Coronavirus news: Northern leaders attack new lockdown plans for lack of clarity amid pub closure fears
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Your support makes all the difference.Leaders in northern England have attacked the government for its much-leaked plan to impose new lockdown restrictions in the region because of a lack of detail.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said Boris Johnson had “lost the dressing room” through his poor communication. Earlier he tweeted he had learned of the plans in the press rather than an official briefing by ministers.
Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers could be ordered to shut again in some parts of the country, according to reports. There could also be a ban on overnight stays away from home in some areas, according to the BBC. It comes as hospitals face being overwhelmed as coronavirus infections continue to soar in places such as Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.
Dire warnings came thick and fast on Thursday. Matt Hancock said the situation was “perilous", with hospital admissions doubling every fortnight - including among people aged 60 and over. Deaths were also rising, he said.
At the same time, people waiting for routine surgery may see their operations pushed back still further if intensive care units fill up with Covid-19 patients, the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine said as they urged the public to stick with social distancing rules.
Also, worrying news from the Test and Trace service, which failed to reach more than 30 per cent of close contacts of people who tested positive for the coronavirus in England in its latest round of figures - the worst yet.
In the US, there was much wrangling over whether and if another presidential debate would take place between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, and whether it would be virtual or in-person.
Mr Trump plans to return to the campaign trail on Friday - but virtually, through the medium of conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh’s programme.
Northern leaders rage at PM over looming lockdown restrictions
Boris Johnson was today facing fury from regional leaders, as Downing Street fuelled confusion by refusing to confirm details of new coronavirus lockdown measures expected to be imposed across the north of England next week, writes Andrew Woodcock.
The prime minister’s official spokesman denied that final decisions had been made on the three-tier package, insisting that ministers were still “considering a range of options”, while a senior No 10 source said that some elements of the plan being discussed in public were inaccurate.
Northern leaders’ fury at Boris Johnson, as Downing Street refuses to confirm details of coming coronavirus restrictions
Downing Street claims ministers still ‘considering options’, as leaked document confirms new lockdown plan
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WHO sees record one-day increase in coronavirus cases, led by Europe
The World Health Organisation has reported a record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases, with the total rising by 338,779 in 24 hours led by a surge of infections in Europe.
Europe reported 96,996 new cases, the highest total for the region ever recorded by the WHO.
Global deaths rose by 5,514 to a total of 1.05 million.
The previous WHO record for new cases was 330,340 on 2 October. The agency reported a record 12,393 deaths on 17 April.
Europe is now reporting more cases than India, Brazil or the United States.
Russia urges public to stay at home over weekend
Russia's health ministry has issued a recommendation that Russians stay at home this weekend because of a sharp rise in new coronavirus cases, the RIA news agency reported.
Russia reported 11,493 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, just short of the most confirmed in a single day during the pandemic, pushing the overall total to 1,260,112.
Public Health England concerned over ‘definite and sustained increase’ in hospital admissions
Public Health England (PHE) expressed concern about rising hospital admissions.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director for PHE, said: "We are seeing a definite and sustained increase in cases and admissions to hospital.
"The trend is clear and it is very concerning.
"It remains essential that we all continue to socially distance, wash our hands regularly, wear a face covering when needed and follow the guidance if living in an area with additional restrictions.
"Numbers of deaths from Covid-19 are also rising, so we must continue to act to reduce transmission of this virus."
Italy sees 4,000 cases in single day for first time since April
Italy has registered 4,458 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the health ministry has said, the first time the country has exceeded 4,000 cases in a single day since mid-April.
There were also 22 Covid-related deaths on Thursday against 31 the day before -- far fewer than at the height of the pandemic in Italy in March and April.
Italy was the first country in Europe to be slammed by Covid-19 and has the second-highest death toll in the continent, with 36,083 dying since the outbreak flared in February, according to official figures.
Nottingham becomes city with highest weekly rate of coronavirus cases
Nottingham now has the highest weekly rate of new Covid-19 cases in England after more than 2,000 cases were recorded in the city in one week.
A total of 2,294 new cases were recorded in the seven days to October 5, new data shows - the equivalent of 689.1 cases per 100,000 people.
It represents an enormous jump from 407 new cases in the previous seven days (the week to 28 September), or 122.3 per 100,000 people.
Nottingham is also well ahead of the area with the second highest rate, Knowsley, which is now on 601.2 cases per 100,000 people.
More French cities to close bars
France's third-biggest city, Lyon, will have to close its bars in coming days as its coronavirus infection rates are spiking and its hospital emergency beds are filling up quickly with Covid-19 patients, the country’s health minister has said.
Olivier Veran said Lyon, Lille, Grenoble and Saint-Etienne would go on maximum coronavirus alert level from Saturday.
It means they will have to close their bars for two weeks in coming days, as Paris did on Tuesday and Marseille, France's second-biggest city, did earlier this month.
Mr Veran said the situation in Toulouse and Montpellier was also worrying and that those cities could also be moved to maximum Covid-19 alert level from Monday. Dijon and Clermont-Ferrand would be put on higher alert from Saturday, he said.
"Unfortunately, the health situation in France continues to deteriorate," Mr Veran said at his weekly Covid-19 briefing.
Cities placed on maximum alert level will also have to apply stricter health protocols in restaurants.
NI beefs up Covid-19 fines and mask rules
People in Northern Ireland face higher penalties for breaking coronavirus rules, and broader instructions on where they must wear a face mask. Fixed penalty notices now start at £200.
Stormont is trying to stem a dramatic surge of infections.
Some 4,674 new cases of the virus have been confirmed in the region in the last week, while 120 people with Covid-19 are being cared for in hospital, 15 of which are in intensive care, and 11 on ventilators.
First minister Arlene Foster warned the situation is "grave and serious".
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