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”.
‘We must all follow the rules to save lives’
West Midlands Police have been live-tweeting their coronavirus regulation crackdown this evening, with visits to pubs, restaurants and universities.
“We understand that this is a frustrating time for everyone but we MUST all follow the rules to help save lives,” the force said.
They are also giving a thumbs up to those venues complying with the law.
The force earlier announced that two students had been fined £200 each over a party at Coventry University Halls.
Burnley still has highest case rate in England
Burnley continues to have the highest rate of new coronavirus cases in England, according to the latest analysis of public data.
The Lancashire town had 303 new cases recorded in the seven days to September 29 - the equivalent of 340.8 cases per 100,000 people.
The top ten local authority areas with the highest case rates, taken from a list compiled by Press Association, are as follows:
Burnley 340.8 cases per 100,000 people, up from 239.5 the previous week.
Manchester 289.4, up from 189.4
Liverpool 287.7, up from 239.3
Knowsley 283.0, up from 238.6
Newcastle upon Tyne 239.4, up from 212.0
Halton 220.2, up from 217.1
Preston 216.6, up from 187.9
St Helens 216.5, up from 156.2
Pendle 205.2, up from 196.5
Sefton 191.4, up from 150.9
Redbridge has highest case rate of London boroughs
London case rates are also increasing, although they remain much lower than other parts of the country.
Redbridge appears to have the highest rate according to the latest reliable figures for the week up to 29 September, with 62.2 cases per 100,000 people.
Tower Hamlets, which had a rate of 40.3 during the same period, has asked residents to avoid visiting other households to try and prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Here is the top five for case rate per 100,000 people (total cases reported in week up to 29 September), as calculated by Press Association.
Redbridge 62.2 (190), up from 57.7 (176) the previous week
Newham 53.8 (190), up from 41.1 (145)
Hounslow 50.8 (138), up from 29.5 (80)
Havering 48.5 (126), up from 38.5 (100)
Barking and Dagenham 48.4 (103), down from 55.0 (117)
James Bond film delayed again - until April 2021
The latest James Bond film, No Time To Die, has been moved back to April 2021.
It was originally due to be released in April this year, but was delayed until November amid global concern around the spread of coronavirus.
No Time To Die will be Daniel Craig's final outing as 007.
Trump treated with 'antibody cocktail’
Donald Trump "remains fatigued but in good spirits" after being treated with an experimental antibody cocktail for COVID-19, the president's physician Dr Sean Conley has said in a statement.
Conley said Mr Trump received an intravenous dose of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc's dual antibody and was also taking zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and aspirin.
Regeneron's drug, REGN-COV2, is part of a class of experimental Covid-19 drugs known as monoclonal antibodies: manufactured copies of human antibodies to the virus that are being studied for use in patients with early illness.
Liverpool FC striker tests positive
Sadio Mane is the latest footballer to test positive for coronavirus.
According to the Premier League’s last update on Monday (28 September), ten players or club staff tested positive the previous week. There were three tests in the week before that (14-20 September)
Breaking: Trump being taken to hospital
Donald Trump is being taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
A White Official said he would be moved to a special suite for the next few days as a precautionary measure following his positive test for Covid-19.
Doctors urged the move so Trump could get immediate care if needed, the official said.
Donald Trump to be moved to Walter Reed medical centre
The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent.
‘Abundance of caution’
This is the statement from White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany:
“"President Trump remains in good spirts, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day, Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the President will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days.”
Reuters news agency said a “source familiar with the matter” had described Mr Trump’s condition as a "mild fever".
The president’s helicopter, Marine One, is still sat on the White House lawn waiting to take Donald Trump to hospital.
Officials have insisted that he will not be handing over power to the vice president Mike Pence.
Much of the speculation now is whether he will be pictured walking to the helicopter, and then from the helicopter to the hospital.
Donald Trump has now left the White House by helicopter - you can follow the latest developments as they happen on our US live blog.
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