Covid-19

Main points from today Housing and Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, led the briefing. PM will set out second phase on Sunday.  It will be based on the five principles:- NHS has sufficient capacity. A sustained and consistent fall in death rates. Rate of infection falls to manageable levels. Testing capacity and PPE able to cope … Read more

Main points from today Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, led the briefing. US and UK publish joint guidance regarding cyber crime during the pandemic. The contact tracing app will focus on UK rather than global. 194,990 positive tests, an increase of 4,406 from yesterday.  29,427 deaths in all settings an increase of 689. Latest Guidance (employment … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. The contact tracing app will be trialled on the Isle of Wight this week. The app will log locations via bluetooth and send an anonymous alert to other users if they have been in contact with someone suspected to have the virus.  There will … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. The target of 100,00 tests per day was achieved.  122,347 tests were completed in the 24 hours up to 9am on 1st May. The Health Secretary said ‘testing was crucial to suppress the virus and unlock the lockdown.’ By mid May 18,000 people would … Read more

Main points from today The PM returned to lead the briefing. He announced that for the first time we are past the peak of the virus and now on the downward slope. Comprehensive plan to be announced next week regarding lockdown.  A ‘roadmap’ and ‘menu of options’ to be implemented to reduce the lockdown depending … Read more

Main points from today Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, led the briefing. 165,221 positive tests an increase 4,076 from yesterday.  Total deaths 26,097, an increase of 765 from yesterday.  The total now includes deaths in care homes and in the community from 2nd March to 28th April, which was a total of 3,811 during that period. … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. Testing on track to reach 100,000 by end of April.  Current capacity is 73,400. 763,387 tests, 161,145 positive tests an increase of 3,996 from yesterday.  21,678 deaths in hospital, an increase of 586 from yesterday. From tomorrow Government to publish figures for deaths in … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. £60,000 life assurance scheme announced for NHS and social care workers. On track to reach 100,000 tests by end of April. Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced that small businesses will be entitled to new loans of up to £50,000 backed by a 100% government guarantee. … Read more

Main points from today Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps (thanks Google!), led the briefing. Up to £27.5 million of support for the transport sector. Spare capacity in public transport to be used to assist with logistics. Drones to be used to deliver medical supplies and equipment. No British tourist stranded abroad on cruise ships. 28,532 tests … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. Employers of essential workers can obtain a test for employees via the Gov website as of now.  Essential workers and those in their household will be able to obtain the test from tomorrow.  All free of charge. Test, track and trace procedure launched.  Testing … Read more