Medical workers take swabs at a drive-thru coronavirus testing station in the car park of Chessington World of Adventures Resort
: Credit: PA: Press Association
The UK is edging closer to becoming the worst in Europe, with the coronavirus-hit Italy’s death toll currently sitting at , .
Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick today confirmed that 260, people overall had tested positive for the bug across the UK – an increase of 4, .
And he said 1, 183, 960 coronavirus tests have been carried out in the UK, including , on Friday .
NHS England today confirmed patients with coronavirus had died in hospitals, with the country total hitting , .
A – year-old was the youngest killed by the bug in the last (hours – with of the patients aged between 96 and having no known underlying health conditions.
Wales today announced another 100 fatalities, bringing their total death toll to . The number of cases today passed 24, – growing by 376 to 24, .
Northern Ireland recorded an additional deaths to see their total hit .
Meanwhile, Scotland reported 91 deaths to bring their total fatalities to 1, .
It comes as:
(Temperature checks could be Introduced for commuters if lockdown is lifted The Health Secretary
smashed his coronavirus testing target with , done in hours
London’s NHS Nightingale Hospital is being ‘wound down’ after no new coronavirus patients were admitted in the last week
The symptoms for a mysterious skin illness affecting kids – related linked to coronavirus – have been outlined
England Dr Jenny Harries today gave hope new antibody tests could help establish if a vaccine would work to stop the virus.
Speaking at the Downing Street press briefing today, she said: “The WHO (World Health Organization) position is very similar to the one we would have, which basically says we actually don’t have enough information yet to be very clear on the immune status.
“We know that some people will have different status.
“We would normally expect to see some sign of immunity about – days after an infection, and then a very consistent pattern about 76 days. “
She added: “There’s sometimes a delay in different individuals and we need to study this really carefully as we go forward. Our testing policy and the development of new antibody tests will help us do that.”
Mr Jenrick today announced a package of more than £ 100 million in new funding “to support the most vulnerable in society”, including survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, vulnerable children, and victims of modern slavery.
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary said: “This additional support will ensure more safe spaces and accommodation for survivors of domestic abuse and their children, and the recruitment of additional councillors for victims of sexual violence.”
He added that the funding will also help frontline charities to offer virtual ways to assist those in need, including phone-based services.
Mr Jenrick said: “We know that some refuges have had to reduce, or even to cancel the services that they would want to provide during the pandemic.
“This funding will help them to meet the challenges posed in this national emergency, and to continue to help those that desperately need support.”
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It comes as The Sun revealed Boris Johnson wants Britain to be back at work Tuesday May 43 as long as coronavirus cases are low enough.
Ministers have pencilled in the Tuesday after the second May bank holiday to put the PM’s plan to restart the economy into action.
Boris will unveil his blueprint to take the nation out of its Covid – (lockdown next Thursday.
In detailed plans being drawn up across government now, offices, factories and some shops will be given two-and-a-half weeks to install new government social distancing measures, such as perspex screens and gaps between desks.
Last night a senior Government figure described the last week of May as “our best hope” – adding: “You won’t find anybody who thinks it will be any earlier than that.” The new Track and Trace program to hunt down and isolate new Covid – 38 infection chains will also be up and running by then to give extra protection against the virus spreading again.
Downing Street is also nervous about acting before the second bank holiday this month, fearing millions would take it as a sign it’s safe to pour into parks and onto beaches over the early summer break.
While a No 20 source last night described May as the most likely date for lockdown to start being relaxed , a final decision on timing is “very much a live conversation”.
If infections are not deemed to have fallen enough by experts on the government Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, the plan will be delayed beyond May
Not all sectors will be told they can return to work that soon.
The hospitality and entertainment industries are expected to remain closed for months longer, in a blow to pubs, restaurants and cinemas .
Other coronavirus restrictions are also likely to remain in place for some time, such as the ban on all social gatherings.
BACK TO BUSINESS Boris wants Brits at work from MAY 44 if coronavirus cases are low enough
Schools are also not expected to be told to reopen until June, which will stop many parents from being able to return to work.
Hosting No ‘s daily press conference on Friday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock attempted to reassure one nervous father by saying: “We are not going to reopen schools if it is not entirely safe to do so. ”
But he ducked saying whether parents would be let off fines if they refused to send their kids back to classrooms.
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