Coronavirus news – live: UK death toll exceeds 26,000 with care home fatalities added as '99 per cent accuracy' antibody test approved for use across Europe
A new antibody test to check whether someone has been infected with coronavirus, and which claims to be 99 per cent accurate, has been certified for use across Europe.
Global diagnostics specialists Abbott, which has a UK base in Maidenhead, has said it is expecting to have shipped millions of the laboratory based lab tests across the continent by the end of May.
This comes as new research showed that almost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in England due to the impact of Covid-19. Delays in diagnosing new cancers and getting treatment for those who already have the disease could significantly impact survival, according to a study from University College London (UCL).
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s the latest:
- Almost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in England due to the impact of Covid-19, research suggests. Delays in diagnosing new cancers and getting treatment for those who already have the disease could significantly impact survival, according to a study from University College London (UCL) and DATA-CAN, the Health Data Research Hub for Cancer.
- Coronavirus testing is available for millions more people in England after the government eased rules on who can apply. After services were expanded last week to key workers and their households, now all care home residents and staff, people over 65 and those who must leave their home to work in England are entitled to a test.
- China accused Australia of "petty tricks" on Wednesday in an intensifying dispute over Canberra's push for an international inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak that could affect diplomatic and economic ties between the countries.
- The number of coronavirus cases in the United States has passed a million, accounting for nearly a third of the total cases worldwide. The figures, from tracking at Johns Hopkins University, show a worldwide death toll of more than 215,000, though the real numbers are likely to be higher owing to limited testing and differences in counting deaths.
- Nearly 70 residents infected with coronavirus have died at a Massachusetts home for ageing veterans, as state and federal officials try to figure out what went wrong in the deadliest known outbreak at a long-term care facility in the US.
- Films released on streaming platforms only will be eligible for Academy Awards next year because of the pandemic’s disruption to the industry, the organisers of the Oscars have said.
- Hotels in Poland will be open for summer holidays, government spokesman Piotr Muller told state radio on Wednesday, while adding that coronavirus infections were still on the rise in the country. On Wednesday, the Polish government is set to announce its decision with regards to re-opening some businesses that were closed until now due to the pandemic.
- US vice president Mike Pence chose not to wear a face mask during a tour of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota on Tuesday, an apparent violation of the world-renowned medical centre's policy requiring them. Video feeds show Mr Pence did not wear a mask when he met with a Mayo employee who has recovered from Covid-19 and is now donating plasma, even though all other people in the room appeared to be wearing one.
Coronavirus crisis could lead to 18,000 more cancer deaths in England
Almost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in England due to the impact of Covid-19, new research suggests.
Delays in diagnosing new cancers and getting treatment for those who already have the disease could significantly impact survival, according to a study from University College London (UCL) and DATA-CAN, the Health Data Research Hub for Cancer.
Experts looked at real-time weekly hospital data for urgent cancer referrals and chemotherapy attendances during the coronavirus epidemic and found that the majority of patients with cancer or suspected cancer are not accessing health services.
When looking specifically at England and Northern Ireland, they found an average reduction in attendance for chemotherapy of 60 per cent and a 76 per cent average drop in cancer referrals for early diagnosis.
When looking specifically at England and analysing data from more than 3.5 million patients, experts estimated that pre-Covid-19, about 31,354 newly diagnosed cancer patients would die within a year in England.
But as a result of coronavirus, they found there could be at least 6,270 extra deaths in newly diagnosed cancer patients - a rise of a fifth. When all people currently living with cancer are included, the figure jumps to 17,915 excess deaths.
Coronavirus testing opens to millions across England
Coronavirus testing has been broadened to millions more people in England today as the government races to meet its April target.
All care home residents and staff, people over 65 and those who must leave their home to work are now entitled to a test.
Health secretary Matt Hancock first made the announcement on Tuesday, adding that just over 43,000 tests had taken place the day before.
Dispatch of home test kits would be expanded to 25,000 a day by the end of the week, he said, while mobile testing units manned by the army will reach more than 70 by the end of the week.
This comes as authorities attempt to meet Mr Hancock's goal of 100,000 tests per day by the end of April.
The health secretary insisted care homes had been a "top priority" for the government as he announced plans to publish daily data on deaths in care facilities and the community, rather than just hospitals.
Ministers have been under pressure over the death toll in care homes with more than 5,000 deaths linked to coronavirus since the start of the outbreak, according to the latest official data.
International relations between China and Australia continue to deteriorate
China accused Australia of "petty tricks" on Wednesday in an intensifying dispute over Canberra's push for an international inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak that could affect diplomatic and economic ties between the countries.
Prime minister Scott Morrison said his proposed inquiry into how the coronavirus developed and spread would not be targeted at China but was needed given Covid-19 had killed more than 215,000 people and shut down much of the global economy.
Australian government ministers have repeatedly said China, the country's largest trade partner, was threatening "economic coercion" after its ambassador, Cheng Jingye, said this week that Chinese consumers could boycott Australian products and universities because of the calls for the inquiry.
The head of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) called Cheng to express concern. The Chinese embassy then released a statement detailing what it said was discussed on the call, prompting another rebuke from DFAT.
On Wednesday, the Chinese embassy returned fire, saying on its website that details of the call had first been "obviously leaked by some Australian officials" and it needed to set the record straight.
"The Embassy of China doesn't play petty tricks, this is not our tradition. But if others do, we have to reciprocate," an embassy spokesman said in the statement.
California governor Gavin Newsom has revealed that the state is aiming to reopen schools and some workplaces within the next few weeks, but said this will only happen if testing and tracing of coronavirus is improved, reports James Crump.
The state’s governor opened the door to the state reopening in the coming weeks, while speaking at his daily briefing on Tuesday.
He said that the state would begin the second phase of its coronavirus response, by opening schools and some workplaces, and added: “Phase two is in weeks, not months.”
He confirmed that the second phase of the response will only go ahead if the state’s ability to test for and trace the virus, as well as its stocks of personal protection equipment (PPE), are improved.
Mr Newsom added that schools might reopen in the summer, which would start the next school year earlier than was originally planned, before the outbreak forced the state to shut them.
Tokyo calls for extension of nationwide state of emergency
Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike has called for an extension of Japan's nationwide state of emergency, which requests people to stay home and social distance, to stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
She noted reported daily cases of Covid-19 in the capital have topped 100 recently. Japan has had about 400 deaths so far nationwide, 100 of them in Tokyo.
The state of emergency, declared by prime minister Shinzo Abe, lasts until 6 May, which marks the end of the Golden Week holidays that began this week.
The government has asked people not to travel during the holidays, but there is no lockdown in Japan, and some businesses and restaurants remain open.
Pence violates face mask policy in visit to medical centre
US vice president Mike Pence chose not to wear a face mask during a tour of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota on Tuesday, an apparent violation of the world-renowned medical centre's policy.
Video feeds show Mr Pence did not wear a mask when he met with a Mayo employee who has recovered from Covid-19 and is now donating plasma, even though all other people in the room appeared to be wearing one.
He was also without a mask when he visited a lab where Mayo conducts coronavirus tests.
And Mr Pence was the only participant not to wear a mask during a round table discussion on Mayo's coronavirus testing and research programs. All other participants did, including Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn, top Mayo officials, state governor Tim Walz and federal politician Jim Hagedorn.
Mayo tweeted that it had informed the vice president of its mask policy prior to his arrival. The tweet was later removed. "Mayo shared the masking policy with the VP's office," the health care system later said.
Government still aiming to reach testing target, says Eustice
Environment secretary George Eustice has said the government is still aiming to meet its 100,000-a-day testing target by the end of Thursday.
He told BBC Breakfast: "Yes that is his [Matt Hancock's] aim to get 100,000 tests being done but I think the critical thing here is anybody there who needs a test that can't get one which is why capacity also matters.
"That's why the first thing is to build the capacity and the second thing is to make sure that everybody knows they can get access to that test and we're now doing both of those things."
He said the search for an effective antibody test was still under way.
South Korea calls for vigilance in fight against coronavirus
The South Korean government has issued a public plea for vigilance to maintain hard-won gains against Covid-19, as the nation enters its longest holiday since infections surged in February.
Vice health Minister Kim Gang-lip on Wednesday said 180,000 people are expected to visit the resort island of Jeju during a six-day break from Thursday to Tuesday, despite the island government pleading with travellers not to come.
Hotels and other accommodation facilities are nearly fully booked in some seaside towns in Gangwon province, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 2018.
Mr Kim urged travellers to wear masks, not to share food and stay at home if they have fever or respiratory symptoms.
Gangwon has increased the number of thermal cameras at railway stations, bus terminals and highway rest areas. Jeju plans to expand temperature checks at its airport and conduct virus tests on travellers with even mild fevers above 37.3C.
Mexican government urges local authorities to stop enforcing roadblocks and curfews
Mexico’s Interior Department is urging towns and states to stop putting up roadblocks and curfews to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The department said in a statement that such measures violate constitutional rights like the right to free movement, and argued that local governments do not have the authority to enact them.
"The health emergency does not constitute a state of emergency or suspension of rights," the department wrote.
The department said in a report that almost 20 per cent percent of Mexican municipal governments, about 340, have put up checkpoints or filters to limit people's movements. Most were concentrated along the coasts, where many beach towns have tried to exclude travellers.
Dozens of towns have enacted curfews and at least three of the country's 31 states have threatened to arrest people who do not obey social distancing measures.
Thousands of workers needed to gather British harvest
Thousands of British workers will need to help gather the harvest as seasonal workers from other parts of Europe are unable to travel due to the coronavirus lockdown, according to environment secretary George Eustice.
Mr Eustice said that in a normal year around 30,000 people come from mainly the EU to do seasonal agricultural work, though only a third are here now.
"We will need a significant number of British people, in particular those who have been furloughed they have the chance if they want," he told BBC radio.
"We are getting huge interest from people wanting to do this. We need tens of thousands of people to do this work."
The peak comes at the end of May and during June, he said.
Tokyo Olympics could be cancelled for good, authorities warn
The Tokyo Olympics could be cancelled all together if plans to stage the Games in 2021 fall through due to the coronavirus outbreak, Japan’s chief medic has warned.
In March, the International Olympics Committee (IOC) announced the Olympics, due to be held this July, would be postponed for a year.
But as the coronavirus pandemic continues, with Japan struggling to contain its outbreak, doubts have emerged over the likelihood of the Games taking place in 2021.
On Tuesday, Japan Medical Association president Dr Yoshitake Yokokura said the Olympics would only be staged if infection rates were under control next year.
"In my view, it would be difficult to hold the Olympics unless effective vaccines are developed," Mr Yokokura said.
President of Japan's Olympics organising committee and former prime minister Yoshiro Mori said if it does not go ahead in 2021, it “will all be cancelled”.
"In the past, when there were such problems, like wartime, it has been cancelled. This time, we are fighting an invisible enemy,” he told Nikkan Sports.
"This is a gamble for mankind. If the world triumphs over the virus and we can hold the Olympics, then our games will be so many times more valuable than any past Olympics."
In one of the clearest signs yet of Beijing returning to normal after months of near-standstill over the coronavirus outbreak, China announced on Wednesday new dates for its annual parliament meeting, known as the National People's Congress.
Delegations from far-flung regions attend the meeting, which is now scheduled to start on May 22. The session was initially meant to begin on 5 March.
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, an advisory body to parliament, has proposed starting its annual session a day before the parliamentary session opens.
Reuters claims that Beijing is also planning to lift the two-week quarantine required for domestic travellers, unless they come from high-risk areas such as Heilongjiang in the north and some parts of Guangdong in the southeast.
The easing of restrictions could prove to be a major step toward getting people moving around China again.
Cases continue to rise in Philippines and Singapore
The Philippines' health ministry has said that confirmed cases of coronavirus have risen to more than 8,000.
In a bulletin, the health ministry recorded 254 new infections, 28 additional deaths and 48 more recoveries. It brought the total cases to 8,212, deaths to 558 and recoveries to 1,023.
Elsewhere, Singapore confirmed 690 more coronavirus infections on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases to 15,641.
Most of the new cases are among migrant workers living in dormitories in the city-state, which now has among the highest number of coronavirus infections in Asia - despite initial success in containing the virus.
Access to coronavirus home testing kits for UK essential workers ran out in just over an hour on Wednesday morning.
Slots for millions more people, including those over 65 and those who live with them, were available to book on the Government website from 8am.
Tests at regional drive-through centres ran out in Wales almost immediately but were still available in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland as of 9.15am.
Despite this, the government's testing tsar has said he is confident that the 100,000 daily target for coronavirus tests will be met on Thursday.
Professor John Newton, of Public Health England, said: "We are pretty confident we will hit that target. It puts us really right up there with countries like Germany, so we need that now but we need that for the future as well."
There would be a lag due to receiving the data but "by the end of the week we will know whether we have reached that target".
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There are three reasons for having testing: track and trace for contacts, infection control for hospitals and care homes, and then for the surveillance studies which are so important to understand how the infection is spread in the community.
"We are able to support all of those now with the testing capability we have." (The government is racing to meet its target of 100,000 tests a day by the end of April)
'I hope the US will better understand the strategic importance of our relations'
Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan said in a letter to President Donald Trump he hoped the US Congress would better understand the strategic importance of their relations, on account of the solidarity and supplies shared during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Erdogan's letter arrived on Tuesday with a delivery of Turkish medical gear, including protective suits and masks, to help the NATO ally contain its Covid-19 outbreak. The Palace's office in Ankara released the letter on Wednesday.
The US Congress has threatened to impose sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of S-400 defence systems from Russia, but the pandemic has delayed the plan to activate the systems as Ankara focuses on battling the disease at home.
"I hope that in the upcoming period, with the spirit of solidarity we have displayed during the pandemic, Congress and the US media will better understand the strategic importance of our relations," the Turkish president said in the letter.
He said he hoped that they acted "in a way that our common fight against our common problems necessitates."
'Every four minutes, internet analysts in the UK remove a photo or video online of a child suffering sexual abuse. And since the lockdown began, our children are spending even more time online, through home-schooling and keeping in touch with friends,' writes Margherita Watt.
'Yet parents, now facing added work and life pressures, are often unaware of their children’s vulnerabilities online.
'As a mother to three children, including a teenage daughter, I feel a great urgency both personally and professionally to tackle this fast-evolving form of child sexual abuse.'
VW records plunging care sales and operating profit amid pandemic
Automaker Volkswagen saw car sales and operating profit plunge in the first quarter as the coronavirus pandemic closed dealerships and halted production.
Global sales fell 23 per cent to 2.0 million vehicles in the first three months of the year, from 2.6 million in the year-earlier quarter, the company said on Wednesday.
Operating earnings excluding financial items such as interest and taxes shrank by 81 per cent to 0.9 billion euros from 4.8 billion euros a year earlier.
The company said Wednesday that despite the disruption from the virus it remained financially strong with what it termed a "robust" cash pile of 17.8 billion euros. Sales revenue fell by 8.3 per cent to 55.1 billion euros.
