Coronavirus LIVE updates: Government to hold ‘lockdown summit’ as schools remain closed and UK deaths hit 7,097 – The Sun
THE Government is preparing to extend lockdown restrictions until May after admitting easing measures could result in thousands more deaths.
Ministers will hold a Cobra this morning to review the UK's coronavirus lockdown measures.
Boris Johnson ordered the country to baton down on March 23, with restrictions originally in place until Easter Monday.
But as the UK suffered it's most deadly day yesterday – recording 938 new deaths in just 24 hours – Mr Sunak said an end to the lockdown would be based on data and evidence provided by scientists, which will not be available until next week.
At the Cobra meeting this morning, ministers are expected to agree it is too early to life the lockdown restrictions.
UK schools will not reopen after the Easter holidays with government insiders saying it was too early to even speculate about when that date might be.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson spent another night in London's St Thomas' hospital, where his condition is said to be improving and he remains "stable".
The Prime Minister is said to be breathing without the use of a ventilator and is "sitting up in bed" – but he could be out of action for as long as a month as he recovers from needing treatment in intensive care.
Follow our coronavirus live blog below for all the latest news and updates.
YOUNG PEOPLE’ COULD BE LET OUT OF LOCKDOWN FIRST’
Young people could be let out of coronavirus lockdown first, experts say.
Britain is currently in its third week of lockdown, with the Government saying today the country is not yet “at the stage” where it could be lifted.
However, scientists have suggested that, when coronavirus social distancing restrictions can be softened, 20-30-year-olds who no longer live with their parents should be released first.
They say this would be the best route out of lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic and avoid an “extraordinary recession.”
On top of this, they point out that unlike the older generations, younger people are statistically less likely to die from coronavirus, or develop severe symptoms.
FCA CONFIRMS PLAN FOR FINANCIAL RELIEF
The Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed plans to offer financial relief amid the coronavirus crisis.
The package will include the option of a three-month freeze in loan and credit card repayments.
The measures include firms being expected to…
– offer a temporary payment freeze on loans and credit cards for up to three months, for consumers negatively impacted by coronavirus
– allow customers who are negatively impacted by coronavirus and who already have an arranged overdraft on their main personal current account, up to £500 charged at zero interest for three months
– make sure that all overdraft customers are no worse off on price when compared to the prices they were charged before the recent overdraft pricing changes came into force
– ensure consumers using any of these temporary payment freeze measures will not have their credit file affected
HERO NURSE DIES AFTER SAYING ‘I CAN’T STAY HOME’
A hero NHS nurse has died of suspected coronavirus after saying “I can’t stay home, I’m a healthcare worker”.
Donald Suelto, who worked at Hammersmith Hospital in west London, died after going into self-isolation with coronavirus symptoms.
He was remembered as a “spirited friend with a loving heart”.
Last month, Donald had changed his Facebook profile picture to an image of him wearing a protective mask emblazoned with the words: “I can’t stay at home, I’m a healthcare worker.”
QUEEN’S MESSAGE LIGHTS UP PICCADILLY CIRCUS
The Queen’s speech to the nation is getting another screening after being plastered over the world famous Piccadilly billboards in London.
Millions watched the Queen’s stirring TV address on Sunday which told Brits facing up the coronavirus crisis that there will be better times ahead.
Several memorable extracts from the landmark message will appear on the famous billboards for the next 10 days.
The Piccadilly Lights are a tourist attraction famed for their flashing adverts since 1908.
VIRUS-HIT NURSE DEAD WHEN MEDICS ARRIVED
A hero nurse sick with coronavirus called an ambulance and left the front door open but was already dead when paramedics arrived.
Rebecca Mack, 29, is the 14th front line NHS medic killed by the virus after she tragically died at home on Sunday.
Her heartbroken mum Marion has now revealed Rebecca had told her and dad Alan she was “feeling better” at around 6pm on Sunday.
When she failed to reply to a message at 10pm, Marion assumed she had gone to sleep – not knowing her daughter had taken a turn for the worse.
Rebecca had called paramedics and left the front door open – but by the time they arrived, she was already dead.
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