Coronavirus – live updates: UK death toll rises to 28,446 as total tests falls by nearly a quarter days after 100,000 target met
The UK's coronavirus death toll has risen by 315, bringing the country's total deaths to 28,446, as official figures showed the number of daily tests conducted fell over the latest 24 hour period to 76,496, just days after the government touted its ability to do more than 100,000 tests per day.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has spoken in detail about his hospital battle with coronavirus and revealed there were contingency plans put in place in case the prime minister died in intensive care.
The government has also announced plans to trial its NHS contact tracing app on the Isle of Wight this week as ministers work on an exit strategy for the UK's weeks-long lockdown.
More than 3.44 million people have been infected by Covid-19 globally and more than 240,000 people have died.
Good morning and welcome to today's live blog - we'll be keeping you posted with all of the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak across the world.
Almost half of doctors 'have bought or had PPE donated' (Jacob King/PA)A survey has today revealed almost half of doctors have sourced their own personal protective equipment or relied on a donation when none was available through normal NHS channels.
The British Medical Association (BMA) said its latest survey of 16,343 doctors in England between 28 and 30 April is the biggest one of frontline NHS staff during the coronavirus crisis.
The organisation said its data revealed almost a third (30%) of doctors in England who were questioned said they had not reported or spoken out about issues relating to PPE, staff shortages, testing or drug shortages because they did not think anything would be done about it if they did.
Asked how safely protected from coronavirus they felt at work, just under two thirds (65%) said they felt only partly or not at all protected.
Overall, 48% of doctors reported having bought PPE directly for themselves or their department, or had a donation from a charity or local firm.
The problem appeared to be higher among GPs, with 55% of them saying they had to do so, compared to 38% of hospital doctors.
‘Arrangements’ were made for PM's death as he battled coronavirus
Contingency plans were put in place to announce the death of Boris Johnson as he lay in intensive care, the prime minister has said after admitting he had to be “forced” to go to hospital.
Downing Street was keen to downplay the level of threat faced by the PM during his time as St Thomas’ in London, repeatedly saying he was in “good spirits” after he was taken into intensive care three weeks after his initial diagnosis.
However the PM has since confirmed a strategy was ready in the event of his death, and that he was being given “litres and litres of oxygen” despite assurances from first minister Dominic Raab at the time that he was “breathing unassisted”.
Former chief scientific adviser forms new lockdown transition group
(Yui Mok/PA)A former government chief scientific adviser has assembled a group of experts to look at how the UK could work its way out of coronavirus lockdown.
Sir David King, who worked under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, reportedly said the group was designed to act as an alternative to the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
Concerns have been raised about a lack of transparency within SAGE, and a partial membership list of the group, which informs the Government's coronavirus response, is to be published.
Last week, the current chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the list of around 100 experts would be issued "shortly" after the presence of Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson's controversial aide, at some of the meetings was revealed.
The Sunday Times reported the new group would broadcast on YouTube and aim to provide "robust, unbiased advice" to the government.
China 'deliberately destroyed evidence about start of coronavirus'
A research assessment reported to have been compiled by the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance of western states has claimed the Chinese government deliberately hid or destroyed evidence about the initial outbreak of the coronavirus, reports defence editor Kim Sengupta.
The document charts how Beijing denied at first that the disease could be transmitted between humans; silenced or ‘disappeared’ medics who tried to warn of the outbreak; blocked access by international organisations to Wuhan, where it originated; and refused to provide live samples to international scientists trying to find a vaccine.
The Five Eyes intelligence network - comprising the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - has been sharing information on Covid-19, but there is no specific joint operation on the issue.
NHS coronavirus app to be trialled on Isle of Wight this week
A new NHS app to help trace those who have come into contact with coronavirus will be rolled out later this month, the government has said.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps today said the software will "go into testing this week on the Isle of Wight".
The app is being developed by NHSX, the digital arm of the health service. Matthew Gould, the arm's chief executive, told MPs last week it would be "ready for when it will be needed" and trialled in a small area.
Philippines temporarily bars incoming flights to decongest quarantine facilities
The Philippines has barred incoming passenger flights for one week starting this morning to contain the spread of coronavirus and help reduce pressure on quarantine facilities housing thousands of Filipino repatriates.
"This decision is meant to decongest our quarantine facilities to protect our people by preventing the further spread of Covid-19 and also ensure that our overseas Filipino workers are well taken care of when they arrive from abroad", officials said in a statement.
The Philippines introduced curbs on immigration, travel, commerce and public gatherings in mid-March, days after the first case of domestic transmission. Entry to the country is closed to all except repatriated Filipinos.
The temporary ban on incoming air travel covers nine international airports, including in the capital Manila. Cargo, sweeper, medical, utility and maintenance flights are exempted from the order, the aviation authority said.
Church fails to get mass gathering ban lifted (Andy Lyons/Getty) A church in the US has had its appeal to block a temporary ban on mass gatherings from applying to in-person religious services rejected.
A federal appeals court cleared the way for Maryville Baptist Church, in Kentucky, to hold drive-in worship services while adhering to public health requirements.
But it stopped short of applying its order to in-person worship services.
The ruling came soon after the church asked for an emergency order stopping Democratic Kentucky governor Andy Beshear’s mass gathering ban from being enforced against religious services.
The court in Cincinnati said after its ruling: “We realise that this falls short of everything the church has asked for and much of what it wants but that is all we are comfortable doing after the 24 hours the plaintiffs have given us with this case.”
'Lockdown should be eased for healthy older people' (Catherine Ivill/Getty)Senior doctors have called for lockdown measures to be eased for healthy over-70s.
The British Medical Association (BMA) and the Royal College of GPs have said a person’s age should not be the deciding factor in whether they are allowed to leave their homes when the government begins to lift the coronavirus lockdown.
Those with underlying health conditions, people over the age of 70 and pregnant women were told they should self-isolate at home for 12 weeks from 21 March.
But the BMA said a “blanket ban” stopping any section of society, not just over 70s, from being included in the easing of restrictions would be “discriminatory and unacceptable”.
The doctors’ union told The Timesisolation guidance should be based on individual risk, “rather than an arbitrary age of 60 or 70”.
It also wrote to the head of NHS England on Tuesday calling for the age at which frontline health workers are considered “at risk” to be lowered to 60 from the current threshold of 70.
Joe Wicks says wife will be 'supply teacher' for PE lessons
Joe Wicks has revealed his wife will be leading his live PE lessons next week as he recovers from surgery on his hand, Sarah Young reports.
On Saturday Wicks went under the knife to remove wires in his hand, which were put there earlier this year when he first had an operation on his injured hand after falling off a bike.
The fitness entrepreneur, also known as The Body Coach, revealed he was first admitted to hospital on 1 May after telling his Instagram followers his hand was “throbbing” with pain.
Armenia reopens bars and shops despite rising coronavirus cases
(iStock)
Landlocked Armenia will reopen shops, restaurants and bars, resume manufacturing and lift restrictions on movement from Monday - despite a recent rise in infections.
The South Caucasus country has registered 2,386 cases of the coronavirus and 35 deaths, with the number of infections rising from an average of 50 a day in mid-April to more than 100 in recent days, including 134 registered on Wednesday.
With a population of 3 million, the country has been looking to ease the hit on its economy which it expects to shrink by 2 per cent in 2020.
Smaller shops, beauty salons and dry cleaners will open tomorrow, deputy prime minister Tigran Avinyan said, adding that the construction and manufacturing industry would also be allowed to work as normal.
But malls, trade centres, markets and all schools and colleges will remain closed. Public transport is to remain suspended.
Lockdown advice for over-70s confused by health secretary's comments
The health secretary has sowed confusion about whether those aged over 70 should be self-isolating from coronavirus or not, policy correspondent Jon Stone reports.
Matt Hancock took to social media to claim that "the clinically vulnerable, who are advised to stay in lockdown for 12 weeks, emphatically DO NOT include all over 70s".
The statement appears to contradict government advice that over-70s should minimise contact with the outside world, as well as Mr Hancock's own prior statements.
Gogglebox's Malone family defend themselves after complaints over social distancing
The stars of Gogglebox have defended themselves following criticism for “breaking social distancing rules” on the show, reports Jacob Stolworthy.
Since the government enforced strict lockdown guidelines, viewers have been confused as to how the show has been proceeding, with many lambasting the C4 show’s participants on social media.
Following complaints to Ofcom, C4 assured viewers ahead of Friday night’s episode: “Just in case you’re worried, they are all keeping to the guidelines of social distancing.”
However, the Malone family - comprised of Tom, Julie, Tom Jnr and Shaun - have felt the need to wade in, with either Tom or Julie writing: “Just going to put this out there so we are all up to date, I know the social distancing rules too, I love my Grandkids, I would never put them or anyone else’s health in danger.”
South Korea to relax social distancing rules further (Ed Jones/AFP)South Korea will further relax social distancing rules from Wednesday, allowing a phased re-opening of businesses, as the nation has largely managed to bring the coronavirus outbreak under control.
The government "will allow businesses to resume at facilities in phases that had remained closed up until now, and also allow gatherings and events to take place assuming they follow disinfection guidelines," prime minister Chung Sye-kyun revealed today.
Further easing of rules means public facilities such as parks, libraries as well as schools could reopen in phases, although the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommended citizens to continue to exercise some caution in everyday life.
The new guidelines from the government advise everyone to stay home for three to four days if they feel unwell, stay arms-width apart with others in public spaces, and wash hands frequently.
Seoul extended its social distancing policy until 5 May even as it managed to bring down daily infection cases of more than 900 in late February to around 10 per day in the past week.
Inspired by Captain Tom Moore, 10-year-old double amputee Maisie Catt is walking 26 miles to raise money for charity.
Maisie, who lost both her legs after contracting meningitis as a baby, will complete the equivalent of almost a marathon over 10 days on a treadmill and by walking laps of her garden in Mirfield, West Yorkshire.
She has already raised more than £4,000 for charity LimbPower.
Pope says coronavirus vaccine must be shared worldwide (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP)
The pope has called for international scientific cooperation to discover a vaccine for the coronavirus and said any successful vaccine should be made available around the world.
Pope Francis said in his Sunday address: "It is important to unite scientific capabilities, in a transparent and impartial way to find vaccines and treatments."
The head of the Catholic Church said it was also important to "guarantee universal access to essential technologies that allow each infected person, in every part of the world, to receive the necessary medical treatment".
World leaders pledged in April to accelerate work on tests, drugs and vaccines against Covid-19 and to share them around the globe, but the United States did not take part in the launch of the World Health Organisation (WHO) initiative.
Schools in Wales could be allowed to reopen their doors next month in a phased approach, the first minister has said.
Mark Drakeford said the earliest point schools could resume would be the beginning of June, with a minimum of three weeks needed to prepare from the time it was decided it is safe for pupils and teachers.
On Sunday, Mr Drakeford told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "Our advice from the trade unions and from the local education authorities is that you will need three weeks as a minimum from the point that we decide to do that, to when schools can reopen, so we are talking about the beginning of June."
Vietnam reports first new coronavirus infection in nine days
Vietnam reported its first new coronavirus infection in nine days on Sunday, a British oil expert who was quarantined on arrival, the health ministry said.
The Southeast Asian country has registered a total of 271 coronavirus cases and has reported no deaths, the ministry said in a statement.
More than 30,500 people have been quarantined, and 261,000 tests have been carried out.
Dutch confirmed cases rise by 335, deaths up by 69
The number of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands has risen by 335 to 40,471, health officials in the country have said.
However, Dutch authorities have warned the tally of confirmed cases is unlikely to show the actual number of infections as not all suspected Covid-19 patients have been tested.
The National Institute for Public Health also reported 69 new deaths on Sunday, bringing the Netherlands’ total fatalities to 5,056.
