Transcripts For BBCNEWS Coronavirus Daily Update 20200418

This is bbc news, im kate silverton, the headlines. Unions representing doctors and nurses in england express concerns about new guidelines allowing the reuse of personal protective equipment. Amidst a global shortage, some hospitals in the uk warn they may run out of the equipment this weekend. It is worrying and concerning situation, but these new guidelines have come out to help get through this situation until new gowns come this situation until new gowns come this country. The department of health says over 15,000 patients have now died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the uk an increase of 888. Council leaders in england have warned the government that they need urgent extra funding to tackle the challenges caused by the pandemic. And President Trump angers democrats after tweeting in support of protests against stringent lockdown measures in three democrat run us states. Hello and welcome to viewers on bbc one, as we build up to todays Coronavirus Briefing from the government, to be led by the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government robertjenrick, alongside the National Medical director for nhs england, professor Stephen Powis. A further 888 people have died of coronavirus in the uk, taking the total number of deaths tojust under 15,500. 0ver114,000 people have tested positive for the virus. It comes as unions representing doctors and nurses have expressed concerns about revised guidance that allows personal protective equipment to be re used in hospitals in england. An official from the Doctors Union the bma said the change could lead to some front line staff deciding theyre unable to treat people with covid 19. The government inists the guidance is safe. The head of nhs providers, a body which represents Hospital Trusts in england, has warned that some hospitals could run out of Safety Equipment over the weekend. And in another development, the head of the World Health Organization has questioned whether tests for covid 19 antibodies are effective in showing immunity to the disease. Some countries hoped the tests would be a way to end lockdowns. Well bring you that downing street press conference when it starts in a few minutes time. But first, heres our Health Correspondent helen briggs on the shortage of protective equipment in england. The government has been under fire over ppe shortages and there are fears that stocks of medical gowns used in intensive care could run out at some hospitals this weekend. Public Health England has issued new guidance on what to wear instead, which may involve washing and reusing some protective clothing. But saffron cordery from nhs providers, which represents trusts, says its in line with what has been advised around the world. This is a temporary change in guidance until the supplies come through. However, what i would say is that everybody is concerned about this situation and none more so than Hospital Trust leaders and chief executives who are responsible for keeping their staff, their frontline staff, safe. The government says its working round the clock to source extra items, with textile manufacturers being mobilised. Hundreds of millions of masks, aprons and gloves have already been delivered up and down the country, but gowns are in short supply globally. New clinical advice is being issued today to make sure that if there are shortages in one area, frontline staff know what ppe to wear instead to minimise risk. This has been reviewed by the health and safety executive and is in line with who and cdc guidance. I dont think any Health Care Worker should be expected to expose themselves to potential risks to their lives during the course of their work. Its a real disappointment to us that the government has been unable, even after a month, to address this progressively worsening shortage of ppe. The pandemic is proving a massive test for the nhs, with more uncharted territory ahead. Helen briggs, bbc news. With me now is our Political Correspondent jonathan blake. We will pick up on ppe, but we are expecting to hear more about local government funding in the press conference today. So, what are we expecting to hear . The communities secretary, robertjenrick, expecting to hear . The communities secretary, robert jenrick, will expecting to hear . The communities secretary, robertjenrick, will be leading the press conference. He has responsibility for local government ata uk responsibility for local government at a uk level and especially councils in england. He will face questions on the provision that councils are receiving from government and the help that they have had to this point, which has been welcomed, but councils have said that it does not go anywhere near far said that it does not go anywhere nearfar enough. Today, said that it does not go anywhere near far enough. Today, we said that it does not go anywhere nearfar enough. Today, we learned ofa nearfar enough. Today, we learned of a letter written by the local Government Association to the secretary of state outlining the concerns of councils talking in quite stark terms about the situation they are facing, effectively having to consider rationing services and being on the brink of bankruptcy in some cases. They point out that not only due to coronavirus are they under huge pressure and strain to deliver services such as social care, helpful people with disabilities and the homeless, the logistical challenges that the virus has brought in delivering those services, on top of the strain they we re services, on top of the strain they were under in the first place, and added to that, their income has seen added to that, their income has seen a huge fall because of things like Parking Charges and fines, revenue from leisure centres, public transport use, which has all fallen away because of the lockdown measures in place. So they are feeling it on two fronts. So they have written to the secretary of state welcoming the help which they have had so far but frankly asking for more of the same, and quickly. And if and when that comes from the government, it wont be soon enough for these councils, who are having to make some very difficult decisions about rationing services. And one suspects there will be many questions on that to date and also with regard to ppe. In the interview that i just with regard to ppe. In the interview that ijust did with Colenzo Jarrett Thorpe from unite, staff calling format hahn cock calling for matt hancock to consider his position, because he says theres staff have been so undermined by this situation with ppe. And i think those calls are a measure of the strain which people on the front line fighting this virus are facing. The government will talk about a global shortage, about every country battling coronavirus trying to get its hands on enough ppe and there simply not be enough to go around. They say in a Statement Today that they are working around the clock given the global shortage to get enough supply through, and also the hotline that they put in place for hospitals to call if they are facing shortages and saying that the advice has been changed to deal with shortages should they arise. But as you say, those representing doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers are nurses and other healthcare workers a re clearly nurses and other healthcare workers are clearly running out of patience with this issue, it has been a problem for the government from the start and whilst they have put in place huge measures to get the supplies to the frontline, i think we are seeing that simply there is not enough available. And the change in the guidelines which may see doctors and nurses using substitute ppe, rather than the gold standard, and also potentially reusing it, is and also potentially reusing it, is a reflection of the concern that those supplies are running critically low in some cases. Lets pick up on Council Funding with councillor richard watts, chair of the local Government Associations Resources Board whojoins us now from north london. Can you paint a picture for us in terms of where we are with resources and what youre hearing in terms of the Biggest Challenges being faced on the ground . Well, for many other residents, councils have become the fourth emergency service. As your correspondent said, we are faced with this double whammy of spending money which in normal circumstances we would not have to spend, on things like adult care, housing the homeless, providing food and support for residents who are personally in financial crisis, at the same time as losing money hand over fist because of a loss of income from Parking Charges, rents, where we rent out our own buildings and people arent using leisure centres for obvious reasons. So, councils who were already struggling financially given ten years of pretty ha rd financially given ten years of pretty hard spending cuts imposed on us over pretty hard spending cuts imposed on us over the last decade are really teetering on the edge and without further government backing. It is really welcome that we got £i. 6 billion from government a few weeks ago but my own counsel in islington in north london and many others have pretty much spent all of that money already. Some other councils are in slightly different circumstances and are spending it a bit slower, but everybody will have spent the first slice of cash within one or two months, and i think everybody thinks this crisis is going to last at least that, so councils will start to either go bankrupt or they will have to start heavily rationing services jet we hear very quickly that more money is coming our way. So, i would that more money is coming our way. So, iwould imagine that more money is coming our way. So, i would imagine you would say that there is very little capacity to cut services further, given what you have outlined 7 to cut services further, given what you have outlined . I think that is absolutely right. Council services have been heavily cut already in the last decade and councils have responded very well, i think, to this enormous National Crisis that we face now. Councils have set up help lines, weve rapidly got Homeless People off the streets, weve set up a emergency accommodation, the whole of the effort of local government in this country is focused on the response to this unprecedented pandemic. However, that will rapidly stop. At the moment, were only being allowed by our finance directors to spend money at the rate we are going, because they are confident the government will stand behind us. And i think if confidence in that drops, then quite quickly, councils will be issuing these things which is called a section 114 notice, which is effectively the bankruptcy notice where a council says it cannot afford to carry on spending at its current level and it will introduce these emergency spending controls which will mean so much of the lifeline our residents are dependent on will have to be taken away. How Many Councils do you think are in that potential position . A number. I speak to counsel leaders across the country and they are all relatively confident that with some further support, they can avoid that very difficult position. But we dont know there were a handful of councils teetering on the edge before this crisis started. We do know. Clearly more councils are now spending at a rate which is unsustainable without further backing. Clearly, every council would have to cut back their spending without further guarantees of financial backing. So, i am very hopeful about what the secretary of state is going to say when the briefing starts shortly. I hope the government is listening to councils but certainly, councillors across the country and Senior Council staff will be listening to the words of the state at very closely because we are to have to start taking some pretty quick decisions, if we dont get the support we think we need. And what exactly would you like specifically to hear . Well, we need to hear that the government is going to hear that the government is going to carry on standing behind local government. We have got about £i. 6 billion, to the whole of local government, about three or four weeks ago. Many councils have already spent all of that money on emergency responses and reflecting our lost income. I think we will need to hear something similar again, and we are very hopeful that the government is listening to that and we are very hopeful that the secretary of state will do the right thing, and if he does, i really welcome. I think we need to be clear, though, that at the rate we are going, we are probably going to need a similar size further tranche of money again at some point down the line, because. It is a really challenging situation for us. Indeed, thank you very much for joining us. At this point we would like to welcome. Well, we will be welcoming viewers from bbc world. A at this point wed like to welcome viewers from bbc world news. We are building up to todays Coronavirus Briefing from the uk government. Iam i am keeping an eye on our screens now on downing street. With me now is our Health Correspondent philippa roxby. 0ne imagines we will be hearing a more questions on ppe and the challenges there . That is likely to bea challenges there . That is likely to be a big question today. Many hospitals in england are running short of gowns and are waiting for this updated advice from Health England to reuse aprons and other long sleeved bits of clothing and wash them instead. That is a concern for doctors and nurses and im sure some questions will be post about that today. The government is saying it isa that today. The government is saying it is a worldwide problem, supply is low around the globe and it is difficult to get hold of this kind of stuff. Philippa, the problem, as i was talking to a doctor this morning, is that the confidence in the government is at an all time low so theyre not trusting whether this guidance can be trusted or whether this is asking them to go above and beyond because of the issue with supplies and that is really going to be crucial now moving forward, the question of confidence with clinical staff . Yes, doctors and nurses are quite disappointed by this guidance. They feel they have been let down and they feel already they are putting their lives on the line and they have close contact with infected patients and it is already a very difficult situation in busy intensive units. Lets join that press conference now. Good afternoon and welcome to the Coronavirus Press conference from downing street. I am joined this evening by steve palace, the National Medical director of nhs england. Steve will provide an update on the latest data on coronavirus shortly. But first, let me update you on the steps we are taking to defeat it and the decisions we have taken today. Our fight against this virus is happening all across the country. In every home and in every community. The data shows that 460,400 and 37 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out across great britain, including 21,389 tests carried out yesterday. 114,217 people have tested positive. That is an increase of 5326 cases since yesterday. 17,759 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus in great britain. Down from 18,711 yesterday. And sadly, of those hospitalised with the virus, 15,464 have now died. That is an increase of 888 fatalities since yesterday. These are heartbreaking losses for every family affected. Every part of our government from whitehall to your local town hall, is working together in this national effort. And nowhere is that clearer than on the front lines of our communities. And today as Community Secretary i want to provide an update. Councils are delivering essential supplies to clinically Vulnerable People, those that we have asked to shield themselves. They are paying out Financial Relief to businesses to enable their local economies to weather the storm as much as is possible. They are ensuring our bins continue to be collected, they are ensuring that schools remain open for the children of key workers and that vulnerable families are kept in regular contact. And they are helping rough sleepers off the streets to protect them from the virus. This effort, alongside the endeavours of all our public serva nts endeavours of all our Public Servants is making a difference in this fight. But i know it is our responsibility in government to make sure that those front line workers have the resources that they need to keep up this essential work. At the beginning of this emergency i told local councils that we would give them the resources they need to do them the resources they need to do thejob, andi them the resources they need to do thejob, and i meant it. And that is why today i am providing an additional £1. 6 billion of new funding to support councils with the pressures that they face as they respond to covid 19. This funding ta kes respond to covid 19. This funding takes the total amount given to councils to help them through the pandemic to over £3. 2 billion. We are backing councils to ensure vital services, such as adult social care, childrens services, support for the most vulnerable and Waste Collection continue despite the increased pressures. Continue despite the increased pressures. We are also helping councils with the inevitable cash flow challenges by deferring £2. 6 billion in business rates, payments to central government. And paying them £850 million in social care gra nts them £850 million in social care grants up this month. Working with councils and charities weve made huge progress in protecting the most vulnerable during this national emergency. 0ur vulnerable during this national emergency. Our plan to shield the most clinically Vulnerable People has progressed well. Three weeks ago, i reported at this press conference that the first government organised boxes of supplies had been delivered by wholesalers to those at the highest clinical risk across the country. Today, 250,000 have been delivered. The packages include cereal, fruit, tinned goods, tea bags, biscuits, toiletries and other essentials. And this coming week we expect to be delivering 300,000 boxes all from a standing startjust a few weeks ago. And our call centre is making up to 130,000 calls a day to those who are shielded to see if they need the service, to see if they need the service, to see if they still need it if they are receiving it and to ask if they would like to move from a to a priority delivery slot at their local supermarket. In addition to this, councils are organising their own calls, often led by volunteers, including from r nhs volunteers to checkin including from r nhs volunteers to check in and to chat to those people who are being shielded. They have also organised their own efforts to support those who may not have one of the clinical conditions to be shielded, but nonetheless, people who are vulnerable or isolated. And there are truly extraordinary effo rts there are truly extraordinary efforts under way in this regard, in every village, in every parish, in every village, in every parish, in every town, ward, a state and city the length and breadth of the country. We have all been humbled by the gestures large and small by people across the country to show support to those working so hard to protect the nhs and to save lives. None more so than captain tom moore who has raised an astonishing £23 million this week for nhs charities. I cannot think of a more worthy person to be the guest of honour at the opening of the new Nightingale Hospital in harrowgate next week. Also, fittingly the county of his birth, yorkshire. Iam also, fittingly the county of his birth, yorkshire. I am sure that eve ryo ne birth, yorkshire. I am sure that everyone will want to join me in thanking captain tom for his truly heroic efforts. I have also been very proud of the effort of councils to help Vulnerable People in their own areas, including securing safe accommodation for rough sleepers. And the plan to protect rough sleepers has resulted in over 90 being offered safe accommodation. I wa nt to being offered safe accommodation. I want to thank all of those who have helped to make this possible, including local councils, charities and other organisations and those continuing to help the small number of people still regrettably on our streets today. Of course, this is not the end of rough sleeping. There is still a great deal of work to be done and my department and i will be at the heart of that. I also want to Say Something about support for our high streets and local businesses by local councils. I am delighted that so many cafes, restaurants and other businesses have taken up the opportunity to switch to delivery and takeaway and click and collect services. This expands the available food to people alongside the supermarkets. As well as allowing businesses that would have closed, to remain open and keep paying their staff. The simple freedom has been taken up by enterprising people across the uk. The same enterprising people whose ingenuity sometimes assisted by government in modest ways like this, will help rebuild our economy. Councils have worked extremely hard to pay out over £1 billion worth of business grants from government. But it is vital that we all ensure that every eligible business gets the support it needs and i would urge councils to keep up the good work and those that have been slower in making progress, to accelerate their effo rts progress, to accelerate their efforts in the days to come. Let me address efforts in the days to come. Let me a d dress two efforts in the days to come. Let me address two other topics that i know are of concern to local people. Firstly, there have been examples of some parks around the country closing. This cannot be right. While the virus does not discriminate, we note that the lockdown is much harderfor people note that the lockdown is much harder for people who dont have a lot of living space, for people who dont have a garden and for those who dont have anywhere for their children to run around. People need parks. That is why i have made it clear to councils that all parks must remain open. For the health of the nation, people should be able to enjoy safely fresh air and green space and for the health of the nation, people must abide by social distancing rules and not congregate in groups in those parts. Secondly, there have been some reports of mourners being turned away at funerals. The tragedy of the death of ishmail mohammed, a 13 year old boy from brixton was compounded by the fact that his family were unable to attend his funeral. That is not right and it shouldnt have happened. For clarity, funerals can go ahead with close family present. Social distancing measures must be respected, but families must have the opportunity to say a respectful goodbye to those that they love. We will be publishing more guidance on this very soon. And i am also asking councils to keep open, or indeed to reopen cemeteries and graveyards. Not for people to congregate in, that must not happen, but for people to make that private visit to seek solace in a word at the grave of someone you have loved, or to privately lay flowers. There have been times in my life when ive needed to do that. And i am certain there are people who need to do it today. These are small steps, but small mercies can make a difference. And local councils at their best can help to make life, even in times like these, more livable and more humane. They represent and can harness the networks of familiarity, of trust and of loyalty upon which society is based. The sense that we belong together and we will stand by each other in a real emergency. Those relationships can only be built from below by people to people in communities. So to all the Unsung Heroes of local councils, for all you are doing for all of us, thank you. I will now ask steve to present the latest data. Thank you. As we all know it is only by complying with the instructions we have been given on social distancing, staying at home and avoiding contact with each other that we will reduce the chance this virus has to spread from one person to another and by doing that we will see reductions in infections and reductions in hospital admissions and deaths. I am pleased to say that we continue to see evidence that all of us are complying with those instructions. The transport chart we show every day continues to show that on Public Transport National rail and london bus and Tube Services we are continuing to see a reduction in usage. And also in Motor Vehicle usage. And also in Motor Vehicle usage during the week and of course a dip at weekends also. That is really important and of course it is absolutely critical that we continue to comply with those instructions and to do everything we can to stop the spread of the virus. Like to welcome. Well, we will be welcoming viewers from bbc world. Testing is expanding all the time and way back in a stabilisation in the number of tests that are coming back positive, we are not seeing a growth in the context of an increasing number of tests. The next chart shows how that is translated into hospital admissions, and i think it is now becoming clear that we are beginning to see reductions in the number of people with covid 19 in hospitals. You can see that in london, that we have now had a succession of days where there was numbers are decreasing, but also some signs in other regions such as the midlands. So, encouraging, but still early, we are still in a situation where, in order to continue to see these declines, it is critical that we all comply with the social distancing measures that we have been instructed to take. And finally, on the last slide, as we have often said, unfortunately, a reduction in the number of deaths will be the last thing that will change, but if we continue to comply with instructions, it will change. Here, we are now presenting death data for hospitals, the Hospital Data for hospitals, the Hospital Data comes rapidly, we can get that very quickly and therefore it is right that that is published immediately. But we can also collect data on deaths in the community, and now you will see a second line, with some lag on it, which we are working ha rd to some lag on it, which we are working hard to decrease, looking at deaths in all settings. Thank you. Thank you. We will now come to questions, and the first question is from the bbc. Hi, thank you, secretary of state. The bbc understands that the government has asked public Health England to start tracking coronavirus cases and deaths by ethnicity. Can you confirm this . And will this data be made publicly available so that further that can be prevented . Available so that further that can be prevented . And a question for Stephen Powis there is new research in the uk for three weeks suggesting that coronavirus is having a disproportionate effect on people from ethnic minority backgrounds, and we are seeing a similar trend backgrounds, and we are seeing a similartrend in the united backgrounds, and we are seeing a similar trend in the united states. What is your understanding so far of the potential risk factors for these communities, and what can you tell them . Thank you, rhiannon, a very important question. There does appear, as you say, to be a disproportionate impact of the virus upon bame communities in the uk, and we have also seen that in some other countries around the world as well. It is for that reason that the chief medical officer commissioned work from public Health England to better understand this issue. There are a number of reasons that have been posited and it is right that we do thorough research, swiftly, so that we can better understand it and then ta ke we can better understand it and then take any action that is required. As a Community Secretary, i am acutely aware of this challenge, and have been working with different groups across the country, ensuring that the voices of bame communities are heard and that we are taking steps to ease the anxiety that they may be feeling, as we are with other communities and faith groups across the uk. And, of course, we will continue to do that. And if the work from public Health England leads us to ta ke from public Health England leads us to take any further steps, of course, we will do that, to keep everybody safe in all communities. Yes, this is something that i am very concerned about and i know the chief medical officer is concerned about, too. I know hes spoken about that and i think it is absolutely right that he has asked public Health England, who have the experts to look at this in detail and get a clear understanding of what might be accounting for increased risk and increased deaths in particular ethnic communities. I think it is important that that work is done as quickly as possible, it is also important that it is done properly, so that we can come to the right conclusions and offer the right support. In nhs england, we have a number of our staff come from those ethnic groups and we are actively also looking ahead of that work at what we have to do to support and perhaps protect them specifically, so, that is work which is actively being undertaken at the moment. But it isa being undertaken at the moment. But it is a very important question. Thank you very much. The second question comes from itv. Secretary of state, given we are several weeks behind italy, spain and other countries, and we know the impact this virus has on health workers, how have we found ourselves in a situation where we are dangerously low on ppe, personal protective equipment . Doctors and nurses are being asked to use disposable ppe, which should not be designed to be used several times. This is a Global Demand, we know, but given that that is not new, why has the government and not had a plan b, getting manufacturers to produce ppe . Some say they want to but they have not been contacted by the government. And a question to both of you. Do you accept the worries of nhs doctors and nurses weve spoken to today, that by downgrading your guidelines, by not providing proper ppe, you are putting their lives at greater risk . Thank you, dan, for the question. We are all, i think, across the country, in awe of the work that people are doing on the frontline in the nhs and in social care, which are of particular interest to me as communities secretary. And in other settings as well. And nobody wants to see people having to go to work on the frontline, concerned that they dont have the protective equipment that they need and deserve, or coming home from work worried about whether there will be equipment available to them tomorrow. Weve got to do more to get the ppe that people need to the frontline. This is an extremely challenging situation. As you say, theres massive Global Demand for theres massive Global Demand for the equipment, this is a global pandemic, but we are trying to do everything we can to get the equipment that we need. Were trying to source more internationally. That is difficult at times. There is a great deal of demand for it, and the security of that supply can prove very challenging, but we are making progress there. And in fact today i can report that a very large consignment of ppe is due to arrive in the uk tomorrow from turkey, which amounts to 84 tons of ppe, and will include, for example, 400,000 gallons. So, very significant additional shipment. Gallons. So, very significant additionalshipment. But gallons. So, very significant additional shipment. But demand is also very high. Gowns. We are also very high. Gowns. We are also working with reddish manufacturers so that they can make a contribution. You will have heard of burberry and barber, but there are many smes as well involve. My department is also involved in trying to ensure that the supplies that we have to get out, notjust to the nhs, but also to social care, often to smaller establishments like ca re often to smaller establishments like care homes all across the country, over 50,000 Healthcare Settings like that in the country, and we are using local resilience forums backed by almost 200 military planners, to do the logistical task of taking the stocks that we do have and getting them to the frontline. But i com pletely them to the frontline. But i completely accept that this is extremely challenging, supply, in some areas, particularly gowns and certain types of masks and aprons, is in short supply at the moment, and that must be an extremely anxious time for people working on the frontline, but they should be assured that we are doing everything we can to correct this issue and to get them the equipment that they need. Do you want to Say Something about the guidance that was published Stephen Powis . Yes, i am a doctor and i have worked for many years on the frontline and i can assure you that for me and my clinical colleagues, this is very personal. These are my friends, my colleagues, these are some of my extended family. Sol colleagues, these are some of my extended family. So i absolutely ear the concerns that the nations have to ensure that they have the right ppe. A couple of weeks ago public Health England worked very hard with pressure groups and colleagues such as the academy of medical royal colleges, and others, to ensure that we had a set of guidance that was professionally agreed and was the best possible guidance for the stage of the epidemic we have reached, taking into account what we have learned about the virus. And in order to ensure that that guidance can be followed, its absolutely critical above Everything Else that we have the supplies of ppe going out to the frontline. I know government is working incredibly ha rd government is working incredibly hard to get that procurement in, as you have heard. But what i hear my clinical colleagues is that what they need is ppe deliver to the frontline to follow the guidance that was agreed with them two weeks ago. Does that answer your question, would you like to follow up . On the grounds, i think you said 400,000 would be delivered, that only covers three days worth of supply for the National Health service, they use about 155,000 a day, so that is a small amount, given that this is going to go on for weeks and months. I know you talked about smes being used to produce ppe, but that is not the message we are getting from business. There are many smes who have been saying, we can help, and yet they have had nothing back. Can you name some smes that the government have used in the past few weeks to try to get some of this stuff to the frontline . We want to work with all manufacturers in the uk who are able to produce this. If there are businesses, particularly smes, who feel that they havent been listened to, that their requests havent been met with the correct answer, then i would please urge them to get back in contact with us. This is a Huge National effort, we are working internationally, as hard as we possibly can, our missions around the world in countries like china and are doing everything they can to source the ppe that we need and bring it to the uk. Businesses here are playing their part as well. Weve published extra guidance such as the one that steve has just spoken about, but i dont underestimate the scale of the challenge. As you say, demand is extremely high and quantities are in huge demand internationally. But we will continue to work as hard as we possibly can, and those healthcare workers who are on the frontline should know that we completely understand their anxiety and we are doing all we can to try to get them the equipment that they need as quickly as possible. Can i take the next question, please, from deborah haynes, from sky. Thank you very much. If you will excuse another question about ppe, please. This one i would like to direct at professor Stephen Powis. Weve been speaking to someone who works at a major covid 19 Trauma Centre in icu, and hes been describing to us supplies literally being on the brink of running out why is there such a National Shortage . Is it a failure to stockpile in the first place . Is ita to stockpile in the first place . Is it a failure of the supply chain to buy and distribute efficiently . 0r is it the fact that we have just put too much reliance on china for these sorts of imports . And a question for the secretary of state, if i may, on a different subject how come you are able to claim that your house in herefordshire is your main home when your children go to school in london and your wife also works in london . Shouldnt you really apologise to people for seeming to have broken the rules there . Going to shall i a nswer the rules there . Going to shall i answer your second question first and then i will hand over to steve. Asi and then i will hand over to steve. As i explained at the time, ijoined my family at our home in herefordshire assume i was able to do so, sooner we made the decision, that it was no longer necessary to work in person in westminster, and i have been there, like millions of people across the country, since, i have been working from home, and i returned to westminster last night to do this press conference, and because parliament returns next week. I also delivered some medicines to my parents who are elderly and are self isolating and again, that is entirely within the guidelines, and in fact i would not wa nt guidelines, and in fact i would not want people to feel concerned that they cant do Something Like that to help their own parents or elderly relatives who are in need. We all need to follow the social distancing guidelines. I try to do that. But i appreciate that it is challenging for many people and for many families and that the lockdown doesnt affect everybody equally, and thats one of the reasons why this evening, for example, ive said how important parks are and how i am using my role as secretary of state in local government to make small adjustments that make the lockdown more bearable and more socially just, for as long as it continues. 0n the broader issue of ppe, the government does stockpile ppe for pandemics and that has been incredibly useful in our response to this. But that he hinted at, this is a global crisis, a global emergency and there is undoubtedly a strain on supply chains for ppe. As i said, the government and the department of health in particular are working very ha rd to health in particular are working very hard to secure that. You have heard about a shipment that is coming in tomorrow but there is quite a strain on the global supply. What is important is that the Government Works as hard as possible, because i said a few minutes ago i know as a doctor that what is critical for those intensive ca re what is critical for those intensive care colleagues, they get the appropriate supply of ppe. It does vary, you have heard about gowns, but face masks, the ffp3 masks, we have a good supply of that now. Because that does give our staff confidence on the front line. The next question is from David Waddington from the sun newspaper. Question for both of you really. Sir Patrick Vallance told the house of Commons Health select committee re ce ntly Commons Health select committee recently that each death from covid 19 equates to approximately 1000 cases. So given that 15,464 people who have sadly died in uk hospitals so far, wouldnt it be a fair estimate that 15 Million People have so far been infected by the virus and what does that mean for herd immunity . And ifi virus and what does that mean for herd immunity . And if i may be permitted just to add a sneaky second one, reported in other countries have shown outcomes for other people who go on to ventilators early are much better and this week, we have been given approval to produce more and how quickly can they be produced on how quickly can they be produced on how quickly will we see them in use in hospitals . As i understand it, the comment you are referring to are made by the chief scientific adviser some time ago. This is obviously a very fast moving situation and we are learning more every day and perhaps steve is better placed to explain that. But more recently sir patrick and others, i think, have advised us that the percentage of the population who have had the virus is likely to be significantly lower than what you have just described, perhaps in single figures. But steve, you are better placed to explain . If i remember correctly he gave that figure a number of weeks ago at an earlier stage of the epidemic and that would have been based on modelling data and information we had about infection rates in other countries and hospitalisation for instance. What is important now, as we are few weeks further is getting the real number as to infections and the community and that is best done by testing antibodies, testing people who have developed or caught the virus and then developed an immune response and have got antibodies in their blood. We are beginning to see some studies from other countries that are doing that. It is not straightforward because the tests are still being worked out and we dont have the perfect test for antibodies yet. Secondly, we dont know how many people produce antibodies when they have had the virus, when they produced it and how long those antibodies last fall. That is the Important Information that will give us an accurate figure that will give us an accurate figure thatis that will give us an accurate figure that is more closer to the actual number of infections. That work is ongoing in the uk at the moment so we can have that information for the uk rather than relying on other countries. It will be a very important piece of information in terms of plotting our way forward and planning for the next few months, but i think, as i have said, rather than going back to what was said a few weeks ago when we were in the early stages, what is important is to get the actual, and actual handle on the number using the techniques i havejust described. Handle on the number using the techniques i have just described. He also asked about ventilators. As of today there are 10,606 ventilators within the nhs. As i understand it, 190 of those have come from the new uk suppliers who rose to the challenge the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary set to british industry to use all of their ingenuity and engineering skills to turn their attention to this task. I think the most important point and steve may wish to add to this, the most important point to say is there is sufficient capacity today in the nhs. There are sufficient ventilators and although you can never exactly predict the future trajectory of the virus, we are increasingly confident there will be sufficient Ventilator Capacity in the nhs in the weeks and months ahead which is hugely reassuring to all of us. Just a few weeks ago that was one of our great concerns, would we have the capacity . It seems we have and there are more ventilators coming on board from those uk suppliers and internationally as well in the days ahead. We are not constrained by ventilators at present. The nhs has constantly striven to make sure we can manage the surge in patients we have seen andi the surge in patients we have seen and i think our staff have done that. With a new disease and a new virus, our clinicians are learning about the management of patients all the time. We have some of the best Critical Care doctors and clinicians in the world in this country, some of the best chest, respiratory and long positions in the world and i am absolutely confident they will be giving all patients the best possible care. But we are learning which particular sort of ventilation, which particular mode of ventilation works are best. 0ne example you have seen, it is not a lwa ys example you have seen, it is not always necessary to put people onto ventilation where they need to be intubated, have a tube and go on to a mechanical ventilator. Although thatis a mechanical ventilator. Although that is absolutely necessary in many cases. Sometime you can manage the problem with the oxygen through the lungs, with a tight fitting mass, called cpap. We are learning all the time who might be suitable for that. That is an International Effort and i have been a doctorfor many that is an International Effort and i have been a doctor for many years and my speciality, kidney disease, i have spent of time talking to my collea g u es have spent of time talking to my colleagues around the world, learning from them and they will learning from them and they will learn from that is how medicine works. I am confident our clinicians are not only talking amongst themselves and discussing what they are learning, they are also talking with their colleagues around the world. That will continue to evolve and we will continue to learn more about the optimum treatment and management of patients with covid 19. Management of patients with covid19. Does that answer your question, david . Very detailed, thank you. The next question comes from david maddox of the express. Good afternoon, secretary of state, first of all is there an update on the Prime Ministers health . Has he been able to speak to any ministers in the last week since he was released from hospital . Looking also at the graphs he presented a day, question to both of you, there is a significant reduction, particularly in london, on hospital admissions. We have had a series of big announcements on vaccines, we have had a series of big announcements on vaccines, ppe and testing. Are we finally on the front foot in the battle against this virus, orare we foot in the battle against this virus, or are we still running to catch up . Finally, sorry if i have one click other one, when we do come to loosening the lock people are going to be feeling quite nervous and suffer a great deal of anxiety about going out, is there any thought on how people can be given confidence that it will be safe . Thank you. With regards to the Prime Ministers health, you know he is resting and recuperating at chequers. He is taking his doctors advice. He has had some contact with ministers but mostly with his private office here at downing street and that is absolutely right. We all wish him well and hope he ta kes we all wish him well and hope he takes the time to get better as quickly as he possibly can. In the interim, the first secretary, dominic raab is chairing the important meetings that are happening every day. And as a cabinet we are taking important decisions, for example the decision this week to extend the lockdown measures for a further three weeks. So that is absolutely right. As regards to where we are, i will let steve tell you the numbers as he sees them, but it is absolutely correct that the hard work, the forbearance, the fortitude of the British Public is paying off. The rates of transmission in the community are falling and there is a number of positive indicators which give us cause for hope and to believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. But nonetheless, the number of deaths that i have announced today remains extremely sobering and more and more of us across the country know somebody who has been unwell, more of our lives have been touched by this virus as every day goes by. Itjust reinforces to us all they need to consider this moment as the one to keep going. Dont lose what has been ha rd keep going. Dont lose what has been hard won over the last few weeks, keep adhering to the measures, keep respecting the advice from the clinicians and if we do that together as a society, then in the weeks to come there may be opportunities to begin, very cautiously, to ease the lockdown measures. But that day is not today, as the first secretary said just a few days ago. So it is encouraging, as you pointed out, we are beginning to see a reduction in the number of people who are hospitalised with covid 19. In london, as you pointed out, is where we are beginning to see it earliest. But that is only happening, as i also said, because we are complying with the social distancing instructions and if we have begun to get on the front foot with complying with those instructions, what is critical is we dont go onto the back foot and we dont go onto the back foot and we dont lose all the benefit that has been gained. Because this is not something that is going to be dealt with in a matter of weeks. This is something that will require getting onto the front foot and remaining on the front foot for a good period of time. So what is absolutely critical, although we are encouraged and no there is evidence following the instructions, following the social distancing guidance, is beginning to result in benefit. We absolutely need to keep that up. This is not the time to rest on our laurels, to think we have got on the front foot and therefore we have to stop complying with instructions. We need to continue to keep getting onto the front foot. I dont think we are there yet. Thank you. With regards to your question about whether people should be concerned about a future easing of the measures, whenever that is the right time to be deployed. A great deal of work is going on within government to consider how one might do that. Steve a nd to consider how one might do that. Steve and his colleagues within the nhs are experts at sage are working with others across government to prepare and see what is happening across other countries and to see what the best steps are to take in the future. But as steve said, that is not today and the present situation remains finely balanced and we dont want to waste the hard work and sacrifice that has happened in recent weeks. So the message very much to everybody watching at home today, is continue to pay heed to the advice, continue to follow our message, which is to stay at home, protect the nhs and to save lives. If we do that then we can look forward to loosening and a gradual return to normality in the weeks and months ahead. The last question i have today is from vic from the voice. Secretary of state, many thanks. I would like to ask two questions, the first i would like to address the Stephen Powis, and the second, to yourself. Stephen powis, in youranswerearlier second, to yourself. Stephen powis, in your answer earlier confirming the fact that there will be a formal inquiry into the fact that covid 19 seems to be having such a disproportionate effect on people from black and minority ethnic communities, you mentioned that there would be a number of experts who will be involved in that inquiry, could you give us any indication of who those experts might, if there is a timeline for the inquiry, and what the scope will be . The the inquiry, and what the scope will be . The second the inquiry, and what the scope will be . The second question i would like to address to you, secretary of state there appear to have been some concerns expressed over the la st some concerns expressed over the last few weeks about the fact that the hostile immigration policy that was such a big part of the windrush scandal is curbing the governments ability to stop the spread of the pandemic. Weve seen in the last few weeks that there have been a number of really tragic cases of undocumented migrants who have developed coronavirus symptoms, and passed those symptoms onto members of their families, passed those symptoms onto members of theirfamilies, and passed those symptoms onto members of their families, and in passed those symptoms onto members of theirfamilies, and in many cases, have been too afraid to seek medical help either because they may be deported, they may lose a job, they may even have their families evicted from wherever theyre living. 0ne evicted from wherever theyre living. One of the real concerns about this which has been expressed bya numberof about this which has been expressed by a number of mps, i am about this which has been expressed bya number of mps, i am sure about this which has been expressed by a number of mps, i am sure you may know that there has been a group of cross party may know that there has been a group of Cross Party Mps may know that there has been a group of Cross Party Mps who have written to the government urging the government to drop nhs immigration checks, and also drop charging of migrants for healthcare. So, i wanted to ask, will the government hed call . Very good, thank you. First of all, as i said in answer to a earlier question, we are very concerned about the apparently disproportionate impact of the virus upon bame communities and ethnic minorities, and it is right that the review that has been commissioned by the chief medical officer happens as swiftly as possible. Clearly, it needs to take the best possible advice, and gather the right data, so that it comes to the most accurate conclusions, to inform how we continue to treat people and to manage the virus in the months ahead, because the virus in one form or another will be with us for a long time, until there is a vaccine at least, and i will allow steve to say some more, if he has it, on how that review will be done. Were acutely aware of the anxiety within certain communities. As communities secretary, thats extremely important to me and thats why were trying to reach out to all communities across the country to hear their concerns, as we formulate particular policies, for example, faith groups, as we consider some of the arrangements that i described earlier in my opening remarks about how we treat peoples funerals and the way that families can mourn for individuals that theyve lost. I have heard a number of representations about those people who do not currently have recourse to public funds, whove come in an undocumented way from other countries, the government policy on that hasnt changed, but there is the ability for local councils to make sensible decisions based on the risk to life, that there may be, in a small number of cases, and that is, for example, the way that i know Many Councils regularly treat real concerns, for example, with rough sleepers in winter, and it is the way that those councils would approach this situation as well. As regard to the broader question about the nhs and the very large number of people who have come from all over the world to work within it and to contribute, well, ithink the world to work within it and to contribute, well, i think an emergency like this does remind us again of the incredibly important contribution that they make to the nhs, to social care, and to our broader society. Thats why steps like the nhs visa, for example, are very important, so that we can help people who want to come to the uk and who want to work in those services, to come here and play their part and to feel honoured and appreciated by our society for the contribution that theyre making. Yes, so, as i said earlier and as you have just heard, yes, so, as i said earlier and as you havejust heard, the yes, so, as i said earlier and as you have just heard, the chief medical officer has commissioned this review from public Health England, public Health England do have experts within that organisation in this area, but i am sure the chief medical officer will also want to ensure that other expertise is drawn in from other academic groups or other areas that have expertise. I cant give you the names, and afraid, but i do know that the chief medical officer is working on that with the medical director of public Health England, professor yvonne doyle, who was on this podium yesterday, and i do know that he wants this to be done as quickly as possible, but also to be done rigorously, to ensure that it is done appropriately, the right a nswe rs , is done appropriately, the right answers, the right conclusions are drawn, and its the correct experts, the right experts, who are able to look at this. Very good, thank you very much for your question. Well, that concludes this evenings press conference, thank you very much indeed for listening. Studio the communities secretary, robertjenrick, ending todays Coronavirus Briefing. From the government, a reminder, then, of the latest deaths here in the uk. A further 888 people, he confirmed, have died of coronavirus in the uk, taking the total number of deaths to just under 15,500. That number doesnt include deaths in care homes or in the community in england and Northern Ireland. Heres a reminder of the main points from todays downing street briefing. The communities secretary, robertjenrick, said local councils in england will be given extra funding of £1. 6 billion to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. There will be extra funds for the other uk nations through the barnett formula, the mechanism used to determine how the majority of public spending is spread across england, scotland, wales and Northern Ireland. Mrjenrick says a very large consignment of personal protective equipment, or ppe, is due to arrive in the uk tomorrow. It comes after criticism from Doctors Unions over new advice that some gowns could be re used. Mrjenrik said he had told councils that all parks must remain open during the crisis, so people can safely enjoy fresh air and green space. He also said hes asking councils to reopen cemeteries and graveyards. He said families must the have opportunity to say goodbye at funerals. And mrjenrick paid tribute to 99 year old captain tom moore, who has raised millions for the nhs this week, saying he will be the guest of honour at the opening of a new Nightingale Hospital. With me now is our Health Correspondent philippa roxby. So, this consignment, philippa, we understand, he said 400,000 gowns, that have been so sorely needed, but how many days is that going to last . Yes, its difficult to know. 400,000 doesnt seem very much when stretched across hundreds of hospitals in the uk and thousands of nhs workers. He said they were being delivered from turkey, 400,000 of them, and we will have to see exactly how long they last. He also said british manufacturers would be helping with the effort to produce more gowns. There is obviously a Global Demand for them and its very difficult to get hold of them. He explained again that they would be working extremely hard to get more ppe to frontline nhs workers. Working extremely hard to get more ppe to frontline nhs workerslj would ppe to frontline nhs workers. would say he was quite light on specifics today, beyond that, given what weve heard today from the unite union, going so far as to call for matt hancock to consider his position. He talked about a national effort, saying, we are doing all we can, but one wonders if it is enough when we have clearly got a crisis of confidence now in the government from clinical workers . Shes struggling to hear us,. With me now is our news correspondent kathryn stanczyszyn. This is now very serious for the government. We heard that there were gowns coming, but probably it is only going to last a matter of days, and we have heard from the unite union today going so far as to say that they would ask matt hancock to consider his position, it shows that we are now looking at a crisis of confidence of clinical staff in what the government has been doing. So, one wonders if what we have heard from today will be enough to reassure staff that they can have that confidence renewed . The government has been under fire about ppe now for weeks, really. As you say, a bit light on the detail about exactly how they re say, a bit light on the detail about exactly how theyre going to solve this problem, logistical problem, of where they are getting it from and how they getting it out to people. There was 400,000 gowns, there was a question in the follow up saying, those would last a matter of two or three days. Robert jenricks those would last a matter of two or three days. Robertjenricks answer to that was about the efforts they are putting into work with british manufacturers, small and medium sized businesses, although he could not actually name any when he was asked that. But he says, were doing all we can, and that is a phrase that we are hearing repeatedly at these briefings, and it is not satisfying lots of people who are working on the frontline and the people who represent them as well. And many are now saying, we will have to reconsider whether we can put ourselves at risk in a way that they think is not expected of them, so that is something to consider. Lets take a look at some of the figures that we have been hearing in terms of the number of people in hospital, it was confirmed that that is down over the last 24 hours. That figure of 888 people dying yesterday. Perhaps you can ta ke dying yesterday. Perhaps you can take us through these, and what we have heard today. As professor powis said, the number of deaths isnt going down, because of the lag, and they expecting that, they say that they expecting that, they say that the lag might take days or weeks even to come down. But that there are encouraging signs in terms of people in hospital beds and admissions to hospital. Reductions in admissions in london, those admissions are now decreasing, and other regions are starting to flatten as well. He says it is very encouraging but it is very early days, and the reduction in deaths will be something that we are not seeing yet but we should be seeing fairly soon. There were two questions with regard to the disproportionate impact on people in the bame community and there was a response to that . Yes, so, it was confirmed by the state act that a review has been commissioned from the chief medical officer, looking into why there appears to be a disproportionate impact people from bame communities, in the death rates as well as the infection. Robert jenrick said there would be swift and thorough Research Carried out to get a better understanding of what is contributing to this. Professor powis said that it is very concerning, that they are very worried about this, and they are aware that it is happening and they need a clear understanding in order to ta ke need a clear understanding in order to take any action that they may need to. And robertjenrick said they are working with people to try and ease that anxiety. In a nod perhaps to taking into consideration peoples Mental Health, councils are to be told, you must keep parks open, which will be enormously welcome for those people who dont have gardens, or very small gardens, and also with cemeteries being kept open as well. He also faced a difficult question for him personally, he was asked why he is listening his main house as in herefordshire when in fact his children go to school in london and his wife works in london, and that was a difficult moment i think for him personally, given the focus on second homes . Yes, and it is the first time that the secretary of state has dealt with this since that story was around first. Actually, the questioner didnt mention the original story which was about him dropping off medicines for his pa rents dropping off medicines for his parents about 40 miles away from his herefordshire home, he brought that up herefordshire home, he brought that up and said it was within the guidelines. He also said, i, like many people, have been working from home, in herefordshire, with my family. I have come back to do the briefing and to take part in the Virtual Parliament which starts next week. But he said it was within the guidelines, but he acknowledged that some people maybe havent got that option and that is why he is thinking about parts remaining open for people to be able to go out and get that fresh air. Thank you so much for the moment. Lets speak to the Shadow Health ministerjustin madders whojoins me from cheshire. Your thoughts on what youve heard today . I think were deeply disappointed, frankly. The whole country has been hearing from every section of the nhs and social care about the shortage of ppe. We were hoping to get a real sense of direction, a real plan to address this issue urgently today. Instead, we got a promise about some gowns from turkey which will last a couple of days, if anything longer than that. I think it is really a huge concern. Doctors, nurses, social ca re concern. Doctors, nurses, social care workers, are putting themselves in incredibly difficult positions and we need hope, we need guidance, we need leadership from government that they are going to address this ppe situation as a matter of urgency. What else could the government do, given the situation that everybody is in . They could have anticipated this a lot better. Yes, and i will let you a nswer lot better. Yes, and i will let you answer that, but what they might have done and no doubt there will be an enquiry, but where we sit now in the shortage in the supply chain, what else is the government expected to do . I accept there are two elements, what could have been done and what should have been done. In 2016 they identified a significant shortfall in ppe equipment. There we re shortfall in ppe equipment. There were red warning signs at that point they should have been more investment. We know over the last ten years, stockpiling ppe was not being replaced at the rate it was being replaced at the rate it was being used. So there will be a question to answer there by the government. Every mp in this country is getting local businesses saying how can we help . We are trying to get through to the government and do our best. There are of people out there willing to get involved and do their bit. We need a bit more coordination and leadership from government to manufacture this equipment in this country now because we cannot rely on global supplies. I wonder if there will be a legacy of this that in the future we need manufacturing back here so we need manufacturing back here so we are never put in this position ain . We are never put in this position again . Certainly our party has always called for as much british manufacturing as possible and when you are looking at things of critical, National Importance there really are going to have to be some serious questions and considerations we do to supply things in future. If these things will happen on a global scale, there is no guarantee we can rely on our friends and neighbours to suppliers when they have their own problems to deal with. interviewed someone from the unite Union Earlier who said matt hancock should now consider his position. That is a reflection of the deep anxiety many people are feeling at the moment. People are feeling let down and care workers are feeling vulnerable at the position they have been put in. Having the Health Minister resigned in the middle of a crisis certainly isnt the best thing to do but he has to show an incredible amount of determination and leadership to get this issue addressed as a matter of urgency and he really has to step up to the plate. What we had today was simply not good enough. What are you hearing on the ground . The clinical staff i am speaking to say there has been this lack of confidence and many of them will say from the beginning. And with the change in guidance around the use and reuse a pa rt guidance around the use and reuse a part of ppe, they are not trusting, they tell me, in whether this is based because of a lack of supply or whether this is genuinely best practice . It is a fundamental issue when staff are not able to trust, as they feel it, they are not able to trust in the government advice that it will be in their best interest . That is absolutely right, that is what we have been hearing for weeks, nurses, doctors on the front line feel the guidance is being changed to suit the availability of certain bits of equipment. That is an absolutely awful position to be in. It is vital those people putting their lives on the line and working in incredibly difficult and dangerous conditions have confidence the advice they are getting is in their best interests. Every member of the nhs and social care sector deserves to work in a safe environment and if they havent got the confidence the government are allowing that to happen then the government need to act very swiftly or we could have a big issue on our hands here. There are also big issues that have been raised this week in terms of how we can rebalance the nhs to start to better manage all of the other people that it has been looking after, there is cancer patients, people who have had elective surgery cancelled. That is the next big crisis, is what we are hearing in terms of being able to deal, the nhs being able to balance those people and their essential ca re those people and their essential care also . Yes, it is an incredibly worrying situation because we simply dont know at this stage the extent of the difficulties. We have heard reports, for example, if the lockdown carries on for an incredible amount of time, lots of people lose their lives to cancer unnecessarily. We know lots of operations have been cancelled and we have re cord operations have been cancelled and we have record waiting lists already and there is a huge question about whether there will be another Health Crisis of a different nature at the end of this, never mind that what the Mental Health effects will be but the nhs will not be in a position to deal with because they can only tackle so many things at once. But it is vital that as many of the day to day operations and procedures are able to go ahead as possible. Because those Health Issues simply cannot wait for many people either. Shadow Health Minister, thank you very much for joining us. We have had some news just coming in, a long serving paramedic has died after contracting coronavirus. Serving with the North West Ambulance service, the trust chief executive has said it is with Great Sadness we share the news that North West Ambulance service has lost a very Dear Colleague who contracted covid 19. No further details, no specific details have been released as yet, but sharing their colleague was married with children and had worked for the trust for a considerable number of yea rs trust for a considerable number of years and behalf of everybody at North West Ambulance service, including the communities and the patients they serve, we offer our sincere condolences to the family. The government here has written to members of parliament explaining why some flights are still arriving at uk airports. Each day around 60 passenger flights land at heathrow. Airlines have told the bbc that many are relatively empty and they insist that virtually everyone flying into heathrow now is travelling home. Airlines are also converting more passenger aircraft to deliver medical supplies and other cargo. Our transport correspondent tom burridge reports. Most airports are largely standing still, but even now, some passenger planes are arriving. One in ten of the flights, which normally operates in and out of heathrow, are still running. Airlines say the vast majority of people on board are simply heading home. Nobody at the moment is taking a holiday so these flights are repatriation flights. We need to bring these people home. These people are stranded all over the world barcelona, america, south america, asia and airlines are working with the government right now every single day to get these people home. Kiran was stuck visiting family in india before flying home this week. There were checks at the airports in india. They asked for if weve got any symptoms of of covid 19. So we just had to say tickboxes. So yes or no answers. Do you have a cough . Did you have a flu . That kind of thing. Theyre doing temperature checks, checks like thats a not in place at heathrow. It must be confusing because you just assume that, you know, if one airport is doing it, the other airport will follow with the same regulation and process. Some people with covid 19, dont have a temperature and some show no symptoms at all so the effectiveness of checks is questionable. The boss of heathrow has said airports around the world should now adopt the same standards. American Airlines Told us their planes now have enough empty seats so that social distancing is always possible. And Virgin Atlantic revealed many of their commercial flights have only been about a quarter full. But the belly of most passenger planes is full of cargo, selling at a premium in these extraordinary times. Companies running pure cargo flights are working like never before. Its really the only choice that there is at the current time to move anything that is time criticalfrom one region of the world to another, particularly if its Urgent Medical equipment or supplies. Medical supplies in from china. Food in from kenya. Airlines have taken a massive financial hit, so theyre now using passenger planes to generate revenue by transporting vital supplies. Tom burridge, bbc news. People all over the country have been using 3d printers to make protective personal equipment, or ppe, for nhs staff on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic amidst reports of shortages. But you dont have to be a grown up to try to make a difference. Eight year old nahla rose has been busy approaching the issue head on by donating masks shes been making at home to hospitals across the uk. Serenjones went to meet her. So, once youve got your headband, then you need to get your plastic acetate and you need to punch some holes in it. A diy lesson in design and technology. And there you go, thats your finished mask. Nala rose is not your average eight year old. She is using her passion for technology to help stop the spread of coronavirus. I started using a 3d printer when i finished school because i wanted to help the nhs not to risk their lives as much. Nalas spent hours using the familys 3d printer to make visors for nhs workers who are exposed to coronavirus. Over time ive learnt how to use it and im quite confident with it. A love for Technology Runs in the family her gran is a design and Technology Teacher and got nala involved. I said to her, how do you feel about making these visors to help out . And she justjumped at the chance. And i said, weve got no material. She said, i can use my pocket money. And i thought, perfect. She literally does the day shift. And as soon as it finishes, she changes it. I do the night shift. Practice is paying off. Each visor takes nala over an hour to make and so far shes made around 70. The product has been cleared by the local hospital so it can be used by front line staff. The people who are using the mask have said that they feel very comfortable and they feel very protected in them. Her hard work is certainly being appreciated. Today, she received a surprise thank you. Hi, nala, my name is liam and i am a ward manager here at st bartholomews hospital in london. Im wearing the visor that you very kindly made and donated to us here and we just wanted to say a very big thank you for your very kind support and donation to us and, on behalf of the whole team here on cardiology at st bartholomews, thank you very much. With added pressure on the nhs, nala is determined to continue to do her part and help as many people as possible. Seren jones, bbc news. It says that youre all doing a great service, love nala rose, eight years old, thank you. Hello there. The weather today couldnt be more different north south across the uk. Weve had plenty of sunshine for northern areas, particularly here across western parts of scotland, but even further east across the country after that misty start, it has been brightening up. More stubborn cloud has been affecting much of england and wales. Earlier on we had some more persistent rain through the midlands. That cloud has been affecting the southern half of the uk, bringing rain to some areas and some sunshine earlier across Northern Ireland and the far north of england as well as scotland. That rain will tend to peter out this afternoon and evening and many places will become dry overnight. Still pretty mild around southern areas. Where we have the clearer skies in scotland, there may be some frost in the glens. Elsewhere, its a fairly cloudy start on sunday. The breeze will tend to push that cloud towards the west, allowing much more sunshine to arrive through the midlands and eastern parts of england and scotland. There will be more cloud for Northern Ireland wales and the far south west. But it will be a warmer day on sunday, significantly warmer through the midlands and eastern england. Looking into the early part of next week, theres some very wet weather to come across europe, pushing its way into the mediterranean again. Everything is getting blocked off by that High Pressure in scandinavia, and that is going to be shaping the early part of next week. Lots of sunshine to come on monday. Just about dry everywhere. There is a bit more cloud to clear away from the far south west. Any early rain will get blown away by a stronger wind, there will be much stronger winds on monday, an easterly wind, which is always going to be a bit cooler on the coast. Higher temperatures further west. Looking further ahead into tuesday and wednesday, and it stays windy. We dont really see the winds dropping until thursday. It stays dry and it also stays sunny and it continues to get a bit warmer. Higher temperatures across more western areas