Coronavirus news: More schools abandon plans to reopen next week as rising UK infection rates spark fears of second wave
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Your support makes all the difference.Fears of a second coronavirus spike grew after new figures showed the virus could be growing exponentially in the northwest of England.
The reproduction rate is thought to be 1.01 in the northwest and 1 in the southwest according to data compiled by Public Health England (PHE) and Cambridge University.
The blow comes as the World Health Organisation updated its guidelines to recommend everyone wear a mask while in public – and over-60s wear medical grade masks.
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Egyptian father 'used coronavirus to trick daughters into FGM'
A man has been accused of tricking his daughters into undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM) after telling them the doctor was visiting for coronavirus vaccinations.
Authorities in Egypt have said they will prosecute the father of the three girls - all minors - who have claimed they were misled into having the procedure.
No public briefings this weekend
Have you wondered why there was no daily coronavirus briefing today? Well they have been scrapped at weekends.
Read more about the decision below:
Spokesman for Kazakhstan president in hospital with Covid-19
Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's spokesman has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus.
Berik Uali announced the news on his Facebook page but insisted that the president's health was not at risk.
He said that Tokayev, 67, gets tested regularly and that additional safety measures have been taken at the presidential headquarters.
"President Tokayev continues his work as scheduled, his health is under no threat," Mr Uali said.
Kazakhstan has confirmed 12,511 cases of COVID-19 with 53 deaths. It emerged from a two-month lockdown last month, while keeping in place social distancing rules and closed borders.
Cull begins at Dutch mink farms
Dutch mink farms have begun a government-ordered cull amid concern that animals infected with coronavirus could transmit the illness to humans.
Infected mink have been found on 10 Dutch farms where the ferret-like animals are bred for their fur, according to the country's Food & Wares Authority.
"All mink breeding farms where there is an infection will be cleared, and farms where there are no infections won't be," said spokeswoman Frederique Hermie.
The government ordered the cull of 10,000 mink on Wednesday after determining that affected farms could act as a long-term reservoir of disease.
Dutch mink were first infected with coronavirus by their handlers in April. In May, the government identified two cases in which humans had been infected by sick animals -- the only animal-to-human transmissions known since the global outbreak began in China.
Reuters
NHS on Life Support: Special investigation
More than one in six people in England could be waiting for NHS treatment by the autumn – the result of Covid-19 forcing hospitals to run at 60 per cent capacity as the threat reshapes healthcare services, reports health correspondent Shaun Lintern.
The Independent can reveal NHS England will extend its nationwide contract with private hospitals beyond June and into the summer. Health chiefs are in talks to come up with a longer-term deal that will see private healthcare companies integrated into the NHS like never before and providing up to 2 million NHS procedures a year.
Teachers' union urges councils to reconsider reopening schools
Teachers' union NASUWT has written to several local authorities in the North West urging them to reconsider plans to press ahead with the wider reopening of schools.
General secretary Patrick Roach said: "Employers have statutory responsibilities to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work and to minimise the risks to which employees are exposed.
"Given the reports that the R rate has now risen above 1 in the North West, meaning that the virus may be growing again, the NASUWT believes these local authorities must fulfil their duty of care to staff and pupils by rethinking plans for the wider reopening of schools in their region.
"Some local authorities and employers in the region have already suggested that schools in their borough postpone the wider reopening of schools in response to the increase in the R rate. The NASUWT believes their neighbours should now do likewise."
Risk to children's health from coronavirus 'miniscule'
Coronavirus poses a “miniscule” risk to children’s health, according to a government adviser who supports the reopening of schools.
Dr Gavin Morgan, an expert in educational psychology at University College London, said the impact of spending a prolonged period out of the classroom was “100 per cent” worse than Covid-19.
Tests thrown away after maskless Trump factory visit
A medical swab manufacturer was forced to discard coronavirus tests following Donald Trump‘s visit to its Maine facility, according to USA Today.
While workers in lab coats and personal protective equipment worked on the factory floor during the president’s visit to Puritan Medical Products on Friday, Mr Trump — who did not wear a mask — walked through the facility and visited with workers.
Hospital staff return favour to 'Colin the Clapper' after 40-day vigil
Hundreds of NHS staff gathered to applaud a man who clapped outside his local hospital for 40 days in a row.
Colin Wilkinson began paying tribute to workers at Basildon Hospital on Essex on 25 April.
Churches to open for 'private prayer' from 15 June
Churches and other places of worship are set to open for private prayer from June 15, the Government has announced.
Individuals are expected to be able to "reflect and pray" while adhering to social-distancing rules - but worship groups, weddings and other services will still not be permitted.
Places of worship come under step three of the Government's road map to lift restrictions, and are not due to fully reopen until at least 4 July.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: "Ensuring places of worship can open again, beginning with private prayer by individuals has been my priority.
"Their contribution to the common good of our country is clear, as places of solace, comfort, stability and dignity. And the need for them is all the greater as we weather the uncertainties of the pandemic.
"I'm pleased the Prime Minister has announced that this is expected to happen from June 15. As Communities Secretary, I have worked with faith leaders and representatives to prepare guidance that ensures this can be done safely.
"People of all faiths have shown enormous patience and forbearance, unable to mark Easter, Passover, Ramadan or Vaisakhi with friends and family in the traditional way.
"As we control the virus, we are now able to move forwards with a limited but important return to houses of worship."
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