Selasa, 02 Juni 2020

Coronavirus: Evening update as report finds ethnic minorities are at greater risk - BBC News

Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this Tuesday evening. We'll have another update for you on Wednesday morning.

1. Being from an ethnic minority is a risk factor

People from ethnic minorities are at a higher risk of dying from coronavirus than white British people, a much-anticipated report by Public Health England says.

It shows age remains the biggest risk factor, while being male is another, as is living in a city.

But the impact of Covid-19 is also "disproportionate" for people from Asian, Caribbean and black ethnicities and it's unclear why - or what can be done about it.

The government is stressing it is taking the report's findings seriously and asked equalities minister Kemi Badenoch to continue working on the issue alongside PHE. "Black lives matter," Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the daily government briefing.

In the meantime, he says those in at risk groups should "stringently" follow social distancing and hand-washing advice.

2. More controversy over testing figures

There's more criticism of the way the government has been handling its testing data - this time from the chairman of the UK Statistics Authority.

Sir David Norgrove has sent Mr Hancock a strongly-worded letter, in which he says the presentation of figures appears to be aimed at showing "the largest possible number of tests, even at the expense of understanding".

The government has not so far explained how many home test kits sent out to the public have actually been returned. Figures for the number of people tested as opposed to the number of tests carried out are not currently available.

There has been a dramatic increase in laboratory capacity to process tests which has helped make testing more widely available, says our health editor, Hugh Pym, but the message from the statistics watchdog is that public confidence will be undermined if the numbers are not transparent.

Are the figures on testing misleading? Read more from BBC Reality Check here.

3. Weekly deaths at lowest rate since March

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics showed there were 2,872 deaths linked to coronavirus registered in the UK in the week ending 22 May - the lowest weekly figure since March.

Overall, there have been 190,000 deaths during the pandemic - nearly 62,000 above what would be expected for the time of year - and 48,106 where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate.

Back at the start of the UK lockdown, government scientific advisers said 20,000 deaths from the virus would be a "good" outcome. The UK passed that milestone back in April.

Meanwhile, the latest government figures report that 39,369 people with coronavirus have died in the UK, across all settings, with an increase of 324 deaths on Monday's figures.

5. Desperate for a dip?

Tensions are continuing in some coastal areas struggling to cope with large numbers of visitors heading to beaches in the sunny weather. It doesn't help that swimming pools are still not able to open, despite the easing of some other lockdown restrictions. Swimming organisations are drawing up plans for what new rules pools might have to bring in when they do eventually reopen - including asking swimmers to arrive "beach ready" in their costumes instead of using changing rooms.

Meanwhile, many have been trying to cool off at home instead. People spending more time at home, combined with the record-breaking run of dry and sunny weather is causing a surge in demand for water and something of a double-whammy for the UK's water companies.

They are asking us to be careful how much we use, avoid hosepipes and sprinklers and not to fill paddling pools.


5. Recorded for posterity

Empty streets, home-made haircuts and a giant NHS thank you cut into a field are among 200 images chosen by Historic England to best reflect the nation's experience of lockdown.

The organisation received more than 3,000 responses to its appeal for the public to photograph their experiences for inclusion in its archive - the first time it had made such a call since World War Two.

Get a longer coronavirus briefing from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning, by signing up here.

And don't forget...

... you can find out everything you need to know about social distancing and the two-metre rule with this explainer from our science editor, David Shukman.

Find more information, advice and guides on our coronavirus page and get the latest in our live page.


What questions do you have about coronavirus?

In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.

Use this form to ask your question:

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via email to YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any question you send in.

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2020-06-02 18:24:37Z
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Influencers accused of exploiting George Floyd protests mocked online - The Telegraph

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Influencers accused of exploiting George Floyd protests mocked online  The TelegraphView Full coverage on Google News
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2020-06-02 17:40:08Z
CCAiC1V3azB1djI1T1o4mAEB

Journalists charged at by police while live on air at Washington protests - Guardian News

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  1. Journalists charged at by police while live on air at Washington protests  Guardian News
  2. Adele says ‘racism is everywhere’ in rare social media post after George Floyd’s death  The Independent
  3. Cops violently arrest & taser students after George Floyd protest - Fired for 'excessive force'  The Sun
  4. Why is Derek Chauvin being charged with third-degree murder rather than first? This is what prosecutors told me  The Independent
  5. George Floyd and the story of the Two Americas  Financial Times
  6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-06-02 17:07:09Z
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BREAKING: Government outlines biggest risk factors for COVID-19 in the UK - Sky News

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  1. BREAKING: Government outlines biggest risk factors for COVID-19 in the UK  Sky News
  2. Coronavirus: Risk of dying is higher for ethnic minorities  BBC News
  3. People from BAME backgrounds, men and Londoners most likely to die from Covid-19, Public Health England review confirms  Evening Standard
  4. Coronavirus: Black and Asian ethnic groups up to twice as likely to die with COVID-19, says Public Health England  Sky News
  5. Coronavirus latest updates as government faces fury over BAME report delay  Manchester Evening News
  6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-06-02 16:34:40Z
52780826909049

Coronavirus: Risk of dying is higher for ethnic minorities - BBC News

People from ethnic minorities are at a higher risk of dying from coronavirus, a report by Public Health England says.

It shows age remains the biggest risk factor, while being male is another.

The impact of Covid-19 is also "disproportionate" for other Asian, Caribbean and black ethnicities. But it remains unclear why.

The health secretary said the "troubling" report was "timely" because "right across the world people are angry about racial injustice".

On Monday night, the Department of Health and Social Care denied reports the delay was down to official concerns of potential civil unrest linked to global anger over the death of African-American George Floyd.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons the public was "understandably angry about injustices" and that he felt a "deep responsibility because this pandemic has exposed huge disparities in the health of our nation".

Speaking at the daily coronavirus briefing in Downing Street, Mr Hancock said "much more work" needs to be done to understand "what's driving these disparities".

"We are absolutely determined to get to the bottom of this and find ways of closing this gap," he said, adding that he has asked Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch to continue working on the issue alongside Public Health England (PHE).

The BBC's Rianna Croxford pressed Mr Hancock on whether there were any specific recommendations for people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

He said everyone in "the different high risk categories" highlighted in the report should follow social distancing guidelines "very stringently".

What's in the review?

The rapid review was launched when it became clear that some people were getting more sick with coronavirus than others.

PHE reviewed thousands of existing health records and other coronavirus data.

The report looks at disparities by:

  • age and sex
  • geography
  • deprivation
  • ethnicity
  • pre-existing health problems or comorbidities

It is not possible to combine all of these factors together to judge an individual's risk because of the way the source data is recorded.

The data does, however, reveal clear inequalities.

If you strip out age and sex, the report says people of Bangladeshi ethnicity have twice the risk of death than people of white British ethnicity.

The analysis on ethnicity and risk did not consider a person's occupation or obesity, even though both are known risk factors for getting seriously ill with coronavirus.

It acknowledges that more work is needed to understand and advise people about the risk.

What has it found?

The report says people aged 80 or older are 70 times more likely to die than those under 40.

Working-age men diagnosed with Covid-19 are twice as likely to die as women.

The risk of dying with coronavirus is higher among those living in more deprived parts of the UK.

The report says certain occupations - security guards, taxi or bus drivers and construction workers and social care staff - are at higher risk.

For ethnicity, coronavirus death rates were highest among people of Black and Asian ethnic groups when compared to white British ethnicity.

People of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, other Asian, Caribbean and other Black ethnicity had between a 10% and 50% higher risk of death when compared to white British.

Analysis: Report has important flaw

The government had been under pressure to publish the findings of this inquiry. It was due to be released by the end of May.

Now it's here, it's not clear why there was a delay. The main findings reinforce what we already know - that belonging to an ethnic minority group is a major risk factor.

It doesn't move us forward in answering why, though.

The report acknowledges an important flaw in the analysis - it couldn't factor in important risks, such as a person's job and underlying health conditions, that increase the chance of dying with coronavirus. Where you live and how much you earn are important considerations too.

Death rates for people living in the most deprived areas of England were more than double the least deprived areas.

The report says coronavirus has replicated and in some cases increased existing health inequalities.

It doesn't mention how to address those to save more lives.

Calls for 'urgent action'

Labour MP for Battersea Marsha de Cordova said the report was "notably silent" on how risks amplified by "racial and health inequalities" could be reduced.

She said the government "must act immediately" to mitigate the risks "so that no more lives are lost".

While Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy tweeted: "Black and Asian ethnic groups are up to twice as likely to die from Covid-19. Families are living in fear. There must be no more delay. The government must take urgent action to protect at-risk groups."

Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said while the report's conclusions were "helpful... it does nothing to protect people". She said "clear guidance and support" from the government should be given to help the NHS tackle the risk to workers.

The equality watchdog says the government should produce a "comprehensive race equality strategy" in response to the report.

Rebecca Hilsenrath, chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "People are more than statistics, and we cannot afford to ignore the broader context of entrenched race inequality across all areas of life. Only a comprehensive race equality strategy will address these issues."

Latest government figures show 39,369 people with coronavirus have died in the UK, across all settings, with an increase of 324 deaths on Monday's figures. There were 1,613 new positive cases recorded in the past day.

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2020-06-02 13:31:55Z
52780826909049

Coronavirus: Risk of dying is higher for ethnic minorities - BBC News

People from ethnic minorities are at a higher risk of dying from coronavirus, a report by Public Health England says.

It shows age remains the biggest risk factor, while being male is another.

But if you strip out age and sex, the report says people of Bangladeshi ethnicity have twice the risk of death than people of white British ethnicity.

The impact of Covid-19 is also "disproportionate" for other Asian, Caribbean and black ethnicities. But it remains unclear why.

The analysis on ethnicity and risk did not consider a person's occupation or obesity, even though both are known risk factors for getting seriously ill with coronavirus.

It acknowledges that more work is needed to understand and advise people about the risk.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the public was "understandably angry about injustices" and that he felt a "deep responsibility because this pandemic has exposed huge disparities in the health of our nation", with ethnic background being a "major risk factor" for coronavirus.

He told the House of Commons: "It is very clear that some people are significantly more vulnerable to Covid-19 and this is something I'm determined to understand in full and take action to address."

"Black lives matter, as do those of the poorest areas of our country" and health outcomes need to be "levelled up," he added.

On Monday night, the Department of Health and Social Care denied reports the delay was down to official concerns of potential civil unrest linked to global anger over the death of African-American George Floyd.

What's in the review?

The rapid review was launched when it became clear that some people were getting more sick with coronavirus than others.

Public Health England reviewed thousands of existing health records and other coronavirus data.

The report looks at disparities by:

  • age and sex
  • geography
  • deprivation
  • ethnicity
  • pre-existing health problems or comorbidities

It is not possible to combine all of these factors together to judge an individual's risk because of the way the source data is recorded.

The data does, however, reveal clear inequalities.

What has it found?

The report says people aged 80 or older are 70 times more likely to die than those under 40.

Working-age men diagnosed with Covid-19 are twice as likely to die as women.

The risk of dying with coronavirus is higher among those living in more deprived parts of the UK.

The report says certain occupations - security guards, taxi or bus drivers and construction workers and social care staff - are at higher risk.

For ethnicity, coronavirus death rates were highest among people of Black and Asian ethnic groups when compared to white British ethnicity.

People of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, other Asian, Caribbean and other Black ethnicity had between a 10% and 50% higher risk of death when compared to white British.

Analysis: Report has important flaw

The government had been under pressure to publish the findings of this inquiry. It was due to be released by the end of May.

Now it's here, it's not clear why there was a delay. The main findings reinforce what we already know - that belonging to an ethnic minority group is a major risk factor.

It doesn't move us forward in answering why, though.

The report acknowledges an important flaw in the analysis - it couldn't factor in important risks, such as a person's job and underlying health conditions, that increase the chance of dying with coronavirus. Where you live and how much you earn are important considerations too.

Death rates for people living in the most deprived areas of England were more than double the least deprived areas.

The report says coronavirus has replicated and in some cases increased existing health inequalities.

It doesn't mention how to address those to save more lives.

Calls for 'urgent action'

Labour MP for Battersea Marsha de Cordova said the report was "notably silent" on how risks amplified by "racial and health inequalities" could be reduced.

She said the government "must act immediately" to mitigate the risks "so that no more lives are lost".

While Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy tweeted: "Black and Asian ethnic groups are up to twice as likely to die from Covid-19. Families are living in fear. There must be no more delay. The government must take urgent action to protect at-risk groups."

Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said while the report's conclusions were "helpful... it does nothing to protect people". She said "clear guidance and support" from the government should be given to help the NHS tackle the risk to workers.

The equality watchdog says the government should produce a "comprehensive race equality strategy" in response to the report.

Rebecca Hilsenrath, chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "People are more than statistics, and we cannot afford to ignore the broader context of entrenched race inequality across all areas of life. Only a comprehensive race equality strategy will address these issues."

Latest government figures show 39,369 people with coronavirus have died in the UK, across all settings, with an increase of 324 deaths on Monday's figures. There were 1,613 new positive cases recorded in the past day.

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2020-06-02 13:30:00Z
52780826909049

Coronavirus: Risk of dying is higher for ethnic minorities - BBC News

People from ethnic minorities are at a higher risk of dying from coronavirus, a report by Public Health England says.

It shows age remains the biggest risk factor, while being male is another.

But if you strip out age and sex, the report says people of Bangladeshi ethnicity have twice the risk of death than people of white British ethnicity.

The impact of Covid-19 is also "disproportionate" for other Asian, Caribbean and black ethnicities. But it remains unclear why.

The analysis on ethnicity and risk did not consider a person's occupation or obesity, even though both are known risk factors for getting seriously ill with coronavirus.

It acknowledges that more work is needed to understand and advise people about the risk.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the public was "understandably angry about injustices" and that he felt a "deep responsibility because this pandemic has exposed huge disparities in the health of our nation", with ethnic background being a "major risk factor" for coronavirus.

He told the House of Commons: "It is very clear that some people are significantly more vulnerable to Covid-19 and this is something I'm determined to understand in full and take action to address."

"Black lives matter, as do those of the poorest areas of our country" and health outcomes need to be "levelled up," he added.

On Monday night, the Department of Health and Social Care denied reports the delay was down to official concerns of potential civil unrest linked to global anger over the death of African-American George Floyd.

What's in the review?

The rapid review was launched when it became clear that some people were getting more sick with coronavirus than others.

Public Health England reviewed thousands of existing health records and other coronavirus data.

The report looks at disparities by:

  • age and sex
  • geography
  • deprivation
  • ethnicity
  • pre-existing health problems or comorbidities

It is not possible to combine all of these factors together to judge an individual's risk because of the way the source data is recorded.

The data does, however, reveal clear inequalities.

What has it found?

The report says people aged 80 or older are 70 times more likely to die than those under 40.

Working-age men diagnosed with Covid-19 are twice as likely to die as women.

The risk of dying with coronavirus is higher among those living in more deprived parts of the UK.

The report says certain occupations - security guards, taxi or bus drivers and construction workers and social care staff - are at higher risk.

For ethnicity, coronavirus death rates were highest among people of Black and Asian ethnic groups when compared to white British ethnicity.

People of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, other Asian, Caribbean and other Black ethnicity had between a 10% and 50% higher risk of death when compared to white British.

Analysis: Report has important flaw

The government had been under pressure to publish the findings of this inquiry. It was due to be released by the end of May.

Now it's here, it's not clear why there was a delay. The main findings reinforce what we already know - that belonging to an ethnic minority group is a major risk factor.

It doesn't move us forward in answering why, though.

The report acknowledges an important flaw in the analysis - it couldn't factor in important risks, such as a person's job and underlying health conditions, that increase the chance of dying with coronavirus. Where you live and how much you earn are important considerations too.

Death rates for people living in the most deprived areas of England were more than double the least deprived areas.

The report says coronavirus has replicated and in some cases increased existing health inequalities.

It doesn't mention how to address those to save more lives.

Calls for 'urgent action'

Labour MP for Battersea Marsha de Cordova said the report was "notably silent" on how risks amplified by "racial and health inequalities" could be reduced.

She said the government "must act immediately" to mitigate the risks "so that no more lives are lost".

While Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy tweeted: "Black and Asian ethnic groups are up to twice as likely to die from Covid-19. Families are living in fear. There must be no more delay. The government must take urgent action to protect at-risk groups."

Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said while the report's conclusions were "helpful... it does nothing to protect people". She said "clear guidance and support" from the government should be given to help the NHS tackle the risk to workers.

The equality watchdog says the government should produce a "comprehensive race equality strategy" in response to the report.

Rebecca Hilsenrath, chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "People are more than statistics, and we cannot afford to ignore the broader context of entrenched race inequality across all areas of life. Only a comprehensive race equality strategy will address these issues."

Latest government figures show 39,369 people with coronavirus have died in the UK, across all settings, with an increase of 324 deaths on Monday's figures. There were 1,613 new positive cases recorded in the past day.

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2020-06-02 13:23:45Z
52780826909049