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Showing posts with label coronavirus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coronavirus. Show all posts

Friday, September 11, 2020

Coronavirus: Shopper Who Refused to Wear Mask Fined Twice in One Day

 


RAHUL SHARMA DEBT CONNECT IN MANCHESTER, UK,





A woman has been fined twice in one day for failing to wear a face mask during a trip to the supermarket.

Police officers said they handed her a free mask as she entered the shop in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday.

But she refused it and, because she did not have a valid exemption, was issued with a £100 penalty.

When she was again spotted without a mask a short time later she was given the second fine.

The government has ordered that face coverings must be worn in shops, supermarkets and shopping centres in England.

Rochdale has one of the highest rates of coronavirus infection in England, with figures up to 6 September showing cases have risen to 63 per 100,000 people.

Greater Manchester Police said officers on daily patrols had been handing out masks in supermarkets as part of a council scheme.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Coronavirus: Bolton Restrictions Tightened Amid Rise in Cases

 


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Tighter coronavirus restrictions have been introduced in Bolton, including only allowing takeaways and curtailing nightlife, after a rise in cases.

All hospitality venues will be limited to takeaway and must be closed to customers between 22:00 BST and 05:00 each day.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the town in Greater Manchester had "the highest case rate in the country."

A further 2,460 new coronavirus cases were reported across the UK on Tuesday.

Overall, there have been 8,396 new cases reported since Sunday.

A further 32 deaths within 28 days of a positive test across all settings were recorded on Tuesday - with the average number of daily deaths over the past week now around 11.

Ministers and government advisers expressed concern over a "sharp rise" in cases and a "heartfelt" apology was issued following shortages in England's testing system.

Mr Hancock told the House of Commons on Tuesday: "Unfortunately, after improving for several weeks, we've seen a very significant rise in cases in Bolton.

"The rise in cases in Bolton is partly due to socialising by people in their 20s and 30s. We know this from contact tracing.

"And through our contact tracing system we've identified a number of pubs at which the virus has spread significantly."

He said there were 120 cases per 100,000 in Bolton, which had already been under stricter lockdown measures.

The new measures, which came into force as Mr Hancock addressed the Commons, include:

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Coronavirus: Bolton and Trafford Ask to Continue Restrictions


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A Covid spike in Bolton and Trafford has prompted council bosses to ask for restrictions to remain in place, a day before they were due to be lifted.

Tighter rules were introduced in July in Greater Manchester and parts of Yorkshire after concerns the virus was being spread between households.

Bolton currently has one of the highest rates of new virus cases per 100,000 residents in England.

Its council said it had made the decision "with a heavy heart".

On Friday, the government said measures banning people from different households from meeting indoors or private gardens would be lifted in Bolton, Stockport, Trafford, Burnley, Hyndburn and parts of Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees.

But Bolton Council said the "unforeseen spike" in the local infection rate means restrictions should remain in place "until further notice".

Bolton has recorded 170 new cases in the week to 29 August, up from 53 the week before, meaning it has one of the highest rates in England at 59 new cases per 100,000 residents.

The rate in Trafford has risen from 19.4 to 35.4, with 84 new cases.

The decision would also mean certain businesses, including those offering close-contact services, will not reopen as planned.

Bolton council leader David Greenhalgh said: "It is with a heavy heart that [we] have come to this decision and this will be incredibly disappointing for both residents and business owners.

"We urged the government to lift Bolton out of the additional restrictions at a time when infection rates were low. This was the right decision at the time.

"However, there has been a sudden and unforeseeable rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Bolton.

"We have always been led by the data, which means we have no choice but to act quickly to keep everyone safe."

Monday, August 17, 2020

Coronavirus: Claims Open For Second Self-Employed Support Grant

 


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Millions of self-employed people whose trade has been hit by coronavirus can now apply for a second support grant from the government.

More than three million people may be eligible for the payment of up to £6,570 each, which Chancellor Rishi Sunak said would be the final hand-out.

The first grant, launched in May, saw £7.8bn claimed by 2.7 million people.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has admitted thousands were paid too much, but it will not be demanding repayment.

Some 15,000 payments - less than 0.6% of the total - were miscalculated in the first tranche of support, the tax authority said.

"The vast majority of grants were paid correctly, but in a very small number of cases, not all the information held on a tax return was taken into account when calculating eligibility and grants," said a spokesman for HMRC.

"Our top priority has been ensuring self-employed people receive grants quickly while protecting public money from deliberate fraudsters."

Legal services firm Integrated Dispute Resolution, which highlighted the error, said the scale of it was still not "fully understood".

To be eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, more than half of a claimant's income needs to come from self-employment.

The scheme is open to those with a trading profit of less than £50,000 in 2018-19, or an average trading profit of less than £50,000 from 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Under the first payment, self-employed workers who qualified had been in line for a grant of 80% of their average profits, up to £2,500 a month for three months.

This was paid in one instalment, of up to £7,500.

Applications for this first payment closed on 13 July.

As of Monday, those eligible can claim the second, slightly less generous, grant covering 70% of the applicant's average monthly trading profits.

It will also be made in a single payment, covering three months and capped at £2,190 a month, or £6,570 in total.

Applicants will need to confirm their business has been affected by the virus on or after 14 July, but they would not need to have taken the first grant to be eligible for the second.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Kate Garraway Considered Donating Blood Plasma to Help Husband Derek Draper’s Fight Against Coronavirus

 


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Kate Garraway has opened up on how she considered donating her blood plasma to help her husband Derek Draper battle coronavirus.

A new clinical trial is underway to see if how effective it would be to treat Covid-19 patients with the blood plasma from people who have already recovered from the virus.

And it turns out Kate had already thought about doing this back in April after her hubby was admitted to hospital and induced into a coma to help fight off the disease.

During today’s episode of Good Morning Britain, the 53-year-old explained: ‘It was something that came to light that could be a useful tool, that I was asking if I could do back in April for Derek.

‘Then it was pre the first trials of its use for Covid, so I wasn’t allowed to because they didn’t know how safe it would be for either Derek or for anyone else involved in it.

‘But now it’s something that people are doing.’

After contracting coronavirus, plasma contains antibodies that are used to help fight infection, which could be crucial in the fight against the pandemic.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Coronavirus: Crisis-Hit Virgin Atlantic Files For Bankruptcy



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Virgin Atlantic has filed for bankruptcy in the US as the global aviation industry feels the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK-based airline is seeking protection under chapter 15 of the US bankruptcy code, which allows a foreign debtor to shield assets in the country.

It is the second Virgin-branded airline to struggle this year. Virgin Australia went into administration in April.

Meanwhile, Virgin Australia's new owner Bain Capital is set to cut 3,000 jobs.

Virgin Atlantic's US bankruptcy court filing said it had negotiated a deal with stakeholders "for a consensual recapitalization" that will get debt off its balance sheet and "immediately position it for sustainable long-term growth".

The move comes less than a month after the company said it had agreed a rescue deal worth £1.2bn ($1.6bn) to secure its future beyond the coronavirus crisis.

Under that plan Richard Branson's Virgin Group injected £200m, with additional funds provided by investors and creditors.

The billionaire Virgin boss had a request for UK government money rejected, leaving the airline in a race against time to secure new investment.

The US filing is tied to a separate action filed in a British court, where Virgin Atlantic obtained approval on Tuesday to convene meetings of affected creditors to vote on the plan on 25 August.

In May, Virgin Atlantic, which is 51% owned by Virgin Group and 49% by US airline Delta, announced that it would cut more than 3,000 jobs in the UK and close its operation at Gatwick airport.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Coronavirus: 'Stunning' Artwork Pays Tribute to Salford Key Workers


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An unknown artist behind a painting that pays tribute to Salford's key workers is being urged to come forward.

Two men left the mystery 1.5m high artwork on the steps of Salford Civic Centre on Friday.

Salford mayor Paul Dennett said he wanted to thank the artist for the painting which features cleaners, bin crews and nurses.

"It is absolutely stunning, a really powerful piece of art and I am so grateful to whoever is responsible."

Mr Dennett added: "It captures the real spirit of Salford and the dedication of our key workers who have kept the city going through these difficult times.

"I'd love to say thank you directly to the artist and we can do that anonymously if they prefer. It's beautifully painted and really captures a moment in our city's history."

He said the city was greatly affected by the coronavirus pandemic adding, "it is important that when the time is right we have a fitting tribute to remember those who have lost their lives to the virus in the city."

Monday, July 6, 2020

Nick Cordero: Broadway Star Dies Aged 41 of Coronavirus Complications


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The Tony award-nominated Broadway actor Nick Cordero, who starred in hit musicals including Waitress, A Bronx Tale and Bullets Over Broadway, has died in Los Angeles from severe medical complications after contracting coronavirus. He was 41.

Cordero died on Sunday at Cedars-Sinai hospital after spending more than 90 days in the hospital, according to his wife, Amanda Kloots. “God has another angel in heaven now,” she posted on Instagram. “Nick was such a bright light. He was everyone’s friend, loved to listen, help and especially talk. He was an incredible actor and musician. He loved his family and loved being a father and husband.”

Cordero entered the emergency room on 30 March and had a succession of health setbacks including mini-strokes, blood clots, sepsis infections, a tracheostomy and a temporary pacemaker implant. He had been on a ventilator and unconscious and had his right leg amputated. A double lung transplant was being explored.

Kloots sent him daily videos of her and their one-year-old son, Elvis, and urged friends and fans to join a daily sing-a-long. She has said it was difficult to tell whether Cordero understood what was happening, but when he was alert he could respond by looking up and down. A GoFundMe page to pay for medical expenses has raised over $600,000.

The industry has paid tribute to Cordero, with many urging people to donate. Cordero was very close to the actor Zach Braff. “I can honestly tell you I have never met a kinder human being,” Braff wrote on Twitter and Instagram. “Don’t believe that covid only claims the elderly and infirm.”

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Coronavirus: Thousands of Homeless Still in Temporary Shelter


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Thousands of homeless people put up in places like hotels and B&Bs due to coronavirus are still in emergency accommodation.

Charities say there are just weeks to stop them returning to the streets as premises prepare to reopen.

BBC research found three quarters of homeless people in 17 areas are still in temporary accommodation with some already sleeping rough again.

The government said councils must continue to provide safe accommodation.

The BBC's The Next Episode podcast contacted the 25 councils with the highest rough sleeper counts last autumn.

Seventeen of those councils provided comparable data and between them they housed 3,258 homeless people under the Everyone In scheme.

Most of the homeless people were still in that temporary accommodation as of last week but 80 were already back on the streets.

With hotels set to reopen to the public from 4 July, charities say a plan is needed to move thousands of homeless people into alternative accommodation.

Monday, June 8, 2020

Matt Hancock Says Government Made no Mistakes on Coronavirus Lockdown Timing


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Health secretary Matt Hancock has defended the decision to not start the coronavirus lockdown earlier, after a government scientific adviser said the delay cost lives.

Hancock said today that the government “took the right decisions at the right time” and that no people lost their lives by not locking down earlier.

The UK went into lockdown on 23 March, which was comparatively late compared to other western European countries.

There was confusion at the time over whether the UK would lock down or adopt a model similar to Sweden, which has avoided a lockdown in an attempt to establish “herd immunity” to Covid-19.

Professor John Edmunds, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), told the BBC today that the delay in locking down “cost a lot of lives unfortunately”.

The UK coronavirus death toll surpassed 40,000 on Friday, putting the country only behind the US in total number of fatalities.

However, Hancock denied that any lives were lost due to not locking down earlier or that any mistakes had been made.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Corona-Virus: 'Dedicated' North West Ambulance Service Care Assistant Dies


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A "dedicated" patient transport care assistant has died after contracting coronavirus, an ambulance service has confirmed.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said Phil Rennie died in Fairfield General Hospital in Bury on Sunday.

NWAS chief executive Daren Mochrie said the 60-year-old from Rochdale was a "dear friend and colleague" who would be "sorely missed".

Mr Rennie had touched "many people's lives... during his career", he added.

The 60-year-old, who was based in Oldham, joined NWAS in 2015 after working in local authority and public services.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Coronavirus: PPE Masks Worth £160k Stolen From Salford Warehouse


RAHUL SHARMA DEBT CONNECT IN MANCHESTER, UK,





Thieves have stolen 80,000 face masks which were destined for the NHS and front-line workers.

The £166,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) was taken when three people broke into a warehouse in Salford on Wednesday.

Det Insp Chris Mannion, from Greater Manchester Police, said it was a "particularly sickening crime".

The masks were to be supplied to the NHS, along with councils and care homes, in West Yorkshire.

The high-quality n95 respirator masks were taken from the warehouse of a medical supplies firm at the Trafalgar Business Park overnight.

The gang spent about two hours at the premises, first cutting a hole in the warehouse steel shutters so as not to trigger burglar alarms by lifting up the door.

They then removed 320 boxes, or 10 pallets' worth, of the masks.

Other medical equipment, including cheaper quality masks also housed at the site, were left untouched.

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Piers Morgan to Take TV Break Due to 'Mild Corona-Virus Symptoms'


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Piers Morgan has said he will be temporarily stepping back from presenting Good Morning Britain after developing a “mild” coronavirus symptom.

The programme will be hosted by ITV presenter Ben Shephard alongside Susanna Reid as Morgan waits for his test results, which are due on Monday.

Morgan said in a tweet on Sunday night he had had a test and will be stepping back from presenting duties “on medical advice, and out of an abundance of caution”.

This week, Morgan was cleared of breaching TV watchdog Ofcom’s rules after attracting more than 3,000 complaints over his “combative” questioning of Helen Whately, the social care minister, in two interviews.

During an animated interview, he asked Whately how many health workers and care workers who had died from the illness. She accused him of “shouting at me and not giving me a chance to answer your questions” and “attempting to score points”.

Morgan defended his approach, saying it was not as “uncomfortable” as the conditions for the carers on the front line of the coronavirus crisis.

Almost 600 viewers also complained about another interview, with the health secretary, Matt Hancock, on 16 April, who accused him of constantly interrupting him.

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Corona-Virus: Furloughed Workers to be Encouraged to Take Fruit Picking Jobs to Help UK Harvest



Some of the millions of British workers furloughed during the coronavirus lockdown will be encouraged to take a second job picking fruit and vegetables, the government has said.

Giving the daily COVID-19 briefing, Environment Secretary George Eustice said only a third of the migrant labour needed to help carry out such tasks was in the country.

Although the international food chain was continuing to "work well", Mr Eustice said he expected there would be a need to recruit staff in the UK to harvest crops in the coming weeks.

"We're also acutely aware that we're about to start the British season in fresh produce, in soft fruits and salads.

"We estimate that probably only about a third of the migrant labour that would normally come to the UK is here, and was probably here before lockdown.

"We are working with industry to identify an approach that will encourage those millions of furloughed workers in some cases to consider taking a second job, helping get the harvest in June."

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Corona-Virus: £58m EuroMillions Winner's Social Distancing Celebrations


Sharing by Rahul Sharma from Manchester UK,






A man who scooped a £58m lottery win celebrated by having a beer with his brothers - at a 2m (6ft 6in) distance.

Ryan Hoyle, 38, said he was "shaking" when he got an email informing him he had become a multi-millionaire in Friday's EuroMillions draw.

He drove to his parents' house, passing his phone through the window for them to "double-check" his numbers.

After confirming the eight-figure bonanza, he enjoyed a drink in the sunshine with his siblings.
Mr Hoyle, of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, said he first thought he had won £2.30 when he saw an email from the National Lottery on Saturday.

'It was real'

When he read the message, he said it "looked like a lot of numbers... I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing".

He said he was "shaking and really needed a second opinion so... drove round to mum and dad's house".

"I kept a safe distance outside and passed the phone through the window for them to double-check for me."

"It was real - I had won £58m."