bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Close family to be allowed to say goodbye to the dying

Close family members will be able to see dying relatives to say goodbye under new coronavirus guidelines , Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said .
He said the UK would introduce new steps to `` limit the risk of infection '' and allow goodbyes `` wherever possible '' .
Mr Hancock also launched a new network to supply personal protective equipment ( PPE ) to care home staff .
It comes as the number of hospital deaths in the UK rose by 761 to 12,868 .
Many loved ones have been unable to say goodbye to family and friends since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK on 23 March .
Mr Hancock highlighted the death of Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab , 13 , from Brixton , south London .
Ismail died alone in hospital last month and his close family were then unable to attend his funeral because they were self-isolating .
Speaking at Wednesday 's briefing , Mr Hancock said the reports made him `` weep '' .
`` Wanting to be with someone at the end of their life is one of the deepest human instincts , '' he said .
`` It 's a moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Done right it can help those left behind cope and it brings comfort to those who are dying . ''
New government guidelines for social care providers , published shortly after the briefing , say that care homes should still `` limit unnecessary visits '' but advises that `` visits at the end of life ... should continue '' .
It also outlines how ministers hope to get PPE to care providers most in need - including an emergency 24/7 helpline .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has made big play of the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dying family in care homes .
This was already allowed under guidance issued on 2 April , but many care homes have blocked visiting because of concern about spread of the virus , partly fuelled by a lack of protective equipment .
The same applies to hospitals .
It has meant many people with Covid-19 have died with no family or friends around them .
Just because a minister says it is allowed , it does not mean it will happen .
On the frontline , staff are under huge pressure and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been calling for more testing and PPE for weeks , amid outbreaks at more than 2,000 homes .
In Scotland , new figures suggest a quarter of deaths linked to coronavirus have occurred in care homes .
In England and Wales there were 217 deaths in care homes by 3 April .
That number is known to now be much higher .
Twenty-four residents have died after an outbreak at one care home in Staffordshire .
Earlier , the government promised to test care home residents and staff with Covid-19 symptoms as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference , Mr Hancock extended the promise on testing to include anyone moving from hospital into social care .
Previous guidance said only the first five residents with Covid-19 symptoms in each care home needed to be tested to confirm that an outbreak was taking place .
England 's care regulator , the Care Quality Commission , says it has started contacting care providers to book tests for staff who are self-isolating with coronavirus symptoms .
In response to Mr Hancock 's announcements , Labour 's shadow minister for social care Liz Kendall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see action and not just words '' .
She told BBC News there were sill questions over the government 's strategy - such as how those who test positive while in care can be isolated effectively .
And she called for `` rapid action '' to increase testing and to get more PPE to the front line .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health Mr Hancock also announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow care workers to `` proudly and publicly identify themselves '' during the pandemic - in a bid to boost public recognition of all those in caring roles .
And he said supermarkets have been asked to ensure social care workers are given the same priority access as NHS staff .
The badge Mr Hancock displayed was in fact launched by Care England , which represents care home providers , in 2019 .
Rehana Azam , national officer of the GMB union , said care workers `` need more than a badge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their precious role in society '' .
`` They need the protective equipment and testing on the front line now to protect their lives , '' she said .
Meanwhile , Mr Hancock said the restrictions on movement were `` starting to work '' but warned `` we will not lift these measures until it is safe to do so '' .
Ministers are required by law to assess whether the rules are working , based on expert advice , every three weeks - with the first assessment carried out by Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ McLean , said there was continuing evidence that the social distancing measures were having an impact on the rate of people testing positive for Covid-19 .
The numbers of coronavirus patients in hospital beds have also fallen , she said .
On Tuesday , the number fell by 1 % across the UK , and by 5 % in London .
`` We expected everywhere to be the same .
That is not exactly what we are seeing , '' she said .
She said the number of people in hospital in London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps because cases rose faster in the capital and then people responded to advice more quickly .
NHS bosses have told the BBC that hospitals should be able to cope with an expected peak in coronavirus cases .
• Globally , the number of cases has reached two million - with 600,000 in the US alone - according to Johns Hopkins University • US President Donald Trump has been heavily criticised for halting funding for the World Health Organization ( WHO ) • Germany has announced plans to slowly ease restrictions brought in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the age of 11 are returning to nurseries and schools in Denmark , which was among the first countries in Europe to impose a lockdown • A pregnant nurse , 28-year-old Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong , has died in hospital after contracting Covid-19 .
Her child was alive and well , the hospital said • Tom Moore , a 99-year-old military veteran , has raised more than £8m for the NHS after his fundraising page attracted the attention of thousands of people • And high street retailers Oasis and Warehouse have gone into administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the continuing economic crisis

"It's a moment that will be with you forever. Done right it can help those left behind cope and it brings comfort to those who are dying."


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Covid-19 diagnosed in 11-week-old baby

A mother has talked of the `` fear and panic '' she feels thinking her 11-week-old baby boy might die after testing positive for Covid-19 .
Ares Banister was diagnosed after being admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary on Monday with a high temperature .
His mother Jodie , from Leicester , said that before the positive test on Tuesday , Ares had a `` bad day '' but now `` seemed to have settled '' .
The hospital said it could not comment on individual cases .
Mrs Banister , 30 , said the family has been `` so careful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
`` So , we just thought , no way on earth it 'd be Covid , '' she explained .
`` Fear and panic .
I just sat there and cried .
It was horrendous .
The first thing you automatically think is that he 's going to die .
I was so scared . ''
Ares is currently still in hospital and Mrs Bannister added : `` Because there 's no treatment for Covid , they can only make him comfortable . ''
Mrs Banister , who hopes her other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , added : `` Me and the kids have n't left the house for weeks .
`` My husband is a key worker , but when he comes home from work he leaves his clothes at the door and in a separate wash bag .
`` We 've been wiping door handles and surfaces .
We 're in shock .
`` Our entire world has just been tipped upside down . ''
`` I feel very emotional and tired .
I 'm constantly watching him to check he 's still breathing . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules were `` selfish and should stay indoors '' .
She called on them to `` worry about people like my baby '' .
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"Fear and panic. I just sat there and cried. It was horrendous. The first thing you automatically think is that he's going to die. I was so scared."


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: More newly-hired staff will get paid

More than 200,000 more employees could now be furloughed following changes to the government scheme to help pay people 's wages .
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme , which covers 80 % of workers ' pay , will take applications from Monday from companies which have laid off workers .
Initially , it only supported those already employed on February 28 .
The cut-off date is now to 19 March .
However , many recently employed workers will still miss out .
Workers need to have been on the payroll by 19 March - the day before the scheme was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who were not put on the PAYE system until later in the month .
Employers would need to have notified HM Revenue and Customs that a new employee was on the payroll .
This is done through the Real Time Information ( RTI ) system which updates the tax authority when someone is paid .
So somebody paid late in March is unlikely to be covered by their current employer .
However , the Treasury wants to guard against businesses hiring `` ghost '' employees to fraudulently claim furlough payments .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign for them to be included in the furlough scheme by unions , opposition parties , and the workers themselves .
HMRC has promised to release wages for furloughed workers by the end of April .
The scheme currently runs until 1 June .
But there are fears firms could start to cut staff unless the government soon clarifies whether the scheme will be extended .
The Confederation of British Industry ( CBI ) said it is worried companies will be forced to start redundancy procedures this Saturday to comply with the minimum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolyn Fairbairn , said : `` We are very concerned that businesses will be forced into a position potentially of having to make people permanently redundant . ''
The Treasury said the scheme , which pays wages for March , April and May , could run for longer .
`` The scheme is open for an initial three months and we hope conditions will improve sufficiently during this period .
However , the Chancellor has been clear he will review extending it for longer if necessary , '' said a Treasury spokesperson .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the government before 18 April : `` What we are saying to government is that firms need to be able to plan .
`` These are massive decisions being taken on a day-to-day basis that affect people 's lives and livelihoods , and having that clarity of a 45-day notice period for business is absolutely vital . ''
HMRC chief executive Jim Harra told the BBC 's Today programme that the chancellor Rishi Sunak `` has been clear that if it needs to be extended then he will look to do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system through which companies can claim funding to pay their furloughed workers will be accessible from Monday .
He said he was `` confident '' employers will get the money in time to pay people by the end of the month .
`` Most employers run their payroll on the last banking day of the month which would be 30 April and there is time to get your claims in in time and to get money before then , '' he said .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on self-isolation and exercise • WILL I GET PAID IF I CA N'T WORK ?
Rules on sick pay and wages • STRESS : How to look after your mental health Some people who changed jobs around this time have found themselves without any income .
Felicity Williams , age 30 , handed in her notice at the Richmond-on-Thames estate agency where she worked on 27 February , with her last day set for 28 March .
`` Obviously between those two dates it became apparent that the coronavirus was going to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulties with me starting my new job on 1 April , '' she said .
Although government guidelines state that Ms Williams can go back to her previous employer and ask them to furlough her , she said the company is unwilling to help .
`` I 've been to them four times now and pleaded with them to re-employ me and put me on furlough , just so I 've got some sort of income coming in , and every time it has been a no , '' she said .
Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim universal credit because she lives with her boyfriend , who has savings and an income .
She said : `` I have my own bills , I have my own credit cards , my own loans that I need to pay off , and obviously I 've frozen them for the short term .
But it is not going to help me out in terms of paying rent and bills and food . ''
Mr Harra said : `` I think in all of these schemes designed to help the economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can be implemented very quickly and time , in some senses , has been the enemy of perfection .
`` But there are a whole range of schemes available to help businesses and people and I 'm confident that the vast majority of employees who have been furloughed will get help . ''

She said: "I have my own bills, I have my own credit cards, my own loans that I need to pay off, and obviously I've frozen them for the short term. But it is not going to help me out in terms of paying rent and bills and food."


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Captain Tom Moore's NHS fundraiser tops £10m

A 99-year-old war veteran who is walking 100 laps of his garden before he turns 100 has raised more than £10m for the NHS .
Tom Moore originally wanted to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by completing laps of his garden .
But he has now topped 10,000 times his initial target thanks to donations from nearly 500,000 people online .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock earlier thanked Mr Moore for his efforts and said he was `` an inspiration to us all '' .
Mr Moore began raising funds to thank the `` magnificent '' NHS staff who helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broken hip .
With the aid of a walking frame , he aimed to walk 100 laps of the 25-metre ( 82ft ) loop in his garden in Marston Moretaine , Bedfordshire , in 10-lap chunks , before his 100th birthday .
`` Every penny that we get , they [ the NHS ] deserve every one of it , '' he said , as the total exceeded the £5m mark earlier .
NHS Charities Together , which support health service charities and will benefit from the funds , said it was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 490,000 people from around the world have donated money to his fundraising page since it was set up last week .
Mr Moore , who is originally from Keighley in West Yorkshire , trained as a civil engineer before enlisting in the Army for World War Two , rising to captain and serving in India and Burma .
When the fund hit £5m earlier Mr Moore 's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore told the BBC the amount raised was `` beyond our wildest expectations '' .
At the government 's daily press conference the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you 're an inspiration to us all , and we thank you . ''
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The veteran said plans for his 100th birthday party in two weeks' time have been affected by the pandemic but that the national outpouring of love and support for him was "a party enough for me".


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus lockdown: Anti-social behaviour on rise but overall crime falls

Reports of anti-social behaviour have increased substantially during the coronavirus outbreak , police have said .
In the last four weeks , there were 178,000 incidents across England and Wales - a rise of 59 % on last year .
The National Police Chiefs ' Council , which published the figures , said the rise was likely linked to breaches of lockdown measures - with more than 3,200 fines issued in England .
Overall , crime fell 28 % - with rape and burglary allegations down 37 % .
The figures covered the four weeks to 12 April .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing ?
• Police told to be 'consistent ' on lockdown powers Martin Hewitt , chair of the NPCC , said it was not surprising that crime had dropped significantly given that pubs , bars and most shops were closed and people were staying at home .
Other figures showed that shoplifting plummeted by 54 % , with serious assaults , robbery and car crime all down by 27 % .
There were also reductions in 999 and 101 calls , as more people reported offences online .
However , the figures do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director-general of the National Crime Agency , warned that criminals were exploiting the crisis by trying to sell Covid-19 testing kits and protection equipment .
`` Fraudsters are playing on people 's fear , '' she said .
Ms Owens also said drug dealers were adapting their methods by wearing high-visibility jackets and posing as key workers and doing deals in supermarket car parks .
She said the NCA was `` very alive '' to the potential for rivalry between drug gangs because the wholesale and retail price of cocaine had risen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered about 14 kilos of cocaine hidden in a consignment of protective face masks which were being transported through the Channel Tunnel .
The driver , a 34-year-old man , was arrested .
Border Force regional director Ian Hanson said it was a `` despicable '' attempt to exploit the pandemic .
Deputy Chief Constable Sara Glenn , who is head of enforcement for the NPCC during the lockdown , said in the past week there had been an increase in serious violence , which could be linked to addicts finding it harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
• TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?
The NPCC said between 27 March and 13 April , police in England issued 3,203 fines , with a further 290 given to people in Wales over the bank holiday weekend .
More than 80 % of the penalty notices were imposed on men , while 39 were mistakenly issued to children - aged 16 and 17 - who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fines were rescinded .
Mr Hewitt said there was no evidence that the fines were being issued disproportionately to black and ethnic minority groups .
In total , 26 fines were imposed on people aged 65 to 100 .

Deputy Chief Constable Sara Glenn, who is head of enforcement for the NPCC during the lockdown, said in the past week there had been an increase in serious violence, which could be linked to addicts finding it harder to get drugs.


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Twenty-four deaths at Staffordshire care home

Twenty-four residents have died at a care home during the coronavirus pandemic .
Eight people who died at Bradwell Hall Nursing Home in Newcastle-under-Lyme - the largest care home in Staffordshire - tested positive for Covid-19 .
Others died after suffering `` pneumonia-like symptoms '' but were not tested .
There are a further 10 elderly residents and one member of staff who are self-isolating after testing positive for the disease .
Edward Twigge , owner of the home , said the past three weeks have been `` truly heart-breaking for everyone involved '' .
The first case was reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents , on 23 March .
It has since been working with Staffordshire County Council , Public Health England ( PHE ) and the NHS during and has been closed to new admissions for more than three weeks .
The home implemented cleansing , self-shielding and self-isolation measures on PHE 's advice once symptoms developed in residents and care workers , said Dr Nic Coetzee from PHE West Midlands .
Of the 414 members of staff , 100 were self-isolating once the first cases were discovered .
The remaining staff are having their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work .
Over the same time period last year , there were five deaths at the home .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health Dr Richard Harling , the council 's director of health and care , said : `` Our thoughts are of course with all those who have lost a loved one , but I would also thank the home , the families and staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and care for these residents in these very difficult times . ''
Mr Twigge said : `` We look after some of the most frail and elderly people and it is always upsetting when someone passes away .
`` However , the last three weeks have been truly heart-breaking for everyone involved with the home .
Our thoughts are still very much with the families of the lovely residents we have sadly lost .
`` I would also like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful staff for their hard work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Thanking people for their support , Mr Twigge added there were clearly still `` a difficult few days and weeks to get through '' .
The government has said all care home residents and staff with Covid-19 symptoms will be tested for coronavirus as laboratory capacity increases .
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Dr Richard Harling, the council's director of health and care, said: "Our thoughts are of course with all those who have lost a loved one, but I would also thank the home, the families and staff for doing everything they can to support and care for these residents in these very difficult times."


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Cocaine haul in boxes of face masks seized

Smugglers hid cocaine worth more than £1m in a consignment of protective face masks , Border Force officials said .
Officers found the 14kg haul in a Polish-registered van as it attempted to enter the UK through the Channel Tunnel .
The driver , a 34-year-old Polish national , has been arrested .
Ian Hanson , Border Force regional director , said it was `` despicable '' to think drug smugglers would try to exploit the coronavirus situation .
The face masks have been held pending checks by regulators , while the driver is being questioned in custody , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Crime Agency ( NCA ) Dover branch , said : `` This seizure is further evidence of the way criminal networks are attempting to exploit the coronavirus outbreak to their own ends , covering this load of drugs with what would seem like vital protective equipment . ''
Border Force said the van was stopped at the Channel Tunnel terminal at Coquelles , France , on Tuesday .
Officers who searched the van found 15 wrapped packages of the Class A drug .
The contents of some of the packages were tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force said the investigation had been passed to the NCA .

Darren Herbert, from the National Crime Agency (NCA) Dover branch, said: "This seizure is further evidence of the way criminal networks are attempting to exploit the coronavirus outbreak to their own ends, covering this load of drugs with what would seem like vital protective equipment."


bbcuk--2020-04-15--EU trade talks aim for 'tangible progress' by June

The UK and and EU negotiators have agreed to stage three further rounds of talks on a post-Brexit trade deal .
David Frost , the UK 's chief negotiator , and the European Commission 's chief negotiator , Michel Barnier , discussed progress via video conference .
The new timetable was confirmed in a joint statement , which described the talks as `` constructive '' .
Downing Street has consistently said it is committed to agreeing a deal by December 2020 .
The dates have been set for three full weeks of talks commencing on 20 April , 11 May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks were cancelled last month because of the coronavirus outbreak - and Mr Frost and Mr Barnier both spent a period in self-isolation due to the virus .
• Trade talks : What do the UK and EU want ?
• UK-EU trade talks will be tricky from the outset • What happens after Brexit ?
During Wednesday 's meeting , the negotiating teams evaluated work that has taken place since both sides exchanged legal text in March .
The joint statement said that , while the work had helped to `` identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , there was agreement that further negotiating rounds were needed `` in order to make real , tangible progress in the negotiations by June '' .
Mr Frost and Mr Barnier also discussed the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement .
Under the terms of the agreement with the EU , the UK has until the end of the year - during which it will continue to follow most Brussels rules - to reach a deal .
It was also agreed that specialised committees on Northern Ireland and on citizens ' rights would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the government wanted to see future relationship talks with the EU concluded by the end of this year .
He said : `` I 'm confident that that work can continue and hopefully reach a satisfactory conclusion , but we remain committed to the timeline that we set out . ''

The joint statement said that, while the work had helped to "identify all major areas of divergence and convergence", there was agreement that further negotiating rounds were needed "in order to make real, tangible progress in the negotiations by June".


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: NI lockdown extended for three more weeks

Northern Ireland 's coronavirus lockdown is to be extended until 9 May , Arlene Foster has said .
The first minister said the executive had taken its decision after a lengthy meeting on Wednesday .
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said now was the time to `` dig in , to stay strong and save lives '' .
The announcement came as six more people diagnosed with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland died in hospital in the past 24 hours .
It brings the number of hospital deaths in NI to 140 .
Since Tuesday , there have been 121 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases in Northern Ireland is 2,088 , with 13,672 individuals tested .
The first minister said as Northern Ireland remained in the first wave of the virus , it was important to do `` everything we can to reduce the peak '' .
It is understood the executive 's decision on whether to continue the lockdown beyond the next three weeks will be reviewed by 9 May , based on the data .
According to the government 's coronavirus legislation , the need for restrictions must be reviewed at least once every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be carried out by 16 April .
Ms O'Neill said she understood the measures were `` severe '' but that the public was only being asked to comply with them to save lives .
`` Our biggest danger in this period is complacency .
The measures are showing positive results but if we relax our behaviour , we will be in danger , '' said the deputy first minister .
She added that as soon as the first wave of the virus is deemed to have passed , the executive would review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Northern Ireland was `` still in the surge period '' .
Scotland and Wales have both said their lockdowns are set to be extended , while First Secretary of State Dominic Raab said the UK government did not expect to make any changes this week .
The Republic of Ireland has already extended its lockdown until 5 May .
New figures released on Wednesday evening showed another 38 people have died there , bringing the total to 444 .
Another 1,068 cases have been confirmed .
From Friday , figures for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be released .
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( Nisra ) said that , where possible , its weekly report would also state if the deaths took place in care homes .
• How coronavirus has spread across Northern Ireland Earlier , Health Minister Robin Swann said the Covid-19 modelling group 's work indicated the impact of the virus may now be `` less severe in the first wave than we had feared '' , He told the Northern Ireland Assembly that while the majority of people in Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , modelling was by no means a certainty of what would happen next with the virus and he warned against complacency .
Modelling had suggested there could be 3,000 deaths in the first wave in Northern Ireland .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health • The Northern Ireland economy is enduring its `` fastest and deepest '' decline ever , Ulster Bank 's chief economist has said • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have expressed an interest in the Department of Health 's NHS workforce appeal • Increased testing is needed to provide clarity and better understanding of how coronavirus is affecting life in Northern Ireland , the coroner has said • A phased lifting of lockdown restrictions on the island of Ireland is possible in the `` near future '' - but only when better Covid-19 detection measures are introduced , according to a medical expert

He told the Northern Ireland Assembly that while the majority of people in Northern Ireland were continuing to follow social distancing measures, modelling was by no means a certainty of what would happen next with the virus and he warned against complacency.


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Pregnant nurse dies but baby 'well' after delivery

The baby of a `` highly valued and loved '' nurse has been delivered successfully after she died from Covid-19 .
Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong , 28 , had worked for five years at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital , where she died on Sunday .
A hospital trust spokeswoman said the nurse 's `` child was doing very well '' but could give no further information .
Ms Agyapong was admitted to hospital on 7 April , having tested positive for Covid-19 two days previously .
David Carter , chief executive of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great example of what we stand for in this trust '' .
`` Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mary 's family and friends at this sad time , '' he said .
Ms Agyapong 's husband is currently self-isolating and has been tested for Covid-19 .
Colleagues have paid tribute to Ms Agyapong , who also went by her married name Mary Boateng , on a fundraising page set up to support her family .
The page has already raised almost £4,500 since it was set up on Wednesday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` devoted her life to the NHS as a nurse '' .
Renai Mcinerney wrote : `` Sister Mary was my colleague , I worked alongside her for a few years .
`` She deserves her family to be looked after , after she devoted her life to the NHS as a nurse .
`` It 's time to look out/after our own and return the selflessness persona Mary carried and give something so small , but so big to her family in this time of need .
RIP sister Mary ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mary 's family and friends for her loss . ''
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"It's time to look out/after our own and return the selflessness persona Mary carried and give something so small, but so big to her family in this time of need. RIP sister Mary!"


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Police chief Ian Hopkins angered by speeding drivers

A motorist was caught driving at 81mph in a 30mph zone having taken advantage of the quiet roads during the coronavirus lockdown .
Ian Hopkins , chief constable of Greater Manchester , revealed the case , saying some drivers use roads as race tracks .
In the first week of April , 1,145 motorists were caught speeding , with 264 charges brought on motorways .
Up to four in 10 drivers broke the limit with one caught at 129mph on the M62 , Mr Hopkins said .
Accompanied by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham , Mr Hopkins told a press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers break the speed limit in the region .
Mr Hopkins said the force would be `` really stepping up enforcement '' including putting `` speed camera vans back out on the roads '' .
Compliance with the lockdown rules has generally been good , he said , with numbers of private car journeys similar to traffic levels in the 1950s .
`` Unfortunately , [ some ] people using our roads are now treating them as a race track , '' he said .
`` It 's not acceptable ... it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will be doing much more enforcement . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health Mr Hopkins said his force received more than 1,000 reports of breaches of the coronavirus lockdown over the Easter weekend but more officers were now back on duty and they would target repeat offenders .
Around 2,000 GMP officers and staff have been off work - up to 21 % of the workforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was down to 9 % , thanks to more coronavirus testing , with others coming out of self-isolation and some staff working from home .

Mr Hopkins said his force received more than 1,000 reports of breaches of the coronavirus lockdown over the Easter weekend but more officers were now back on duty and they would target repeat offenders.


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Eastern Europeans to be flown in to pick fruit and veg

Eastern European farm workers are being flown to the UK on charter flights to pick fruit and vegetable crops .
Air Charter Service has told the BBC that the first flight will land on Thursday in Stansted carrying 150 Romanian farm workers .
The firm told the BBC that the plane is the first of up to six set to operate between mid-April and the end of June .
Government department Defra said it was encouraging people across the UK `` to help bring the harvest in '' .
British farmers recently warned that crops could be left to rot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of seasonal workers from Eastern Europe .
Travel restrictions due to the coronavirus lockdown have meant most workers have stayed at home .
Several UK growers have launched a recruitment drive , calling for local workers to join the harvest to prevent millions of tonnes of fruit and vegetables going to waste .
However concerns remain that they wo n't be able to fulfil the demand on farms .
One of the UK 's biggest fresh food producers , G 's Fresh , based in Cambridgeshire , confirmed it chartered two out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers from Romania .
Derek Wilkinson , managing director of G 's Fresh 's Sandfield Farms division , told the BBC that the 150 workers arriving at Stansted from eastern Romania on Thursday will be taken by bus to farms in East Anglia to pick lettuce .
The firm has been working closely with Public Health England around safe transport arrangements and the group will be fully screened on arrival in the UK .
Anyone found to have a temperature will be quarantined .
Mr Wilkinson said his business needs 3,000 seasonal workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the spring onion harvest , followed by the pea and bean crop in June .
He added that the company has had a good response to a recruitment campaign aimed at local workers .
So far 500 British people have registered their interest .
The Air Charter Service , a private firm , has already arranged flights for seasonal workers in other countries .
It flew 1,000 farm workers to Germany from Bulgaria and Romania in recent weeks .
The workers will board in Iasi , eastern Romania , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a health questionnaire .
The BBC understands that they will be taken from the airport by minibuses to farms in the south east and the Midlands .
The National Farmers ' Union ( NFU ) said they need up to 70,000 fruit and vegetable pickers and are calling for a modern-day `` land army '' of UK workers .
NFU vice president Tom Bradshaw told the BBC : `` Growers that rely on seasonal workers to grow , pick and pack our fresh fruit , veg and flowers are extremely concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to recruit this critical workforce this season . ''
`` In the meantime , I would encourage anyone who is interested in helping pick for Britain this summer to contact one of the approved agricultural recruiters . ''
A national campaign is appealing to students and those who have lost their jobs in bars , cafes and shops to help with the harvest .
Several schemes have been set up to recruit new workers .
They include one by the charity Concordia , which typically helps young people arrange experiences abroad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Summer Fruit and British Apples and Pears .
Data released to the BBC last week by job search engines suggested that those efforts might be paying off .
Totaljobs said it had seen 50,000 searches for farming jobs in one week alone .
It added that searches for terms such as `` fruit picker '' or `` farm worker '' had surged by 338 % and 107 % respectively .
Indeed.co.uk said that there had been a huge spike in interest for fruit picker jobs in particular .
Between 18 March and 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 6,000 % in searches for these roles on its website .
Meanwhile , Monster said the number of UK users searching for `` farm '' or `` farm worker '' jobs had nearly tripled .
The Department for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs ( Defra ) said it was `` working hard with industry to ensure farmers and growers have the support they need '' for harvesting produce .
`` We are encouraging as many people as possible to take part in seasonal working opportunities across the country to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts by industry are well underway , '' a Defra spokesperson said .
The government is not involved in chartering flights of European workers to the UK .

The workers will board in Iasi, eastern Romania, after having their temperatures taken and filling out a health questionnaire. The BBC understands that they will be taken from the airport by minibuses to farms in the South East and the Midlands.


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: 'You clap for me' film celebrates ethnic minority workers

A film which celebrates black , Asian and ethnic minority key workers helping to tackle the coronavirus pandemic has gone viral with millions of views .
Its director Darren Smith says coronavirus has brought about a sense of solidarity within society .
He hopes the film will encourage people to `` continue to be open , inclusive and tolerant '' once the pandemic is over .
The film - called You Clap For Me Now - features a range of workers from ethnic minority backgrounds reading out lines of a poem .
It includes the verse : `` Do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not here , you know how it feels for home to be a prison , you know how it feels to live in fear .
`` So you clap for me now , all this love you are bringing .
But do n't forget when it 's no longer quiet , do n't forget when you can no longer hear the birds singing . ''
Darren says he wanted to use some of the `` hateful language '' some communities have faced in the poem and also highlight that coronavirus is the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , we will all emerge from this , and we 'll kind of go blinking into the sunlight , '' he told the BBC .
`` I think there 'll be a lot of challenges , but I think the sense of community and solidarity with people will be there .
`` The big thing I 'd want people to take from the film is that we should continue to be open and inclusive and tolerant .
`` And we praise the people who do a really hard job to look after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and our loved ones . ''
Darren thinks Brexit and the government 's `` hostile environment '' policy brought about divisions in society over the last few years .
But the coronavirus pandemic has seen a `` positive shift '' towards people becoming much more welcoming of black and ethnic minority workers , he says .
Darren shared the poem with his colleague Sachini Imbuldeniya - who produced the video and came up with the idea to make it into a shareable film .
She contacted key workers and celebrities about taking part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the poem from their lockdown .
Dr Zoe Williams , who features on ITV 's This Morning , agreed to be involved after reading the poem .
She is training to go and work at the Nightingale Hospital in London , which has been set up to treat coronavirus patients - and will be sharing her experience on Instagram .
`` The poem gave me goosebumps , '' she told the BBC .
`` It 's really positive but at the same time it 's a direct message reminding us of some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism that 's been in the NHS for so long . ''
She says she knows of NHS colleagues who have faced racism from patients and even she once had a someone say they did n't want to be treated by her because she is not white .
`` The poem is a stark reminder , perhaps , to those who have been guilty of racism in the past , '' she says .
`` But mostly it 's a really positive message - look at how now we are valuing people by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their willingness to put themselves at risk in order to serve others .
`` That 's how we 're valuing people rather than valuing them based on the colour of their skin , or where they were born or how much money they have . ''
Comedian Tez Ilyas also appears in the film and shared it on Twitter , where it started trending with 47,000 likes and 23,000 retweets .
Darren says the response to the film has mostly been positive and they owe Tez a `` curry and a drink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is over .
`` I do n't feel responsible for it at all , '' he says .
`` It 's sort of an alien thing happening somewhere outside of me .
It 's like an out of body experience , really , but , but I 'm really pleased because the message is a powerful one .
And it 's a testament to everyone who contributed .
`` The positive reaction is a sign that it does strike hope .
People are becoming more open and tolerant of each other 's different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Darren says that while everyone might not see the video in a positive way , the film wanted to shine a spotlight on a `` subject that was being ignored '' .
He said he wanted to shine a light on the difference in the situation in recent years , and now .
`` Two years ago , the idea that people will come out of their doorsteps and clap for some of the ethnic minority communities in Britain , who would still be doing the same job they were doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been kind of impossible to imagine in a world of Brexit , '' he says .
`` It feels right to us to say 'that 's the difference now ' , it 's a positive difference and we celebrate that .
But let 's just make sure we keep it going and do n't forget it . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health

"I don't feel responsible for it at all," he says. "It's sort of an alien thing happening somewhere outside of me. It's like an out of body experience, really, but, but I'm really pleased because the message is a powerful one. And it's a testament to everyone who contributed.


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Shop workers should be trained to help abuse victims

Supermarket workers should be trained to identify and help domestic abuse victims during the pandemic through a code word system , MPs have been told .
Dame Vera Baird , Victims Commissioner for England and Wales , said a scheme based on the Ask for Angela campaign to combat sexual violence was badly needed to help people during the lockdown .
Going shopping was one of few `` channels of escape '' for victims , she said .
Calls to domestic abuse help lines have increased in the past three weeks .
The government has set aside an extra £2m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Home Office has launched an initiative called 'You Are Not Alone ' to help those experiencing domestic abuse .
Speaking at the government 's daily coronavirus briefing , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said those at risk would get the `` right support '' , adding `` there are so many costs to this awful epidemic and this is sadly one of them '' .
Earlier , Dame Vera told MPs on the Home Affairs Committee that the pandemic posed a unique challenge in terms of identifying and protecting vulnerable women and men .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK She said there was evidence of a marked increase in killings of women by men , including by current or previous partners , since strict restrictions on people 's movements were imposed on 23 March .
She said there had been , on average , five such deaths a week since then , much higher than the average of two a week over the equivalent period in previous years .
She said the figures - which were based on research by the Counting Dead Women project - showed the `` scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said they have not , as yet , seen a spike in domestic violence crimes since the virus struck , while overall crime reported to police in England and Wales has dropped by around 20 % in recent weeks .
Charities believe that perpetrators will use the lockdown to further isolate their victims and stop them getting help .
But Dame Vera said supermarkets and pharmacies could be asked to play a role in helping those `` locked '' in their homes and only making occasional forays .
`` You may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that you are still being sent out to buy the food , '' she said .
She said if a victim was able to visit a supermarket she or he could use an agreed code word to discreetly ask for help , enabling a member of staff to alert either the police or a woman 's refuge .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health A similar system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in England in 2016 , with anyone who feared they were in danger of being a victim of a sexual assault being encouraged to ask for 'Angela ' as a sign they needed help .
Dame Vera urged ministers to talk to retailers about such a system , which she said was recently introduced in France .
While many victims would not feel able to speak directly to a stranger , she said checkout staff and other workers would be able to respond quickly if they were prompted with a code word .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are locked in their homes and this is one channel of escape , '' she added .
Dame Vera also warned that women 's refuges were largely full up and she appealed to ministers to do more to persuade hotel chains and universities to offer accommodation where available .
Also appearing before MPs , the Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs said domestic violence and Covid-19 were a `` deadly combination '' and victims should be given more time to report abuse to the police .
Labour 's Yvette Cooper , who chairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government 's effort to save lives by restricting movement , she said the reality was that many women were `` not safe '' in their homes .
Campaigners welcomed last week 's promise by government of £750m in emergency financial support for charities but said they were worried about how it would be `` fairly '' allocated .
Baljit Banga , executive director of Imkaan , said many BAME organisations were not part of the current system of support administered by local authorities or police and crime commissioners .
`` If it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not get to BAME organisations .
There are real concerns . ''
For information and support on domestic abuse , contact : • Police : 999 press 55 when prompted if you ca n't speak Online webchats and text services are also available .

A similar system was introduced in bars and other venues in England in 2016, with anyone who feared they were in danger of being a victim of a sexual assault being encouraged to ask for 'Angela' as a sign they needed help.


bbcuk--2020-04-14--The woman who discovered the first coronavirus

The woman who discovered the first human coronavirus was the daughter of a Scottish bus driver , who left school at 16 .
June Almeida went on to become a pioneer of virus imaging , whose work has come roaring back into focus during the present pandemic .
Covid-19 is a new illness but it is caused by a coronavirus of the type first identified by Dr Almeida in 1964 at her laboratory in St Thomas 's Hospital in London .
The virologist was born June Hart in 1930 and grew up in a tenement near Alexandra Park in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school with little formal education but got a job as a laboratory technician in histopathology at Glasgow Royal Infirmary .
Later she moved to London to further her career and in 1954 married Enriques Almeida , a Venezuelan artist .
The couple and their young daughter moved to Toronto in Canada and , according to medical writer George Winter , it was at the Ontario Cancer Institute that Dr Almeida developed her outstanding skills with an electron microscope .
She pioneered a method which better visualised viruses by using antibodies to aggregate them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radio Scotland her talents were recognised in the UK and she was lured back in 1964 to work at St Thomas 's Hospital Medical School in London , the same hospital that treated Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he was suffering from the Covid-19 virus .
On her return , she began to collaborate with Dr David Tyrrell , who was running research at the common cold unit in Salisbury in Wiltshire .
Mr Winter says Dr Tyrrell had been studying nasal washings from volunteers and his team had found that they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold-associated viruses but not all of them .
One sample in particular , which became known as B814 , was from the nasal washings of a pupil at a boarding school in Surrey in 1960 .
They found that they were able to transmit common cold symptoms to volunteers but they were unable to grow it in routine cell culture .
However , volunteer studies demonstrated its growth in organ cultures and Dr Tyrrell wondered if it could be seen by an electron microscope .
They sent samples to June Almeida who saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which she described as like influenza viruses but not exactly the same .
She identified what became known as the first human coronavirus .
Mr Winter says that Dr Almeida had actually seen particles like this before while investigating mouse hepatitis and infectious bronchitis of chickens .
However , he says her paper to a peer-reviewed journal was rejected `` because the referees said the images she produced were just bad pictures of influenza virus particles '' .
The new discovery from strain B814 was written up in the British Medical Journal in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had seen were published in the Journal of General Virology two years later .
According to Mr Winter , it was Dr Tyrrell and Dr Almeida , along with Prof Tony Waterson , the man in charge at St Thomas 's , who named it coronavirus because of the crown or halo surrounding it on the viral image .
Dr Almeida later worked at the Postgraduate Medical School in London , where she was awarded a doctorate .
She finished her career at the Wellcome Institute , where she was named on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viruses .
After leaving Wellcome , Dr Almeida become a yoga teacher but went back into virology in an advisory role in the late 1980s when she helped take novel pictures of the HIV virus .
June Almeida died in 2007 , at the age of 77 .
Now 13 years after her death she is finally getting recognition she deserves as a pioneer whose work speeded up understanding of the virus that is currently spreading throughout the world .

The new discovery from strain B814 was written up in the British Medical Journal in 1965 and the first photographs of what she had seen were published in the Journal of General Virology two years later.


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: How big is the problem in care homes?

The government has promised to step up testing for coronavirus in care homes where symptoms of the virus have been found .
But is it possible to get accurate figures about the scale of the problem ?
How many deaths have there been in care homes ?
This is difficult to calculate - there are more than 15,000 care homes in England , compared with about 200 hospitals .
Two of the UK 's largest care home companies have provided the most up-to-date picture of what is happening in residential and nursing homes .
On Monday , HC-One , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 311 deaths linked to Covid-19 , with outbreaks in two-thirds of its homes .
The Methodist Homes Association reported 210 deaths in its 131 homes .
Outbreaks occurred in about half of those homes .
There is a two-week time lag in the data collected for official statistics .
The most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics are for the week ending 3 April .
At that point , there had been 217 Covid-19-related deaths in care homes in England and Wales .
This means that about 5.3 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred in care homes - a high proportion , considering they house less than 1 % of the country 's population .
The time delay in these statistics has led some politicians to call for efforts to be made to provide daily figures , as with hospital deaths .
In Scotland , nearly a quarter of the 962 coronavirus deaths recorded up to 12 April were in care homes .
England 's care home regulator , the Care Quality Commission ( CQC ) , already has to be notified when there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week it will also ask care providers to give daily updates on deaths and the number of confirmed and suspected coronavirus cases .
How many people live in care homes ?
Most care homes in the UK are privately run , and there is no official data on the exact number of residents .
The CQC says there are 15,517 residential and nursing homes providing support for older and disabled people in England , with an estimated 457,361 beds available .
Occupancy rates seem to be about 90 % which would suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care homes in England and Wales .
At the 2011 census , 60 % of the elderly care home population were 85 or older - but this is now likely to be higher , given the ageing population .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• STRESS : How to protect your mental health How many people receive care in their own homes ?
Each week in the UK , it is estimated that 540,000 people receive support in their own home .
That adds up to a million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's provided on these visits can range from help going to the toilet , to preparing a meal or support with medication .
Care workers can at times see up to 20 clients during a day .
This has raised concerns about the danger of spreading coronavirus if the workers do not have enough personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
How much PPE do social care staff have ?
The government 's advice to care homes on personal protective equipment ( PPE ) is almost identical to that given to hospital workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , aprons and face masks .
Care providers have been saying for some weeks that it is difficult to get enough of these items to keep their staff and clients safe .
The government says it has already delivered seven million items of PPE , meaning every registered care home should have received 300 face masks each .
From 6 April , 34 million items of PPE have been scheduled to be distributed to care homes via local authorities ( although some equipment is earmarked for other key services ) .
These items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks and 20 million pairs of gloves .
The government has also released £1.6bn of funding to local authorities - which are in charge of providing social care - with instructions that most of this should reach the adult social-care sector .
How many tests are being carried out in care homes ?
There is no current breakdown , but the government has now announced that as laboratory capacity increases , all care home residents who develop symptoms will be tested .
So far , only the first five residents in a care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested to confirm whether there is an outbreak within a home .
Patients returning to care homes from hospitals will also be tested for Covid-19 , even if they have no symptoms .
Testing was made available to social-care staff just before Easter .
To date , the government has tested 1,000 care staff and is due to test a further 1,000 who are currently self-isolating .
The government has said as capacity increases it will roll this out so that every care worker who needs a test can get one .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough staff because of its reputation for low pay and a lack of recognition - it 's estimated that there are currently 122,000 full-time equivalent vacancies in England .
Those problems have been made more acute with staff having to self-isolate if they or a member of their family have shown potential symptoms .
Some care providers have reported having at least a quarter of their staff off as a result .
The government says it aims to recruit 20,000 extra social care staff over the next three months .

Coronavirus deaths: How big is the epidemic in care homes? Published 15 May 2020
Image source, Alamy
About a quarter of known coronavirus deaths in Great Britain have happened in care homes, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying he "bitterly regrets" the epidemic and that the government is "working very hard" to tackle it.
How many deaths have there been in care homes?
Up to 1 May, there had been 8,312 deaths in care homes in England and Wales where coronavirus was written on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This represents a quarter of all deaths associated with the virus to that date.
The number increases to 12,526 when care home residents who died outside care homes - such as in hospital - are included.
In Scotland, 1,438 people had died in care homes - or 45% of all deaths.
Northern Ireland currently does not produce similar breakdowns.
The ONS statistics provide the most detailed breakdown of deaths in England and Wales, but because of the challenge of collecting accurate data from 15,000 care homes, they are on a two-week lag.
However, care homes have been hit by an alarming increase in "excess deaths".
These are the number of deaths above the average for the same period in the preceding five years.
While on average April sees about 8,400 deaths in care homes - this year there have been 26,563 deaths in England and Wales, so about 18,000 more than expected.
With only 8,000 of these attributed to coronavirus on death certificates, questions have been raised about what has contributed to the other 10,000 deaths.
Why has coronavirus hit care homes so hard?
According to health guidance, care homes are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of disease for three main reasons:
Infections are able to spread quickly because of close contact between residents
Carers can unintentionally spread the infection where there isn't appropriate protection
Residents are often elderly and have other underlying diseases
More than one in three deaths from coronavirus in Great Britain have been people aged over 85, despite representing just over 2% of the population.
At least 60% of the elderly care home population is aged 85 and over.
What is the problem with PPE?
The government's advice to care homes on personal protective equipment (PPE) is almost identical to that given to hospital workers - they should have single-use disposable gloves, aprons and face masks.
For weeks, care providers have been saying that it is difficult to get enough of these items to keep their staff and clients safe.
The government has said 131 social care staff have died from coronavirus. Separately, the ONS has estimated that care staff are twice as likely to die as healthcare workers.
More than 1.2 billion pieces of PPE have been delivered to health and care settings in England, according to the government.
The government has also released £3.6bn of funding to local authorities - which are in charge of providing social care - with instructions that most of this should reach the adult social care sector.
However, the Local Government Association has warned that with less income available from business rates and parking charges, the funding might not be enough to cover additional costs to tackle the virus.
Getty How many work in care? Numbers for England, 2018 1.2mAdult social care workers giving direct care 465,000 in care and nursing homes
610,000 provide care at people's homes
150,000provide day and community care Source: Skills for Care
How many tests are being carried out in care homes?
There is no regular breakdown, but the government has now announced that as laboratory capacity increases, all care home residents who develop symptoms will be tested.
Patients returning to care homes from hospitals are also meant to be tested for Covid-19, even if they have no symptoms.
The government says all elderly care home staff and residents will have been offered tests by 6 June.
Are staff being tested?
Testing was made available to care staff on 15 April.
The care sector has always struggled to recruit enough staff because of its reputation for low pay and a lack of recognition - it's estimated that there are currently 122,000 full-time equivalent vacancies in England.
Those problems have been made more acute with staff having to self-isolate if they or a member of their family has shown potential coronavirus symptoms.
To prevent the virus spreading between care homes, the government has requested that staff do not work in more than one care home.
But many care staff are on zero-hours contracts or work for agencies, meaning they go wherever there is demand for carers.
The government said on 15 April it aimed to recruit 20,000 extra social care staff over three months.
How many people live in care homes?
Most care homes in the UK are privately run, and there is no official data on the exact number of residents.
The CQC says there are 15,517 residential and nursing homes providing support for older and disabled people in England, with an estimated 457,361 beds available.
Occupancy rates seem to be about 90% which would suggest there are about 411,000 people living in care homes in England and Wales.
How many people receive care in their own homes?
Each week in the UK, it is estimated that 540,000 people receive support in their own home. That adds up to a million home-care visits each day.
What's provided on these visits can range from help going to the toilet, to preparing a meal or support with medication.


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: 'Too many homeless still sleeping rough'

There are still “ far too many ” homeless people on the streets unable to follow government guidance on coronavirus , charities have warned .
The government said last month it wanted to see all rough sleepers housed within a weekend .
In London , more than 1,000 rough sleepers have been put up in hotels but it is estimated there are still about 900 on streets or in shared facilities .
Homeless charities have warned against “ any degree of complacency ” .
According to the most recent government figures there were 4,266 rough sleepers in England in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real figure could be more than five times higher .
The government said on Wednesday offers of safe accommodation had been made to 90 % of rough sleepers .
But when asked how many rough sleepers have been housed and when , the Ministry of Housing , Communities and Local Government ( MHCLG ) declined to comment .
Rough sleepers are especially vulnerable during the current pandemic , as they are three times more likely to experience a chronic health condition and are unable to self-isolate or follow sanitation guidance , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's director of policy and external affairs , said the work to help rough sleepers was “ by no means done ” .
“ We mustn ’ t congratulate ourselves and show any degree of complacency , because the rough sleepers who are still out there are in absolutely desperate situations , ” he said .
Jon Glackin , founder of Streets Kitchen , said there had been `` some brilliant work by local authorities in this crisis but it ’ s no time for patting ourselves on the back yet [ as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still on the streets needing help ” .
He added that `` it doesn ’ t feel that 90 % of homeless people have disappeared from the streets '' , while `` the government ’ s estimate of how many rough sleepers there are might not be right either '' .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health The 1,000 rough sleepers in the capital who have been put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a £10.55m joint initiative by London mayor Sadiq Khan , MHCLG and charities .
Homeless people with Covid-19 symptoms would be referred to a specialist care facility in an east London hotel , the mayor 's office said .
According to estimates by City Hall , there are still about 900 sleeping rough or in shared homeless facilities , although many of those may be helped by local schemes outside its control .
The Local Government Association has called for councils to be given more financial support by the government .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards helping councils respond to coronavirus .

Jon Glackin, founder of Streets Kitchen, said there had been "some brilliant work by local authorities in this crisis but it’s no time for patting ourselves on the back yet [as] there are far too many people still on the streets needing help”.


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: IVF treatment delays 'soul destroying'

A woman whose fertility treatment has been hit by the coronavirus outbreak has described it as `` soul destroying '' .
Amanda Faulkiner-Farrow , 38 , from Bethel , Gwynedd , was due to have a round of treatment in June .
Non-urgent outpatient appointments and surgical procedures were suspended by the Welsh Government in March to help the health service tackle coronavirus .
Stacey Matthews , 38 , who has also been trying for a baby , said she was `` struggling '' due to the delays .
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority ( HFEA ) which regulates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be completed by 15 April .
The Welsh Government said that a plan was in `` place to stop all non-urgent and planned treatments '' by Wednesday , but added that `` as the situation progresses this position will remain under frequent review '' .
Mrs Faulkiner-Farrow and her husband James had their first round of ICSI , a form of fertility treatment , in January 2019 .
It was successful and she became pregnant with twins , but lost them early in the pregnancy .
`` It was devastating , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a real crier but when you see tears in his eyes , you see the pain and you just think : what have I done wrong ? ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • WHAT WE DO N'T KNOW How to understand the death toll • TESTING : Can I get tested for coronavirus ?
Mrs Faulkiner-Farrow said she sought a second round of treatment last September but was told she would have to wait until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding .
Her second and final round on the NHS was due to take place in June which she saw as her `` last chance '' .
`` There 's a lot of women out there like me , on a clock , and we did n't leave it last minute because we wanted a career , it was just the way love and life and circumstances fell , '' she said .
`` It 's just something that I want so bad and my husband wants so bad .
`` And then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of the day , age is not on our side . ''
Mrs Faulkiner-Farrow , who has a 13-year-old son , Tristan , from a previous marriage , said the situation was impacting her whole family .
`` Tristan 's on this journey a little bit so it does n't just affect myself or my husband , you 're talking about the grandparents who are looking for grandchildren , friends who 've been there for us , it 's a bigger journey , '' she said .
Mrs Faulkiner-Farrow said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is concerned about how long it will take for treatments to start again .
In a post on its website , the HFEA said it would do all it could to `` lift this restriction as soon as possible but we can not give a date when this will happen given the current situation with the Covid-19 pandemic '' .
`` This is the only responsible course of action for the fertility sector and patients at this tough time , '' it said .
Treatment in fertility clinics may now only continue in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman wants to freeze her eggs before undergoing chemotherapy .
Alice Matthews , who is the Wales co-ordinator for Fertility Network UK , said the support organisation had seen a `` surge '' in calls and emails over the past few weeks .
She said : `` People are going to be feeling extremely anxious , like they 've got absolutely no control over their lives , like they 're in limbo , like their lives are literally on hold and there 's very little that anybody can do . ''
She added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fertility treatment will remain in the same position and that `` nobody 's going to lose their place '' when treatments restart .
Also concerned about the waiting is 38-year-old Stacey Matthews , from Beddau , Rhondda Cynon Taf .
She and her husband , Richard , have been trying for a baby for seven years .
They had two rounds of ICSI on the NHS and have since self-funded a further round .
They were hoping to undergo a fourth round in July but a planned surgery to remove a fibroid in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , throwing doubt over when they can proceed .
`` Everything 's just on hold at the moment , '' she said .
`` I am struggling and I 'm grieving in a way as well because our hopes of having a child have now been extended even longer .
`` And we just do n't know when we 're going to be able to do it . ''
After Mrs Matthews ' husband was furloughed from his business in response to the coronavirus outbreak , she said it may take the couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the treatment .
`` We 'll try and remain positive because it will happen eventually , '' she said .
The Welsh Health Specialist Services Committee said it `` appreciates '' the impact of Covid-19 .
It said fertility treatment guidance was issued by the British Fertility Society and the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists .
A spokesman said : `` All women will be entitled to the treatment they have been entitled to on the 13th of March 2020 .
`` This date was chosen because the government has confirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Please note that this will not apply to patients who have opted for personal treatment . ''

In a post on its website, the HFEA said it would do all it could to "lift this restriction as soon as possible but we cannot give a date when this will happen given the current situation with the Covid-19 pandemic".


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus UK map: How many confirmed cases are there in your area?

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK has reached nearly 100,000 .
A total of 12,868 people confirmed to have had the virus have died .
The actual number of cases is estimated to be much higher though - as it is mostly those in hospital and some NHS and care home staff who are currently being tested .
More than 313,000 people have been tested for coronavirus so far .
Find out how many people have confirmed cases in your area : If you ca n't see the look-up click here .
The following charts and graphics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK and how the authorities are responding .
The number of people confirmed to have had coronavirus and died has risen by 761 to 12,868 .
The BBC 's head of statistics Robert Cuffe says there was an expectation that Wednesday 's figures could have seen another post-weekend spike , especially after a four-day weekend , but that is not the case .
The UK has now seen almost a week with no growth in the number of new deaths announced each day , adding to evidence that the lockdown has slowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still worrying , with the UK one of five countries to surpass 10,000 deaths - the others being the US , Spain , Italy and France .
• How to understand the death toll The majority of the deaths have been in England , with 11,656 deaths in hospitals so far .
London and the Midlands have seen the highest tolls .
In Scotland , 699 people have died so far , while the figure in Wales is 463 .
Northern Ireland has seen a total of 140 deaths .
Most deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released by NHS England show more than half of deaths have been among people aged over 80 .
The UK 's overall death figure , which is confirmed cases reported up to 17:00 BST the previous day , is almost entirely made up from those people who died in hospital and tested positive for coronavirus .
For the most part it does not include deaths in the community , for example in care homes , or people who have died in their own homes .
• How big is the problem in care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for National Statistics published figures for the period up to 3 April in England and Wales .
They included all cases where coronavirus had been listed on a death certificate - in care homes and other community settings as well as in hospitals .
The figures suggest that daily reported numbers are an underestimate of the true death toll .
2 .
The number of UK cases is not accelerating The coronavirus , which causes the respiratory disease known as Covid-19 , was first confirmed in the UK at the end of January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people testing positive throughout February , figures in the UK began to rise substantially towards the end of March .
The highest daily total came on 5 April , when about 6,000 new cases were confirmed .
As with deaths , cases of coronavirus have been heavily concentrated in London , the Midlands and the North West .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• EASY STEPS : How can I try to stay well ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the pandemic 3 .
UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment , the number of confirmed cases and deaths in the UK remains lower than some other European countries .
For example , in Italy there have been more than 160,000 confirmed cases and about 21,000 deaths .
But while the increase in the number of deaths each day appears to be slowing in Italy , in the UK the number is still rising - albeit at a slower rate than a week ago .
Lockdown restrictions have been partially lifted in some other European countries , including Italy and Austria , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths each day has slowed .
In the UK , a meeting of the government 's scientific advisers to review evidence relating to the current lockdown restrictions will take place in the coming days .
But the government has said that it does not expect to make changes to coronavirus restrictions this week .
• How will the UK lockdown end ?
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has set a target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of April - a big jump from the previous target of 25,000 per day by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that nearly 16,000 coronavirus tests were carried out in the preceding 24 hours and in total nearly 314,000 people in the UK have been tested .
Mr Hancock said the number of daily tests being carried out had been flat over the last couple of days because there was not enough demand among hospital patients and NHS staff , rather than not enough capacity .
Testing is now being expanded to social care staff and care home residents , he added .
Most of the tests so far have been reserved for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week the government began to publish figures which included key workers and their households , as well as hospital patients .
Previously , the testing of key workers and their families had not been included in the daily figures .
Increasing the number of people being tested for coronavirus will play a key part in analysing its spread in the UK .
• Coronavirus testing and why it matters 5 .
The number of people in hospital has dropped slightly Latest figures reveal there are just under 20,000 patients in hospital with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was announced that the number of people in hospital in the preceding 24 hours had fallen by 1 % across the country and by 5 % in London .
Prof Angela McLean , the UK 's deputy chief scientific adviser , said the drop showed that `` everybody 's efforts to stay home is having the impact we hoped it would have . ''
Hospitals are still experiencing poor supplies of some essential equipment , according to Chris Hopson , chief executive of NHS Providers in England .
`` We know that over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run critically low on gowns , '' he said on Monday .
At the weekend , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government was `` working night and day to make sure we get the right PPE '' .

Based on the survey, the estimated peak of the pandemic, in cases if not in deaths, was in late March 2022, where at one point about 4.9 million people were thought to have the virus. However, the survey did not capture the first wave of the pandemic, with trials only beginning in England in April 2020.


bbcuk--2020-04-14--Coronavirus: 'I've moved out to protect my family from the virus'

Week four of social distancing is starting to take its toll .
But while most of us are giving up trips out of the house , many health workers across the country are making an even bigger sacrifice .
Those who are on the front line , experiencing face-to-face contact with patients who have the virus , are putting themselves at risk every day .
Some of them have made the difficult decision to stay away from their families to avoid passing on that risk .
Ambulance technician Jamie Kennedy from Glasgow is one of them .
Jamie , 38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 days ago and into a hotel so that he can carry on doing his job without worrying about bringing the virus home to his wife and two children .
He can also continue to do vital work if any of his family have to self-isolate .
He told the BBC : `` I am staying in a hotel which offered free rooms to NHS staff at the start of lockdown .
The hotel is almost full of NHS staff .
`` It was a difficult decision but when I saw the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion with my wife Ashley .
`` It was a purely personal decision , but I would never forgive myself if anything happened and if the kids got ill .
I am out in the community all day and if I went in and caused them to get sick , I would never forgive myself . ''
Tuesday 's figures saw the number of patients testing positive for Covid-19 in Scotland rise to 6,358 .
A total of 615 people have died , including two health and care workers .
Jamie 's shifts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumed by coronavirus right now .
`` In the majority of calls one or more symptoms are present and we have to treat it as a potential case , '' he said.
`` It could be up to nine patients in a shift .
`` Thankfully the morale is high and we are well looked after .
My manager calls to check we are doing okay . ''
Contact with his wife and children is limited to video calls and one socially distant trip a week to drop off groceries .
Having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said : `` I do a big shop for them and take it over to the back garden and talk to them from the back of the garden .
`` It 's hard .
I was there the other day and my daughter , who is eight , wanted a hug and she was crying .
That was difficult .
`` There is no end in sight right now but I 'll stay away from my wife and kids as long as I need to , to keep them safe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many families of front-line workers , they are worried .
She said : `` The children have taken it pretty bad but understand how important their daddy 's job is .
`` It 's been hard for me to see the children so upset and Jamie upset leaving , but I 've had to stay strong for him to be able to put his all into his job and strong for the kids to feel secure and safe . ''
`` It 's hard not seeing him and having a wee cuddle but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safest thing to do .
`` Jamie is the most selfless man I 've ever known .
`` We as a family who is affected by this virus can not stress enough that everyone keeps to the stay at home guidelines .
The more everyone stays home the sooner the virus will die off and the sooner we can get Jamie home . ''
'We just wanted to do our bit to help' Scottish hotel group Manorview is one of many hotel companies across the country keeping their doors open to NHS staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the decision to stop trading on 18 March .
Five days later its hotels opened up again to front-line health staff , for no cost .
They 've had more than 2,000 room bookings , with three venues fully booked until the start of May .
Managing director David Tracey said the group was humbled to hear some of the stories of NHS workers who are trying to keep working to look after patients , while also trying to protect their own families at home .
He said : `` More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , safety and wellbeing of our NHS team .
They are on the front line , helping us all , and saving lives .
We are very thankful for the work they do .
We are there for them and we 're proud to be of service , and in a position to help .
`` The attitude of our team has made this negative situation more positive . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak

He said: "More than ever, we need to secure the health, safety and wellbeing of our NHS team. They are on the front line, helping us all, and saving lives. We are very thankful for the work they do. We are there for them and we're proud to be of service, and in a position to help.


bbcuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Which regions have been worst hit?

The data released by the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) gives us the best indication so far about how many lives are being lost to Covid-19 across England and Wales .
These are sobering statistics , setting new and unwanted records .
In the week ending 3 April , there were about 6,000 more deaths registered than in an average week and nearly 3,500 of them mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate .
And when you dig down into the data at regional levels , some of the numbers look even worse .
They show how many lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , where the coronavirus pandemic first spread rapidly in the UK .
Until the latest figures came out , the highest number of registered deaths per week in London - since the ONS started keeping weekly records in 2005 - was 1,549 .
That was back in January 2015 .
For the week ending 3 April this year the number was 2,511 .
That 's 62 % more than the previous record high , and more than double the average of 1068 registered deaths for this week of the year .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its current levels .
The chart of deaths in London shows just how high the new figure is compared with an average weekly number of deaths over a five year period .
The number of deaths varies from week to week , but for most of the year the variations are relatively small - it is only slightly higher or lower than the average .
Generally , there will be only one or two weeks in the year when there are significant variations , usually in the middle of winter , when seasonal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the figure was already so far outside its normal range three weeks ago shows the scale of the threat that Covid-19 poses .
It 's also worth remembering that the ONS relies on death registrations ( in hospital and in the wider community in places such as care homes ) for its figures .
It suggests there is a time lag of about five days from when deaths occur , to when they are actually registered .
So , most of these deaths actually occurred in the last week of March .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data for West Midlands and East Midlands ) also show a significant spike in the most recent figures .
Once again , the figures for the Midlands are the highest per week since records began , but they are only a little higher ( 3,058 registered deaths compared with 3,041 ) than the next highest week in January 2015 .
That was at the height of the worst winter flu outbreak in recent years .
Other regions in England and Wales show that there are still weeks in January 2015 and January 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slightly higher than the most recent figures .
The North-West for example had its second worst week for registered deaths - 2,137 in the week ending 3 April compared with 2,282 in the week ending 9 January 2015 .
There were 920 deaths registered in Wales , compared with 1,031 in the week ending 9 January 2015 .
It is worth remembering that other regions are behind London in the curve of the pandemic , and figures released next week are likely to be worse .
`` We can see that London and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epidemic ahead of the rest of the country , '' said Dr Sarah Deeny , assistant director of data analytics at the Health Foundation .
`` Unfortunately , we can expect the total number of deaths related to Covid-19 recorded by the ONS to increase further in coming weeks across England and Wales . ''
The ONS says 47 % of all the deaths registered in London mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate , including a considerable number in the community .
What is not clear yet is how many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the disease .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • WHAT WE DO N'T KNOW How to understand the death toll • TESTING : Can I get tested for coronavirus ?
One of the biggest issues for policymakers over the coming weeks will be to find out what is causing all these excess deaths .
We know many of them are deaths from Covid-19 , and that they will continue to happen for a few weeks despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be vital to establish how many deaths may be happening because of the lockdown , if people are not getting the treatment or support they need for other health conditions .
`` The steep rise in figures for the capital is reflected in the levels of pressure we have seen on hospital intensive and critical care units and ambulance services in the region , '' said Sarah Scobie from healthcare thinktank the Nuffield Trust .
`` But it is too early to tell at this point whether deaths where Covid-19 was not mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being recognised as coronavirus , or a substantial increase in people dying from other conditions .
National Records Scotland releases figures on a slightly different timescale .
In the week to 5 April , there were 1,741 deaths registered in Scotland , up from the five-year average of 1,098 .
Of those , 282 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate .
The Glasgow area has been by far the worst hit by the virus .
• Coronavirus in Scotland : Who is dying and where ?
In Northern Ireland for the week ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , up from the five-year average of 298 .
Covid-19 was mentioned on 55 death certificates .
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Separate ONS data released on 1 May shows that, once you take the age of population into account, the rate of deaths involving Covid-19 is roughly twice as high in the most deprived areas of England and Wales as in the least deprived.