nhmemorymaker
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As it happened: US reported coronavirus deaths pass 65,000 - BBC News
I meant to post this yesterday but ran out of time.
- Posted at 18:20 2 May18:20 2 May
Will the UK investigate China?
The government was asked at the daily press briefing if the UK would try to claim "billions in reparations" if it was shown that a lack of transparency from China hampered efforts to prevent the pandemic.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said while "there will come a time" to analyse the origins of the virus and consider what actions to take, the time was "not now".
It follows international calls for an investigation into how the virus - first documented in the Chinese city of Wuhan - emerged.
At a White House press briefing last week, US President Donald Trump appeared to undercut his own intelligence agencies by suggesting he had seen evidence coronavirus originated in a Chinese laboratory.
In the same week, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he would push for an investigation next month at the annual World Health Assembly, which is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO).
That body already plans to discuss calls for a "lessons learned" review of health emergencies.
Our science editor has looked in detail at the Wuhan lab theory and the lack of any evidence for it - have a read.
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- Posted at 18:11 2 May18:11 2 May
What did we learn from today's briefing?
The briefing was led by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick alongside Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England.Article share tools
- The total number of fatalities from coronavirus in the UK, across all settings, now stands at 28,131. The death rate is starting to come down "very gradually and very slowly"
- 105,937 tests were carried out on Friday, surpassing the government's self-imposed target of 100,000 tests a day.
- The government pledged a support package of over £76m to support victims of domestic abuse, vulnerable children and victims of modern slavery through the coronavirus crisis
- Dame Louise Casey will oversee a national effort to ensure rough sleepers have safe accommodation in which they receive support whilst self-isolating
- Any return of UK pupils to school will be done carefully and "may well be in a phased manner", but only when the time is right
- The fact that the rate of transmission is "significantly less" outdoors than indoors is likely to be taken into consideration when lockdown measures are lifted
- It is still not clear whether a person can catch coronavirus twice, but increased testing will help scientists in their conclusions
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- Posted at 18:01 2 May18:01 2 May
What is the R number and why does it matter?
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said to avoid the "disaster" of a second peak that we must keep the R rate below one.
But what is the R number and why does it matter? BBC health correspondent Laura Foster explains.
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Read more about these links.- Posted at 17:25 2 May17:25 2 May
Schools could be re-opened 'in a phased manner'
Any return of UK pupils to school will be done carefully and "may well be in a phased manner" but only when the time is right, Robert Jenrick said at the briefing that finished a few minutes ago.
He said he was aware that home-schooling could be difficult and said there was anecdotal evidence that there was a huge range in terms of the quality of education that children are currently receiving at home.
"I am very focused upon those children who we know are vulnerable... and are at home and less visible," he said.
On the re-opening of schools, Dr Harries, England's deputy chief medical officer, said that children who get infected with the virus "tend to have less clinical disease" and that the disease is less likely to become severe.
She added there was some evidence to suggest younger children are less susceptible to the disease but further research was required.
I have just loved the international posts here. I don't think any of us could have kept up with Australia, the UK, France, South Korea etc....and Dr. Suheult and Dr. Campbell (ha!!) My biggest worry is that the US will not work as closely with these other international leaders when the time comes. His actions with the WHO were rather sad for me..but I still hope he comes back to their table when we all have to work on this together to learn something, and if necessary be prepared for a longer haul.. I dreaded typing that..a longer haul or a second wave.