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Main points from today The PM led the briefing today. He said that as the NHS Test and Trace becomes established ‘we will be able to replace national lockdown with individual isolation and, if necessary, local action where there are outbreaks.’ 279,856 confirmed cases as of yesterday, an increase of 1,871.  39,728 deaths, an increase … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. He said that there is plenty of testing capacity available and anyone with symptoms should obtain a test. 277,985 confirmed cases as of yesterday, an increase of 1,61.  39,369 deaths, an increase of 324 from yesterday. 436 new hospital admissions, the lowest since 20th … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. He said that the Test and Trace service is running successfully with a high degree of compliance, but he was unable to provide any figures to support this. In the last 24 hours 1,570 new cases and 111 deaths both announced as the lowest … Read more

Main points from today The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, led the briefing. He announced changes to the CJRS as follows:- From 1st July an employee can come back to work part time as part of a flexible furlough scheme.  In the example he gave relating to a five day a week worker, if a worker came … Read more

Main points from today The Prime Minister led the briefing. He confirmed that the 5 tests to ease lockdown were currently being met. Therefore, from Monday 1st June up to 6 people from different households can mix outdoors, including in private gardens, providing social distancing rules are observed. Those who were advised to shield should … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. Announced that contracts signed to manufacture 2 billion items of PPE in the UK. The drug Remdesivir is being used to treat coronavirus, shortening recovery by 4 days.  Matt Hancock said it was ‘the biggest step forward in the treatment of the virus’. 265,227 … Read more

Main points from today Home Secretary, Priti Patel, led the briefing. Announced that international arrivals to the UK will be required to self-isolate for 14 days from 8th June with a £1,000 fine for non- compliance. Government scientific advisers confirm that the R rate of Covid-19 remains between 0.7 to 1.0. 140,497 tests yesterday. 254,195 … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. Announced £4.2 million to assist mental health charities. Possible swab test soon to be available that shows if a person has the virus in 20 mins. Deal agreed to provide 10 million anti-body tests phased from next week with health and care workers first … Read more

Main points from today Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, led the briefing. PM says he is confident the UK will have test and trace in place by 1st June 2020 as 24,000 tracers have been recruited. 177,216 tests yesterday (highest ever). 248,293 positive tests, an increase of 2,472 from yesterday.  35,704 deaths, an increase of 363 … Read more

Main points from today Environment Secretary, George Eustice, led the briefing. He urged furloughed workers to take a second job picking fruit or harvesting crops as only one third of the usual seasonal agricultural workforce from abroad was available. In response to a question regarding schools he said the Government ‘was working very closely with … Read more