owned by Whitbread
Further details of the hotel industry's participation in the coronavirus recovery effort are likely to emerge in the coming days.
Earlier this week, Rob Paterson, who runs Best Western's UK operations, said: "We are in unprecedented territory so we would be willing to take unprecedented steps to support the national effort.
"If the NHS wants additional bedspace, and we can partner with other companies to provide the right medical equipment and supplies and we can do it safely, then we would be willing to start having those conversations immediately."
Advertisement
It was unclear whether Thursday's call also covered the financial strains facing the hospitality industry as a result of the virus outbreak.
Leading figures in the sector have warned that one million jobs or more are under imminent threat unless the government agrees to pay a proportion of the wages of company employees whose jobs will effectively be mothballed for several months.
The hotel industry talks make it the latest sector to find its resources and expertise commandeered by the government to help with the fight against COVID-19.
Engineering and manufacturing companies including Meggitt have been drafted in to aid the quickfire design of new medical ventilators amid a predicted surge in demand as more people become seriously ill.
Major food retailers and banks have also been holding frequent talks with ministers about the need to keep the food and financial supply chains operating as the crisis facing Britain's economy intensifies.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Mother and two children die after contracting COVID-19 in the US

A mother and two of her children have died within days of each other after testing positive for coronavirus , according to US media .
Grace Fusco , 73 , died on Wednesday night just hours after her eldest son Carmine passed away , the New York Times reports .
Rita Fusco-Jackson , the eldest of Mrs Fusco 's 11 children , died just five days before .
All three had tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Mrs Fusco and her 55-year-old daughter were being treated at the CentraState Medical Center in Freehold , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carmine Fusco died at a Pennsylvania hospital near his home in Bath .
Roseann Paradiso Fodera , Mrs Fusco 's cousin and the family lawyer , said four of Mrs Fusco 's other children have also contracted coronavirus .
She added all four are in hospital and three are in a critical condition .
Ms Paradiso Fodera said Mrs Fusco died after spending Wednesday `` gravely ill '' and breathing with the help from a ventilator .
The family lawyer added that she was unaware two of her children had died .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the virus spread .
Ms Paradiso Fodera said : `` If they 're not on a respirator , they 're quarantined .
`` It is so pitiful .
`` They ca n't even mourn the way you would . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A person who came into contact with the first person to die from coronavirus in New Jersey had reportedly attended a recent Fusco family gathering .
Ms Paradiso Fodera said the gathering was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep ties to the horse-racing industry near Freehold Raceway in New Jersey .
Mr Fusco 's husband Vincenzo , who died in 2017 , had both ridden and trained horses , according to his obituary .
There have been 9,415 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US with 150 deaths , according to the Johns Hopkins University which is tracking the virus .

A mother and two of her children have died within days of each other after testing positive for coronavirus, according to US media.
Grace Fusco, 73, died on Wednesday night just hours after her eldest son Carmine passed away, the New York Times reports.
Rita Fusco-Jackson, the eldest of Mrs Fusco's 11 children, died just five days before.
All three had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Mrs Fusco and her 55-year-old daughter were being treated at the CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, New Jersey, where they lived.
Carmine Fusco died at a Pennsylvania hospital near his home in Bath.
Roseann Paradiso Fodera, Mrs Fusco's cousin and the family lawyer, said four of Mrs Fusco's other children have also contracted coronavirus.
She added all four are in hospital and three are in a critical condition.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:57 Coronavirus: What you need to know
Ms Paradiso Fodera said Mrs Fusco died after spending Wednesday "gravely ill" and breathing with the help from a ventilator.
Advertisement
The family lawyer added that she was unaware two of her children had died.
Nearly 20 other relatives are mourning while isolated due to the virus spread.
Ms Paradiso Fodera said: "If they're not on a respirator, they're quarantined.
"It is so pitiful.
"They can't even mourn the way you would."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
A person who came into contact with the first person to die from coronavirus in New Jersey had reportedly attended a recent Fusco family gathering.
Ms Paradiso Fodera said the gathering was a routine Tuesday dinner.
The family has deep ties to the horse-racing industry near Freehold Raceway in New Jersey.
Mr Fusco's husband Vincenzo, who died in 2017, had both ridden and trained horses, according to his obituary.
There have been 9,415 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US with 150 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University which is tracking the virus.


news--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Health Secretary Matt Hancock says 'very unpleasant' COVID-19 saw him lose half a stone

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has revealed he lost half a stone while suffering from coronavirus .
The cabinet minister tested positive for COVID-19 last week and entered self-isolation .
After a seven-day period , he left self-isolation on Thursday and announced a five-point action plan to achieve a `` significant '' increase in coronavirus testing .
It followed criticism of the government 's approach to testing and the UK 's low level of testing in comparison to countries such as Germany and South Korea .
Speaking to Sky News on Friday , Mr Hancock said he had been working `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson , who also contracted coronavirus , during his self-isolation .
Describing the effects of the disease , the health secretary said : `` It is rough , especially when you are on the downhill part of it - it 's very worrying because we 've all seen how serious it can get .
`` I had a couple of days when it was really very unpleasant and I 've lost about half a stone .
`` But , thankfully , I 've recovered and I 'm now feeling fine and it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I 've talked to the prime minister all the way through this , he 's working very hard as much as he can from home , obviously , in Downing Street .
`` I 've worked with him every day all the way through and he 's doing what 's needed in taking the decisions and we all wish him a very speedy recovery . ''
Mr Hancock 's plan to increase testing to 100,000 tests per day in England by the end of this month includes the use of universities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing .
He admitted the target to `` ramp up '' the amount of testing was `` a big task , a big ask '' , with the current level of testing around 10,000 tests per day .
But the health secretary pointed to the building of a new make-shift NHS hospital in east London as an example of the government being able to achieve action in the face of the coronavirus crisis .
`` We 're opening the NHS Nightingale today , we managed to build that in nine days , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked companies that have n't ever made a ventilator before to step up to the plate and they 're delivering ventilators .
`` And now we need to do the same on testing . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Among criticism of the current level of testing in the UK have been concerns about the level of testing of NHS frontline staff .
The Royal College of Physicians has previously warned around a quarter of NHS doctors are off work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in isolation .
But Mr Hancock said that figure was `` wrong '' and 5.7 % of doctors and just under 8 % of all NHS staff are currently off work .
He added the government `` want to get that number down '' , which is why it is increasing the level of testing of NHS staff .
As of Thursday , 5,000 frontline staff had been tested , Mr Hancock said , with the families of hospital workers also having started to be tested as well .
Explaining the importance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exit the lockdown measures put in place by the government , Mr Hancock added : `` The first step is to get the rate of infection down so that that is n't increasing .
`` It takes some time after the lockdown is put in place to get that rate of infection , the rate of transmission down .
`` Then we need to make sure that we have the testing in place and the tracking so that if we release any of the measures , we do n't simply then have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was starting to spread when we brought the measures into place . ''

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has revealed he lost half a stone while suffering from coronavirus.
The cabinet minister tested positive for COVID-19 last week and entered self-isolation.
After a seven-day period, he left self-isolation on Thursday and announced a five-point action plan to achieve a "significant" increase in coronavirus testing.
It followed criticism of the government's approach to testing and the UK's low level of testing in comparison to countries such as Germany and South Korea.
Speaking to Sky News on Friday, Mr Hancock said he had been working "every day" with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who also contracted coronavirus, during his self-isolation.
Describing the effects of the disease, the health secretary said: "It is rough, especially when you are on the downhill part of it - it's very worrying because we've all seen how serious it can get.
"I had a couple of days when it was really very unpleasant and I've lost about half a stone.
"But, thankfully, I've recovered and I'm now feeling fine and it's very good to be back at work.
"I've talked to the prime minister all the way through this, he's working very hard as much as he can from home, obviously, in Downing Street.
Advertisement
"I've worked with him every day all the way through and he's doing what's needed in taking the decisions and we all wish him a very speedy recovery."
Mr Hancock's plan to increase testing to 100,000 tests per day in England by the end of this month includes the use of universities and private businesses to establish more swab testing.
He admitted the target to "ramp up" the amount of testing was "a big task, a big ask", with the current level of testing around 10,000 tests per day.
But the health secretary pointed to the building of a new make-shift NHS hospital in east London as an example of the government being able to achieve action in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
"We're opening the NHS Nightingale today, we managed to build that in nine days," he said.
"On ventilators we asked companies that haven't ever made a ventilator before to step up to the plate and they're delivering ventilators.
"And now we need to do the same on testing."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Among criticism of the current level of testing in the UK have been concerns about the level of testing of NHS frontline staff.
The Royal College of Physicians has previously warned around a quarter of NHS doctors are off work due to sickness or because they are in isolation.
But Mr Hancock said that figure was "wrong" and 5.7% of doctors and just under 8% of all NHS staff are currently off work.
He added the government "want to get that number down", which is why it is increasing the level of testing of NHS staff.
As of Thursday, 5,000 frontline staff had been tested, Mr Hancock said, with the families of hospital workers also having started to be tested as well.
Explaining the importance of testing in order for the UK to exit the lockdown measures put in place by the government, Mr Hancock added: "The first step is to get the rate of infection down so that that isn't increasing.
"It takes some time after the lockdown is put in place to get that rate of infection, the rate of transmission down.
"Then we need to make sure that we have the testing in place and the tracking so that if we release any of the measures, we don't simply then have the infection spread again in the way that it was starting to spread when we brought the measures into place."


news--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Chinese billionaire donates medical supplies to NHS

The founder of JD.com , China 's biggest retailer , is donating millions of items of medical equipment to the NHS as some prominent Chinese companies see the coronavirus pandemic as a way to burnish their reputations in key export markets .
Sky News has learnt that Richard Liu and his wife Nancy have been in discussions with the government and NHS executives about a shipment comprising 50 ventilators , five million medical masks and 600,000 pairs of surgical gloves , medical safety goggles and protective gowns .
The equipment is scheduled to arrive in the UK next week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former Conservative Party chairman , had been drafted in by the health secretary , Matt Hancock , to coordinate private sector offers of donations .
The donation by the JD.com billionaire comes as the government continues to face pressure over the lack of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) available to frontline NHS staff .
Ministers have been fiercely criticised over complaints of doctors and nurses being forced to wear makeshift gear as they seek to treat patients who have been infected with COVID-19 .
Earlier this week , Huawei , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the centre of a row about its role in Britain 's 5G network , donated millions of face masks to the NHS .
Some of China 's biggest corporate names are turning their attention to securing scarce supplies as a means of demonstrating 'soft power ' to help struggling health authorities in western markets .
That may be partly motivated by the fomenting international anger over China 's perceived role in handling the original outbreak of the virus in Wuhan .
Politicians including the former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Beijing .
`` As a result of Beijing 's cover-up and delay , global health experts are convinced the rest of the world had insufficient time to prepare for the pandemic , which means the effect of the outbreak has most likely been worse , '' Sir Iain wrote in last weekend 's Mail on Sunday .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
Although its name may be unfamiliar to many British consumers , JD.com is a behemoth in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a physical store in Beijing , the company listed on New York 's Nasdaq exchange in 2014 .
It now has a market value of almost $ 59bn ( £47.7bn ) , and counts Walmart and Google among its investors .
JD.com could not be reached for comment on Friday .

The founder of JD.com, China's biggest retailer, is donating millions of items of medical equipment to the NHS as some prominent Chinese companies see the coronavirus pandemic as a way to burnish their reputations in key export markets.
Sky News has learnt that Richard Liu and his wife Nancy have been in discussions with the government and NHS executives about a shipment comprising 50 ventilators, five million medical masks and 600,000 pairs of surgical gloves, medical safety goggles and protective gowns.
The equipment is scheduled to arrive in the UK next week.
One source said that Lord Feldman, the former Conservative Party chairman, had been drafted in by the health secretary, Matt Hancock, to coordinate private sector offers of donations.
The donation by the JD.com billionaire comes as the government continues to face pressure over the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) available to frontline NHS staff.
Ministers have been fiercely criticised over complaints of doctors and nurses being forced to wear makeshift gear as they seek to treat patients who have been infected with COVID-19.
Earlier this week, Huawei, the Chinese telecoms equipment manufacturer which has been at the centre of a row about its role in Britain's 5G network, donated millions of face masks to the NHS.
Image: JD.com's office in California
Some of China's biggest corporate names are turning their attention to securing scarce supplies as a means of demonstrating 'soft power' to help struggling health authorities in western markets.
That may be partly motivated by the fomenting international anger over China's perceived role in handling the original outbreak of the virus in Wuhan.
Advertisement
Politicians including the former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith have urged the government to rethink its relationship with Beijing.
"As a result of Beijing's cover-up and delay, global health experts are convinced the rest of the world had insufficient time to prepare for the pandemic, which means the effect of the outbreak has most likely been worse," Sir Iain wrote in last weekend's Mail on Sunday.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
Although its name may be unfamiliar to many British consumers, JD.com is a behemoth in the global retail sector.
Founded in 1998 as a physical store in Beijing, the company listed on New York's Nasdaq exchange in 2014.
It now has a market value of almost $59bn (£47.7bn), and counts Walmart and Google among its investors.
JD.com could not be reached for comment on Friday.


news--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Virgin flies in millions of pieces of medical equipment from China

Medical supplies and personal protective equipment will be delivered to NHS workers on the frontline of the battle against coronavirus after arriving via a special charter Virgin Atlantic flight from Shanghai .
The Boeing 787-9 aircraft carrying the shipment , which includes respirators , ventilator parts , masks , scrubs , eye protection and aprons , touched down at London Heathrow on Friday afternoon .
There were more than 350,000 items on board the plane , manned by seven pilots and four cabin crew who are still working as the airline continues to carry out cargo operations during the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since its launch by Sir Richard Branson in 1984 that the airline has only run cargo flights , after travel restrictions and lockdown measures around the world began to cripple the industry .
Peter Norris , chairman of the airline 's majority shareholder , Virgin Group , has urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to sanction an enormous £7.5bn bailout to help airlines get through the crisis .
Airbus , Rolls-Royce Holdings and Heathrow Airport have also written separately to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps , urging the government to `` do all it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker But Chancellor Rishi Sunak has told the aviation industry they will only receive taxpayer aid `` as a last resort '' .
In a letter seen by Sky News , he told the aviation industry that the array of emergency COVID-19 support schemes announced by the Treasury in recent weeks would provide significant assistance to cash-strapped airlines .
Among the aid promised are grants to cover employee wages , although Virgin Atlantic has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpaid leave over the next three months .
However , the airline says it will still carry out cargo flights to `` support vital supply chains around the globe '' .
The flight from Shanghai to London was put on with Virgin Unite , which is Virgin Group 's not-for-profit foundation .
President and chief executive Jean Oelwang said : `` Millions of first responders , nurses , doctors and other NHS staff are working tirelessly day and night on the frontlines of this crisis .
`` They are the true heroes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humbled to have the opportunity to get this much needed equipment to them . ''
Supplies of key equipment like ventilators and protective gear has been one of the biggest challenges for the UK government since the pandemic began .
Earlier this week , an NHS doctor told Sky News that the situation was so desperate that his GP surgery has had to appeal to its own patients for donations .
Airbus has since announced it has provided 400,000 surgical masks to the NHS , which were picked up from its Broughton plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday after being flown in from China .
And Sky News has learned that the founder of JD.com , China 's biggest retailer , is also donating millions of items of medical equipment to the NHS - including 50 ventilators and five million medical masks .
Speaking at the daily coronavirus news briefing on Friday , Health Secretary Matt Hancock again repeated the government 's insistence that it was ramping up supply of such equipment .

Medical supplies and personal protective equipment will be delivered to NHS workers on the frontline of the battle against coronavirus after arriving via a special charter Virgin Atlantic flight from Shanghai.
The Boeing 787-9 aircraft carrying the shipment, which includes respirators, ventilator parts, masks, scrubs, eye protection and aprons, touched down at London Heathrow on Friday afternoon.
There were more than 350,000 items on board the plane, manned by seven pilots and four cabin crew who are still working as the airline continues to carry out cargo operations during the coronavirus pandemic.
Image: Masks are among the equipment that has been delivered
It is the first time since its launch by Sir Richard Branson in 1984 that the airline has only run cargo flights, after travel restrictions and lockdown measures around the world began to cripple the industry.
Peter Norris, chairman of the airline's majority shareholder, Virgin Group, has urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to sanction an enormous £7.5bn bailout to help airlines get through the crisis.
Airbus, Rolls-Royce Holdings and Heathrow Airport have also written separately to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, urging the government to "do all it can to support Virgin in these extremely difficult 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
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
But Chancellor Rishi Sunak has told the aviation industry they will only receive taxpayer aid "as a last resort".
In a letter seen by Sky News, he told the aviation industry that the array of emergency COVID-19 support schemes announced by the Treasury in recent weeks would provide significant assistance to cash-strapped airlines.
Advertisement
Among the aid promised are grants to cover employee wages, although Virgin Atlantic has already asked staff to take eight weeks unpaid leave over the next three months.
However, the airline says it will still carry out cargo flights to "support vital supply chains around the globe".
Image: The supplies were flown in from Shanghai
The flight from Shanghai to London was put on with Virgin Unite, which is Virgin Group's not-for-profit foundation.
President and chief executive Jean Oelwang said: "Millions of first responders, nurses, doctors and other NHS staff are working tirelessly day and night on the frontlines of this crisis.
"They are the true heroes in this crisis - and so we are humbled to have the opportunity to get this much needed equipment to them."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:44 'Please help us': McAvoy appeals for NHS kit
Supplies of key equipment like ventilators and protective gear has been one of the biggest challenges for the UK government since the pandemic began.
Earlier this week, an NHS doctor told Sky News that the situation was so desperate that his GP surgery has had to appeal to its own patients for donations.
Airbus has since announced it has provided 400,000 surgical masks to the NHS, which were picked up from its Broughton plant in Flintshire, north Wales, on Friday after being flown in from China.
And Sky News has learned that the founder of JD.com, China's biggest retailer, is also donating millions of items of medical equipment to the NHS - including 50 ventilators and five million medical masks.
Speaking at the daily coronavirus news briefing on Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock again repeated the government's insistence that it was ramping up supply of such equipment.


news--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Mum of UK's youngest victim forced to miss funeral due to self-isolation

The funeral of the UK 's youngest coronavirus victim went ahead without his mother and siblings after two of them developed symptoms .
Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab , 13 , passed away in the early hours of Monday at King 's College Hospital .
He was buried at Kemnal Park Cemetery in Chislehurst , south east London .
on Friday by undertakers wearing protective equipment , as a small number of mourners watched on .
The Brixton schoolboy 's immediate family members were not among them , however , as two of his siblings have developed symptoms of the COVID-19 disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-isolate .
Because the coronavirus is so infectious , Ismail 's family had also not been allowed to be with him when he died .
He passed away in hospital after being put on a ventilator and then into an induced coma , having been admitted after suffering breathing difficulties last Thursday .
The teenager , who had no known underlying health problems , tested positive for coronavirus the following day .
Following his death , his family said in a statement : `` We are beyond devastated . ''
Donations have continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up to pay for Ismail 's funeral and support his family , smashing the original £4,000 target and now standing at more than £72,000 .
Many of the donations are in the hundreds of pounds , with one topping £3,495 .
According to the page , set up by Madinah College , Ismail was the younger brother of one of the teachers there .
Organisers of the fundraiser have since posted a longer tribute from the family , describing Ismail as `` gentle , kind '' and with a `` heartwarming '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital for their efforts and for the money that has been raised , saying they were `` extremely grateful and overwhelmed by the amount of support '' .
`` We are all praying at this difficult time for all the people affected by this COVID-19 virus and we wish everybody a speedy recovery , '' they added .
`` We also want to reiterate the need for people to listen to government guidance .
COVID-19 is a virus attacking all members of our society , not just older people or those with pre-existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can to ensure that we adhere to social distancing ; that people stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives . ''
Another 684 people in the UK were announced as having died after contracting coronavirus earlier on Friday , which brought the total number of deaths nationwide to 3,605 .
The Department of Health said as of 9am on Friday , 38,168 people had tested positive .
Britons have been warned to stick to lockdown measures ahead of what is set to be a sunny weekend .

The funeral of the UK's youngest coronavirus victim went ahead without his mother and siblings after two of them developed symptoms.
Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, 13, passed away in the early hours of Monday at King's College Hospital.
He was buried at Kemnal Park Cemetery in Chislehurst, south east London. on Friday by undertakers wearing protective equipment, as a small number of mourners watched on.
The Brixton schoolboy's immediate family members were not among them, however, as two of his siblings have developed symptoms of the COVID-19 disease and the household has been forced to self-isolate.
Image: Mourners had to observe social distancing rules
Because the coronavirus is so infectious, Ismail's family had also not been allowed to be with him when he died.
He passed away in hospital after being put on a ventilator and then into an induced coma, having been admitted after suffering breathing difficulties last Thursday.
The teenager, who had no known underlying health problems, tested positive for coronavirus the following day.
Following his death, his family said in a statement: "We are beyond devastated."
Image: Undertakers wore protective equipment
Donations have continued to pour in for a GoFundMe page set up to pay for Ismail's funeral and support his family, smashing the original £4,000 target and now standing at more than £72,000.
Advertisement
Many of the donations are in the hundreds of pounds, with one topping £3,495.
According to the page, set up by Madinah College, Ismail was the younger brother of one of the teachers there.
Image: Ismail's family say they are 'heartbroken'
Organisers of the fundraiser have since posted a longer tribute from the family, describing Ismail as "gentle, kind" and with a "heartwarming" smile.
They thanked staff at the hospital for their efforts and for the money that has been raised, saying they were "extremely grateful and overwhelmed by the amount of support".
"We are all praying at this difficult time for all the people affected by this COVID-19 virus and we wish everybody a speedy recovery," they added.
"We also want to reiterate the need for people to listen to government guidance. COVID-19 is a virus attacking all members of our society, not just older people or those with pre-existing conditions.
Image: The schoolboy died alone at King's College Hospital
"So please do everything you can to ensure that we adhere to social distancing; that people stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives."
Another 684 people in the UK were announced as having died after contracting coronavirus earlier on Friday, which brought the total number of deaths nationwide to 3,605.
The Department of Health said as of 9am on Friday, 38,168 people had tested positive.
Britons have been warned to stick to lockdown measures ahead of what is set to be a sunny weekend.


news--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: NHS Nightingale Hospital for COVID-19 patients opened by Prince Charles

Prince Charles has opened the new 4,000-bed NHS Nightingale - less than two weeks after work started on the giant specialist coronavirus field hospital .
With 80 wards , the temporary facility at the ExCel Centre in London 's Docklands is now the largest critical care unit in the world .
Soldiers , carpenters , stewards and volunteers have worked around the clock to ensure NHS Nightingale could be ready for use in record time .
The Prince of Wales , who earlier this week completed self-isolation following his COVID-19 diagnosis , officially opened the temporary facility via video link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prince praised all those who have worked to create the new medical centre , and to people across the UK who continue to deliver frontline care to those affected by the crisis .
He said : `` It is without doubt a spectacular and unbelievable feat of work in every sense .
`` The creation of this hospital is , above all , the result of an extraordinary collaboration and partnership between NHS managers , the military , and all those involved , to create a centre on a scale that has never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Attending the ceremony in person was Health Secretary Matt Hancock , who also recently came out of isolation after recovering from the virus , Professor Charles Knight , chief executive of NHS Nightingale , and representatives from the Ministry of Defence , contractors and volunteers .
The facility , which will start with 500 beds and has the capacity for 3,500 more , will be used to treat COVID-19 patients who have been transferred from other intensive care units ( ICU ) across London .
Speaking to Sky 's Adam Boulton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` extension '' of St Bartholomew 's Hospital .
Those who are admitted to the hospital will already be on a ventilator and will remain at the Nightingale until their course of ventilation is finished .
Coronavirus patients suffering from other serious conditions - such as cardiac issues - will be cared for at other specialist centres .
But the hospital 's design means it will be able to operate as a large intensive care unit or as a normal ward , depending on demand .
More than 16,000 members of staff could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital reach full capacity .
Staff will also be offered accommodation in nearby hotels .
While all the equipment being used at the Nightingale is `` new kit '' , according to leaked documents , some health officials have expressed reservations about how communications might work in the vast , open building , normally used as a venue for trade fairs and exhibitions .
Draft clinical models seen by the Health Service Journal show the building 's poor acoustics has been a cause of concern .
Although the most acute cases will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly show that officials have modelled that between 16 % and 20 % of those admitted to the hospital could die .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Two more Nightingale hospitals will also be opened in Bristol and Harrogate .
The Bristol hospital will be able to look after up to 1,000 patients , while Harrogate can care for up to 500 .
They will join other sites due to open at Birmingham 's National Exhibition Centre and Manchester 's Central @ @

Prince Charles has opened the new 4,000-bed NHS Nightingale - less than two weeks after work started on the giant specialist coronavirus field hospital.
With 80 wards, the temporary facility at the ExCel Centre in London's Docklands is now the largest critical care unit in the world.
Soldiers, carpenters, stewards and volunteers have worked around the clock to ensure NHS Nightingale could be ready for use in record time.
The Prince of Wales, who earlier this week completed self-isolation following his COVID-19 diagnosis, officially opened the temporary facility via video link from his Scottish estate Birkhall.
Image: More than 16,000 members of staff could be needed to run London's new NHS Nightingale Hospital
The prince praised all those who have worked to create the new medical centre, and to people across the UK who continue to deliver frontline care to those affected by the crisis.
He said: "It is without doubt a spectacular and unbelievable feat of work in every sense.
"The creation of this hospital is, above all, the result of an extraordinary collaboration and partnership between NHS managers, the military, and all those involved, to create a centre on a scale that has never been seen before in the United Kingdom."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:57 Sky News sees inside the new NHS Nightingale hospital
Attending the ceremony in person was Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who also recently came out of isolation after recovering from the virus, Professor Charles Knight, chief executive of NHS Nightingale, and representatives from the Ministry of Defence, contractors and volunteers.
The facility, which will start with 500 beds and has the capacity for 3,500 more, will be used to treat COVID-19 patients who have been transferred from other intensive care units (ICU) across London.
Advertisement
Image: Mr Hancock described the new hospital as an "extension" of St Bartholomew's Hospital
Speaking to Sky's Adam Boulton, Mr Hancock described it as an "extension" of St Bartholomew's Hospital.
Those who are admitted to the hospital will already be on a ventilator and will remain at the Nightingale until their course of ventilation is finished.
Coronavirus patients suffering from other serious conditions - such as cardiac issues - will be cared for at other specialist centres.
Image: It took less than two weeks to complete the facility in the ExCel Centre
But the hospital's design means it will be able to operate as a large intensive care unit or as a normal ward, depending on demand.
More than 16,000 members of staff could be needed to run it should the hospital reach full capacity.
Staff will also be offered accommodation in nearby hotels.
While all the equipment being used at the Nightingale is "new kit", according to leaked documents, some health officials have expressed reservations about how communications might work in the vast, open building, normally used as a venue for trade fairs and exhibitions.
Draft clinical models seen by the Health Service Journal show the building's poor acoustics has been a cause of concern.
Although the most acute cases will be sent elsewhere, the leaked documents also reportedly show that officials have modelled that between 16% and 20% of those admitted to the hospital could die.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Two more Nightingale hospitals will also be opened in Bristol and Harrogate.
The Bristol hospital will be able to look after up to 1,000 patients, while Harrogate can care for up to 500.
They will join other sites due to open at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre and Manchester's Central Complex.


news--2020-03-25--Coronavirus: Spain now has second-highest number of COVID-19 deaths as total reaches 3,434

A total of 3,434 coronavirus patients have now have died in Spain - more than the recorded number of deaths in China where the outbreak began .
Spain now has the world 's second-highest tally of COVID-19 deaths after 738 more were reported on Wednesday , the country 's deadliest toll in one day .
Italy still has the most deaths of any nation in the world at 7,503 , with 683 deaths added to its total on Wednesday .
The number of confirmed cases in Italy stands at more than 74,000 .
France - another of Europe 's worst-hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the same 24-hour period , taking its total to 1,331 deaths .
The country has had 22,654 confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Infections in Spain rose 20 % from a day earlier to 47,610 .
Hotels in the country are being converted into hospitals and an ice rink in capital Madrid is being used as a temporary morgue to store bodies until they can be buried or cremated .
An investigation has begun after soldiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the corpses of suspected coronavirus victims .
The Spanish army has asked fellow NATO countries for coronavirus testing kits , ventilators and protective gear .
The country has said health care workers account for more than 14 % of its infections .
Later on Wednesday , Spain 's parliament is set to extend the country 's lockdown by prolonging a state of emergency until 11 April .
Spain 's central bank expressed fears for the state of the country 's economy following the coronavirus outbreak .
Businesses in the country have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers .
In a statement , the Bank of Spain said : `` There is little doubt about the severity of the shock , which has radically altered the real and financial dynamics of the Spanish economy since early March . ''
Elsewhere in Europe , Germany 's parliament is set to approve a series of measures that will allow the government to offer aid totalling more than a trillion euros ( £900bn ) for its 83 million-strong population .
According to Johns Hopkins University , there have been more than 435,000 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 19,600 deaths .
China has the most confirmed cases with more than 81,500 , Italy second with more than 69,000 and the US third with more than 55,000 , the Johns Hopkins figures show .
The World Health Organisation has said the number of global coronavirus cases is expected to increase `` considerably '' .

A total of 3,434 coronavirus patients have now have died in Spain - more than the recorded number of deaths in China where the outbreak began.
Spain now has the world's second-highest tally of COVID-19 deaths after 738 more were reported on Wednesday, the country's deadliest toll in one day.
With 3,434 coronavirus patients dead, Spain surpassed China's toll of 3,285.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:55 Is Spain the new COVID-19 epicentre?
Italy still has the most deaths of any nation in the world at 7,503, with 683 deaths added to its total on Wednesday.
The number of confirmed cases in Italy stands at more than 74,000.
France - another of Europe's worst-hit nations - also reported 231 more deaths over the same 24-hour period, taking its total to 1,331 deaths.
The country has had 22,654 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Infections in Spain rose 20% from a day earlier to 47,610.
Advertisement
Hotels in the country are being converted into hospitals and an ice rink in capital Madrid is being used as a temporary morgue to store bodies until they can be buried or cremated.
An investigation has begun after soldiers disinfecting nursing homes discovered elderly people living amid the corpses of suspected coronavirus victims.
The Spanish army has asked fellow NATO countries for coronavirus testing kits, ventilators and protective gear.
The country has said health care workers account for more than 14% of its infections.
Later on Wednesday, Spain's parliament is set to extend the country's lockdown by prolonging a state of emergency until 11 April.
Spain's central bank expressed fears for the state of the country's economy following the coronavirus outbreak.
Businesses in the country have already started to temporarily lay off thousands of workers.
In a statement, the Bank of Spain said: "There is little doubt about the severity of the shock, which has radically altered the real and financial dynamics of the Spanish economy since early March."
Elsewhere in Europe, Germany's parliament is set to approve a series of measures that will allow the government to offer aid totalling more than a trillion euros (£900bn) for its 83 million-strong population.
According to Johns Hopkins University, there have been more than 435,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus around the world, with more than 19,600 deaths.
China has the most confirmed cases with more than 81,500, Italy second with more than 69,000 and the US third with more than 55,000, the Johns Hopkins figures show.
The World Health Organisation has said the number of global coronavirus cases is expected to increase "considerably".


news--2020-04-28--Will NHS contact-tracing app work? Experts reveal concerns

A new contact-tracing app developed by the NHS will be released across the UK within the next few weeks , but experts are concerned about whether it will work .
Speaking to a committee of MPs on Tuesday , Matthew Gould , the head of NHSx , confirmed that the app would not keep data decentralised despite a request by Apple and Google .
Mr Gould also confirmed that the app will allow people in the UK to self-report if they were experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 , potentially allowing them to send false reports and force people to self-isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The app could start being rolled out in the UK in a test area next week , before being deployed across the country in `` two to three weeks '' , according to Mr Gould .
Apple and Google are updating their mobile operating systems , which are run on 99 % of phones worldwide , to allow them to keep track of which other devices they come into close proximity with .
This contact log can then be used to alert people if someone they had come into close contact with was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But healthcare authorities will only be able to access this log through a special application programming interface which the companies are developing , and which can only be used if the data is kept on the phones themselves and not collected centrally .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Gould told MPs that the UK 's approach had `` a measure of centralisation '' as it would be the NHS which sends the alerts , rather than them happening on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't believe that 's a privacy endangering step , '' Mr Gould said , adding : `` But also , by doing so , it allows you to see the contact graph of how this is propagating and how the contacts are working across a number of individuals , without knowing who they are . ''
But privacy advocates Open Rights Group warned : `` As we understand matters , without using the Apple-Google method , the NHSx app would end up draining batteries and causing screen locks to be disabled for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , take up of the app will be poor , and the project will not work very well .
Australia , also using centralised matching , are having to constantly pester users via screen notifications when the app switches off .
`` Battery life will be affected , and users will end up with screens unlocked , increasing security risks. ''
.
Alongside Professor Christophe Fraser of the University of Oxford , Mr Gould confirmed that the app would find out about people showing symptoms of the coronavirus when they self-reported those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the University of Cambridge 's Professor Ross Anderson wrote , allowing people to self-report that they are showing COVID-19 symptoms could encourage them to abuse the system by making false reports .
`` Anyone who 's worked on abuse will instantly realise that a voluntary app operated by anonymous actors is wide open to trolling , '' said Professor Anderson .
`` The performance art people will tie a phone to a dog and let it run around the park ; the Russians will use the app to run service-denial attacks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-report symptoms to get the whole school sent home . ''
To tackle this , Apple and Google say they are working with public health authorities to provide the validation for any diagnoses .
But the NHS app will instead use a survey .
Professor Fraser told Sky News that , from an epidemic control perspective , self-diagnosis was an essential part of digital contact-tracing .
`` Our earliest results suggested that close to 50 % of infections are spreading before a person shows any symptoms .
As such , the speed of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to keep up with the epidemic .
`` Self-diagnosis , based on a series of carefully sequenced questions answered in the app , will , if appropriate , trigger a notification to guide people you have come into close proximity contact with to self-isolate . ''
Mr Gould , of NHSx , said that the contact-graph created by the UK 's centralised system would allow them to detect malicious use , explaining : `` One of the ways you can do that is looking for anomalous patterns . ''
He added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who the individuals are , you can see anomalous propagation , which the approach we 've taken allows ... we 're not clear that a decentralised approach allows that . ''
David Bonsall , a senior researcher at Oxford University 's Nuffield Department of Medicine and a clinician at Oxford 's John Radcliffe Hospital , told Sky News the researchers were prepared for abuse .
`` We have a parameter in our epidemiological model that can adjust rates of non-COVID reasons for reporting symptoms .
This includes other infections and non-infectious reasons that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be malicious , '' he acknowledged .
`` All solutions to this epidemic are going to be massively helped by people behaving responsibly - by keeping up with social distancing , not burdening health care resources unnecessarily etc .
`` NHSx are setting the app up with the necessary safeguards to identify people who use it irresponsibly .
`` But we hope given the scale and severity of the epidemic that this will implicate a small proportion of users and that these safeguards will mitigate against malicious use as much as possible @ @

A new contact-tracing app developed by the NHS will be released across the UK within the next few weeks, but experts are concerned about whether it will work.
Speaking to a committee of MPs on Tuesday, Matthew Gould, the head of NHSx, confirmed that the app would not keep data decentralised despite a request by Apple and Google.
Mr Gould also confirmed that the app will allow people in the UK to self-report if they were experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19, potentially allowing them to send false reports and force people to self-isolate when they don't have to.
The app could start being rolled out in the UK in a test area next week, before being deployed across the country in "two to three weeks", according to Mr Gould.
Apple and Google are updating their mobile operating systems, which are run on 99% of phones worldwide, to allow them to keep track of which other devices they come into close proximity with.
This contact log can then be used to alert people if someone they had come into close contact with was suspected of being infected with the coronavirus.
But healthcare authorities will only be able to access this log through a special application programming interface which the companies are developing, and which can only be used if the data is kept on the phones themselves and not collected centrally.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Gould told MPs that the UK's approach had "a measure of centralisation" as it would be the NHS which sends the alerts, rather than them happening on a phone-to-phone basis.
"We don't believe that's a privacy endangering step," Mr Gould said, adding: "But also, by doing so, it allows you to see the contact graph of how this is propagating and how the contacts are working across a number of individuals, without knowing who they are."
Advertisement
But privacy advocates Open Rights Group warned: "As we understand matters, without using the Apple-Google method, the NHSx app would end up draining batteries and causing screen locks to be disabled for many users.
"If this is the case, take up of the app will be poor, and the project will not work very well. Australia, also using centralised matching, are having to constantly pester users via screen notifications when the app switches off.
"Battery life will be affected, and users will end up with screens unlocked, increasing security risks.".
Image: The Australian app has to notify users when their screen switches off
Alongside Professor Christophe Fraser of the University of Oxford, Mr Gould confirmed that the app would find out about people showing symptoms of the coronavirus when they self-reported those symptoms through a questionnaire.
But, as the University of Cambridge's Professor Ross Anderson wrote, allowing people to self-report that they are showing COVID-19 symptoms could encourage them to abuse the system by making false reports.
"Anyone who's worked on abuse will instantly realise that a voluntary app operated by anonymous actors is wide open to trolling," said Professor Anderson.
"The performance art people will tie a phone to a dog and let it run around the park; the Russians will use the app to run service-denial attacks and spread panic; and little Johnny will self-report symptoms to get the whole school sent home."
To tackle this, Apple and Google say they are working with public health authorities to provide the validation for any diagnoses. But the NHS app will instead use a survey.
Professor Fraser told Sky News that, from an epidemic control perspective, self-diagnosis was an essential part of digital contact-tracing.
"Our earliest results suggested that close to 50% of infections are spreading before a person shows any symptoms. As such, the speed of contact tracing is very important, it needs to keep up with the epidemic.
"Self-diagnosis, based on a series of carefully sequenced questions answered in the app, will, if appropriate, trigger a notification to guide people you have come into close proximity contact with to self-isolate."
Image: The app would be part of the government's plans for exiting the lockdown
Mr Gould, of NHSx, said that the contact-graph created by the UK's centralised system would allow them to detect malicious use, explaining: "One of the ways you can do that is looking for anomalous patterns."
He added: "Even if you don't know who the individuals are, you can see anomalous propagation, which the approach we've taken allows... we're not clear that a decentralised approach allows that."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:35 NHS and care workers remembered in silence
David Bonsall, a senior researcher at Oxford University's Nuffield Department of Medicine and a clinician at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, told Sky News the researchers were prepared for abuse.
"We have a parameter in our epidemiological model that can adjust rates of non-COVID reasons for reporting symptoms. This includes other infections and non-infectious reasons that people might self-report, some of which will be malicious," he acknowledged.
"All solutions to this epidemic are going to be massively helped by people behaving responsibly - by keeping up with social distancing, not burdening health care resources unnecessarily etc.
"NHSx are setting the app up with the necessary safeguards to identify people who use it irresponsibly.
"But we hope given the scale and severity of the epidemic that this will implicate a small proportion of users and that these safeguards will mitigate against malicious use as much as possible."


news--2020-04-08--Coronavirus: Patient treated on same ward as PM 'thought he wouldn't survive'

It is a week since he was in the same hospital and same intensive care unit where the prime minister is now , but the emotion and the memories are still horribly raw for Dave Hunt .
He fills up with tears several times while talking to us in his London apartment on the banks of the River Thames .
`` Intensive care is not a fun place to be , '' he says , `` You see people die ... it is absolutely horrible .
`` I sell software for a living .
I 'm not a nurse or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting wheeled out and wheeled in .
I just wanted to get out of that place . ''
Mr Hunt spent 10 days at St Thomas ' Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 , and was treated for four of them in the same intensive care unit ( ICU ) where Boris Johnson is now .
`` Boris Johnson will be in good care , '' he told us , `` He 'll have a dedicated nurse checking his oxygen stats levels are up ... and he 'll be sat there getting at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The 38-year-old was one of the youngest in the ICU - but within minutes of arriving at the hospital by ambulance , he was told by a team of medics he would need to be put on a ventilator because his breathing was so poor .
`` I 'd read the odds of survival after being put on a ventilator was only 50-50 , '' he said .
`` I just thought I 'm going to be one of those who do n't survive . ''
: : Listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The medics told him he was going to be put to sleep for between five to 10 days and he was given time to telephone his closest family .
`` For me , that was it , '' he said , `` I rang my brother and told him the password to my computer where my will is . ''
He came round after 48 hours and woke to the sounds of `` organised chaos '' .
`` I thought am I alive ?
Am I dead ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this fifteen inch tube down my throat and I could n't talk . ''
He said the most haunting sound was the constant noise of alarms going off as the health of fellow patients dived .
`` I heard the head nurse saying : look guys ... we 've only got nine nurses ... and I 'm going to say there were about 20 beds ( with patients ) .
`` It just proves the stress this service is under .
It 's ...
I do n't want to say it because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical , but its like organised chaos .
They are professionals but no one 's ever seen anything like it . ''
He was moved after four days to the high dependency ward - the next level down from intensive care - but still the trauma continued .
`` They removed the tube which was an horrendous experience ... but I still could n't talk , my throat was swollen .
`` There were 10 tubes coming out of my neck… two or three for blood , saline , a tube through my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

It is a week since he was in the same hospital and same intensive care unit where the prime minister is now, but the emotion and the memories are still horribly raw for Dave Hunt.
He fills up with tears several times while talking to us in his London apartment on the banks of the River Thames.
"Intensive care is not a fun place to be," he says, "You see people die... it is absolutely horrible.
"I sell software for a living. I'm not a nurse or a doctor. You see people just getting wheeled out and wheeled in. I just wanted to get out of that place."
Image: Dave Hunt thought he was going to die while in intensive care
Mr Hunt spent 10 days at St Thomas' Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, and was treated for four of them in the same intensive care unit (ICU) where Boris Johnson is now.
"Boris Johnson will be in good care," he told us, "He'll have a dedicated nurse checking his oxygen stats levels are up... and he'll be sat there getting at much air into his lungs as possible."
The 38-year-old was one of the youngest in the ICU - but within minutes of arriving at the hospital by ambulance, he was told by a team of medics he would need to be put on a ventilator because his breathing was so poor.
"I'd read the odds of survival after being put on a ventilator was only 50-50," he said. "I just thought I'm going to be one of those who don't survive."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Advertisement
The medics told him he was going to be put to sleep for between five to 10 days and he was given time to telephone his closest family.
"For me, that was it," he said, "I rang my brother and told him the password to my computer where my will is."
He came round after 48 hours and woke to the sounds of "organised chaos".
"I thought am I alive? Am I dead? I was clearly alive but I had this fifteen inch tube down my throat and I couldn't talk."
He said the most haunting sound was the constant noise of alarms going off as the health of fellow patients dived.
"I heard the head nurse saying: look guys... we've only got nine nurses... and I'm going to say there were about 20 beds (with patients).
"It just proves the stress this service is under. It's... I don't want to say it because it sounds like I'm ungrateful or being critical, but its like organised chaos. They are professionals but no one's ever seen anything like it."
Image: Dave Hunt was tearful as he shared his experience of being in intensive care
He was moved after four days to the high dependency ward - the next level down from intensive care - but still the trauma continued.
"They removed the tube which was an horrendous experience... but I still couldn't talk, my throat was swollen.
"There were 10 tubes coming out of my neck… two or three for blood, saline, a tube through my nose for eating and a catheter."


news--2020-04-07--Coronavirus: Wealthy Russians 'hoarding ventilators as country faces shortages'

Wealthy Russians are hoarding ventilators , leaving the country facing inevitable shortages , a respiratory specialist has told Sky News .
Vasiliy Shtabnitskiy said there was a lot of `` bias and distortion '' in Russia 's healthcare system and he cast doubt on the government 's claim it has 40,000 ventilators to treat coronavirus patients .
He cautioned that the figure - which is a much higher baseline than the UK 's roughly 9,000 - could be an `` over or under-estimate '' .
Countries across the world are trying to buy or produce ventilators , which are essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lung failure in severe COVID-19 cases .
Mr Shtabnitskiy , a Moscow-based medical specialist known as a pulmonologist , said he was aware of rich residents in Russia ’ s capital buying up and hoarding ventilators .
`` Yes , I know such examples , '' he told Sky News ' .
`` I understand people are scared but I must remind them that they also need to have highly pressured oxygen and air , a special bed , monitoring , infusion pumps , suction device , catheters , infusion solutions and vasoactive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The machines need at least two or three intensive care unit doctors , and additional nurses and medical staff - making it `` impossible to create a private ICU in a bedroom or in the office '' , he warned .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker There is an opportunity for wealthy people to help during the pandemic , Mr Shtabnitskiy added .
`` Rich people could invest in healthcare , in hospitals , in staff , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are spending their money or creating funds for US , British or European hospitals .
`` Perhaps this epidemic could start a similar tradition in our own country . ''
Mr Shtabnitskiy also said `` we don ’ t know exactly how many ventilators we have '' .
He suggested the reason Russia has more than Western countries is `` because of the Soviet system of healthcare '' , which `` had a lot of hospitals and the system relied more on hospitals than outpatient services '' .
`` I doubt that 40,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being used by non-COVID patients which means we will have a shortage of ventilators anyway , '' Mr Shtabnitskiy explained .
“ So innovations will take place again in our intensive care.
” The number of people Russia said were infected with COVID-19 in the country was 6,343 as of Monday , with the vast majority - 4,484 - in Moscow .
President Vladimir Putin has ordered most citizens to stay off work until the end of April as part of a partial economic shutdown to curb the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep operating , and grocery stores and pharmacies will remain open .

Wealthy Russians are hoarding ventilators, leaving the country facing inevitable shortages, a respiratory specialist has told Sky News.
Vasiliy Shtabnitskiy said there was a lot of "bias and distortion" in Russia's healthcare system and he cast doubt on the government's claim it has 40,000 ventilators to treat coronavirus patients.
He cautioned that the figure - which is a much higher baseline than the UK's roughly 9,000 - could be an "over or under-estimate".
Countries across the world are trying to buy or produce ventilators, which are essential machines to provide oxygen for patients suffering lung failure in severe COVID-19 cases.
Image: Medical specialist Vasiliy Shtabnitskiy said there is a lot of 'bias and distortion' in Russia's healthcare system
Mr Shtabnitskiy, a Moscow-based medical specialist known as a pulmonologist, said he was aware of rich residents in Russia’s capital buying up and hoarding ventilators.
"Yes, I know such examples," he told Sky News'.
"I understand people are scared but I must remind them that they also need to have highly pressured oxygen and air, a special bed, monitoring, infusion pumps, suction device, catheters, infusion solutions and vasoactive agents - essentially a bedside laboratory."
The machines need at least two or three intensive care unit doctors, and additional nurses and medical staff - making it "impossible to create a private ICU in a bedroom or in the office", he warned.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Advertisement
There is an opportunity for wealthy people to help during the pandemic, Mr Shtabnitskiy added.
"Rich people could invest in healthcare, in hospitals, in staff," he said.
"I know that many philanthropists are spending their money or creating funds for US, British or European hospitals.
"Perhaps this epidemic could start a similar tradition in our own country."
Image: Russians pictured wearing masks on a Metro train in Moscow
Mr Shtabnitskiy also said "we don’t know exactly how many ventilators we have".
He suggested the reason Russia has more than Western countries is "because of the Soviet system of healthcare", which "had a lot of hospitals and the system relied more on hospitals than outpatient services".
"I doubt that 40,000 ventilators are enough and many of them are being used by non-COVID patients which means we will have a shortage of ventilators anyway," Mr Shtabnitskiy explained.
“So innovations will take place again in our intensive care.”
Image: Vladimir Putin has ordered most citizens to stay off work until the end of April
The number of people Russia said were infected with COVID-19 in the country was 6,343 as of Monday, with the vast majority - 4,484 - in Moscow.
President Vladimir Putin has ordered most citizens to stay off work until the end of April as part of a partial economic shutdown to curb the spread of the virus.
He said some essential industries will keep operating, and grocery stores and pharmacies will remain open.


news--2020-02-19--China 'open and ready' for trade talks with UK, top diplomat says

China is ready to restart preparatory work with British officials on a future trade deal after a feasibility study was quietly paused last year during the Brexit deadlock , a top diplomat has said .
Liu Xiaoming , the Chinese ambassador to London , said it may take time before the two sides have detailed discussions as his country focuses on battling the coronavirus and Britain 's newly-elected government settles in .
But he told Sky News the will is there `` to engage each other more positively '' .
`` When it comes to a trade deal , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an interview at the Chinese embassy in London .
Mr Liu said the two countries had set up a working team to study the feasibility of the trade deal last year , but the British government had been focused on Brexit and its `` top priority '' was to negotiate with the EU .
Asked whether the working team had restarted after its efforts were paused , Mr Liu said : `` We are ready to work with our British colleagues any time . ''
He said British officials had also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks .
Mr Liu was speaking after Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Boris Johnson had their first telephone call on Tuesday morning .
The two men discussed China 's fight against the outbreak of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , as well as their hopes to strengthen bilateral ties , according to the ambassador .
Mr Johnson had expressed plans to `` fight shoulder to shoulder '' against COVID-19 , and also told Mr Xi that he `` loves China '' and wants to work with Beijing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` They had a very good conversation , '' Mr Liu said .
Mr Xi told the prime minister he appreciated a message of support he received from the Queen .
Britain has also provided shipments of medical kit to China and offered further assistance .
Mr Liu was not able to say whether the virus had reached its peak but pointed to what he said were some positive signs that day , calling them `` three firsts '' .
He said it was the first time the number of confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was the first time the number of dead in a single day was under 100 and the number of confirmed cases outside Hubei province - the epicentre of the crisis - was also under 100 for the first time .
`` That shows the quarantine measures are taking a very good effect , '' he said .
He strongly defended his government 's efforts to tackle the disease from allegations that the response was too slow and there were attempts at a cover up .
`` I can say in the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to address this challenge , '' the ambassador said .
`` The government also tried every effort to be transparent , to share all information with the World Health Organisation , also other relevant countries including the UK . ''
He batted off any suggestion Mr Xi had not responded quickly enough .
`` I think the whole world should appreciate what China has done . ''
The ambassador appeared hopeful Britain would change its travel advice to British nationals in mainland China , after they were urged to leave the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China was `` making progress '' and he hoped the British advice would be adjusted as things improve .
The virus would have an impact on China 's economy but only in the short term , the ambassador said .
`` I think in the long term the Chinese economy is still good .
President Xi told Prime Minister Johnson that we are confident that we will reach the target of our economic development for this year , '' he said .
The diplomat said the pair also `` talked about the relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this relationship for the next ten years '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The men discussed a global conference on climate change that the UK will host this year .
Mr Johnson said he believes `` there are a lot of opportunities for China and the UK to work on the global agenda to address the global challenges like climate change '' , according to the ambassador .
He said the conversation `` not only set the tone but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a critical moment . ''
Asked if the Chinese technology company Huawei came up in the exchange , the ambassador said he did not have that information .
Last month , the UK decided to defy US pressure to block Huawei from taking part in the UK 's next generation 5G network over security concerns .
Analysts believe the decision will doubtless have helped nurture the goodwill that seems to be flowing from Beijing to London .
Mr Liu said the phone call should not be linked to any single issue .

China is ready to restart preparatory work with British officials on a future trade deal after a feasibility study was quietly paused last year during the Brexit deadlock, a top diplomat has said.
Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese ambassador to London, said it may take time before the two sides have detailed discussions as his country focuses on battling the coronavirus and Britain's newly-elected government settles in.
But he told Sky News the will is there "to engage each other more positively".
"When it comes to a trade deal, we are open," the seasoned diplomat said in an interview at the Chinese embassy in London.
Mr Liu said the two countries had set up a working team to study the feasibility of the trade deal last year, but the British government had been focused on Brexit and its "top priority" was to negotiate with the EU.
Asked whether the working team had restarted after its efforts were paused, Mr Liu said: "We are ready to work with our British colleagues any time."
He said British officials had also "expressed a willingness" to restart talks.
Mr Liu was speaking after Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Boris Johnson had their first telephone call on Tuesday morning.
Image: Boris Johnson and Xi Jinping have spoken on the phone
The two men discussed China's fight against the outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, as well as their hopes to strengthen bilateral ties, according to the ambassador.
Advertisement
Mr Johnson had expressed plans to "fight shoulder to shoulder" against COVID-19, and also told Mr Xi that he "loves China" and wants to work with Beijing to lift bilateral relations to a new level.
"They had a very good conversation," Mr Liu said.
Mr Xi told the prime minister he appreciated a message of support he received from the Queen.
Britain has also provided shipments of medical kit to China and offered further assistance.
Mr Liu was not able to say whether the virus had reached its peak but pointed to what he said were some positive signs that day, calling them "three firsts".
He said it was the first time the number of confirmed cases in China was less than 2,000. It was the first time the number of dead in a single day was under 100 and the number of confirmed cases outside Hubei province - the epicentre of the crisis - was also under 100 for the first time.
"That shows the quarantine measures are taking a very good effect," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:10 'China making sacrifice for global health security'
He strongly defended his government's efforts to tackle the disease from allegations that the response was too slow and there were attempts at a cover up.
"I can say in the very certain term that the government made every effort to address this challenge," the ambassador said.
"The government also tried every effort to be transparent, to share all information with the World Health Organisation, also other relevant countries including the UK."
He batted off any suggestion Mr Xi had not responded quickly enough.
Image: Ambassador Liu said the government had been transparent about the COVID-19 outbreak
"I think the whole world should appreciate what China has done."
The ambassador appeared hopeful Britain would change its travel advice to British nationals in mainland China, after they were urged to leave the country because of the outbreak.
He said China was "making progress" and he hoped the British advice would be adjusted as things improve.
The virus would have an impact on China's economy but only in the short term, the ambassador said.
"I think in the long term the Chinese economy is still good. President Xi told Prime Minister Johnson that we are confident that we will reach the target of our economic development for this year," he said.
The diplomat said the pair also "talked about the relationship, how the two countries will strengthen this relationship for the next ten years".
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The men discussed a global conference on climate change that the UK will host this year.
Mr Johnson said he believes "there are a lot of opportunities for China and the UK to work on the global agenda to address the global challenges like climate change", according to the ambassador.
He said the conversation "not only set the tone but also set the new direction for China-UK relations at a critical moment."
Asked if the Chinese technology company Huawei came up in the exchange, the ambassador said he did not have that information.
Last month, the UK decided to defy US pressure to block Huawei from taking part in the UK's next generation 5G network over security concerns.
Analysts believe the decision will doubtless have helped nurture the goodwill that seems to be flowing from Beijing to London.
Mr Liu said the phone call should not be linked to any single issue.


news--2020-02-19--Coronavirus fears over woman in custody as police officers self-isolate

A number of police officers have been told to stay at home and self-isolate while a woman being held in custody is tested for coronavirus .
The `` non-UK national '' was arrested in Burton upon Trent and taken to Northern Area Custody in Stoke , Staffordshire Police said .
Two constables and a community support officer were told to keep away after it was noticed the woman `` was unwell '' , the force added .
The suspect - said by local media to be Chinese - has been tested for Covid-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health officials believe it is `` highly unlikely '' she has the potentially deadly virus , police said in a statement .
The officers have been asked to self-isolate as a `` precautionary measure in accordance with NHS guidelines '' .
The custody suite was `` on lockdown for about an hour '' before reopening , the Stoke Sentinel reported .
Latest reports from China said the number of deaths from Covid-19 had reached 2,004 , with 74,185 confirmed infections .
New cases have fallen to less than 2,000 for the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak appears to be weakening .

A number of police officers have been told to stay at home and self-isolate while a woman being held in custody is tested for coronavirus.
The "non-UK national" was arrested in Burton upon Trent and taken to Northern Area Custody in Stoke, Staffordshire Police said.
Two constables and a community support officer were told to keep away after it was noticed the woman "was unwell", the force added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:57 Coronavirus: What you need to know
The suspect - said by local media to be Chinese - has been tested for Covid-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, with results expected later this week.
Health officials believe it is "highly unlikely" she has the potentially deadly virus, police said in a statement.
The officers have been asked to self-isolate as a "precautionary measure in accordance with NHS guidelines".
The custody suite was "on lockdown for about an hour" before reopening, the Stoke Sentinel reported.
Latest reports from China said the number of deaths from Covid-19 had reached 2,004, with 74,185 confirmed infections.
New cases have fallen to less than 2,000 for the last two days - with a study finding that the outbreak appears to be weakening.


news--2020-02-19--Coronavirus: Dozens more COVID-19 cases confirmed as Diamond Princess quarantine ends

Another 79 people have tested positive for COVID-19 on board a cruise ship that has been quarantined for two weeks - as passengers and crew started disembarking .
The new cases were confirmed as the controversial quarantine ended on the Diamond Princess , bringing the total on the ship to 621 .
443 people were allowed to leave the ship on Wednesday , and about 2,000 others will be gradually evacuated by Friday .
The ship is currently moored off the coast of Yokohama in Japan , and the Foreign Office is hopeful that affected Britons will be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later this week .
Officials have warned British passengers and crew they may not be able to get on the plane if they leave the ship - and they will need to complete another 14 days of isolation when they land in Britain .
Other countries have sent flights to evacuate people from the ship already , with the US flying more than 300 nationals on Monday .
Australia is due to fly 169 out of the 220 Australians who were on board to Darwin , while six South Koreans and one Japanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
Passengers who have tested negative for the coronavirus and have no symptoms must have their body temperature checked before they are allowed to disembark .
Vicki Presland , an Australian tourist on board the Diamond Princess , said she was `` very keen to get off this ship '' after being confined to her cabin .
British tourists Allen and Vanessa Sandford have published videos of how they quelled their boredom during the quarantine , showing them pacing up and down their cabin , watching films and making their bed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent a day as a volunteer doctor on the cruiseliner , has criticised his government 's handling of the outbreak on the ship , saying it was run by `` bureaucrats '' instead of disease experts .
In a YouTube video that has garnered more than one million views , Kentaro Iwata said : `` The cruise ship was completely inadequate in terms of the infection control .
`` There was no single professional infection control person inside the ship and there was nobody in charge of infection prevention as a professional .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Some people in their ship cabins waved farewell from their balconies as fellow passengers returned to dry land , with soldiers helping to escort the elderly .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A 77-year-old Japanese man , who disembarked with his wife , told Kyodo News : `` I 'm a bit concerned if I 'm okay to get off the ship , but it was getting very difficult physically .
For now , we just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who have continued working throughout the two-week quarantine period , are expected to stay on the ship .
• More than 2,000 people worldwide have now died from COVID-19 since the outbreak began • Six of these deaths were outside mainland China - with the latest fatality reported in Hong Kong • The number of new suspected and confirmed cases in China has fallen for the second day in a row • Global health experts say it is too early to predict how the coronavirus epidemic will play out On Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - carried about by Chinese health officials - revealed that about 80 % of cases were mild .
The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said 14 % had severe symptoms such as pneumonia and 5 % had critical symptoms .
The sick and elderly were most at risk and medical staff are at a high risk , the report found .
Men were more likely to die , with a 2.8 % mortality rate , while women had a 1.7 % chance of dying .
British prime minister Boris Johnson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the phone - telling the president that he `` loves China '' and stands ready to fight `` shoulder to shoulder '' against COVID-19 .

Another 79 people have tested positive for COVID-19 on board a cruise ship that has been quarantined for two weeks - as passengers and crew started disembarking.
The new cases were confirmed as the controversial quarantine ended on the Diamond Princess, bringing the total on the ship to 621.
443 people were allowed to leave the ship on Wednesday, and about 2,000 others will be gradually evacuated by Friday.
Image: Some passengers were seen getting into taxis after being allowed to disembark the ship
The ship is currently moored off the coast of Yokohama in Japan, and the Foreign Office is hopeful that affected Britons will be able to get a flight back to the UK later this week.
Officials have warned British passengers and crew they may not be able to get on the plane if they leave the ship - and they will need to complete another 14 days of isolation when they land in Britain.
Other countries have sent flights to evacuate people from the ship already, with the US flying more than 300 nationals on Monday.
Australia is due to fly 169 out of the 220 Australians who were on board to Darwin, while six South Koreans and one Japanese spouse were flown to South Korea on Wednesday.
Passengers who have tested negative for the coronavirus and have no symptoms must have their body temperature checked before they are allowed to disembark.
Vicki Presland, an Australian tourist on board the Diamond Princess, said she was "very keen to get off this ship" after being confined to her cabin.
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:28 Passengers' guide to quarantine
British tourists Allen and Vanessa Sandford have published videos of how they quelled their boredom during the quarantine, showing them pacing up and down their cabin, watching films and making their bed.
A Japanese infectious disease specialist, who spent a day as a volunteer doctor on the cruiseliner, has criticised his government's handling of the outbreak on the ship, saying it was run by "bureaucrats" instead of disease experts.
In a YouTube video that has garnered more than one million views, Kentaro Iwata said: "The cruise ship was completely inadequate in terms of the infection control.
"There was no single professional infection control person inside the ship and there was nobody in charge of infection prevention as a professional. The bureaucrats were in charge of everything."
Some people in their ship cabins waved farewell from their balconies as fellow passengers returned to dry land, with soldiers helping to escort the elderly.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
A 77-year-old Japanese man, who disembarked with his wife, told Kyodo News: "I'm a bit concerned if I'm okay to get off the ship, but it was getting very difficult physically. For now, we just want to celebrate."
Crew members, who have continued working throughout the two-week quarantine period, are expected to stay on the ship.
Image: The process of evacuating passengers from the Diamond Princess is expected to take several days
Image: More than 3,700 passengers and crew were originally on board the cruise ship
In other developments:
More than 2,000 people worldwide have now died from COVID-19 since the outbreak began
Six of these deaths were outside mainland China - with the latest fatality reported in Hong Kong
The number of new suspected and confirmed cases in China has fallen for the second day in a row
Global health experts say it is too early to predict how the coronavirus epidemic will play out
On Tuesday, a study of 45,000 confirmed COVID-19 patients - carried about by Chinese health officials - revealed that about 80% of cases were mild.
The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said 14% had severe symptoms such as pneumonia and 5% had critical symptoms.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:02 Ambassador denies coronavirus cover-up
The sick and elderly were most at risk and medical staff are at a high risk, the report found.
Men were more likely to die, with a 2.8% mortality rate, while women had a 1.7% chance of dying.
British prime minister Boris Johnson, has spoken to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the phone - telling the president that he "loves China" and stands ready to fight "shoulder to shoulder" against COVID-19.