Coronavirus news - live: UK at Covid ‘tipping point’ warns Hancock as Londoners could be told to work from home again

US carries out one million tests in a day - but it’s still not enough

The United States set a one-day record with over 1 million coronavirus diagnostic tests being performed, but the country needs 6 million to 10 million a day to bring outbreaks under control, according to various experts.

The country performed 1,061,411 tests on Saturday, according to data from The COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer-run effort to track the outbreak.

The record comes after testing has fallen for several weeks.

The United States tested on average 650,000 people a day in the week ended Sept. 13, down from a peak in late July of over 800,000 people a day.

Better testing needed to keep schools open, says teachers union

Testing for Covid-19 in schools must improve if they are to remain open, the National Education Union (NEU) has said.

The leaders of Britain's largest education union wrote to Boris Johnson on Sunday urging the government to take emergency measures if schools and colleges are to stay safe.

Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, wrote: "It is now clear that your government has not managed to ensure that testing is sufficiently available to meet the predictable need when 12 million children and their staff returned to school in England."

They said that testing problems meant that schools are unable to act quickly to stop the spread of the virus, children are being kept out of school unnecessarily and staff are left waiting at home for a test which may well be negative.

The NEU called for a ‘Plan B’ involving reduced class sizes, Nightingale Schools, delivery of broadband and laptops to children who still do not have them, and “urgent clarity and realism on exams and tests for next year”. 

“School leaders, teachers and support staff have supported the wider opening for all pupils and worked hard to make it as safe as possible, but you cannot, and must not, take this support for granted,” the letter adds.

Crowds flock to Blackpool ahead of Lancashire lockdown

Warm weather saw visitors flock to Blackpool over the weekend despite authorities warning against having a “last blast” in the resort town ahead of the introduction of tighter coronavirus restrictions in Lancashire.

Footage showed crowds of people on the promenade on Saturday and people reported queues for attractions, gridlocked traffic, little social distancing and few people wearing masks indoors.

Protests in Madrid as activists claim lockdown measures are ‘discriminatory’ 

Protesters in some poorer areas of Madrid that are facing lockdown to stem a soaring Covid-19 infection rate have taken to the streets to call for better health provisions, complaining of discrimination by the authorities.

Madrid's regional government on Friday ordered a lockdown from Monday in some of the poorer areas of the city and its outskirts that are home to about 850,000 people after a surge in coronavirus cases there.

The lockdown measures predominantly apply to areas of lower income and with higher immigrant populations. Peaceful protests were held in 12 of the 37 districts affected on Sunday.

About 600 people demonstrated in the southern district of Vallecas, which has one of the highest infection rates in the Spanish capital - about six times higher than that of Chamberi, a wealthy area in the north of the city, according to regional government figures.

"It is illogical that you can go and do things in wealthier areas, but you cannot do the same in Vallecas. There is the same risk of contagion. They are discriminating," said Begona Ramos, 56, a protester, who is self-employed and lives in Vallecas.

Nearly 700 cases in Liverpool across seven days

Nearly 700 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Liverpool in the seven days to 17 September, according to new data from Public Health England.

A total of 688 cases were recorded - the equivalent of 138.1 cases per 100,000 people, up from 96.4 per 100,000 in the previous week (the seven days to September 10).

It means Liverpool now has the fifth highest weekly rate in England.

The four areas with higher rates are Bolton (187.8 per 100,000 people, down from 213.2); Rossendale (159.5, up from 60.2); Hyndburn (156.7, up from 117.2); and Preston (148.1, up from 103.4).

US congresswoman confirms infection on Twitter

US congresswoman Jahana Hayes of Connecticut has tested positive for the virus and will quarantine for 14 days, she announced on Twitter.

"After going to 2 urgent care centers yesterday, I finally got an appointment at a 3rd site and was tested this morning," the first-term Democrat said. 

Ms Hayes said she has no Covid-19 symptoms "except for breathing issues which are being monitored." 

Ms Hayes sought testing after one of her staff members tested positive for the virus on Saturday. The 47-year-old said she contracted the virus despite taking "every possible precaution."

Northern Irish case spike ‘deeply concerning’

Stormont’s Health Minister Robin Swann has described the latest numbers of Covid-19 cases in Northern Ireland as "deeply concerning".

"Important decisions to be taken in the days & weeks ahead. Everyone must play their part by following public health advice," he tweeted.

It comes after a further 176 new cases were confirmed in the region in the last 24-hour reporting period, bringing the total in Northern Ireland to 9,341, including 977 in the last seven days.

Lebanon records more than 1,000 cases in 24 hours amid spike in infections

Lebanon has registered a record 1,006 cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours amid a sharp increase in infections and deaths due to the virus.

Health Minister Hamad Hassan recommended a total lockdown for two weeks to stem the alarming rise in daily detected infections, but authorities will find it difficult difficult to impose another lockdown amid an unprecedented economic collapse.

The rise began after a lockdown was eased and the country's only international airport was reopened in early July. The surge continued after the massive 4 August explosion in Beirut's port that killed 193 people, injured at least 6,500 and devastated much of the city.

Lebanon records more than 1,000 cases in 24 hours amid spike in infections

Lebanon has registered a record 1,006 cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours amid a sharp increase in infections and deaths due to the virus.

Health Minister Hamad Hassan recommended a total lockdown for two weeks to stem the alarming rise in daily detected infections, but authorities will find it difficult difficult to impose another lockdown amid an unprecedented economic collapse.

The rise began after a lockdown was eased and the country's only international airport was reopened in early July. The surge continued after the massive 4 August explosion in Beirut's port that killed 193 people, injured at least 6,500 and devastated much of the city.

Myanmar announces toughest restrictions yet

Myanmar has announced its tightest restrictions yet in a bid to see off its virus outbreak - with the nation’s largest city limiting the number of people allowed in public from any household.

Measures announced for Yangon by Health Minister Dr, Myint Htwe allow just one person per household out of their homes for shopping, and two for hospital visits - although a driver is also permitted when traveling by car. 

Wearing face masks has also been made mandatory, while a blanket work from home order has been issued to all office staff. Factories, finishing and construction enterprises must halt operations from 24 September to 7  October.

Travel out of Yangon had already banned and all domestic flights grounded on 11 September.