Health secretary Matt Hancock has said it is people's "duty" to get a test for coronavirus if they have symptoms, as MPs called on the government to take urgent action on Tuesday over a report which showed high ethnic minority deaths from Covid-19 in the UK.
The government has been accused of using "empty rhetoric" on the issue of BAME deaths after its report failed to set out recommendations for reducing the disparity in death rates for different ethnic groups.
Elsewhere, lockdown measures are being lifted in many countries, with restaurants and bars able to open today in France for the first time since March, while Nigeria is to reopen places of worship and Slovakia is to open indoor sports centres and pools. Around the world, there have been 6,373,456 known cases and 377,579 deaths so far from the virus.
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Antibody tests to be rolled out 'across the country' despite science being unclear on immunity
Matt Hancock said antibody tests would be rolled out "across the country" after the health and social care sector.
Asked when members of the public who suspect they may have had coronavirus will be able to take an antibody test, the Health Secretary said: "In the first instance the antibody tests are being used by those in the health and social care sector.
Matt Hancock said antibody tests would be rolled out "across the country" after the health and social care sector.
Asked when members of the public who suspect they may have had coronavirus will be able to take an antibody test, the Health Secretary said: "In the first instance the antibody tests are being used by those in the health and social care sector.
"We are delivering around 40,000 a day across the NHS and social care sector - just over 40,000 a day on the latest figures.
"And then we'll roll them out across the country."
But he stressed that "we haven't yet been able to pin down the science" on whether having an antibody means a person can catch coronavirus again or transmit the virus.
Any return of virus likely to be 'patchy'
Professor John Newton, the head of testing at Public Health England, has said that any recurrence of the coronavirus outbreak was likely to be "patchy" and occur in localised areas.
"If the virus came back in a particular setting - whether it was a healthcare setting or perhaps in a prison - you can undertake a lot of testing and infection control in that setting," he told the daily No 10 briefing.
Professor John Newton, the head of testing at Public Health England, has said that any recurrence of the coronavirus outbreak was likely to be "patchy" and occur in localised areas.
"If the virus came back in a particular setting - whether it was a healthcare setting or perhaps in a prison - you can undertake a lot of testing and infection control in that setting," he told the daily No 10 briefing.
"It seems likely from the experience of other countries that if we do get recrudescence of the virus it would be patchy, it would be in localised areas."
Being from a BAME background 'a significant risk factor'
Commenting on the report into the impact of the virus on BAME people, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Public Health England report identified age as the biggest risk factor, followed by gender.
Living in a city "is a risk", while being from a BAME background is "also a significant risk factor".
"There is much more work to do to understand what's driving these disparities and how the different risk factors interact, and we are absolutely determined to get to the bottom of this and find ways of closing that gap," he said.
Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch will be taking that work forward, he said.
Commenting on the report into the impact of the virus on BAME people, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Public Health England report identified age as the biggest risk factor, followed by gender.
Living in a city "is a risk", while being from a BAME background is "also a significant risk factor".
"There is much more work to do to understand what's driving these disparities and how the different risk factors interact, and we are absolutely determined to get to the bottom of this and find ways of closing that gap," he said.
Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch will be taking that work forward, he said.
Coronavirus: UK death toll rises by 324 to 39,369
Matt Hancock gives today's coronavirus briefing
The health secretary has begun today's coronavirus briefing from Downing Street.
He jumps straight to the slide and implores those who are presenting with symptoms of the virus to get tested as the number of confirmed infections continues to decline.
He adds the number of people in hospitals has increased by 436, giving the lowest total number of hospitalised people since late March.
UK death toll rises by 324
The UK's coronavirus death toll has risen by 324 across a 24 hour period, bringing the total number of fatalities associated with the virus in the country to 39,369.
The number of infections meanwhile rose by 1,613, to a total of 277,985 since the outbreak began.
The UK's coronavirus death toll has risen by 324 across a 24 hour period, bringing the total number of fatalities associated with the virus in the country to 39,369.
The number of infections meanwhile rose by 1,613, to a total of 277,985 since the outbreak began.
Coronavirus will leave ‘lasting scars’ on developing countries, World Bank says
The World Bank has said it expects the coronavirus pandemic and resulting recessions to leave “lasting scars” on developing and emerging market countries, with the worst damage on oil exporters and those suffering financial crises.
In its new Global Economic Prospects report, the bank said that the average emerging market country suffering a financial crisis could see potential output fall by eight per cent over a five year period, with lost output for developing oil exporters falling 11 per cent.
Spain has reported no new deaths from the coronavirus for the second day, with cumulative deaths unchanged from Sunday's total of 27,127, according to the country's health ministry.
Diagnosed cases of the disease rose by 137 from Monday to 239,932, the ministry said.
Diagnosed cases of the disease rose by 137 from Monday to 239,932, the ministry said.
Tokyo issues alert amid fear of second wave of virus
The governor of Tokyo has issued a coronavirus alert for the Japanese capital amid worries of a resurgence of infections only a week after a state of emergency ended.
The governor of Tokyo has issued a coronavirus alert for the Japanese capital amid worries of a resurgence of infections only a week after a state of emergency ended.
Governor Yuriko Koike issued a "Tokyo alert" today after 34 new cases were confirmed in the city, where confirmed infections had slowed to a few per day in late May.
Lighting on Tokyo's Rainbow Bridge will be changed from rainbow-coloured to red as a sign of alert. However, the alert does not mean restrictions that have just been eased will be reimposed immediately.
Experts say the rise in new cases reflects the increased movement of people since mid-May and could increase further.
Ms Koike said: "I want to remind everyone once again that we are fighting against an unknown virus as we still don't have any vaccines or treatment for it."
Under the second phase of a three-part plan for resuming business activity, Tokyo's theatres fitness gyms and other commercial facilities reopened.
Night clubs, karaoke parlours and other highest-risk establishments are still closed.
Night clubs, karaoke parlours and other highest-risk establishments are still closed.
Pakistan leaked government document shows experts wanted month-long lockdown
A leaked government document reveals authorities ignored experts who wanted a month-long lockdown in Pakistan's Punjab province and who estimated 670,000 might have been infected in the provincial capital of Lahore.
After media published the experts' report, residents criticised the government for easing the restrictions last month instead of heeding the recommendation.
The report was based on a sample survey done in Lahore, which had 245 deaths through to 15 May.
Since then, Punjab has reported nearly 200 more fatalities related to Covid-19.
The document surfaced hours before prime minister Imran Khan relaxed more coronavirus restrictions implemented in March, saying Pakistanis must learn how to live with the virus since lockdowns do not treat the disease. Pakistan has registered 1,621 fatalities amid 76,398 cases.
A leaked government document reveals authorities ignored experts who wanted a month-long lockdown in Pakistan's Punjab province and who estimated 670,000 might have been infected in the provincial capital of Lahore.
After media published the experts' report, residents criticised the government for easing the restrictions last month instead of heeding the recommendation.
The report was based on a sample survey done in Lahore, which had 245 deaths through to 15 May.
Since then, Punjab has reported nearly 200 more fatalities related to Covid-19.
The document surfaced hours before prime minister Imran Khan relaxed more coronavirus restrictions implemented in March, saying Pakistanis must learn how to live with the virus since lockdowns do not treat the disease. Pakistan has registered 1,621 fatalities amid 76,398 cases.
First pupil tests positive for Covid-19 in Slovenia since primary schools returned
Health authorities in Slovenia say the first primary school pupil has tested positive for Covid-19 since children started returning to school two weeks ago.
A school in the city of Maribor said the pupil's 17 classmates, who are aged eight to nine, and teacher have been placed under a two-week quarantine.
Health authorities say the child with the virus likely contracted it from within the family and that contact tracing is under way.
The official STA news agency says it was the first confirmed virus case since 30 April in Slovenia's second-largest city. The country has declared an end to its outbreak and started easing anti-virus restrictions in mid-May.
Health authorities in Slovenia say the first primary school pupil has tested positive for Covid-19 since children started returning to school two weeks ago.
A school in the city of Maribor said the pupil's 17 classmates, who are aged eight to nine, and teacher have been placed under a two-week quarantine.
Health authorities say the child with the virus likely contracted it from within the family and that contact tracing is under way.
The official STA news agency says it was the first confirmed virus case since 30 April in Slovenia's second-largest city. The country has declared an end to its outbreak and started easing anti-virus restrictions in mid-May.
Ibuprofen tested as treatment for Covid-19 symptom
A new trial has been launched to assess whether ibuprofen may hold the key to preventing severe breathing problems in Covid-19 patients.
It is hoped a special formulation of the cheap anti-inflammatory drug, to be delivered at a certain point in illness among hospital patients, will reduce severe respiratory illness.
This could potentially lead to shorter hospital stays and fewer patients needing help in intensive care units.
Mitul Mehta, professor of neuroimaging and psychopharmacology and director of Centre for Innovative Therapeutics at Kings College London, told the PA news agency: "It's a trial for patients with Covid-19 disease to see if giving them an anti-inflammatory drug - a specific form of ibuprofen - will reduce the respiratory problems they have."
He stressed that the trial was for hospitalised patients - not those who have mild or suspected Covid-19.
Participants will be drawn from those who are hospitalised, but not so ill they are in need of intensive care.
"If we can reduce their symptoms at that stage we have a number of benefits: we could reduce the amount of time that someone spends in hospital - they might recover quicker and go home, that's obviously a fantastic outcome; we also might be reducing the degree of respiratory distress so that it can be managed in the hospital setting, without needing to go to ICU. And that is a fantastic outcome as well.
"Theoretically, this treatment, given at this time, should be beneficial. But of course, this is based on animal studies. It's based on case reports, we need to do a trial to show that the evidence actually matches what we expect to happen."
A new trial has been launched to assess whether ibuprofen may hold the key to preventing severe breathing problems in Covid-19 patients.
It is hoped a special formulation of the cheap anti-inflammatory drug, to be delivered at a certain point in illness among hospital patients, will reduce severe respiratory illness.
This could potentially lead to shorter hospital stays and fewer patients needing help in intensive care units.
Mitul Mehta, professor of neuroimaging and psychopharmacology and director of Centre for Innovative Therapeutics at Kings College London, told the PA news agency: "It's a trial for patients with Covid-19 disease to see if giving them an anti-inflammatory drug - a specific form of ibuprofen - will reduce the respiratory problems they have."
He stressed that the trial was for hospitalised patients - not those who have mild or suspected Covid-19.
Participants will be drawn from those who are hospitalised, but not so ill they are in need of intensive care.
"If we can reduce their symptoms at that stage we have a number of benefits: we could reduce the amount of time that someone spends in hospital - they might recover quicker and go home, that's obviously a fantastic outcome; we also might be reducing the degree of respiratory distress so that it can be managed in the hospital setting, without needing to go to ICU. And that is a fantastic outcome as well.
"Theoretically, this treatment, given at this time, should be beneficial. But of course, this is based on animal studies. It's based on case reports, we need to do a trial to show that the evidence actually matches what we expect to happen."
Testing delays suggest hidden coronavirus crisis in Afghanistan
Fewer than one in 10 of the coronavirus test samples collected daily in Afghanistan are being processed amid concerns over a potential hidden crisis in the country, Afghan officials have said.
More than 30 per cent of those processed samples are consistently testing positive for the virus, suggesting a high and hidden number of Covid-19 infections than those officially recorded.
The official number of Covid-19 cases in Afghanistan is relatively low, with 16,509 confirmed infections and 270 deaths.
However, this figure comes from just 40,950 tests processed in a population of more than 37 million.
Feda Mohammad Paikan, the Afghan deputy health minister, told Reuters that the ministry could process only 1,300 to 1,500 of around 20,000 samples each day, due to limited equipment and processing facilities.
According to health ministry data, an average of 1,500 tests are processed daily and about 500 of those tests come back positive.
On Tuesday, 759 people tested positive from 1,322 cases processed.
Following decades of conflict, Afghanistan is facing a potential disaster during the pandemic due to a virtually non-existent healthcare system, malnutrition and other vulnerabilities, another deputy health minister said.
"Every street will witness dead bodies," Wahid Majroh warned, arguing people needed to follow safety warnings.
Italian right-wing opposition parties flout social distancing rules at protest rally
Italian opposition parties and hundreds of supporters have defied social distancing rules to pack Rome’s central streets at an anti-government protest rally.
The demonstration was organised by the right-wing League, the far-right Brothers of Italy and the centre-right Go Italy parties to protest against the coalition government led by prime minister Giuseppe Conte.
Livestreams on social media showed protesters marching next to each other with a large Italian flag along Via del Corso, leading to the Piazza del Popolo in Rome's historic centre.
Some protesters were not wearing face masks, which have been made compulsory in Italy when social distancing between people is not possible.
“I've got a mask but experts say that the virus is dying,” Matteo Salvini, League leader, said, referring to recent disputed declarations by Italian professors that the coronavirus is losing its potency.
The demonstration was staged to coincide with celebrations for 2 June - a public holiday which commemorates the vote in favour of the creation of a Republic after the Second World War.
Spain’s government seeks extension to state of emergency until 21 June
The Spanish government is seeking to extend its coronavirus state of emergency until 21 June, when most of the remaining restrictions on movement and business will be lifted.
New confirmed cases and deaths from Covid-19 in Spain have fallen to the lowest point since before the government ordered nationwide lockdown in mid-March.
A decree passed by the Spanish cabinet on Tuesday to prolong the state of emergency still needs to be approved by the lower house of parliament.
However, Spain's ruling left-wing coalition has secured enough support from smaller opposition parties for the measure to be approved on Wednesday.
Maria Jesus Montero, a government spokesperson, said the extension would be the last one, but warned all precautions should be applied in advancing towards a post-lockdown phase.
She said: “A wrong move can have undesirable consequences, so caution must prevail.”
China delayed releasing crucial coronavirus information, leaked WHO files show
China stalled for at least two weeks on giving the World Health Organisation (WHO) details it needed on coronavirus, leaked recordings from the health agency have shown.
Officials in China reportedly sat on releasing the genetic map, or genome, of the virus for more than a week after multiple government labs had fully decoded it - and they did not share details key to designing tests, drugs and potentially vaccines.
More on this story can be found below:
China delayed releasing crucial coronavirus information, leaked WHO files show
Vital data was withheld for over a week while virus spread ever more rapidlyUK government scraps weekend coronavirus briefings over ‘low ratings’
The UK government is to end its ministerial coronavirus briefings at the weekend, blaming poor TV viewing figures, Downing Street has said.
A No 10 spokesperson said Boris Johnson, the prime minister, would commit to appearing once a week in the new five-a-week schedule of press conferences to give statements and answer questions from the media and members of the public
Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has the full story below:
EHRC warns against plans to end remote voting in parliament
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has written to all MPs warning that plans to end remote voting during the coronavirus crisis “will place at significant disadvantage MPs who are shielding or self-isolating”.
Ahead of the vote on the government’s proposal, EHRC chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath wrote:
“I'm getting in touch to raise our concern that proceedings in Parliament must remain fully inclusive during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are concerned by the announcement today from the Leader of the House of Commons which implies that Parliament may proceed without provision for the remote participation of Members who are unable to travel to Westminster because of the pandemic.
“This will place at significant disadvantage MPs who are shielding or self-isolating because of age, disability, health conditions or pregnancy, as well as other Members who will struggle to attend the chamber in person due to travel restrictions and caring responsibilities.
“It cannot be right for Parliament to proceed without provision for remote participation when many elected representatives cannot attend in person.
“We ask the Government and Members of the House to show leadership in championing equality and non-discrimination and to ensure that, when deciding future procedure tomorrow, Parliament remains inclusive and effective in making the decisions that affect us all.”
Pandemic modeller speaks of ‘dismay’ over UK government’s early response to pandemic
A pandemic modeller who advised the UK government has spoken of his “dismay” over how senior politicians acted as though coronavirus was “not something that was too serious” in the early days of the outbreak.
Professor Graham Medley, who sits on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), told Channel 4’s Dispatches of his frustration over a lack of clear strategy from ministers.
“We already knew that this virus was going to cause an awful lot of death and disability and would require an awful lot of NHS resource,” Professor Medley said.
“So it was with some dismay that we were watching senior politicians behaving in a way that suggested that this was not something that was too serious.”
He added that the government was told in late February that half a million people could die in the UK unless lockdown measures were introduced - but it was not until 23 March that a full lockdown was imposed.
“We had been saying it on Sage... from the end of February. It was a public perception that something changed on the 16 March, but nothing changed within SPI-M or within Sage other than a palpable relief that this was being seen as a very serious event,” the professor said.
A government spokesperson said ministers had taken “the right steps at the right time” to combat the pandemic.
"At every stage, the government has been guided by the advice of experts from Sage and its sub-committees - advice which has now been published on gov.uk,” the spokesperson said.
Wuhan reports no symptomatic cases of Covid-19 after city-wide tests.
The Chinese city of Wuhan, where Covid-19 was first identified, has found no new cases of people suffering from coronavirus and 300 asymptomatic carriers of the virus after testing almost its entire population, officials have said.
Authorities launched a mass testing campaign on 14 May, reaching 9.9 million out of 11 million people, after a cluster of new cases sparked fears of a second wave of the virus.
China does not count people who are infected with the virus but do not show symptoms of the disease as confirmed cases.
Officials told reporters in a briefing that there had been no new confirmed cases, and said the asymptomatic carriers had been found not to be infectious because masks, toothbrushes, phones, door handles and elevator buttons that they touched had no traces of virus.
The central city in Hubei province was placed under a lockdown on 23 January until 8 April.
