Minggu, 04 Oktober 2020

Coronavirus: Nearly 16,000 new COVID-19 cases added to total after technical glitch - Sky News

There has been a delay in nearly 16,000 positive coronavirus results being added to the official figures, the government has announced.

It comes as a further 22,961 lab-confirmed cases of the coronavirus were recorded in the UK, taking the total number to more than 500,000 since the outbreak began.

The government said that, due to a technical issue, there had been a delay in publishing 15,841 cases in England, meaning the total reported over the coming days will include some additional cases from between 25 September and 2 October.

Public Health England (PHE) said the people involved all received the test results and those who tested positive were advised to self-isolate.

"Today and yesterday's headline numbers are large due to the backlog of cases flowing through the total reporting process," PHE said in a statement.

And joint medical director Dr Susan Hopkins told Sky News: "There's no delay in people receiving their test results.

"The delays are in reporting to the dashboard and to the public and there's been a delay in contact tracing initiation.

More from Covid-19

"Public Health England apologise that this occurred and have put in place steps to prevent this happening again."

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The PM says he is 'working flat out' to allow for an easing of restrictions, but there may be 'bumpy months ahead'.

Speaking earlier, the prime minister admitted there had been a "failure in the counting system" and that the issue was not ongoing.

"All the people who had a positive test have now been notified and I think the data that we have is realistic, and again it's very useful in helping us to identify you know where the incidence is and what we need to do to tackle it," he said in an interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis said the revisions were evidence of the government and NHS Test and Trace being "transparent" about the testing numbers.

He told Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "As soon as they've spotted there was an issue, they've dug into that, they've got to the bottom of those numbers, they have been transparent and published the correct numbers and of course the teams will be looking through that to ensure it doesn't happen again."

However, Labour said the failure to record almost 16,000 positive COVID-19 cases was "shambolic".

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: "This is shambolic and people across the country will be understandably alarmed.

"Matt Hancock should come to the House of Commons on Monday to explain what on earth has happened, what impact it has had on our ability to contain this virus and what he plans to do to fix test and trace."

PHE provided a breakdown of how many cases were not included in each day's figures, which are as follows:

  • 957 cases on September 25, when the original figure given was 6,874
  • 744 on September 26, when the original figure given was 6,042
  • 757 on September 27, when the original figure given was 5,693
  • None on September 28, when the original figure given was 4,044
  • 1,415 on September 29, when the original figure given was 7,143
  • 3,049 on September 30, when the original figure given was 7,108
  • 4,133 on October 1, when the original figure given was 6,914
  • 4,786 on October 2, when the original figure given was 6,968

Boris Johnson also warned the coronavirus pandemic "will be bumpy through to Christmas" and potentially beyond, and that it is "too early to say" whether local lockdowns are working.

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He acknowledged there will be some members of the public who are "furious at me" and "furious at the government" amid the continuing COVID-19 restrictions.

"I've got to tell you in all candour it's going to continue to be bumpy through to Christmas, it may even be bumpy beyond."

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2020-10-04 20:47:31Z
52781100308025

Coronavirus: Nearly 16,000 new COVID-19 cases added to total after technical glitch - Sky News

There has been a delay in nearly 16,000 positive coronavirus results being added to the official figures, the government has announced.

It comes as a further 22,961 lab-confirmed cases of the coronavirus were recorded in the UK, taking the total number to more than 500,000 since the outbreak began.

The government said that, due to a technical issue, there had been a delay in publishing 15,841 cases in England, meaning the total reported over the coming days will include some additional cases from between 25 September and 2 October.

Public Health England (PHE) said the people involved all received the test results and those who tested positive were advised to self-isolate.

Speaking earlier, the prime minister admitted there had been a "failure in the counting system" and that the issue was not ongoing.

"All the people who had a positive test have now been notified and I think the data that we have is realistic, and again it's very useful in helping us to identify you know where the incidence is and what we need to do to tackle it," he said in an interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis said the revisions were evidence of the government and NHS Test and Trace being "transparent" about the testing numbers.

More from Covid-19

He told Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "As soon as they've spotted there was an issue, they've dug into that, they've got to the bottom of those numbers, they have been transparent and published the correct numbers and of course the teams will be looking through that to ensure it doesn't happen again."

PHE provided a breakdown of how many cases were not included in each day's figures, which are as follows:

  • 957 cases on September 25, when the original figure given was 6,874
  • 744 on September 26, when the original figure given was 6,042
  • 757 on September 27, when the original figure given was 5,693
  • None on September 28, when the original figure given was 4,044
  • 1,415 on September 29, when the original figure given was 7,143
  • 3,049 on September 30, when the original figure given was 7,108
  • 4,133 on October 1, when the original figure given was 6,914
  • 4,786 on October 2, when the original figure given was 6,968

Boris Johnson also warned the coronavirus pandemic "will be bumpy through to Christmas" and potentially beyond, and that it is "too early to say" whether local lockdowns are working.

He acknowledged there will be some members of the public who are "furious at me" and "furious at the government" amid the continuing COVID-19 restrictions.

"I've got to tell you in all candour it's going to continue to be bumpy through to Christmas, it may even be bumpy beyond."

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2020-10-04 20:36:41Z
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Leaked document reveals proposed three-tier 'traffic-light' system to tackle coronavirus - Daily Mail

Ministers 'plan new tougher red alert lockdowns': Leaked document reveals ALL social contact outside homes could be banned and pubs and leisure businesses closed under proposed three-tier 'traffic-light' system

  • Leaked document shows new three-tier 'traffic-light' Covid lockdown system
  • It will contain an Alert Level One which will include the closure of pubs and bars
  • Boris Johnson defended his handling of the coronavirus crisis amid backlash
  • PM said he hoped scientific 'equation' will change in next few weeks and months 
  • Warned of 'tough winter' and said it could still be 'bumpy' beyond Christmas 
  • Blamed case spike on counting glitch, hinting results might have been delayed

Ministers are planning tough new 'red alert' lockdowns, with a leaked document revealing that all social contact outside homes could be banned under the most extreme part of a proposed 'traffic-light-style' system, according to reports.

The new three-tier system includes an Alert Level Three which will include tough new restrictions - which almost parallel the complete lockdown measures imposed in March.  

The new three-tier system includes a Level One 'red' alert which will include tough new restrictions - which almost parallel the complete lockdown measures imposed in March

The new three-tier system includes a Level One 'red' alert which will include tough new restrictions - which almost parallel the complete lockdown measures imposed in March

These include closing all hospitality and leisure business and banning contact with anyone outside a person's household in any setting.

Non-professional sports will also be stopped - though places of worship will still be allowed to stay open - which was not the case during the original coronavirus lockdown in the UK.

The tough red measures, outlined in a leaked document seen by The Guardian, will only be imposed either nationally or in a specific area if the virus cannot be controlled by measures in Alert Level Two or if an area sees a 'significant increase in transmission'.

Measures for 'Alert Level Two', amber in the traffic light system, include limiting social gatherings to people within a household and support bubble, while travel will be limited to essential purposes. 

Alert Level Two will be triggered when there has been a rise in infections and local measures cannot control it.

Meanwhile Alert Level One, green, will include the measures that are already in place, such as the 'rule of six', the 10pm Covid curfew on hospitality businesses and the wearing of face masks in public places such as supermarkets and public transport.

According to the Guardian, A Whitehall source said the levels were intended to be 'minimum standards'.

The source added that specific local circumstances in each area would also be taken into account. 

The reports come as Boris Johnson today denied bungling coronavirus lockdowns as he warned there is no guarantee the situation will improve by Christmas.

The PM admitted people were 'furious' with him over the 10pm pubs curfew, the Rule of Six, and chaotic local curbs, but defended his handling of the crisis amid growing disquiet on his own benches.

As the virtual Tory conference gets underway, Mr Johnson urged the public to be 'fearless but use common sense' to help manage the outbreak without destroying the economy.

He said he was working 'flat out' and hoped that 'in the course of the next few weeks and months the scientific equation will change' and that would allow a 'different approach'.

But in an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, he cautioned that the restrictions could drag into 2021.

'I know people are furious, and they are furious with me and furious with the government.,' Mr Johnson said.

'But, you know, I've got to tell you in all candour, it's going to continue to be bumpy through to Christmas, it may even be bumpy beyond. But this is the only way to do it.

He added: 'This could be a very tough winter for all of us.' 

In another rollercoaster day of coronavirus developments:

  • Mr Johnson hinted that contact tracing might have been hampered by an extraordinary technical glitch that nearly doubled the daily infections reported yesterday to just under 13,000; 
  • He blamed 'hobnobbing' outside pubs for crowded scenes as revellers are turfed out at the strict 10pm deadline imposed by the government, which critics say is making matters worse; 
  • Mr Johnson flatly denied 'balderdash' rumours he has 'Long Covid' and urged Britons to lose weight to help avoid serious complications from the virus; 
  • The PM insisted he was 'sure' Donald Trump is 'going to be fine' after the President was taken to hospital suffering from coronavirus. 
In an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Boris Johnson cautioned: 'it will continue to be bumpy through to Christmas. It may even be bumpy beyond.'

In an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Boris Johnson cautioned: 'it will continue to be bumpy through to Christmas. It may even be bumpy beyond.'

PM insists Trump is 'going to be fine' 

Boris Johnson insisted Donald Trump is 'going to be fine' today as he dismissed 'balderdash' rumours about his own coronavirus scare.

The PM said the President had been getting the 'best possible care' and he was 'sure' he will overcome the disease.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Johnson also batted away speculation that he has not fully recovered after having the disease in April.

He flatly denied suffering 'long Covid', joking that he was 'fitter than several butchers' dogs'.

And the premier bluntly blamed his own weight for having to go to hospital - although he stressed he was not making a point about Mr Trump's condition. 'I was too fat,' Mr Johnson said. 

The comments came after Mr Trump said he was feeling 'much better', despite conflicting reports over his condition.

The president's medical team said he was doing 'very well' and was in 'exceptionally good spirits' in an update yesterday, less than 24 hours after he was taken by helicopter to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre near Washington DC.

However, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows briefed reporters soon afterwards that Mr Trump had gone through a 'very concerning' period on Friday and the next 48 hours would be critical.

The president himself then posted a video on Twitter from his hospital suite, saying he was feeling 'much better now' and hoped to 'be back soon'.

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The comments came after almost 13,000 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the UK yesterday - double the number for the previous day.

However, the Department of Health blameD the spike on a technical problem, without saying exactly what the issue was.

Mr Johnson said: 'The reason for that is because there was a failure in the counting system.' 

He also suggested that it might have meant delays in some people getting crucial test results.

'All the people who had a positive test result have now been notified,' he said. 

Mr Johnson acknowledged that people were 'furious' with him about the pandemic.

But he insisted his approach was 'the only way to do it', and it was not possible to do as some wish and let the disease 'rip' to protect the economy. 

'As Prime Minister I couldn't take a course that could expose us to tens of thousands more deaths in very short order,' he said.

'And, you know, we've got to continue to bear down on this virus, whilst protecting the economy. That's the balance we've got to strike.'

Told that Tories were condemning him for curtailing civil liberties without parliamentary scrutiny, Mr Johnson said 'nobody in my position wants to do any of the things that we've had to do'.

'I'm a freedom-loving Tory… I don't want to have to impose measures like this, are you crazy?' he said.

'This is the last thing we want to do. But I also have to save life. And that's our priority.

'And I also think, by the way, that's the priority of the British people and I think they will want to see their Government continue to work, continuing to fight the virus and that's what we're doing.' 

Mr Johnson said it would have been wrong to display his usual 'buoyancy' during the pandemic.'

I think the reality is this is a Government that is facing an unprecedented crisis and I think if people wanted me to approach it with the sort of buoyancy and elan and the qualities I usually bring to things, I think people would think that was totally inappropriate,' he said 

On the controversial 10pm curfew for pubs across England, Mr Johnson blamed people who chose to 'hobnob' outside for the chaotic scenes in city centres at closing time.

The Prime Minister said: 'People just need to follow the guidance.

'Obviously it makes no sense if, having followed the guidance for all the time in the pub they then pour out into the street and hobnob in such a way as to spread the virus.'

He added: 'The answer is for all of us to follow the guidance.'

Asked what scientific evidence there was for a 10pm cut-off he said: 'One of the things that has been put to us is that by curtailing the hours you can reduce the transmission.'

Mr Johnson said: 'On the one hand we have the imperative to save life, it is a moral imperative to save life if we possibly can.

'On the other hand we have to keep our economy moving and our society going.

Boris Johnson blames 'failure in counting system' for daily Covid infections DOUBLING to a record 12,872 

Boris Johnson today blamed a 'failure in the counting system' for coronavirus cases nearly doubling yesterday - as he hinted contact tracing might have been delayed.

The PM dodged giving a fuller explanation as he was grilled on the extraordinary spike reported yesterday, with just under 13,000 new cases.

Amid alarm at the increase, the Department of Health said there had been a 'technical issue' in adding a number of the cases to the total in England. 

But appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr show this morning, Mr Johnson suggested that the issue might have gone deeper and affected crucial efforts to track down contacts of those who tested positive.

'The reason for that is there was a failure in the testing system... It was a computing issue,' he said. 

The premier added that 'all the people who had a positive test have now been notified'. 

The government released its daily figures five hours late last night, showing a total of 12,872 new lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases across the UK reported in the 24 hours to 9am Saturday.

In the 24 hours to 9am on Friday, there were 6,968 lab-confirmed cases in the UK. 

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'That is the balance that we are trying to strike and that's why we have got the package of measures now that are in force both nationally and locally.

'What we want people to do is behave fearlessly but with common sense, to follow the guidance – whether national or local – get the virus down but allow us as a country to continue with our priorities.'

He said he believed the science would 'change' in the coming months which would allow the Government and the country to alter its approach to dealing with Covid-19.

He said: 'What I hope, and I believe very strongly, is that in the course of the next weeks and months, the scientific equation will change and we will start to see progress, whether it is on vaccines or on testing, that will enable us to take a different approach.

'But for the moment, that is the balance that people have to adopt, that is the line we have to follow.'

The Government said that, as of 9am on Saturday, there had been a further 12,872 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus.

As of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 6,968 lab-confirmed cases in the UK.

The official dashboard said on Saturday that due to a technical issue, which has now been resolved, there was a delay in publishing a number of cases.

This means that the total reported over the coming days will include some additional cases from the period between September 24 and October 1.

Experts have previously warned that describing the daily figure as a record could be 'misleading' as it is not clear how many people were actually infected during the height of the first wave due to a lack of community testing at the time.

Saturday's figure brings the total number of cases in the UK to 480,017.

The Government also said a further 49 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Saturday. This brings the UK total to 42,317.

Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies show there have now been nearly 57,900 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

Other figures show there were 2,194 Covid-19 patients in hospital in England as of Saturday, up from 1,622 a week ago, while 307 Covid-19 hospital patients were in ventilation beds, up from 223 a week ago.

A further 28 people have died from coronavirus in Britain, preliminary figures show

A further 28 people have died from coronavirus in Britain, preliminary figures show

A total of 368 patients with confirmed Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals in England on Thursday, compared with 288 a week earlier.

Cabinet minister Brandon Lewis was asked about a technical issue with reporting test data that saw more than 12,000 additional UK positive coronavirus cases declared by the Government on Saturday.

He told the Sophy Ridge programme: 'This is an issue between September 24 and October 1.

'Those numbers have been put in as of yesterday and as you say, has had that impact on the numbers.

'I would say actually this is a testament to how focused the Department of Health, Public Health England, the Test and Trace are around the system.

'We are being transparent about this, we're publishing the figures daily.

'As soon as they've spotted there was an issue, they've dug into that, they've got to the bottom of those numbers, they have been transparent and published the correct numbers and of course the teams will be looking through that to ensure it doesn't happen again.

'All the way through this we have been looking at how we can share information with the public as quickly as we can, as transparently as we can because that's part of explaining to people just how dangerous and how quick this virus is in the way it spreads.'

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2020-10-04 20:27:09Z
52781099987172

Met Police officer stabbed in Westminster trying to detain armed men - BBC News

  • Priti Patel condemns 'thuggery' of Black Lives Matter and XR protests

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2020-10-04 18:52:00Z
52781101634017

Met Police officer stabbed in Westminster trying to detain armed men - BBC News

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2020-10-04 17:48:00Z
52781101634017

Policewoman is STABBED in the stomach as she tries to arrest two men after knife raid - Daily Mail

Policewoman is STABBED in the stomach as she tries to arrest two men after knife raid on London grocery store

  • Policewoman was stabbed in stomach after intervening during ongoing robbery
  • Took place at corner shop in Westminster, south west London, at 3.42pm today
  • Despite her stab wound the officer continued to chase the two suspects

A female police officer has been stabbed in the stomach after intervening during a suspected attempted robbery at a grocery store in London.

The officer was attempting to detain two men, armed with knives, as they carried out a raid on a Westminster corner shop, in Chapter Street, south west London, at 3.42pm today. 

Two officers, a male and a female, happened to spot the commotion caused by the ongoing robbery as the shopkeeper struggled to push the armed men from the shop.

The officer was attempting to detain two males, armed with knives, as they carried out a raid on a Westminster shop, in Chapter Street, south west London

The officer was attempting to detain two males, armed with knives, as they carried out a raid on a Westminster shop, in Chapter Street, south west London

As the officers challenged the males, the policewoman received a stab wound to the abdomen, despite her injury she continued to chase the suspects along Vauxhall Bridge Road.

The suspects were detained a short time later with the assistance of firearms officers. 

The officer was taken to hospital. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

After being stabbed the female officer bravely continued to chase the suspects down Vauxhall Bridge Road

After being stabbed the female officer bravely continued to chase the suspects down Vauxhall Bridge Road

Chief Inspector Simon Brooker, Central West BCU, said: 'This shows precisely the kind of danger officers face every single day as they work to keep the public safe.

'For this officer to be stabbed on duty is unacceptable but, fortunately, she does not appear to be seriously injured.

'I applaud her bravery in responding to this call. This courage is typical of Met officers as they go about their duties.'

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2020-10-04 17:18:26Z
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Home Secretary Priti Patel promises 'biggest overhaul of asylum system in decades' - Sky News

The home secretary has promised to deliver the "biggest overhaul of our asylum system in decades", with legislation to be brought forward next year.

Speaking at the Conservative Party's virtual conference, Priti Patel described the current system as "broken" and vowed to replace it with one that is "firm and fair".

She said that those who defended the current system - "the traffickers, the do-gooders, the leftie lawyers, the Labour Party" are "defending the indefensible".

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August: How do we deal with Channel migrants?

But Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "The Tories talk about a broken immigration system, but they have been in power for a decade and are the political party that broke it.

"Recent experience suggests they have not learned any lessons at all, with unconscionable, absurd proposals about floating walls and creating waves in the English Channel to push back boats and sending people thousands of miles away to process claims.

"The truth is the Tories are devoid of compassion and competence."

More than 6,000 migrants have arrived in the UK on small boats so far this year, figures show, despite the government previously promising to make the route from France to England "unviable".

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In her speech, the home secretary accused government opponents of propagating a "false narrative that Conservatives do not have a proud history of providing a safe haven to those most in need".

She said that under Conservative leadership, the UK "has and always will provide sanctuary when the lights are being switched off on people's liberties".

"A fair asylum system should provide a safe haven to those fleeing persecution, oppression or tyranny," Ms Patel said.

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August: Sky News witnesses four boats in the Channel

"But ours doesn't. Because our asylum system is fundamentally broken. And we have a responsibility to act."

The home secretary said the new system would be "fair and compassionate towards those who need our help" and "fair by welcoming people through safe and legal routes".

But she said it would be "firm" in stopping the "abuse of the broken system", such as people who "come here illegally making endless legal claims to remain" and speeding up the "removal of those who have no claim for protection".

"After decades of inaction by successive governments we will address the moral, legal and practical problems with the asylum system. Because what exists now is neither firm nor fair," Ms Patel continued.

"And I will bring forward legislation to deliver on that commitment next year.

"I will take every necessary step to fix this broken system, amounting to the biggest overhaul of our asylum system in decades."

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September: Anti-migrant protests take place in Dover

The home secretary added: "I will not be complicit in an international criminal trade in asylum seekers, elbowing the most vulnerable to the side.

"Reform the system, prosecute the criminals, protect the vulnerable - that is what a firm, but fair asylum system should look like, and that is what I intend to deliver."

The home secretary acknowledged that such an overhaul "will take time" and pledged to "accelerate" the government's response to illegal migration in the meantime.

Ms Patel also said she recognised that the plans would provoke criticism and controversy, saying: "No doubt those who are well-rehearsed in how to play and profit from the broken system will lecture us on their grand theories about human rights."

But she made clear her determination to stand firm, adding: "If at times it means being unpopular on Twitter. I will bear it.

"If at times it means Tony Blair's spin doctor mocking my accent. So be it," she said, referring to an Alastair Campbell tweet mocking her Essex accent and penchant for dropping her Gs.

:: Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

"And if at times it means Labour Members of Parliament attempting to silence me because I do not conform to their idea of what an ethnic minority woman should stand for. I will stomach it.

"Because as Conservatives, we do not measure the depth of our compassion in two hundred and eighty characters on Twitter, but in the actions we take and the choices we make."

The Home Office's top civil servant said earlier this week that "everything is on the table" when it comes to "improving" the UK's asylum system.

Appearing in front of MPs on the Commons Public Accounts Committee, permanent secretary Matthew Rycroft repeatedly refused to deny reports that the government has considered sending asylum seekers to isolated islands 4,000 miles from the UK while their applications are processed.

He also refused to answer direct questions on whether disused ferries could be turned into processing centres.

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2020-10-04 16:11:01Z
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