news--2020-01-23--Coronavirus 'may become global emergency' as 18 deaths confirmed

Three cities in China have been locked down in an effort to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus - but the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) says it is still too early to declare a `` global health emergency '' .
Eighteen people have died and more than 600 cases have been reported as authorities around the world work to prevent a global pandemic .
An 80-year-old patient with coronavirus died in China 's Hebei province on Thursday - the first confirmed death outside Hubei province where the outbreak began .
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , director-general of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no mistake , this is an emergency in China but it has not yet become a global health emergency .
`` It may yet become one . ''
He added that the WHO 's emergency committee had been divided over whether to declare a `` public health emergency of international concern '' and said China had taken appropriate measures to contain the new coronavirus ' spread .
Chinese authorities have moved to lock down three cities , with a combined population of more than 18 million people , in response to the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered the epicentre of the outbreak , the airport and train station have been shut down , while ferry , subway and bus services have been halted .
The city 's 11 million residents have been ordered to wear masks in public places and at work .
People were pictured stocking up on fuel and there were empty shelves in supermarkets ahead of what could be weeks of relative isolation .
Similar measures are being enforced in the city of Huanggang , which has a population of six million , as bus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet cafes were told to shut .
Meanwhile , nearby Ezhou has shut its train stations , and the Chinese capital Beijing has cancelled major public events including two new year temple fairs , as part of the action to control the outbreak .
The emergency committee on the new coronavirus considered that it is still too early to declare a public health emergency of international concern given its restrictive and binary nature .
Sky 's Asia correspondent Tom Cheshire , who has been in Wuhan , said : `` What had previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , is now a lot edgier .
`` Now the city , cut off , must cope on its own . ''
Millions of people in China are preparing to travel domestically and abroad for its lunar new year celebrations this weekend .
Overnight , the Chinese government had released a breakdown of the then 17 people known to have been killed by the deadly virus .
All but two of the 13 men and four women were aged over 60 .
Ten of the victims had a pre-existing condition .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection , which can cause pneumonia and can be passed from person to person .
Though the origin of the virus has yet to be identified , the WHO has said the primary source is probably an animal .
China has also stepped up its co-operation with the organisation , which is holding an emergency meeting to determine whether the outbreak of the new coronavirus constitutes a global health emergency .
The virus originated in the central city of Wuhan in Hubei province at the end of last year and has since spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Four cases have been found in Thailand , two in Hong Kong and the autonomous region of Macau , and one each in the US , Taiwan , South Korea , Japan and Singapore .
Several people in Scotland are being tested over fears they have the illness .
Airports around the world - including in Dubai , Australia and South Africa - have stepped up screening of travellers arriving from affected regions .
Measures are also in force in the UK to guard against the virus , including taking aircraft to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 .
The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Wuhan .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses ranging from the common cold to severe diseases such as SARS - which killed nearly 800 people during the 2002-03 outbreak .
When a new strain emerges that has not yet been identified , as with the current outbreak , it becomes known as a novel coronavirus ( nCoV ) .

Three cities in China have been locked down in an effort to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus - but the World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is still too early to declare a "global health emergency".
Eighteen people have died and more than 600 cases have been reported as authorities around the world work to prevent a global pandemic.
An 80-year-old patient with coronavirus died in China's Hebei province on Thursday - the first confirmed death outside Hubei province where the outbreak began.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, said: "Make no mistake, this is an emergency in China but it has not yet become a global health emergency.
"It may yet become one."
He added that the WHO's emergency committee had been divided over whether to declare a "public health emergency of international concern" and said China had taken appropriate measures to contain the new coronavirus' spread.
Chinese authorities have moved to lock down three cities, with a combined population of more than 18 million people, in response to the virus.
Image: Medical staff have been treating people with coronavirus in Wuhan
In the city of Wuhan, considered the epicentre of the outbreak, the airport and train station have been shut down, while ferry, subway and bus services have been halted.
The city's 11 million residents have been ordered to wear masks in public places and at work.
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People were pictured stocking up on fuel and there were empty shelves in supermarkets ahead of what could be weeks of relative isolation.
Image: Supermarket shelves in Wuhan empty as residents stockpile goods
Similar measures are being enforced in the city of Huanggang, which has a population of six million, as bus and train services were suspended and cinemas and internet cafes were told to shut.
Meanwhile, nearby Ezhou has shut its train stations, and the Chinese capital Beijing has cancelled major public events including two new year temple fairs, as part of the action to control the outbreak.
The emergency committee on the new coronavirus considered that it is still too early to declare a public health emergency of international concern given its restrictive and binary nature.
Sky's Asia correspondent Tom Cheshire, who has been in Wuhan, said: "What had previously been a quiet, tense atmosphere in Wuhan, is now a lot edgier.
"Now the city, cut off, must cope on its own."
Image: Wuhan residents shop for supplies for what could be weeks of isolation
Millions of people in China are preparing to travel domestically and abroad for its lunar new year celebrations this weekend.
Overnight, the Chinese government had released a breakdown of the then 17 people known to have been killed by the deadly virus.
All but two of the 13 men and four women were aged over 60. Ten of the victims had a pre-existing condition.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:33 Chinese city sealed off after deadly virus outbreak
There is no vaccine for the new viral infection, which can cause pneumonia and can be passed from person to person.
The symptoms include fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.
Though the origin of the virus has yet to be identified, the WHO has said the primary source is probably an animal.
China has also stepped up its co-operation with the organisation, which is holding an emergency meeting to determine whether the outbreak of the new coronavirus constitutes a global health emergency.
The virus originated in the central city of Wuhan in Hubei province at the end of last year and has since spread to 25 provinces across mainland China.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:52 China using thermal imaging to screen for virus
Four cases have been found in Thailand, two in Hong Kong and the autonomous region of Macau, and one each in the US, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Singapore.
Several people in Scotland are being tested over fears they have the illness.
Airports around the world - including in Dubai, Australia and South Africa - have stepped up screening of travellers arriving from affected regions.
Measures are also in force in the UK to guard against the virus, including taking aircraft to a special designated area of Heathrow's Terminal 4.
The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Wuhan.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses ranging from the common cold to severe diseases such as SARS - which killed nearly 800 people during the 2002-03 outbreak.
When a new strain emerges that has not yet been identified, as with the current outbreak, it becomes known as a novel coronavirus (nCoV).


news--2020-01-23--China's markets suffer biggest fall in months as virus fears grow

China 's markets have had their biggest single-day loss in many months amid growing fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak .
China 's blue-chip index the CSI300 fell by 3.1 % , marking its worst week since May last year , while the SSE Composite fell by 2.8 % - its biggest fall since August .
Seventeen people have died and more than 600 people have been infected with the SARS-like virus , China 's government has said .
The virus , which can cause pneumonia and other severe respiratory symptoms , has also spread to the US , Thailand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world have brought in screening measures and parts of China are on lockdown , despite millions of Chinese preparing to travel domestically and abroad for their Lunar New Year celebrations .
Investors on Thursday dumped shares in travel-related companies , retreating to the relative safety of bonds .
China Eastern Airlines shed 3.4 % , Hainan Airlines was down 2.9 % , Air China lost 4.4 % and China Southern Airlines was down 3.7 % .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macquarie Capital Ltd , said of the crisis : `` We ca n't answer how severe it will be and when it will end .
`` The worst is yet to come . ''
He did , however , say that the virus 's impact on the Chinese economy is expected to be `` manageable and short-lived '' .
Chinese companies that make healthcare products or protective clothing and equipment continued to benefit from concerns over the virus .
Shanghai Dragon Medical , which makes medical disposable and healthcare products , was up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained 23 % in the past five days .
Tianjin Teda , a conglomerate whose products include medicines , rose by almost 10 % , an increase of almost 40 % in the past five days .
Also among those experiencing a surge in value were Shandong Lukang Pharmaceutical Co , Jiangsu Sihuan Bioengineering Co and Jiangsu Lianhua Pharmaceutical Co , all rising by their daily limit of 10 % .
Jeffrey Halley , senior market analyst , Asia Pacific at OANDA , said in a client note : `` News that China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan ( where the virus is believed to have originated ) has rattled markets .
`` With hundreds of millions of people moving around China and Asia as a whole , returning home for Chinese New Year - perfect conditions for a viral spread . ''
He added : `` It is thus , quite understandable that some money would be taken off the table until the true extent of the coronavirus issue becomes obvious .
`` No one ever went broke taking a profit .
The word , therefore , is do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be suspended on Friday for the week-long new year holiday .
Other Asian markets were also down ; Japan 's Nikkei by 1 % , South Korea 's Kospi by 0.9 % and Hong Kong 's Hang Seng by 1.5 % .
Taiwan , Singapore and Australia also fell .
Around the world , the FTSE 100 gave up 0.2 % in early trading and closed almost 0.9 % down with travel and mining stocks feeling the most pain amid fears the outbreak could damage demand in the world 's second-largest economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also lower .
Ned Rumpeltin , TD Securities ' European head of currency strategy , said : `` Ultimately , the coronavirus is a slow-burning but important story for markets that is likely to last for months rather than just a few days .
`` And the natural go-to currencies when there are headlines like these are the yen and the Swiss franc . ''

China's markets have had their biggest single-day loss in many months amid growing fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
China's blue-chip index the CSI300 fell by 3.1%, marking its worst week since May last year, while the SSE Composite fell by 2.8% - its biggest fall since August.
Seventeen people have died and more than 600 people have been infected with the SARS-like virus, China's government has said.
Image: Residents in Wuhan, where the outbreak is believed to have originated
The virus, which can cause pneumonia and other severe respiratory symptoms, has also spread to the US, Thailand, Japan and South Korea.
Airports around the world have brought in screening measures and parts of China are on lockdown, despite millions of Chinese preparing to travel domestically and abroad for their Lunar New Year celebrations.
Investors on Thursday dumped shares in travel-related companies, retreating to the relative safety of bonds.
China Eastern Airlines shed 3.4%, Hainan Airlines was down 2.9%, Air China lost 4.4% and China Southern Airlines was down 3.7%.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Larry Hu, an economist at Macquarie Capital Ltd, said of the crisis: "We can't answer how severe it will be and when it will end.
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"The worst is yet to come."
He did, however, say that the virus's impact on the Chinese economy is expected to be "manageable and short-lived".
Chinese companies that make healthcare products or protective clothing and equipment continued to benefit from concerns over the virus.
Shanghai Dragon Medical, which makes medical disposable and healthcare products, was up almost 7%, meaning it has gained 23% in the past five days.
Tianjin Teda, a conglomerate whose products include medicines, rose by almost 10%, an increase of almost 40% in the past five days.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:33 The Chinese city of Wuhan is sealed off after the deadly virus outbreak
Also among those experiencing a surge in value were Shandong Lukang Pharmaceutical Co, Jiangsu Sihuan Bioengineering Co and Jiangsu Lianhua Pharmaceutical Co, all rising by their daily limit of 10%.
Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst, Asia Pacific at OANDA, said in a client note: "News that China has effectively quarantined the entire city of Wuhan (where the virus is believed to have originated) has rattled markets.
"With hundreds of millions of people moving around China and Asia as a whole, returning home for Chinese New Year - perfect conditions for a viral spread."
He added: "It is thus, quite understandable that some money would be taken off the table until the true extent of the coronavirus issue becomes obvious.
"No one ever went broke taking a profit. The word, therefore, is don't panic."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:39 The coronavirus 'may already be in UK'
Markets in China will be suspended on Friday for the week-long new year holiday.
Other Asian markets were also down; Japan's Nikkei by 1%, South Korea's Kospi by 0.9% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng by 1.5%. Taiwan, Singapore and Australia also fell.
Around the world, the FTSE 100 gave up 0.2% in early trading and closed almost 0.9% down with travel and mining stocks feeling the most pain amid fears the outbreak could damage demand in the world's second-largest economy.
European and US stock markets were also lower.
Ned Rumpeltin, TD Securities' European head of currency strategy, said: "Ultimately, the coronavirus is a slow-burning but important story for markets that is likely to last for months rather than just a few days.
"And the natural go-to currencies when there are headlines like these are the yen and the Swiss franc."


news--2020-01-23--Coronavirus: 'They dragged me outside and came back in hazmat suits'

A British man who was placed in quarantine earlier this week after returning home from Australia via China has spoken to Sky News about his ordeal .
Craig Dillon , from London , was at hospital for 12 hours while he was undergoing tests .
The coronavirus outbreak has so far killed 18 people and infected nearly 600 .
Mr Dillon 's test results eventually returned as negative for the virus , and he has since been told that he may have pneumonia .
But here , he shares his story : I got back to the UK on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , using a connecting flight from Guangzhou , China .
I had been experiencing flu symptoms for about a week to two weeks .
I went off to work at 10am early Wednesday , but I was still feeling flu-ey and it started to get worse and worse .
I eventually called the NHS 111 number after feeling extremely ill , and faint .
They told me to go to hospital immediately .
When I got to St Thomas ' , I went into A & E and I told them my symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Thailand .
The doctor literally dragged me outside the hospital near the ambulance bay and put a mask on me .
I was pointed toward a door that was a separate entrance to the hospital and led to a quarantined room and told to go there .
I waited there for 30 minutes on my own .
It was quite scary .
I could hear lots of going on outside as people were doing checklists .
Then a nurse and doctor came in in full hazmat suits .
They were sealed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as I was given a series of tests .
It was hard to understand what everyone was saying because they were all wearing masks .
They ran multiple blood tests , mouth swabs and nose swabs and had to make notes on paper and tape them to the glass to communicate with people on the other side .
They had to wait with me until the test results came back .
Luckily , my results were negative and I probably did n't have coronavirus .
If I had it , they definitely would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that I landed at Heathrow and met all my friends and went to work and to Starbucks .
There should have been something more at Heathrow that could detect my temperature was really high - but I guess we do n't have that technology yet .

A British man who was placed in quarantine earlier this week after returning home from Australia via China has spoken to Sky News about his ordeal.
Craig Dillon, from London, was at hospital for 12 hours while he was undergoing tests.
The coronavirus outbreak has so far killed 18 people and infected nearly 600. Mr Dillon's test results eventually returned as negative for the virus, and he has since been told that he may have pneumonia. But here, he shares his story:
I got back to the UK on Monday after a holiday in Australia and Thailand, using a connecting flight from Guangzhou, China.
I had been experiencing flu symptoms for about a week to two weeks.
Image: The doctor and nurse taped notes to the glass
I went off to work at 10am early Wednesday, but I was still feeling flu-ey and it started to get worse and worse.
I eventually called the NHS 111 number after feeling extremely ill, and faint.
They told me to go to hospital immediately.
When I got to St Thomas', I went into A&E and I told them my symptoms and that I had been to China and Thailand.
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The doctor literally dragged me outside the hospital near the ambulance bay and put a mask on me.
Image: The doctor had to use notes on paper to communicate with people on the other side of the glass
I was pointed toward a door that was a separate entrance to the hospital and led to a quarantined room and told to go there.
I waited there for 30 minutes on my own. It was quite scary.
I could hear lots of going on outside as people were doing checklists. Then a nurse and doctor came in in full hazmat suits.
They were sealed in the room with me for two hours as I was given a series of tests.
It was hard to understand what everyone was saying because they were all wearing masks.
They ran multiple blood tests, mouth swabs and nose swabs and had to make notes on paper and tape them to the glass to communicate with people on the other side.
They had to wait with me until the test results came back.
Image: The doctor and nurse couldn't leave quarantine until the tests results came back
Luckily, my results were negative and I probably didn't have coronavirus.
If I had it, they definitely would have caught it.
But the problem is that I landed at Heathrow and met all my friends and went to work and to Starbucks.
There should have been something more at Heathrow that could detect my temperature was really high - but I guess we don't have that technology yet.


news--2020-01-23--Several people tested for coronavirus in UK - with fears of more potential cases

Several people in the UK are being tested over concerns they may have the deadly coronavirus .
Five people are undergoing tests for the virus in Scotland but none have been confirmed as having the disease so far , the country 's government said .
Two of those being tested had been diagnosed with influenza after travelling to Wuhan , China - where the outbreak is thought to have originated - while the three other people are `` undergoing testing on a similar precautionary basis '' .
`` The risk to the Scottish public remains low , '' a Scottish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice is against all but essential travel to Wuhan . ''
Sky News understands one person is also being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for symptoms associated with coronavirus .
The patient is being looked at as a precautionary measure .
A spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said earlier that four Chinese nationals were being tested for coronavirus in Scotland and the tests were `` purely precautionary '' and `` no one has tested positive '' .
The spokesman also confirmed the patients were in Edinburgh and Glasgow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed 18 people and infected more than 600 .
Professor Jurgen Haas , head of infection medicine at the University of Edinburgh , said he believes there will be many more potential cases in other cities in the UK .
He said : `` The situation will be pretty similar in pretty much all UK cities with a large number of Chinese students .
`` It 's not too surprising .
My suspicious is that there will probably be many more cases in many other cities in the UK . ''
Professor Haas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the virus , operated by Public Health England ( PHE ) .
He added that the cases have been flagged through the PHE infection guidelines as they travelled to Wuhan within the last 14 days and are showing signs of respiratory symptoms .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the NHS is `` ready to respond appropriately '' to any cases of coronavirus that emerge in the UK .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He told the Commons on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likelihood that cases may arise in this country , we are well prepared and well equipped to deal with them '' .
England 's chief medical officer , Professor Chris Whitty , is in contact with international experts and his counterparts to monitor the situation , Mr Hancock added .
More than 600 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed , with the vast majority in China .
Other cases have been reported in the US , Japan , South Korea , Thailand , Singapore and Hong Kong .
The Chinese government has effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trains there and in the nearby city of Huanggang .

Several people in the UK are being tested over concerns they may have the deadly coronavirus.
Five people are undergoing tests for the virus in Scotland but none have been confirmed as having the disease so far, the country's government said.
Two of those being tested had been diagnosed with influenza after travelling to Wuhan, China - where the outbreak is thought to have originated - while the three other people are "undergoing testing on a similar precautionary basis".
"The risk to the Scottish public remains low," a Scottish government spokesman said.
"The current advice is against all but essential travel to Wuhan."
Sky News understands one person is also being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for symptoms associated with coronavirus.
The patient is being looked at as a precautionary measure.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said earlier that four Chinese nationals were being tested for coronavirus in Scotland and the tests were "purely precautionary" and "no one has tested positive".
The spokesman also confirmed the patients were in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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The coronavirus outbreak has so far killed 18 people and infected more than 600.
Professor Jurgen Haas, head of infection medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said he believes there will be many more potential cases in other cities in the UK.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:57 Coronavirus: What you need to know
He said: "The situation will be pretty similar in pretty much all UK cities with a large number of Chinese students.
"It's not too surprising. My suspicious is that there will probably be many more cases in many other cities in the UK."
Image: Passengers at Shanghai railway station wear facemasks as they travel home for the lunar new year
Professor Haas said there is only one laboratory testing for the virus, operated by Public Health England (PHE).
He added that the cases have been flagged through the PHE infection guidelines as they travelled to Wuhan within the last 14 days and are showing signs of respiratory symptoms.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the NHS is "ready to respond appropriately" to any cases of coronavirus that emerge in the UK.
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He told the Commons on Thursday that while "there is an increased likelihood that cases may arise in this country, we are well prepared and well equipped to deal with them".
England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, is in contact with international experts and his counterparts to monitor the situation, Mr Hancock added.
More than 600 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed, with the vast majority in China. Other cases have been reported in the US, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The Chinese government has effectively locked down Wuhan, cancelling planes and trains there and in the nearby city of Huanggang.


news--2020-01-23--Coronavirus: UK-made 'Plague' game downloads soar in China amid virus outbreak

A game in which players create a disease which attempts to wipe out the entire world 's population has soared to the top of the App Store in China amid an outbreak of the deadly coronavirus .
Plague Inc was designed and launched by British games studio Ndemic Creations and is currently the most popular paid-for app on iPhones , according to market analysts App Annie .
The award-winning strategy game allows players to customise their diseases by evolving them , and its creator James Vaughan was invited to speak at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game could be used to educate people about viruses .
Two cities in China are now in lockdown as the World Health Organisation considers whether to declare the deadly coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency .
So far at least 17 people have been killed .
All but two of the 13 men and four women were aged over 60 .
Ten of the victims had a pre-existing condition .
Overall , 591 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed by Chinese authorities .
There is no vaccine for the new viral infection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed from person to person .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Though the origin of the virus has yet to be identified , the WHO has said the primary source is probably an animal .
The virus is believed to have originated in the seafood market in the city of Wuhan .

A game in which players create a disease which attempts to wipe out the entire world's population has soared to the top of the App Store in China amid an outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.
Plague Inc was designed and launched by British games studio Ndemic Creations and is currently the most popular paid-for app on iPhones, according to market analysts App Annie.
The award-winning strategy game allows players to customise their diseases by evolving them, and its creator James Vaughan was invited to speak at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention following its initial success, on grounds the game could be used to educate people about viruses.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:39 Mystery China virus 'may already be in UK'
Two cities in China are now in lockdown as the World Health Organisation considers whether to declare the deadly coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency.
So far at least 17 people have been killed. All but two of the 13 men and four women were aged over 60. Ten of the victims had a pre-existing condition.
Overall, 591 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed by Chinese authorities.
There is no vaccine for the new viral infection, which can cause pneumonia and can be passed from person to person.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The symptoms include fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.
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Though the origin of the virus has yet to be identified, the WHO has said the primary source is probably an animal.
The virus is believed to have originated in the seafood market in the city of Wuhan.


news--2020-03-20--Coronavirus: 'What's coming is extremely big' - UK consultant says outbreak could be worse than in I

Coronavirus: 'What's coming is extremely big' - UK consultant says outbreak could be worse than in Italy

The UK 's coronavirus outbreak could be worse than Italy 's and hospitals may be `` completely swamped '' , an A & E consultant has told Sky News .
The Italian system is `` in advance of us in terms of resources and the intensive care beds '' , he said , and it could be days until some hospitals reach capacity and patients begin spilling out into corridors .
The medic , who works on the front line at a south London hospital and wanted to stay anonymous , said COVID-19 had been `` described as the flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the way we are seeing it '' .
He said people were coming in with `` full-blown , really nasty pneumonia '' .
The only way to get control of the outbreak is through a `` fairly strict lockdown '' , he said , warning that `` somebody you know '' is likely to be affected .
`` We know what 's coming , and we know what 's coming is extremely big , '' he said .
He and his colleagues will have to make life and death decisions , allocating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to survive '' .
It is something he suspects will `` haunt '' them afterwards .
In 30 years as a medical practitioner , the consultant said he had never seen anything like it .
He accused the government of not listening and having a `` falsely placed sense of optimism that it will all work out '' .
Mass coronavirus testing is needed , he said , because self-isolation guidelines are `` wreaking havoc '' .
`` We are losing ( hospital staff ) who are otherwise well , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News ' report from the main hospital in Bergamo , northern Italy , where we found people in terrible distress , gasping for air .
Asked whether he is worried that his hospital could look like that , he said : `` Yes , I do - I actually think it could be worse than that . ''
He added : `` I 'm aware of the Italian system , and I think in quite a few ways they are in advance of us in terms of resources and the intensive care beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` So I think we may actually end up in a worse state than they presently are unless we take sufficient measures right now . ''
Asked if he had enough resources , he said : `` In terms of what we 're anticipating , the honest truth is no .
`` The NHS is n't currently set up to ventilate a huge number of people . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Nor are there `` sufficient numbers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilatory support '' .
That is `` not something you can just teach in an afternoon seminar '' , he said .
There is not enough protective equipment ( PPE ) either .
After watching the report from Italy , he said : `` I look at the pictures and I can see their staff are in full PPE material - that is not occurring right now in the UK .
`` I see that they have got quite a lot of additional ventilators and other machinery which they are able to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have got sufficient for our intensive care and recovery areas at present . ''
The worst case scenario , he said , is when intensive care overflow areas become full too , and patients begin spilling out into corridors .
`` That 's what you are seeing in Italy , '' he said .
At that stage , only the patients thought most likely to survive will be allocated the full resources .
Others , with additional medical problems , will not receive them .
`` I think you will then see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
He added that people `` do n't stop having heart attacks , people do n't stop having strokes , but the resources will not be there for them '' .
It is `` actually quite horrifying to think that we could be completely swamped '' , he said .

The UK's coronavirus outbreak could be worse than Italy's and hospitals may be "completely swamped", an A&E consultant has told Sky News.
The Italian system is "in advance of us in terms of resources and the intensive care beds", he said, and it could be days until some hospitals reach capacity and patients begin spilling out into corridors.
The medic, who works on the front line at a south London hospital and wanted to stay anonymous, said COVID-19 had been "described as the flu" but "really isn't - not the way we are seeing it".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:38 Sky News speaks to A&E doc who warns hospitals could be 'completely swamped'
He said people were coming in with "full-blown, really nasty pneumonia".
The only way to get control of the outbreak is through a "fairly strict lockdown", he said, warning that "somebody you know" is likely to be affected.
"We know what's coming, and we know what's coming is extremely big," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:45 Inside the worst-hit hospital in Italy
He and his colleagues will have to make life and death decisions, allocating resources "only to those deemed most likely to survive".
It is something he suspects will "haunt" them afterwards.
In 30 years as a medical practitioner, the consultant said he had never seen anything like it.
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He accused the government of not listening and having a "falsely placed sense of optimism that it will all work out".
Mass coronavirus testing is needed, he said, because self-isolation guidelines are "wreaking havoc".
Image: Sky News saw multiple patients struggling to breathe in a Bergamo hospital
"We are losing (hospital staff) who are otherwise well," he said.
The consultant has seen Sky News' report from the main hospital in Bergamo, northern Italy, where we found people in terrible distress, gasping for air.
Asked whether he is worried that his hospital could look like that, he said: "Yes, I do - I actually think it could be worse than that."
He added: "I'm aware of the Italian system, and I think in quite a few ways they are in advance of us in terms of resources and the intensive care beds they had available prior to this occurring.
"So I think we may actually end up in a worse state than they presently are unless we take sufficient measures right now."
Asked if he had enough resources, he said: "In terms of what we're anticipating, the honest truth is no.
"The NHS isn't currently set up to ventilate a huge number of people."
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Nor are there "sufficient numbers of staff trained in actually managing patients on ventilatory support".
That is "not something you can just teach in an afternoon seminar", he said.
There is not enough protective equipment (PPE) either.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:38 Chief Nurse: 'Your NHS needs you'
After watching the report from Italy, he said: "I look at the pictures and I can see their staff are in full PPE material - that is not occurring right now in the UK.
"I see that they have got quite a lot of additional ventilators and other machinery which they are able to bring down into their emergency departments.
"We have got sufficient for our intensive care and recovery areas at present."
The worst case scenario, he said, is when intensive care overflow areas become full too, and patients begin spilling out into corridors. "That's what you are seeing in Italy," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:21 PM: Pubs, clubs and cinemas to close tonight
At that stage, only the patients thought most likely to survive will be allocated the full resources.
Others, with additional medical problems, will not receive them.
"I think you will then see a really steep rise in mortality," he said.
He added that people "don't stop having heart attacks, people don't stop having strokes, but the resources will not be there for them".
It is "actually quite horrifying to think that we could be completely swamped", he said.


news--2020-05-30--Coronavirus: Monkeys 'grab and flee' with infected blood samples

A gang of monkeys `` grabbed and fled '' with coronavirus-infected blood samples after attacking a laboratory technician in India , authorities have said .
The attack occurred when the technician was walking in the campus of a state-run medical college in Meerut , 460 km ( 285 miles ) north of Lucknow , capital of Uttar Pradesh state .
Authorities said they were not clear if the monkeys had spilled the blood samples , but people living near the leafy campus feared further spread of the virus if the monkeys carried the samples into residential areas .
Dr S.K @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the college , said : `` Monkeys grabbed and fled with the blood samples of four COVID-19 patients who are undergoing treatment ... we had to take their blood samples again . ''
He added it was not clear if the monkeys could contract the coronavirus if they came into contact with infected blood .
The virus is believed to have jumped from animals into people in a wildlife market in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year .
India has had 165,799 cases of the coronavirus and 4,706 deaths .
Monkeys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in India and causing disturbances , even attacking people .
Environmentalists say the destruction of natural habitat is the main reason the animals move into urban areas in search of food .

A gang of monkeys "grabbed and fled" with coronavirus-infected blood samples after attacking a laboratory technician in India, authorities have said.
The attack occurred when the technician was walking in the campus of a state-run medical college in Meerut, 460 km (285 miles) north of Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh state.
Authorities said they were not clear if the monkeys had spilled the blood samples, but people living near the leafy campus feared further spread of the virus if the monkeys carried the samples into residential areas.
Image: Monkeys sit on a motorcycle to eat fruits from a box during a the lockdown in New Delhi
Dr S.K. Garg, a top official at the college, said: "Monkeys grabbed and fled with the blood samples of four COVID-19 patients who are undergoing treatment ... we had to take their blood samples again."
He added it was not clear if the monkeys could contract the coronavirus if they came into contact with infected blood.
The virus is believed to have jumped from animals into people in a wildlife market in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
India has had 165,799 cases of the coronavirus and 4,706 deaths.
Monkeys have been increasingly straying into human settlements in India and causing disturbances, even attacking people.
Environmentalists say the destruction of natural habitat is the main reason the animals move into urban areas in search of food.


news--2020-05-30--Coronavirus: Denmark to allow some foreign visitors from next month - but Sweden excluded

Denmark will next month reopen its borders to visitors from Germany , Iceland and Norway - but not Sweden .
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said people from those selected countries will be able to enter from 15 June .
During a press conference , health minister Magnus Heunicke said people could `` stroll around '' the capital of Copenhagen but not stay overnight .
For the rest of Denmark , visitors will have to document that they will stay for at least six nights , justice minister Nick Haekkerup added .
`` So far , we have done well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We have the infection under control .
We can feel an optimism spreading in the country .
And also an impatience , which is totally understandable .
`` But we must underline that we are not over the coronavirus crisis . ''
A decision as to whether to reopen the border to fellow Scandinavian country Sweden - which has reported 4,350 COVID-19 related deaths - has been postponed until after the summer .
The same applies to Denmark 's 26 sister countries in Europe 's ID check-free travel zone , known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Germany - which has reported more than 183,000 cases but fewer than 8,600 deaths - has reopened shops and cafes .
Its widespread and early testing methods and a healthcare system that is well-run and well-funded have been given as reasons for keeping the fatality figures relatively low .
Norway - which has reported more than 8,400 cases and 236 deaths - has reopened schools .
Private celebrations are capped at 20 people with social distancing restrictions and 50 people for public events .
It hopes to return to relative normality by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,805 infections and 10 deaths .
Schools , universities , hairdressers and museums had reopened by 15 May .
Denmark was the second country in Europe , after Italy , to impose a strict nationwide lockdown on 11 March .
The quick response has been credited with keeping reported infections and deaths comparatively low .
According to official figures , 11,400 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Denmark , which has a population of 5.8 million , and fewer than 600 have died .
By early April , Denmark said it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning to normal on 14 April .
Nurseries and primary schools reopened first , followed by hairdressers , dentists , tattoo parlours and then places of worship , cinemas , shopping malls , restaurants , cafes , bars and secondary schools .
On 8 June , maximum gatherings in the country will increase from 10 to 50 people .
By contrast , Sweden has had a relatively soft approach to combating the virus .
Large gatherings were banned but restaurants and schools for younger children have stayed open .
The government has urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has largely complied .
But authorities in Sweden have been criticised - and have apologised - for failing to protect the elderly , and nursing home residents .
There are 36,476 reported cases of the virus in Sweden .
It is currently ranked sixth in the world for the highest number of deaths per 100,000 people .
The rate is 42.7 .
Belgium has the highest with 82.8 and the UK is third , behind Spain , with 57.5. : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk @

Denmark will next month reopen its borders to visitors from Germany, Iceland and Norway - but not Sweden.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said people from those selected countries will be able to enter from 15 June.
During a press conference, health minister Magnus Heunicke said people could "stroll around" the capital of Copenhagen but not stay overnight.
Image: Danish PM Mette Frederiksen said: 'We can feel an optimism spreading in the country'
For the rest of Denmark, visitors will have to document that they will stay for at least six nights, justice minister Nick Haekkerup added.
"So far, we have done well as a country," Ms Frederiksen said.
"We have the infection under control. We can feel an optimism spreading in the country. And also an impatience, which is totally understandable.
"But we must underline that we are not over the coronavirus crisis."
A decision as to whether to reopen the border to fellow Scandinavian country Sweden - which has reported 4,350 COVID-19 related deaths - has been postponed until after the summer.
The same applies to Denmark's 26 sister countries in Europe's ID check-free travel zone, known as the Schengen Area.
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By contrast, Germany - which has reported more than 183,000 cases but fewer than 8,600 deaths - has reopened shops and cafes.
Its widespread and early testing methods and a healthcare system that is well-run and well-funded have been given as reasons for keeping the fatality figures relatively low.
Norway - which has reported more than 8,400 cases and 236 deaths - has reopened schools.
Private celebrations are capped at 20 people with social distancing restrictions and 50 people for public events.
It hopes to return to relative normality by 15 June.
Iceland has reported just 1,805 infections and 10 deaths. Schools, universities, hairdressers and museums had reopened by 15 May.
Denmark was the second country in Europe, after Italy, to impose a strict nationwide lockdown on 11 March.
Image: After over two months of closure, the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum opens its doors to the public
The quick response has been credited with keeping reported infections and deaths comparatively low.
According to official figures, 11,400 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Denmark, which has a population of 5.8 million, and fewer than 600 have died.
By early April, Denmark said it had managed to control the outbreak and started returning to normal on 14 April.
Nurseries and primary schools reopened first, followed by hairdressers, dentists, tattoo parlours and then places of worship, cinemas, shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, bars and secondary schools.
On 8 June, maximum gatherings in the country will increase from 10 to 50 people.
By contrast, Sweden has had a relatively soft approach to combating the virus.
Large gatherings were banned but restaurants and schools for younger children have stayed open.
The government has urged social distancing, and the Swedish public has largely complied.
Image: Priest Lars Gustav Lindhardt performs the first service after churches and places of worship were allowed to reopen
But authorities in Sweden have been criticised - and have apologised - for failing to protect the elderly, and nursing home residents.
There are 36,476 reported cases of the virus in Sweden. It is currently ranked sixth in the world for the highest number of deaths per 100,000 people. The rate is 42.7.
Belgium has the highest with 82.8 and the UK is third, behind Spain, with 57.5.
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
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk.


news--2020-05-21--Coronavirus: Northern Ireland rejects UK's COVID-19 contact-tracing app

Northern Ireland 's minister of health has said he will not encourage people to download the UK 's contact-tracing app when it is made available in the region .
Robin Swann told the Northern Ireland Assembly 's committee for health on Wednesday that it was `` not compulsory '' for residents to download the NHS app , built by its digital department NHSX to track COVID-19 infections .
Speaking about the app , which is currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight , he said : `` We 're part of the UK so we will have access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is up to anybody to download it . ''
Mr Swann added that Northern Ireland was instead working on `` a Northern Ireland version '' of the contact-tracing app , the first devolved administration to do so .
He told the committee this was necessary to ensure it worked with the one being developed in the Republic of Ireland .
`` We have to ensure that we progress the work done for a Northern Ireland version so that it can interact with the Republic of Ireland app , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will use a decentralised model for its app , with checks to see who might be at risk taking place on each user 's device .
Mr Swann criticised the NHSX app , which performs those checks on a central server - an approach which makes it difficult for the app to work efficiently on modern smartphones , in particular Apple 's iPhones .
He said there had been `` difficulties '' and `` uncertainties '' about the app , especially around `` who owns the data '' , and told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact tracing , rather than technological solutions .
Mr Swann 's criticism was echoed by deputy first minister Michelle O'Neill , who told another committee on Wednesday that she did n't personally support the centralisation of data from a `` human rights point of view '' .
Ms O'Neill confirmed that representatives from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland had met this week to discuss a common system .
Ministers from north and south of the border signed a memorandum of understanding in April , promising a coordinated approach to tackling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised questions about the future of the NHSX app , which has been criticised for posing privacy risks and for usability flaws , such as not working on older Android smartphones .
Experts said the design of the NHSX app would come under further scrutiny now that Google and Apple have released contact-tracing software on to smartphones , making it easier for countries to build decentralised apps .
Technology researcher Rachel Coldicutt said : `` This situation was entirely predictable and it shows that a global emergency is not a great time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will become more important as countries re-open , and NHSX 's determination to forge its own path could create more problems down the line . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker NHSX says a centralised approach is necessary to gather more data for epidemiologists , and to allow users to self-report symptoms , which is hard to do securely in a decentralised system .
Yet despite claiming that the Isle of Wight trial has been successful , in recent days UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app , compared to human contact-tracing .
Junior health minister Lord Bethell said on Tuesday that the government had `` changed the emphasis of our communications and plans to put human contact-tracing at the beginning of our plans , and to regard the app as something that will come later in support . ''

Northern Ireland's minister of health has said he will not encourage people to download the UK's contact-tracing app when it is made available in the region.
Robin Swann told the Northern Ireland Assembly's committee for health on Wednesday that it was "not compulsory" for residents to download the NHS app, built by its digital department NHSX to track COVID-19 infections.
Speaking about the app, which is currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight, he said: "We're part of the UK so we will have access to it whether we want it or not. It is up to anybody to download it."
Image: Northern Ireland's minister of health Robin Swann has criticised the NHS app
Mr Swann added that Northern Ireland was instead working on "a Northern Ireland version" of the contact-tracing app, the first devolved administration to do so.
He told the committee this was necessary to ensure it worked with the one being developed in the Republic of Ireland.
"We have to ensure that we progress the work done for a Northern Ireland version so that it can interact with the Republic of Ireland app," he said.
The Republic of Ireland has said it will use a decentralised model for its app, with checks to see who might be at risk taking place on each user's device.
Mr Swann criticised the NHSX app, which performs those checks on a central server - an approach which makes it difficult for the app to work efficiently on modern smartphones, in particular Apple's iPhones.
He said there had been "difficulties" and "uncertainties" about the app, especially around "who owns the data", and told the committee that he was focused on manual contact tracing, rather than technological solutions.
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Image: Mr Swann added questions had been raised over 'who owns the data'. File pic
Mr Swann's criticism was echoed by deputy first minister Michelle O'Neill, who told another committee on Wednesday that she didn't personally support the centralisation of data from a "human rights point of view".
Ms O'Neill confirmed that representatives from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland had met this week to discuss a common system.
Ministers from north and south of the border signed a memorandum of understanding in April, promising a coordinated approach to tackling the virus.
The move by Northern Ireland raised questions about the future of the NHSX app, which has been criticised for posing privacy risks and for usability flaws, such as not working on older Android smartphones.
Experts said the design of the NHSX app would come under further scrutiny now that Google and Apple have released contact-tracing software on to smartphones, making it easier for countries to build decentralised apps.
Technology researcher Rachel Coldicutt said: "This situation was entirely predictable and it shows that a global emergency is not a great time to go it alone.
"International cooperation will become more important as countries re-open, and NHSX's determination to forge its own path could create more problems down the line."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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NHSX says a centralised approach is necessary to gather more data for epidemiologists, and to allow users to self-report symptoms, which is hard to do securely in a decentralised system.
Yet despite claiming that the Isle of Wight trial has been successful, in recent days UK government ministers downplayed the importance of the app, compared to human contact-tracing.
Junior health minister Lord Bethell said on Tuesday that the government had "changed the emphasis of our communications and plans to put human contact-tracing at the beginning of our plans, and to regard the app as something that will come later in support."


news--2020-05-29--Coronavirus: 99% confident that COVID-19 vaccine will work, says Chinese firm

Chinese scientists working on a COVID-19 vaccine have told Sky News they are `` 99 % '' sure it will be effective .
Sinovac , a Beijing-based biotech company , currently has its coronavirus vaccine in stage 2 trials , with more than 1,000 volunteers participating .
Sky News is the first British broadcaster to visit its labs .
The company also said it is in preliminary talks to hold stage 3 trials - the final part of the trials process - in the UK .
Sky News asked Luo Baishan , a researcher at Sinovac , whether he thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , yes .
It must be successful… 99 % [ sure ] , '' he replied .
Last month Sinovac published results in the academic journal Science which showed the vaccine , called CoronaVac , protects monkeys from infection by the coronavirus .
The biggest problem the company faces is the low number of COVID-19 cases in China , which makes testing the vaccine in an epidemic situation difficult .
As a result , the company is looking further afield for stage 3 trials .
Helen Yang , senior director of investor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are speaking to several European countries and I think did discuss with the UK as well .
`` Currently it 's a very preliminary stage for the discussion . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The company is pressing ahead with production , though , even as it continues research .
In the company 's headquarters in northwest Beijing , orange and white packets are already ready to go .
The aim of parallel tracks is that mass production of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the trials are successful and the vaccine gets regulatory approval .
It is currently building a commercial plant in another part of Beijing with the objective of delivering 100 million doses .
That number , large as it is , means limiting who gets the vaccine .
`` It is our recommendation that it is not the whole population that gets the vaccine , '' Ms Yang told Sky News .
`` We are discussing this and recommending it to other countries as well .
`` We are firstly targeting high-risk groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior citizens , who may have a higher level of fatality rate .
I think that will be the starting point .
To be frank , the vaccine needs to be produced lot by lot . ''
And the vaccine wo n't be here soon .
The stage 2 trials have months to run before Stage 3 can begin , Ms Yang pointed out , and then the vaccine requires regulatory approval .
Asked whether she was sure of success , Ms Yang told Sky News : `` It 's very hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment .
There are uncertainties , but the data : so far , so good . ''
There is a global race to come up with a COVID-19 vaccine - but questions remain about how it would be distributed , and whether countries should prioritise their own populations .
Drugmaker AstraZeneca , which is working with researchers at Oxford University , said the UK would be the first country to get access to the vaccine it is developing .
Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged that any Chinese vaccine would be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the practical results of that are unclear .
EU leaders have made a similar commitment , but US President Donald Trump has not .
Ms Yang told Sky News : `` We are already considering not only China but also the whole world , not only for conducting a trial but also how to supply a solution for countries including China and outside China . ''
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Chinese scientists working on a COVID-19 vaccine have told Sky News they are "99%" sure it will be effective.
Sinovac, a Beijing-based biotech company, currently has its coronavirus vaccine in stage 2 trials, with more than 1,000 volunteers participating. Sky News is the first British broadcaster to visit its labs.
The company also said it is in preliminary talks to hold stage 3 trials - the final part of the trials process - in the UK.
Image: Samples of the vaccine are being worked on
Sky News asked Luo Baishan, a researcher at Sinovac, whether he thought the vaccine would be successful.
"Yes, yes. It must be successful… 99% [sure]," he replied.
Last month Sinovac published results in the academic journal Science which showed the vaccine, called CoronaVac, protects monkeys from infection by the coronavirus.
The biggest problem the company faces is the low number of COVID-19 cases in China, which makes testing the vaccine in an epidemic situation difficult. As a result, the company is looking further afield for stage 3 trials.
Helen Yang, senior director of investor relations, told Sky News: "We are speaking to several European countries and I think did discuss with the UK as well.
"Currently it's a very preliminary stage for the discussion."
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The company is pressing ahead with production, though, even as it continues research.
In the company's headquarters in northwest Beijing, orange and white packets are already ready to go.
The aim of parallel tracks is that mass production of the vaccine can begin straight away, if the trials are successful and the vaccine gets regulatory approval.
It is currently building a commercial plant in another part of Beijing with the objective of delivering 100 million doses.
That number, large as it is, means limiting who gets the vaccine.
"It is our recommendation that it is not the whole population that gets the vaccine," Ms Yang told Sky News.
"We are discussing this and recommending it to other countries as well.
"We are firstly targeting high-risk groups, for example, health workers or senior citizens, who may have a higher level of fatality rate. I think that will be the starting point. To be frank, the vaccine needs to be produced lot by lot."
Image: The company hopes to produce more than 100 million doses
And the vaccine won't be here soon. The stage 2 trials have months to run before Stage 3 can begin, Ms Yang pointed out, and then the vaccine requires regulatory approval.
Asked whether she was sure of success, Ms Yang told Sky News: "It's very hard to say, very difficult to say at the moment. There are uncertainties, but the data: so far, so good."
There is a global race to come up with a COVID-19 vaccine - but questions remain about how it would be distributed, and whether countries should prioritise their own populations.
Drugmaker AstraZeneca, which is working with researchers at Oxford University, said the UK would be the first country to get access to the vaccine it is developing.
Image: Stage 2 trials of the vaccine have months to run before stage 3 can begin
Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged that any Chinese vaccine would be a "global public good", even though the practical results of that are unclear. EU leaders have made a similar commitment, but US President Donald Trump has not.
Ms Yang told Sky News: "We are already considering not only China but also the whole world, not only for conducting a trial but also how to supply a solution for countries including China and outside China."
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-30--Coronavirus: Scientists warn government against easing lockdown as temperatures soar

Three scientists advising the government on coronavirus have warned the easing of lockdown measures from Monday may be happening too early and could lead to a rise in infections .
The experts , all members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , have said ministers are taking risks by following their current plans .
Much of Britain is enjoying a weekend of high temperatures with police urging the public to follow current advice ahead of the loosening of restrictions in England , which will allow up to six people to meet outside if social distancing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has warned the public that these meet-ups remain prohibited until after the weekend .
Scientists have expressed concern that the NHS test and trace system to help stop the spread of COVID-19 is yet to be proven to be working effectively , and the reproduction rate of the virus is still only just below one .
This `` R '' number is the measure of how many people will be infected for every one person who has the disease .
Professor John Edmunds told Sky News : `` Small changes can put that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more important thing is that we still have a lot of cases .
`` The number of infections that we have is about 8,000 new infections every day in England alone , and that 's just in the community .
`` There 's more infections happening in hospitals and care homes and other enclosed settings , which would n't be included . ''
Professor Edmunds and fellow SAGE member Sir Jeremy Farrar have also said the test and trace scheme , which went live on Thursday , needs to have been in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system needed to be `` fully working '' before the restrictions were relaxed .
Professor Edmunds said : `` Track and trace was only launched the day before yesterday , so we ca n't be sure that that 's working effectively , and yet we 're going ahead and making these changes .
`` I think that is rather dangerous .
`` Even if we do n't get a second peak and we just keep the incidents at this level , that would still result in large numbers of infections over time and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a Twitter post : `` COVID-19 spreading too fast to lift lockdown in England .
Agree with John and clear science advice .
`` TTI ( test , trace and isolate ) has to be in place , fully working , capable dealing any surge immediately , locally responsive , rapid results & infection rates have to be lower .
And trusted . ''
Professor Edmunds and Sir Jeremy also expressed concern about the gradual reopening of shops , schools and larger gatherings to meet in private while the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It comes as a tranche of papers released by SAGE members has revealed advice given to the government in April , which said it was `` likely '' the `` R '' number would go above one should non-essential shops be reopened .
Asked if he agreed with Professor Edmunds and Sir Jeremy that it was too soon to ease lockdown restrictions , Professor Peter Horby told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme : `` Actually , I do .
`` You know , we have still got 8,000 cases a day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing it down , decreasing the numbers because of the social distancing .
`` But , you will have heard that the R level is between 0.7 and 0.9 , so it 's only a bit below one , so , we have got very little headroom , actually .
`` And , it 's really important that we use that headroom very wisely and we do n't lose control again '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Liberal Democrat health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision by key members of SAGE to go public with their concerns shows that ministers are no longer following the science .
`` The test , trace , isolate system that we need to keep people safe is not yet fully functional .
`` The NHSX app is delayed for an unknown period .
For seven days straight the government has been unable to provide even basic data about the number of people tested .
`` On top of these failings , public health messaging has been badly undermined as people see it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and another for everyone else .
`` Given this chaos , measures to lift lockdown appear premature . ''
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Three scientists advising the government on coronavirus have warned the easing of lockdown measures from Monday may be happening too early and could lead to a rise in infections.
The experts, all members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), have said ministers are taking risks by following their current plans.
Much of Britain is enjoying a weekend of high temperatures with police urging the public to follow current advice ahead of the loosening of restrictions in England, which will allow up to six people to meet outside if social distancing of two metres is observed.
Image: People have been enjoying the hot weather in Dorset while lockdown measures are in place
Downing Street has warned the public that these meet-ups remain prohibited until after the weekend.
Scientists have expressed concern that the NHS test and trace system to help stop the spread of COVID-19 is yet to be proven to be working effectively, and the reproduction rate of the virus is still only just below one.
This "R" number is the measure of how many people will be infected for every one person who has the disease.
Professor John Edmunds told Sky News: "Small changes can put that reproduction number up above one. The more important thing is that we still have a lot of cases.
"The number of infections that we have is about 8,000 new infections every day in England alone, and that's just in the community.
"There's more infections happening in hospitals and care homes and other enclosed settings, which wouldn't be included."
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Image: Sir Jeremy Farrar tweeted: 'COVID-19 spreading too fast to lift lockdown in England'
Professor Edmunds and fellow SAGE member Sir Jeremy Farrar have also said the test and trace scheme, which went live on Thursday, needs to have been in place for longer.
Sir Jeremy said the system needed to be "fully working" before the restrictions were relaxed.
Professor Edmunds said: "Track and trace was only launched the day before yesterday, so we can't be sure that that's working effectively, and yet we're going ahead and making these changes.
"I think that is rather dangerous.
"Even if we don't get a second peak and we just keep the incidents at this level, that would still result in large numbers of infections over time and people will die."
Sir Jeremy said in a Twitter post: "COVID-19 spreading too fast to lift lockdown in England. Agree with John and clear science advice.
"TTI (test, trace and isolate) has to be in place, fully working, capable dealing any surge immediately, locally responsive, rapid results & infection rates have to be lower. And trusted."
Professor Edmunds and Sir Jeremy also expressed concern about the gradual reopening of shops, schools and larger gatherings to meet in private while the number of cases is "relatively high".
It comes as a tranche of papers released by SAGE members has revealed advice given to the government in April, which said it was "likely" the "R" number would go above one should non-essential shops be reopened.
Asked if he agreed with Professor Edmunds and Sir Jeremy that it was too soon to ease lockdown restrictions, Professor Peter Horby told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Actually, I do.
"You know, we have still got 8,000 cases a day.
"We have been very successful in bringing it down, decreasing the numbers because of the social distancing.
"But, you will have heard that the R level is between 0.7 and 0.9, so it's only a bit below one, so, we have got very little headroom, actually.
"And, it's really important that we use that headroom very wisely and we don't lose control again".
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Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Munira Wilson said: "The decision by key members of SAGE to go public with their concerns shows that ministers are no longer following the science.
"The test, trace, isolate system that we need to keep people safe is not yet fully functional.
"The NHSX app is delayed for an unknown period. For seven days straight the government has been unable to provide even basic data about the number of people tested.
"On top of these failings, public health messaging has been badly undermined as people see it's one rule for the Tory elite and another for everyone else.
"Given this chaos, measures to lift lockdown appear premature."
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-29--Coronavirus: Scientists who advise government warn lockdown being eased too soon

Two scientists who advise the government have warned lockdown is being eased too soon in England .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week announced further relaxations to restrictions on movement in England , despite new coronavirus cases and deaths still being reported each day .
Professor John Edmunds and Sir Jeremy Farrar , who sit on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , said ministers were taking risks by allowing the gradual reopening of shops and schools and larger gatherings to meet in private .
They also agreed a further risk was posed by easing the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trace system .
Professor Edmunds said that - based on the current number of daily cases - he expected to continue to see between 40 and 80 deaths a day in England alone even without a second wave .
He said epidemiologists would prefer to see restrictions on movement continue for a longer period to prevent that happening .
`` I think we are taking some risk here , '' Professor Edmunds told journalists .
He said this was because the sheer number of COVID-19 cases - known as the incidence - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level , despite the fall in the reproduction number .
Professor Edmunds said many scientists `` would prefer to see the incidence driven down to lower levels , because that then means that we have fewer cases occurring before we relaxed the measures '' .
Yet he said the decision about where to set the number of cases was `` clearly a political decision , not a scientific decision '' , because there was a trade-off between `` the impact of the disease '' and `` the impact of the lockdown on wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newly-introduced NHS test and trace system needed to be `` fully working '' before measures were eased .
He tweeted : `` COVID-19 spreading too fast to lift lockdown in England .
Agree with John & clear science advice .
`` TTI ( test , trace and isolate ) has to be in place , fully working , capable dealing any surge immediately , locally responsive , rapid results & infection rates have to be lower .
And trusted . ''
Although the government has focused on the reproduction number , which measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , the number of cases is an equally important factor in determining the number of deaths .
The Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) has calculated that there are approximately 54,000 new coronavirus cases in the community in England each week , meaning there are around 8,000 new cases a day .
If the fatality rate was 1 % , said Professor Edmunds , that meant 80 people would die a day .
If it was 0.5 % , then 40 people would die a day .
`` That 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to see going forward , '' he said , adding that the true number of cases was likely higher , as the ONS did not measure cases in care homes or hospitals .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mark Woolhouse , who sits on the government 's Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling ( SPI-M ) committee , warned that - because of the prevalence of the disease in the community - it would be very hard to prevent a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move around .
`` A second wave is a clear and present danger , '' he said As a result , he said , strong anti-coronavirus measures were a `` possible new normal '' , adding that : `` If we do n't like it , going to have to find other ways of living with COVID-19 . ''
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Two scientists who advise the government have warned lockdown is being eased too soon in England.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week announced further relaxations to restrictions on movement in England, despite new coronavirus cases and deaths still being reported each day.
Professor John Edmunds and Sir Jeremy Farrar, who sit on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said ministers were taking risks by allowing the gradual reopening of shops and schools and larger gatherings to meet in private.
They also agreed a further risk was posed by easing the lockdown measures with an "untested" test and trace system.
Image: People are allowed to spend an unlimited amount of time outdoors if they social distance
Professor Edmunds said that - based on the current number of daily cases - he expected to continue to see between 40 and 80 deaths a day in England alone even without a second wave.
He said epidemiologists would prefer to see restrictions on movement continue for a longer period to prevent that happening.
"I think we are taking some risk here," Professor Edmunds told journalists.
He said this was because the sheer number of COVID-19 cases - known as the incidence - continued to stay at a relatively high level, despite the fall in the reproduction number.
Professor Edmunds said many scientists "would prefer to see the incidence driven down to lower levels, because that then means that we have fewer cases occurring before we relaxed the measures".
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Yet he said the decision about where to set the number of cases was "clearly a political decision, not a scientific decision", because there was a trade-off between "the impact of the disease" and "the impact of the lockdown on wider society".
Sir Jeremy said the newly-introduced NHS test and trace system needed to be "fully working" before measures were eased.
He tweeted: "COVID-19 spreading too fast to lift lockdown in England. Agree with John & clear science advice.
"TTI (test, trace and isolate) has to be in place, fully working, capable dealing any surge immediately, locally responsive, rapid results & infection rates have to be lower. And trusted."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:52 Changes to lockdown across the UK
Although the government has focused on the reproduction number, which measures the speed of the spread of the virus, the number of cases is an equally important factor in determining the number of deaths.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has calculated that there are approximately 54,000 new coronavirus cases in the community in England each week, meaning there are around 8,000 new cases a day.
If the fatality rate was 1%, said Professor Edmunds, that meant 80 people would die a day.
If it was 0.5%, then 40 people would die a day.
"That's the numbers of deaths a day we might expect to see going forward," he said, adding that the true number of cases was likely higher, as the ONS did not measure cases in care homes or hospitals.
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Mark Woolhouse, who sits on the government's Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M) committee, warned that - because of the prevalence of the disease in the community - it would be very hard to prevent a spike in cases as people began to move around.
"A second wave is a clear and present danger," he said
As a result, he said, strong anti-coronavirus measures were a "possible new normal", adding that: "If we don't like it, going to have to find other ways of living with COVID-19."
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-30--Coronavirus: Britain faces 'very dangerous moment' as lockdown eased, says top government adviser

Britain is facing a `` very dangerous moment '' with the easing of lockdown restrictions , says the deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam .
It comes as three scientists also advising the government warned the relaxing of the rules may be happening too early and could lead to a rise in coronavirus infections .
From Monday , in England up to six people will be allowed to meet outside in parks and gardens if social distancing of two metres is observed .
Downing Street has warned the public that these meet-ups remain prohibited until after the weekend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and beauty spots in the warm weather .
In England , some pupils are due to go back to school next week , and markets and car showrooms will be open .
Non-essential shops are set to start trading again in mid-June .
England 's deputy CMO Professor Van-Tam called for people to show restraint , saying the government and the public had a `` dual responsibility '' to prevent a second wave of the coronavirus .
Speaking at the Number 10 briefing , he added : `` I believe this is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get this right . ''
Three members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) - Professor John Edmunds , Sir Jeremy Farrar and Professor Peter Horby - have warned ministers are taking risks , with around 8,000 people daily thought to be catching coronavirus in England , and that does not include hospitals or care homes .
The scientists have expressed concern that the NHS test and trace system to help stop the spread of COVID-19 is yet to be proven to be working effectively , and the reproduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just below one .
This `` R '' number is the measure of how many people will be infected for every one person who has the disease .
Professor Edmunds told Sky News : `` Small changes can put that reproduction number up above one .
The more important thing is that we still have a lot of cases . ''
Sir Jeremy said in a Twitter post : `` COVID-19 spreading too fast to lift lockdown in England .
Agree with John and clear science advice .
`` TTI ( test , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place , fully working , capable dealing any surge immediately , locally responsive , rapid results & infection rates have to be lower .
And trusted . ''
Professor Van-Tam said scientific opinions `` always vary to some extent '' , and told the news conference the lockdown easing must go `` painstakingly '' slowly .
He urged the public to follow the guidance , adding : `` Do n't tear the pants out of it , and do n't go further than the guidance actually says . ''
Meanwhile , Professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edmunds had given to Sky News that `` the government are pretending they 're not making the decisions '' .
Professor Van-Tam responded : `` Our science advice has been so far that the social distancing that has already been eased is consistent with keeping the R below one .
`` The consensus of scientific advice is that the next set of measures announced for Monday , with contact tracing in place , should also keep the R within one .
`` Our advice is then to continue to watch this very carefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice to the government about whether we think it is possible to make further easements after that .
`` That will absolutely be a matter of advice for us and decision for the politicians . ''
And Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said `` the government has been clear along ... that ministers take responsibility for decisions but of course we take scientific advice in doing so '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Britain is facing a "very dangerous moment" with the easing of lockdown restrictions, says the deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam.
It comes as three scientists also advising the government warned the relaxing of the rules may be happening too early and could lead to a rise in coronavirus infections.
From Monday, in England up to six people will be allowed to meet outside in parks and gardens if social distancing of two metres is observed.
Downing Street has warned the public that these meet-ups remain prohibited until after the weekend.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:14 People enjoy the sunshine in the South East
On Saturday, people flocked to beaches and beauty spots in the warm weather.
In England, some pupils are due to go back to school next week, and markets and car showrooms will be open. Non-essential shops are set to start trading again in mid-June.
England's deputy CMO Professor Van-Tam called for people to show restraint, saying the government and the public had a "dual responsibility" to prevent a second wave of the coronavirus.
Speaking at the Number 10 briefing, he added: "I believe this is also a very dangerous moment. We have to get this right."
Three members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) - Professor John Edmunds, Sir Jeremy Farrar and Professor Peter Horby - have warned ministers are taking risks, with around 8,000 people daily thought to be catching coronavirus in England, and that does not include hospitals or care homes.
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The scientists have expressed concern that the NHS test and trace system to help stop the spread of COVID-19 is yet to be proven to be working effectively, and the reproduction rate of the virus is still only just below one.
This "R" number is the measure of how many people will be infected for every one person who has the disease.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:05 Professor John Edmunds on lockdown easing
Professor Edmunds told Sky News: "Small changes can put that reproduction number up above one. The more important thing is that we still have a lot of cases."
Sir Jeremy said in a Twitter post: "COVID-19 spreading too fast to lift lockdown in England. Agree with John and clear science advice.
"TTI (test, trace and isolate) has to be in place, fully working, capable dealing any surge immediately, locally responsive, rapid results & infection rates have to be lower. And trusted."
Professor Van-Tam said scientific opinions "always vary to some extent", and told the news conference the lockdown easing must go "painstakingly" slowly.
He urged the public to follow the guidance, adding: "Don't tear the pants out of it, and don't go further than the guidance actually says."
Meanwhile, Professor Van-Tam was asked about comments that Professor Edmunds had given to Sky News that "the government are pretending they're not making the decisions".
Image: Sir Jeremy Farrar has also issued a warning
Professor Van-Tam responded: "Our science advice has been so far that the social distancing that has already been eased is consistent with keeping the R below one.
"The consensus of scientific advice is that the next set of measures announced for Monday, with contact tracing in place, should also keep the R within one.
"Our advice is then to continue to watch this very carefully and we will continue to give further advice to the government about whether we think it is possible to make further easements after that.
"That will absolutely be a matter of advice for us and decision for the politicians."
And Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said "the government has been clear along ... that ministers take responsibility for decisions but of course we take scientific advice in doing so".
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-30--Coronavirus: British pilot with COVID-19 in Vietnam wakes from coma but needs lifesaving lung transp

Coronavirus: British pilot with COVID-19 in Vietnam wakes from coma but needs lifesaving lung transplant

A British coronavirus patient on life support in Vietnam has come out of a coma but will need a lung transplant to save his life .
The 43-year-old man , a Vietnam Airlines pilot known only as Patient 91 , has been described as being the most severe coronavirus case in Vietnam , which has seen no deaths from the virus .
The man was admitted to Ho Chi Minh City 's Hospital for Tropical Diseases on 18 March , the Vietnam Times reported .
Medics declared him free of coronavirus on 2 May but he has severe complications relating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including his lungs .
According to the paper , the pilot , who was transferred to the capital 's Cho Ray Hospital on 22 May , remained in intensive care but had come out of a coma after his doses of sedatives were reduced , and is able to make `` basic communication '' with doctors .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A scan last week showed an improvement in his lung capacity but a lung transplant `` is believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his life unless his lung capacity is improved '' , the paper reported .
Reports said 30 people had volunteered to be donors for the man 's lung transplant but a potential complication with the surgery has arisen in that lung transplants are normally allowed only from brain-dead patients under Vietnamese medical regulations .
It has been reported that the Vietnamese health system has spent more than £163,000 on treating the pilot .
He was linked to a cluster of COVID-19 cases at a bar in Ho Chi Minh City which resulted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 327 confirmed coronavirus cases in Vietnam , including 279 recovered patients .
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

A British coronavirus patient on life support in Vietnam has come out of a coma but will need a lung transplant to save his life.
The 43-year-old man, a Vietnam Airlines pilot known only as Patient 91, has been described as being the most severe coronavirus case in Vietnam, which has seen no deaths from the virus.
The man was admitted to Ho Chi Minh City's Hospital for Tropical Diseases on 18 March, the Vietnam Times reported.
Medics declared him free of coronavirus on 2 May but he has severe complications relating to his immune system and organ failures, including his lungs.
According to the paper, the pilot, who was transferred to the capital's Cho Ray Hospital on 22 May, remained in intensive care but had come out of a coma after his doses of sedatives were reduced, and is able to make "basic communication" with doctors.
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A scan last week showed an improvement in his lung capacity but a lung transplant "is believed to be the only solution to save his life unless his lung capacity is improved", the paper reported.
Reports said 30 people had volunteered to be donors for the man's lung transplant but a potential complication with the surgery has arisen in that lung transplants are normally allowed only from brain-dead patients under Vietnamese medical regulations.
It has been reported that the Vietnamese health system has spent more than £163,000 on treating the pilot.
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He was linked to a cluster of COVID-19 cases at a bar in Ho Chi Minh City which resulted in two dozen infections.
There have been 327 confirmed coronavirus cases in Vietnam, including 279 recovered patients.
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk