Third Scottish care home sees deadly Covid-19 outbreak

A third Scottish care home has experienced a deadly coronavirus outbreak, with nine elderly residents reportedly dying from the virus in the last ten days.

The Scottish Sun has reported nine residents have died at Tranent Care Home in East Lothian following a Covid-19 outbreak.

It follows other outbreaks at Castle View care home in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, and Burlington care home in North Lanarkshire amid concerns about the safety of such homes during the epidemic.

The owners of Tranent Care Home, HC-One, said they would not comment on the number of deaths.

“Caring for our residents and supporting our colleagues is at the heart of what we do, and we are doing everything we can to make sure our residents and colleagues stay safe and well throughout these challenging times,” a spokesperson said.

“We have a comprehensive coronavirus contingency plan in place, which was created by our clinical director and reflects the latest government guidance.”

She added: “We are working closely with our local health and care partners, and we are continuing to take action to secure the medical equipment, PPE (personal protective equipment) and supplies we need to protect residents and colleagues alike.”

Spain death toll rises to 15,238

Spain’s coronavirus death toll has risen to 15,238, up by 683 in 24 hours, the country’s health ministry has said.

Confirmed Covid-19 cases have also risen in the country to 152,446, up from 146,690 on Wednesday.

The new figures came after Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, said there were signs the epidemic was beginning to decline from its peak.

Southampton players, alongside the club’s board of directors, manager and coaching staff, have opted to defer part of their salaries for April, May and June.

Our senior football correspondent, Melissa Reddy, has the full story below:

This graph from
Statista shows the number of coronavirus cases in each region of the country, as of Wednesday.

Northamptonshire Police to ramp up enforcement of coronavirus regulations: ‘These are not guidelines anymore’

Northamptonshire Police will ramp up its enforcement of coronavirus regulations following the end of a “three-week grace period”, the force’s chief constable has said.

Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Nick Adderley warned people in the county could now face fines or a criminal record for breaking lockdown rules. 

Mr Adderley said a small number of people had been flouting regulations, with some officers being “baited” by members of the public.

He added that the force might have to resort to more extreme measures, such as roadblocks, if people continue to break the rules.

“These are not guidelines anymore. This is the law,” Mr Adderley said.

“We haven’t issued any fixed penalty notices, but we have charged a number of people with Covid-related offences.”

He added: “We’ve had examples of people sunbathing in the park, having barbecues in the park, we’ve had large gatherings of family members.

“To those people, I am saying ‘your time is up’.”

Google bans Zoom over security concerns

Google has banned the video chat app Zoom from its employees’ laptops due to security and privacy concerns.

The technology company has said corporate computers will no longer be able to use the app because it is insecure.

“Recently, our security team informed employees using Zoom Desktop Client that it will no longer run on corporate computers as it does not meet our security standards for apps used by our employees,” a Google spokesperson said.

Our technology editor, Andrew Griffin, has the full story below:

Our Moscow correspondent, Oliver Carroll, has the latest news from Russia, where the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases has passed the 10,000 mark after a sharp rise.

Oliver writes:

Russia passed an unwelcome milestone overnight, with the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases breaking the 10,000 barrier. The record 1,459 daily rise in cases was up 24 per cent on the previous record set a day ago. Death figures were also up, with 13 overnight taking the total to 76.

Vladimir Putin’s own predictions last week that the problem would peak within a fortnight looks wildly optimistic. Other models put that point at mid-May, even under lockdown conditions. Much of the country is currently under such regulations, though they are very unevenly implemented.

One particularly worrisome element for Russian authorities is the increasing proportion of cases coming from the provinces. Decades of underfunding have left a legacy of appalling health provision in many regions. Across the country, medical professionals are complaining of a deficit of doctors, nurses, PPE and equipment.

Future of EU at stake over coronavirus response, Italy PM says

Italy’s prime minister has said the future of the European Union is at stake over its response to the coronavirus pandemic following concern about economic support for nations badly hit by Covid-19.

“We need an economic and social response at the European level,” Giuseppe Conte told the BBC.

“It’s a big challenge to the existence of Europe.”

He added: “If Europe fails to come up with a monetary and financial policy adequate for the biggest challenge since World War Two, not only Italians but European citizens will be deeply disappointed.”

In a 16-hour video conference that stretched through the night from Tuesday afternoon, EU finance ministers failed to seal a deal on how far to go to support their stricken economies.

“If we do not seize the opportunity to put new life into the European project, the risk of failure is real,” Mr Conte warned.

Ministers are due to reconvence on Thursday afternoon after Germany expressed hope finance ministers would be able to agree on a 500 billion euro economic rescue package.

Divisions have so far been between southern EU states, led by Italy, who have demanded far-reaching measures like issuing joint debt and the Netherlands, acting as the voice of the fiscally conservative north, which is calling for more restraint.

Emily Maitlis praised for warning Covid-19 is not ‘a great leveller’

Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis has been praised for warning coronavirus is not a so-called “great leveller” and calling out suggestions the pandemic would impact everyone equally.

The BBC host has also taken issue with ministers who have implied those who have recovered from Covid-19 did so through fighting spirit.

“You do not survive the illness through fortitude and strength of character, whatever the prime minister’s colleagues will tell us,” Ms Maitlis said on Wednesday night.

“The disease is not a great leveller, the consequences of which everyone – rich or poor – suffers the same,” she added.

“This is a myth which needs debunking. Those on the front line right now – bus drivers and shelf stackers, nurses, care home workers, hospital staff and shop keepers – are disproportionately the lowest paid members of our workforce. They are more likely to catch the disease because they are more exposed.”

Our reporter, Colin Drury, has the full story below:

Ofcom could take action over David Icke TV appearance, minister says

The UK’s culture secretary has said he will contact Ofcom to see what action can be taken after conspiracy theorist David Icke was given prominence on the local TV channel London Live.

“You are absolutely right these are lunatic conspiracy theories and no sensible person would give them a moment’s thought,” Oliver Dowden told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, when asked about Mr Icke.

“Clearly that station is regulated by Ofcom and I would be expecting Ofcom to take appropriate action.”

Spain’s ‘fire’ coming under control, prime minister says

The latest coronavirus data from Spain is encouraging and the country is close to the beginning of a decline in the epidemic, the Spanish prime minister has said.

Pedro Sanchez told parliament on Thursday that the fire was “starting to come under control” before a vote on the extension of the country’s state of emergency by another two weeks until 26 April.

Spain has recorded more than 14,000 deaths in its Covid-19 outbreak – one of the worst in the world – but has seen signs in recent days that the epidemic is slowing.

Two men arrested after ‘licking their hands and wiping them over meat in supermarket’

Two men have been arrested after they were caught on camera licking their hands in a supermarket and wiping them over meat, fresh produce and fridge handles, police have said.

CCTV images were released by police of the men, who entered the Sainsbury’s store in Lancaster Road, Morecambe, at about 1.45pm on Saturday.

The store was thoroughly disinfected and the food had to be destroyed, police added.

“That anyone could think this sort of behaviour is appropriate or amusing even in normal times is beyond me, but at this time of crisis when many people have been faced with empty shelves in some shops is flabbergasting,” Inspector James Martin, from Lancashire Police, said.

A police spokesperson said inquiries into the incident were ongoing.

Dementia patients risk being ‘abandoned’ in care homes

Tens of thousands of dementia patients risk being ‘abandoned’ to Covid-19 in care homes, the Alzheimer’s Society has said.

The research charity has warned at least half of care homes are reporting cases of coronavirus and dozens of residents have died during the UK’s outbreak amid concerns about a lack of testing in homes.

The warning came following reports that fifteen residents had already died at one care home in Luton during the pandemic.

Five of the residents who died at Castletroy Residential Home, which holds 69 beds for elderly people, were confirmed to have had Covid-19.

Boris Johnson remains in hospital but ‘improving’

The prime minister is still in hospital but is said to be “improving” and responding to treatment after spending two nights in intensive care due to coronavirus.

Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, said on Wednesday that Mr Johnson was sitting up in bed and engaging with the medical team at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

UK lockdown set to be extended ‘until May’

The government is expected to extend the UK’s nationwide lockdown, which must be reviewed by 16 April, as the country nears the peak of its coronavirus epidemic.

Media reports have suggested the extension could be until May at the earliest after ministers and officials warned on Wednesday there was little chance of restrictions being eased.

Stephen Powis, NHS England’s medical director, said now was not the time to become “complacent” about the virus.

“We have to continue following instructions, we have to continue following social distancing, because if we don’t, the virus will start to spread again,” Mr Powis said.

However, tensions have risen between the Department of Health and economic departments in the government over how long the lockdown should last due to concerns that the effect on jobs and the economy could outweigh the health benefits of the measures, according to the Financial Times.