Trump says US having most coronavirus cases is ‘badge of honour’

Donald Trump has claimed it is a “badge of honour” that the US has the most coronavirus cases in the world.

The US president put the high figure down to the number of Covid-19 tests being carried out.

The States has conducted 11.28 million tests for the new coronavirus, 1.59 million of which came back positive for the disease.

Read more from Oliver O’Connell:
 

Almost one third of Covid-19 victims had diabetes, research suggests

New research suggests almost a third of people who have died with coronavirus in hospitals in England had diabetes.

This is higher than previously thought, as health service data released last week suggested 26 per cent of Covid-19 victims in English hospitals had the condition.

The new figures show that overall, 7,466 of coronavirus patients who have died in hospitals in England had type 2 diabetes, while a further 365 had type 1. This is about 32 per cent of the 24,739 Covid-19 deaths recorded in English hospitals up to 17 May.

Health correspondent Shaun Lintern explains:
 

Captain Tom Moore to be knighted

In lighter news, Captain Tom Moore is to be knighted for his efforts in raising £33m for charities supporting the NHS.

The 100-year-old Second World War veteran captured the hearts of the nation when the story of him walking laps of his Bedfordshire garden emerged.

He was made an honorary colonel just weeks ago in recognition of his work, and now, on the recommendation of the prime minister, he is also to be honoured by the Queen.

Read more on this here:
 

Rolls Royce to cut 9,000 jobs

Rolls Royce has announced it could close some of its factories as part of a programme to cut 9,000 jobs in response to the crisis in the global aviation industry.

Asked if the job cuts would lead to a closure of factories, chief executive Warren East told the BBC: “We are reviewing our footprint because obviously when you wind an operation down below a certain level then it becomes uneconomic so that might be possible.

“But again we have to consult with our unions and do a thorough run through with the unions on exactly where the job losses are going to be.”

Read more details from Samuel Lovett:
 

London mayor urges supermarkets to stock face coverings for commuters
 

London mayor Sadiq Khan has written to supermarkets and shops urging them to stock face coverings for commuters using the capital’s public transport.

Mr Khan is asking stores to help Londoners access reusable non-medical face coverings to prevent the spread of coronavirus in enclosed spaces as lockdown restrictions are eased.

Following updated government guidance advising people to wear face coverings in enclosed places where it is difficult to maintain social distancing, Mr Khan said he wants everyone using London’s public transport to use them for the whole of their journey.

In the letter, sent on Wednesday, he added: “Furthermore, I hope that Londoners will choose to wear face coverings when out doing their shopping, helping to keep you, your staff and their fellow customers safe.”

PA

School reopening plans up in the air

A cabinet minister has admitted he does not know if schools will reopen on 1 June as planned, after a growing revolt from teachers and local councils.
 

Robert Buckland has rowed back from the target date, acknowledging safety fears and that town halls probably had the power to keep some schools closed.

 

Rob Merrick reports:
 

Doctors’ union says schools should reopen ‘as soon as it’s safe’

The British Medical Association, a union representing doctors, however, has said schools should reopen “as soon as it is safe to do so”.

The BMA’s public health medicine committee chairman Dr Peter English said there is “growing evidence” that the risk to children from coronavirus is “extremely small” – but cautioned there is “no united view yet” on whether children can spread it.

The doctors’ union previously said the government should not consider reopening schools in England until the case numbers are “much lower”.

But while acknowledging the decision to reopen schools is “an extremely difficult one”, Dr English, writing in the Daily Telegraph, said the longer children are away from the classroom “the greater the harm to their education, life opportunities and wellbeing”.

PA