Coronavirus news: R rate climbs again as cases surge and London braces for tighter restrictions
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Your support makes all the difference.The UK’s coronavirus reproduction rate, or R value, has risen again to between 1.3 and 1.6 following a sharp spike in new cases in recent weeks, the government’s top scientific advisers have said.
London was among the areas seeing rising Covid-19 infections, amid reports that tighter restrictions would be imposed in the capital in the coming days.
Meanwhile US president Donald Trump was taken to hospital, just hours after announcing he and his wife had tested positive. White House officials said it was a “precautionary measure”.
HRVY has urged people to wear masks after revealing he has tested positive for coronavirus.
The 21-year-old singer and YouTube star, who is part of this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up, tweeted: "morning guys, just a little thought. im only 21 and in good health so it just shows that being young doesn't make you invincible, so make sure you wear a mask please, have a good day".
He does not have any symptoms and is now isolating for 10 days.
Nicola Sturgeon says she has spoken to Margaret Ferrier and “made clear” her view that she should step down as MP because her actions were “dangerous and indefensible”.
The Scottish first minister tweeted: “I’ve spoken to Margaret Ferrier and made clear my view that she should step down as an MP. I did so with a heavy heart - she is a friend & colleague - but her actions were dangerous & indefensible. I have no power to force an MP to resign but I hope she will do the right thing.”
Ryanair loses High Court action
The High Court has ruled against Ryanair's legal action challenging the legality of travel advice published by the Irish government in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ryanair claimed the travel restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the virus were "unlawful" and amounted to a disproportionate interference in the rights of the airline and its passengers - but the State disputed those claims.
Today, Mr Justice Garrett Simons ruled the government had "acted lawfully" in providing travel advice and public health advice in respect of the coronavirus pandemic on a non-statutory basis.
Putin sends Trump telegram
Over in Russia, president Vladimir Putin has sent Donald Trump a telegram to wish him a swift recovery after he tested positive for Covid-19.
According to the Russian Interfax news agency, the telegram said: "I am certain that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus."
This might give you a giggle on such a grey and dreary day.
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick has been doing the rounds speaking to the morning programmes - but he seems to have got his geography slightly confused…
NI may need multiple ‘circuit break’ lockdowns
Northern Ireland may require more than one "circuit break" lockdown during the winter, according to Stormont's chief scientific adviser.
Professor Ian Young said it would be sensible for people to plan for the prospect of multiple periods of lockdown over the coming months, though he stressed it was still not clear whether they would definitely be required.
He said there are several options open to the Stormont executive in terms of added restrictions.
New lockdown rules spark confusion and anger
Businesses in areas of northern England where tighter local lockdown restrictions have been imposed are fearful their customer base will evaporate because of the measures.
The Independent’s Andy Gregory spoke to the owner of a tattoo studio in Liverpool:
New social lockdowns spark confusion and anger in north of England
Businesses fear evaporation of customer base and meagre, if any, financial support
Here’s some potentially good news for you - according to researchers in Japan, “painless” saliva tests for coronavirus are just as effective as the standard and more invasive swab test at identifying infection in asymptomatic carriers (such as Donald Trump).
The Independent’s Andy Gregory can explain more on this:
‘Painless’ saliva tests could detect silent coronavirus carriers, study suggests
Faster, easier alternative to throat and nasal swabs could make mass testing schemes more feasible, scientist suggests
Latest ONS figures
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures are in and they show an average of 8,400 new infections per day of Covid-19 in private households in England between 18 and 24 September.
This is down from an estimated 9,600 new infections per day for the period from 13 to 19 September.
The ONS said there is some "limited evidence" that the incidence rate "may be levelling off following steep increases during August and September", but uncertainty around the figures means it is too early to say.
More ONS coronavirus data
An estimated one in 500 people were infected with coronavirus in England between 18 and 24 September, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The statistics office said there had been “clear evidence of an increase in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19” in recent weeks, with the current rates highest in teenagers and young adults.
“There is evidence of higher infection rates in the North West and North East, as well as Yorkshire and the Humber and London,” it added.
Over the last six weeks, the study has analysed almost 300,000 test swabs from randomly selected members of the public, whether they have symptoms or not.
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