Re: COVIDD-19 'Pandemic'
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has led today's coronavirus briefing from Downing Street as the PM continues his recovery:
Hancock: Government 'effective and efficient' in PM's absence
Asked how the government is functioning during the prime minister's continued absence, Matt Hancock says Boris Johnson is "recovering", adding: "I am sure the whole nation is delighted to see the news."
He adds: "It demonstrates once again just how serious the disease is."
The health secretary says the "good news" is that the government has been functioning "very efficiently and effectively" during the PM's illness.
He says the government does not have enough information yet to make changes to the lockdown measures, but promises a meeting on them will take place next week.
And he praises Dominic Raab for stepping into the role of deputising for the prime minister.
"But that is within the context of a strategy the prime minister clearly set out," he adds.
"We get on with the day-to-day things and do what is needed while the PM recovers."
Hancock unveils PPE plan
Matt Hancock has unveiled a new "PPE plan" with three strands.
He says the first is on guidance - about "being clear who needs PPE, when they need it and who does not".
Mr Hancock says there is enough PPE to go round, but only if it is used within guidance as it is a "precious resource".
The second strand is the "Herculean logistical effort" to distribute.
He says 742 million pieces of PPE have been delivered to the front line, but over the next three weeks, an online portal will launch so primary care and social care can request what they need.
Finally, Mr Hancock says it is about supply, appealing to British companies to help create PPE "on an unprecedented scale".
UK transport use continues to fall
Deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van Tam says the use of transport has continued to fall.
He says: "I can't tell you how important is is that you keep going with this.
"It is not over. We have to keep pushing as a nation to maintain our social distancing, and have to take the pain now to make the gain."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-52239925
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has led today's coronavirus briefing from Downing Street as the PM continues his recovery:
Hancock: Government 'effective and efficient' in PM's absence
Asked how the government is functioning during the prime minister's continued absence, Matt Hancock says Boris Johnson is "recovering", adding: "I am sure the whole nation is delighted to see the news."
He adds: "It demonstrates once again just how serious the disease is."
The health secretary says the "good news" is that the government has been functioning "very efficiently and effectively" during the PM's illness.
He says the government does not have enough information yet to make changes to the lockdown measures, but promises a meeting on them will take place next week.
And he praises Dominic Raab for stepping into the role of deputising for the prime minister.
"But that is within the context of a strategy the prime minister clearly set out," he adds.
"We get on with the day-to-day things and do what is needed while the PM recovers."
Hancock unveils PPE plan
Matt Hancock has unveiled a new "PPE plan" with three strands.
He says the first is on guidance - about "being clear who needs PPE, when they need it and who does not".
Mr Hancock says there is enough PPE to go round, but only if it is used within guidance as it is a "precious resource".
The second strand is the "Herculean logistical effort" to distribute.
He says 742 million pieces of PPE have been delivered to the front line, but over the next three weeks, an online portal will launch so primary care and social care can request what they need.
Finally, Mr Hancock says it is about supply, appealing to British companies to help create PPE "on an unprecedented scale".
UK transport use continues to fall
Deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van Tam says the use of transport has continued to fall.
He says: "I can't tell you how important is is that you keep going with this.
"It is not over. We have to keep pushing as a nation to maintain our social distancing, and have to take the pain now to make the gain."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-52239925
