UK death toll from coronavirus increases by 450 in lowest increase over two weeks

The number of daily coronavirus deaths in the UK fell to its lowest level in two weeks as 450 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

UK death toll rises to 16,522 as experts say there are indications that the curve is flattening out and the UK is nearing its peak.

Single-day totals have fallen two days in a row, but reductions need to be met with caution as many deaths will not be counted until later due to a delay in reporting weekend deaths.

England reported an additional 429 deaths on Monday, Scotland recorded 12 deaths and Wales had another nine. Northern Ireland had yet to announce its latest totals.

The figures were announced as the government struggles to fill the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) amid signs that a shipment from Turkey, which includes 400,000 much-needed dresses, would be delayed for the second consecutive day.

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Monday’s increase of 450 has dropped from 534 on Sunday and 885 on Saturday. It is the lowest total on a single day since April 6, when 441 deaths were reported.

The record was April 10 when 953 new deaths were announced (based on totals announced individually by each UK nation, not on Health Department figures).

The Health Department will release its official death toll later. It is likely to be slightly less than 16,522 due to a delay in reporting.

The death toll in England stands at 14,829

NHS England has announced 429 new deaths from people who tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed hospital deaths in England to 14,829.

Of the 429 new deaths announced today:

– 85 occurred on April 19

– 210 occurred on April 18

– 53 occurred on April 17

The figures also show that 77 of the deaths occurred between April 1 and April 16, and the remaining four deaths occurred in March, with the earliest death occurring on March 21.

NHS England publishes daily updated figures showing the dates of each coronavirus-related death in hospitals in England, often including previously uncounted deaths that occurred several days or even weeks ago.

This is due to the time it takes for deaths to be confirmed as positive for Covid-19, for post-mortem exams to be processed, and for validation of test data.

Figures released today by NHS England show that April 8 currently has the highest total for most hospital deaths occurring in a single day, 803, although this could change in future updates.

Deaths in Scotland number 915

In Scotland, 915 patients died, an increase of 12 compared to 903 on Sunday, Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon told reporters.

Sturgeon said 8,450 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland, 263 more than the 8,187 the day before.

There are 169 people in intensive care with coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms, a decrease of five on Sunday, he added.

There are 1,809 people in the hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19.

Wales reports 584 death toll

Health officials in Wales said nine other people had died, bringing the total number of deaths to 584.

Another 276 people in Wales tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 7,546.

More than 900 tests were carried out on Sunday, for a total of 26,091 in Wales.

Dr Giri Shankar of Public Health Wales said: “Based on the new case numbers, there is emerging evidence suggesting a leveling off in the number of new Covid-19 cases in Wales, which may be an indication of the effectiveness of the blocking measures.

“However, it is still too early to know for sure, and it is too early to end the current rules of social distancing.”

“Public Health Wales continues to fully support the extension of the blocking measures, which is essential to avoid reversing the achievements we have made in halting the spread of this virus, protecting our NHS and saving lives.”

About 21,626 people in England, Wales and Scotland underwent coronavirus testing in the 24 hours to 9 a.m. on Sunday, Downing Street said.

Test capacity dropped to 36,000, from 38,000 last week, over the same 24-hour period, but the prime minister’s spokesman said this was because commercial labs implemented new processes.

“That is not a permanent fall,” said the spokesman.

More than 88,000 NHS and social care personnel and their families have been evaluated.

The spokesperson added that the government believes it is “underway” to reach the goal of 100,000 tests per day by the end of the month.

Government criticized for EPP shortage

The government faced strong criticism again, as supplies of EPP were kept critically low in hospitals where doctors and nurses are exposed to the life-threatening virus.

More than 60 health workers have died during the crisis.

NHS Providers Chief Executive Chris Hopson said there was “relatively low confidence” that the shipment from Turkey would arrive on Monday.

He was due to leave on Sunday, but was delayed.

The NHS is believed to wear around 150,000 dresses a day, meaning the 400,000 arriving from Turkey would last less than three days.

The government said it had secured 25 million pieces of PPE from China, but did not say when the equipment would be delivered or if it would arrive at once or in individual shipments.

Hopson said the trusts are being forced to “word of mouth” solutions, which include washing single-use robes and restricting stocks to key areas.

He told the BBC that the trusts were reserving the stock of fluid-resistant gowns they have for areas of high clinical risk, such as intensive care units and the use of alternative solutions in other areas.

NHS Confederation Chief Executive Niall Dickson said: “It would have been better if the government had not made the announcement in the first place” and said staff would need to make their own assessment of whether they felt safe with the PPE being offered currently.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said he was hopeful that the dresses would still arrive, and told BBC Breakfast: “We are very hopeful that later today that flight will take off and we will get those dresses.

“We are working very hard to resolve this, there have been challenges at the end of Turkey.”

“I don’t want to start making more and more promises, but I understand that that flight will take off this afternoon and they will be delivered.”

He said the government had acquired another 25 million dresses from China and that they would arrive “shortly.”

Fear of the second peak if the blockage was relieved

In other developments, Downing Street said moving too fast to facilitate blocking measures could lead to a second spike in the virus outbreak.

In response to reports on Boris Johnson in favor of a cautious approach to lifting the restrictions, the prime minister’s spokesman said: “The big concern is a second peak.”

“That is what will ultimately do the most damage to health and the most damage to the economy. If you move too fast, then the virus could start to spread exponentially again.

“The public will expect us to do everything we can to stop the spread of the virus and protect lives.”

Decisions on the blockade will be based on the advice of Sage, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, which must be submitted before the end of the month.

When asked if the blocking restrictions could be changed rather than removed entirely, the prime minister’s spokesman said: “If it moves too fast, by lifting wholesale social distancing measures, that could cause the virus to spread exponentially again. “

He noted the suggestion by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab that the next steps could include relaxing measures in some areas and strengthening them in others.

Sturgeon said the Scottish government will establish “by the end of this week” a framework that will guide the lifting of the blockade measures.

She said: “I want to be clear, however, that the initial version of this work will not establish what measures will be lifted and when.

“We just aren’t in a position to make those decisions in an adequately informed way yet.”

Welsh Prime Minister Mark Drakeford warned that if there was no UK-wide deal once the next three-week review of the closure expires, Wales could do it alone.

He said: “I have always said that getting around the UK together is the best way to do things for Wales,” he said.

“If we cannot ensure it and we need to make decisions for ourselves, that is, of course, what we will do.”

Sir Keir Starmer lobbied Raab in planning to lift the coronavirus blockade during a “constructive” call with opposition leaders, a Labor spokesman said.

The spokesperson added: “During the call, the Labor leader expressed concern about the availability of PPE for key workers and asked how the government would address the current supply shortage.

“He also asked how sure the government was to reach the goal of 100,000 tests per day by the end of the month.

“Keir Starmer reiterated his support for the government’s decision to extend the blockade, but asked what planning was being implemented for when the restrictions are lifted.”

Mr. Raab is still replacing Johnson as the Prime Minister continues his Covid-19 recovery.

A spokesman said Johnson is receiving daily written updates on the coronavirus response as he continues his recovery at Checkers, but is not doing the government’s job.

The spokesman declined to be called when Johnson would return to work, but said he would be “guided by the advice of his medical team.”

The government has denied that there are plans for schools in England to reopen soon, and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said Sunday that there was no fixed date for students to return.

The plan for workers who have been laid off, given a temporary leave of absence, has been launched, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £ 1.25 billion package to help companies in the innovation sector.

The UK has been asked to keep a minute’s silence for the key workers who have been killed in the front line of the fight against Covid-19.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said he considered the proposals for a moment of national reflection a “very good idea” and that his department was “investigating.”

Follow calls from the Labor Party and health unions to honor the deceased.

The Duke of Edinburgh has made a rare public statement, praising those who address the coronavirus pandemic across the UK and keep essential services operational.

Philip, 98, who retired from public office in 2017, said he wanted to acknowledge the “vital and urgent” medical and scientific work being done.

Teams from Oxford University and Imperial College London are on a race with experts from around the world to develop a vaccine for Covid-19.

Oxford hopes to start human trials this week, while Imperial College hopes to start its trials in June.

A vaccine is expected to be ready this fall.

A group of doctors has asked people to make their own face masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Campaign group Masks4All has suggested that homemade masks may delay the spread of Covid-19.

But the World Health Organization (WHO) has said there is no evidence to support the use of masks in the general population.

Sir Richard Branson warned that Virgin Atlantic will collapse unless it receives a taxpayer bailout.

The carrier is reported to request up to £ 500m of public money.