“In the past week, the number of positive cases in Preston has increased significantly and it is extremely important that we act now to prevent the situation from getting any worse.
“The evidence is clear, we all need to take extra precautions to protect our loved ones. Coronavirus affects all of communities and we all need to do our part to prevent the spread from continuing rise.
“I also want to be clear that this is affecting people from both south Asian and white ethnic backgrounds, particularly those living in poor socio-economic conditions in our city. We need to avoid mixing between households and to maintain two metre social distancing particularly in pubs and clubs.”
“The number of cases in Preston have increased rapidly in recent days leading to Government categorising the city as an area of intervention. It is also alarming to see that the under-30s are contracting it at a significant rate.
“It is clear that coronavirus is still here and we all need to work together to keep ourselves, our friends, families and communities safe from this virus.
“While some wards have recorded a higher level of cases, this remains a city-wide issue and it’s essential that we all do our part to fight the virus.
“We’re urging everyone to be diligent and follow the restrictions, in order to protect all of our residents, communities and businesses.”
“The governments of all four nations have agreed to these changes based on a shared understanding of the data.
“This is another important step in our efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, and adhering to the quarantine is a vital aspect of this.
“Imposing quarantine requirements on those arriving from another country is not a decision made lightly – but suppressing the virus and protecting public health remains our priority.”
“I want to acknowledge that the hospitality sector have been working very hard with us, they have been in partnership with us right throughout this issue and this is not a reflection on the hospitality sector, rather it’s a reflection on the fact that the R rate has risen, there is a rise in community transmission and we always said there is a need to work together to try and push that down.
“We have decided to make face masks mandatory in enclosed spaces where you can’t social distance, from Monday.
“Retail workers will not have to wear masks, it’s those people coming in to the shops that we are asking to wear masks.
“It’s about trying to give confidence to people who feel vulnerable and maybe have been shielding and we are asking the public to work with us and listen to what we are asking them to do.”
More people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK.
The Department of Health reported on Saturday that 55 more people had died across all settings after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the UK death toll to 46,566. Cases also rose by 758 up to a total of 309,763.
Meanwhile, households mixing in pubs and houses has been blamed for a rise in cases in Preston as the city became the latest area to have local lockdown restrictions imposed.
And new rules for wearing face masks in public have come into force in England. See the full list of places you must wear one here.
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The Government also said that in the 24-hour period up to 9am on Saturday, there had been a further 758 lab-confirmed cases. Overall, a total of 309,763 cases have been confirmed.
The Department of Health has reported that 55 more people have died across all settings after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the UK death toll to 46,566.
Geordie favourites Ant and Dec – and a string of big-name guests – will be packing their thermals as I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! prepares to film in Wales.
When news first broke that this year’s show – the 20th series – would not be taking place in Australia it was what many viewers had expected, given the ongoing uncertainty over Covid-19, but its new choice of location – a ruined castle setting in the north of Wales – is set to prove a welcome surprise for viewers who will be extra keen to see how the celebrity action will pan out.
The switch from the usual heat of the Australian jungle to the more temperate climes around The Valleys will have a knock-on effect on the ITV series’ famous Oz-theme challenges, with the staple ‘bushtucker trials’ given an overhaul and a newly-named crowning glory moment in store for the winner.
Full story here.
Up to 750,000 coronavirus tests have been recalled after concerns over safety, the Department of Health has said.
The UK’s medicines and healthcare products regulator told producer Randox to recall the kits which were sent out to both care homes and individuals.
But the Government said this was a precautionary measure, with the testing kits posing a low safety risk.
The results of Randox tests are still valid, the Department of Health added.
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The eight self-isolating Aberdeen players have apologised to Derek McInnes and the Dons support for the “error of judgement” which led to Saturday’s clash with St Johnstone being postponed.
First-team stars Jonny Hayes, Michael Devlin, Scott McKenna, Matty Kennedy, Sam Cosgrove, Dylan McGeouch, Craig Bryson and Bruce Anderson said in a statement: “First and foremost we would like to apologise to every AFC fan, the manager, everyone at the Club, the football authorities, the First Minister, all healthcare workers along with everyone else that has worked tirelessly around the clock to get the country, and in particular football, back up and running again.
“We, as a small group of players, made a huge error of judgement last weekend by thinking it was ok to visit a city centre venue together.
“None of us could have foreseen the escalation of Covid-19 cases in the Grampian area, nor did we deliberately attempt to flaunt or disobey Government guidelines which we all must adhere to, or indeed the clear guidelines set out by the club.”
Hundreds of health workers marched through Newcastle to voice their fury at being excluded from a public sector pay rise.
NHS workers from across the North East gathered in the city centre to demand better pay for those who have risked their lives every day during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The protest, one of several taking place across the country on Saturday, was organised after the Government announced pay rises for public sector workers including the Armed Forces, doctors and dentists.
But thousands of health workers won’t see their wages increase despite working on the frontline throughout the coronavirus outbreak.
Full story here.
Care home residents will soon be able to receive more outdoor visitors, despite 60 new cases of coronavirus being recorded in Scotland in the last 24 hours.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirmed plans for up to three outdoor visitors from no more than two households from Monday.
It is the first change in visiting rules since July 3, when it was announced one designated visitor would be allowed outdoors.
But care homes will only be able to allow a visit at all if the facility has been Covid-free during the pandemic, or affected residents have fully recovered and no residents or staff have had symptoms for 28 days.
Public Health Wales reported 19 more cases on Saturday, taking the total number since the outbreak began to 17,425.
Sixty new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Scotland, which is 1.3% of newly tested individuals.
The number of deaths of England hospital patients with Covid-19 by region are as follows:
East of England 1
London 1
Midlands 2
North East & Yorkshire 8
North West 0
South East 3
South West 0
Patients in England who died were aged between 67 and 100 years old. All bar one individual (aged 91) had known underlying health conditions.
Their families have been informed.
NHS England has reported that 15 more people have died in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19.
Scotland has reported no further deaths related to coronavirus, meaning the total remains at 2,491.
Public Health Wales has reported that one more person has died after testing postivie for Covid-19, taking the death toll in Wales to 1,579.
A new coronavirus test centre has opened in Middlesbrough town centre after 28 new cases were discovered in the past week.
The extra testing was brought in as Middlesbrough Council and Public Health England respond to the outbreak.
The council says that all the cases are linked, and connected to a small number of households in the Acklam and Linthorpe areas, and the town centre end of Marton Road.
Those who have tested positive are now self-isolating, with links to a town centre takeaway and a taxi being probed by public health officials.
Full story here.
Summer loving was definitely in the air on Friday afternoon as the crowds turned out – socially distanced of course – to soak up the Drive In Cinema’s visit to the city.
After months of build-up, the Suzuki Presents @TheDriveIn open-air cinema tour is now settled at Newcastle Airport where it will be screening a programme of family films, blockbuster movies and popular musicals on Summer Nights – and afternoons – until Sunday.
And one of those musicals was a singalong version of Grease which on Friday afternoon proved a pre-weekend treat and the perfect way to enjoy a sense of crowd participation without any of the safety fears.
Full story here.
Dave Carr is a critical care nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson was treated in intensive care.
He attended Saturday’s protest and said of the pandemic: “I’ve got 21 years working in critical care and for me that experience was tough.
“I was drained, wearing all the PPE, incredibly long shifts.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life and we’re all exhausted.”
He said “There’s a lot of PTSD around” among colleagues and that many are worried about the possibility of a second wave.
Mr Carr added: “We can’t do the job any more, we had to shut down the NHS to fight Covid and now we’re expected to just turn it back on.
“We’re on our knees, absolutely on our knees. And on top of it they give 900,000 public sector workers a pay rise – and I haven’t got a problem with that – but they carve us out.
“I’m absolutely fuming. Tired and fuming.
“We’ve had enough.”
Children and staff have been forced to self-isolate following a coronavirus outbreak at a nursery in Manchester.
A number of children and adults at Mulberry Bush Nursery in Whitefield, Bury, have tested positive for Covid-19 over the past week, it has been confirmed.
The cases only affect one individual “bubble” and those people are now self-isolating, a spokesman for the Sefton Street nursery said.
Social distancing guidelines at the Grainger Market are changing to make it more customer-friendly.
From August 8, more entrances and exits will be open and more shoppers will be able to go in at the same time.
Since reopening in June, customers have only been able to use one entrance and numbers have been severely restricted, leading to queues.
Now the capacity is being increased to 1,000 people and all 14 of the historic market’s doors will be open.
Full story here.
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Marchers were applauded by members of the public as they arrived outside Downing Street.
Many participants were wearing scrubs or other NHS uniforms and chants of “Boris Johnson hear us shout, Pay us properly or get out” were directed towards Number 10.
Protesters made their way along Whitehall towards Downing Street.
A blue banner reading “End NHS pay inequality, together we win” led the march.
Many were carrying placards, including one which said: “Boris remember my neighbour Lewis, what about his payrise?
“He saved your life now reward us.”
Hundreds of people have converged on central London to march for fair pay for NHS staff and recognition of their work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Crowds gathered on Horse Guards Parade ahead of the protest as a samba band led people in chants of “one two three four five, keep our NHS alive”.
The Covid-19 pandemic isn’t growing overall despite a number of towns experiencing significant outbreaks.
Last month, a resurgence in Covid-19 cases saw swathes of the North West and Yorkshire put back into semi-lockdown over fears the pandemic could begin to grow out of control.
Blackburn and Darwen now has the highest rate of confirmed cases per 100,000 people according to testing carried out in the week up to August 3, followed by Oldham.
In the midlands, Leicester – which was the first place to be subject to a local lockdown – also continues to be an area of concern, although cases are declining.
Full story here.