UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson 'continues to improve'; death toll rises in England, Scotland and Wales

Wales deaths rise by 41, Scotland by 81 and England by 765; PM in ‘good spirits’ receiving standard oxygen treatment; UK lockdown set to remainGlobal coronavirus updates – liveLatest developments: at a glanceUK lockdown likely to be extended, says cabinet ministerCoronavirus in the UK: 10 telling moments from the past 100 daysSee all of our coronavirus coverage 3.00pm BST Thousands of people working in the NHS, social care and local services have contacted a Unison hotline in the last week expressing anxiety at the lack of gloves, masks, eye protectors and gowns where they work, Unison said.Staff from across the UK’s public services said they were scared that without the right protective equipment, they risked contracting coronavirus and passing it on to their families, or the elderly and vulnerable people they work with and care for.Our clients are terrified we’ll bring the virus to their homes and we’re equally afraid of that. Many of us have isolated from our children because we fear for their lives. My colleagues have been asked to wear bags over their faces for lack of surgical masks when needed. It’s getting to the point where I want to quit my job as I feel I’m endangering my own life.Staff are extremely stressed and anxious and feel they’re not being supported with basic PPE. We’ve no face guards and are constantly being coughed on and sneezed on by residents. Small plastic aprons covering no more than an adult bib would are no protection against this virus. We can’t go another week with health workers, care staff and those providing key local services feeling exposed to harm. It’s tragic to see deaths of public services workers and the people they support over the past few weeks. Unless the government can get to grips quickly with supply problems, the numbers dying could spiral. 2.51pm BST The Office for National statistics has published data obtained from its ‘Opinions and Lifestyle Survey’ of 1,588 adults, covering the period 20-30 March, which sheds some light on the impact the coronavirus crisis is having on people in Britain.The figures suggest people are abiding by the hygiene advice to stem the spread of the virus:Almost all adults (99.8%) said they had washed their hands with soap and water to avoid infection in the last seven days. Of those who had washed their hands with soap and water, 89.8% said they had increased the frequency of doing so since the coronavirus pandemic.Over two-thirds (69.1%) of all adults also said they had tissues to catch coughs and sneezes. Of these, 42.3% said they had increased this activity since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.Nearly 1 in 4 adults (23.8%) said they felt lonely often/always or some of the time. As is seen in similar reports on loneliness before the pandemic, levels of reported loneliness are lower amongst those aged 70 years and over (12.7%). For those with an underlying health condition it was 23.2%. Continue reading…
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