hugh pym, bbc news.rom the department of health show that in the last 2a hour period the deaths of another 114 people were recorded in the uk after testing positive for covid—i9, bringing the total number of people who've died to 45,233. on average in the last week, 83 people died every day from coronavirus. and hugh pym is here. there is some consternation tonight about how england's debt figures are calculated. yes, there is real confusion over this because it seems as if they are calculated in different ways in different parts of the uk -- different ways in different parts of the uk —— death figures. scotland, wales and northern ireland reported deaths of people who have tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days but it has emerged today that public health england calculate them with people who might have tested positive months beforehand. there is no time limit. they might even have died with another cause, but they are still added to the coronavirus death total. so it seems as if this

hugh pym, bbc news. from the department of health show that in the last 24—hour period the deaths of another 114 people were recorded in the uk after testing positive for covid—i9, bringing the total number of people who've died to 45,233. on average in the last week, 83 people died every day, from coronavirus. our health editor, high pym is here. there is confusion about how these death, mortality figures, are calculated. yes, real confusion tonight because it turns out they are calculated in different ways in different parts of the uk. in scotland, wales and northern ireland they report deaths which have happened within 28 days of an individual testing positive for the virus. but it has emerged today that in england somebody could have tested positive several months before their death but they are still reported as a coronavirus death by public health england. the world health organization does not have a standard way of doing it but it throws a lot of question marks over the figures that have been rep

hugh pym is with me.s that local authorities would get a new powers to deal with spikes in their own areas. how significant is that? one of the main topics at the media co nfe re nce one of the main topics at the media conference earlier was a focus on local outbreaks. and the hope of the government, that we don't go back to a national lockdown, which is what we saw in march, that was the only tool they had then, to lock down the whole of england followed by the devolved administration in scotland, wales and northern ireland. they wa nt wales and northern ireland. they want to look for local spikes in infections based on all the data they are getting from their testing and tasting system and act quickly. we saw it in leicester a couple of weeks ago —— testing and tracing. there was a nationally driven intervention with a partial lifting yesterday and this week, blackburn with darwen council moved on its own volition to make some new guidance for local people about wearing face coverings and limiting the s

hugh pym, bbc news. the time is 6:19pm.

hugh pym, bbc news.irus cases worldwide rose by almost 260,000 injust the last 24—hour period. the world health organization says it's the largest single—day increase, since the pandemic began. more than 600,000 people have died. our medical correspondent fergus walsh takes a look now at the people most at risk from covid—i9. the risk of catching and dying with covid—i9 varies dramatically depending on your age, and roughly doubles every five to six years. now if we look at data for england and wales up to the end ofjune, if you're over the age of 90 there was a one in 49 risk of dying with covid—i9. butjust look how quickly that risk falls away the younger you are. under the age of a5, there was a greater risk of dying in an accident during that period. and for the five to 14—year—olds the risk was one in 2.4 million. there were three covid deaths in that age group during that period, compared to 138 from other causes. but even though the risks to the young are incredibly low, they can still pass on the

hugh pym, bbc news.police and public health officials after 250 people attended a funeral there on monday. the jamia ghosia mosque emailed its congregation following the service to warn them that the imam tested positive for coronavirus. the mosque's chairman told the bbc they made a mistake and believed any number of people were allowed to attend as long as social distancing guidelines were adhered to. the government advice in england limits weddings and funerals to 30 people. for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, the number of new daily infections around the world has surpassed a quarter of a million. the biggest increases were in the us where the total number of virus—related deaths has just passed 140,000. 78,000 people have died in brazil and cases have surpassed two millions, and those numbers are still rising. and the death toll in india now stands at 26,816. but the united states remain the worst affected country. speaking on fox news, president trump disputed the impact on the

here's our health editor, hugh pym. blackburn today.identified by national health officials as needing enhanced support for tackling the virus. the local council has introduced its own measures, including limiting household gatherings. i think the two—metre distance has more or less gone, but that's not the council's fault. that's down to silly people, isn't it? we need to take control of the virus, you know, and, yeah, i think, i think at the end of the day, if everybodyjust needs to obey, you know, by the rulings. in communities like this, the test and trace scheme is vital. finding people who have been in contact with those who have tested positive and telling them to self—isolate. but the local public health chief said today the national system wasn't yet effective. we could risk seeing an exponential growth, because up to half of the people that may have been infected by an index case, by the first case with the virus, will themselves not know they are infected or at risk of infection and get tested and self—isolate. the department

hugh pym, bbc news. the time is 6.16.—turn, security concerns mean that the chinese firm huawei will now be removed from the uk's sg huawei will now be removed from the uk's 5g networks. the company says the decision will push britain into the decision will push britain into the digital slow lane. and coming up, the duchess of cambridge on the difficulties of social distancing with young children. louis doesn't understand social distancing, so he goes out and wants to cuddle everything, particularly any babies younger than him. coming up on sports day on bbc news, former great british cyclistjess varnish has lost her employment tribunal campaign against british the relationship between the devolved nations of the uk and westminster has been tested during the pandemic. scotland, wales and northern ireland have all set their own rules to deal with the crisis. this week, we've been exploring these contrasting approaches, and what they reveal about the union. tonight our correspondent emma vardy has been speaking to people in

hugh pym, bbc news.d to announce new measures, to curb the sale of unhealthy foods in england. it's thought there'll be restrictions on tv advertising and in—store promotions. there's growing evidence people who are overweight or obese are at a significantly greater risk from coronavirus. 0ur health correspondent dominic hughes has been looking at the connection between obesity and the pandemic, and what the link says about wider health inequalities, across the uk. ever since she was a child, roxana has had a difficult relationship with food. every time you sit at a table you meet your demons. so you meet the addiction every time you have to eat. after becoming very overweight she developed type two diabetes. she is now trying to eat more healthily, lose weight, ahead of further gastric surgery. but those like roxana with underlying health problems were really vulnerable to covid—19, so the past few months have been tough. i had this anxiety of going out, and especially with knowing that i have type two

hugh pym, bbc news, bedford.asting several days if the chinese company huawei is forced to withdraw from the uk‘s 56 network. vodafone and bt said they would need at least five years to completely remove the chinese firm. 0ur security correspondent, gordon corera, joins me. the government seem to have made the decision to allow huawei to build the sg decision to allow huawei to build the 56 network but with a limit to how much, but that was not the end of it. the decision had to be reopened because of pressure from washington and also conservative mps who have wanted a tougher line on china as well as huawei partly because of hong kong and they want huawei to be excluded entirely from sg huawei to be excluded entirely from 56 and for it to happen quickly. what we had today was the other side of the argument, the telecoms companies are saying if you want that, there will be consequences, and a bt executive told a parliamentary committee it was impossible to get huawei to get zero ina impossible to get huawei to ge

hugh pym, thank you for now. the time is 1.17. our top story this lunchtime...ys the uk's response to the coronavirus pandemic shows the "sheer might" of the united kingdom. for the first time, female artists outnumber men on the shortlist for the mercury prize. coming up in the sport on bbc news... leeds united defend their decision to parade the championship trophy in front of their fans, despite asking them to stay away from elland road. nearly £600 million has been promised by the government to upgrade the rail network in the north of england. much of the money will be used to electrify the transpennine main line between manchester and leeds, and a new body is to be set up, nina warhurst has all the details. train horn blares. we're not cattle, we're people. peeved passengers. two carriages full, you can't get on, people can't sit down, they're overheated, they leak. cross commuters. can i swear on camera? no. i can't, then, i can't say. these travellers are tired. this isn't worth £30 a day. it's not worth 30p a day. from crewe to carlisle, from manchester

hugh pym, bbc news.dery is deputy chief executive of nhs providers, which represents hospitals and other nhs trusts in england. she says clarity is needed over where the money will be spent. if you think about the nhs as a whole, its annual budget is around £120 billion a year. so that might give you some idea. it is a little under 3% of its annual budget. perhaps that helps in terms of putting it in some kind of context. but i think what we need to say is that any additional funding for the nhs is obviously welcome, but i don't think we are clear yet what this money will be used for and what it will cover. i think that is what nhs trusts on the front line really want to hear. because they are facing a triple whammy of pressures coming up. they have got the pressure obviously of winter itself, plus the possibility of a flu epidemic alongside coronavirus. they are dealing with this ongoing pandemic and need to be ready for a surge. and also, finally, they have got to start getting usual services up and ru

hugh pym, bbc news.he department of health in the uk that in the last 2a period there were 100 people who died in the uk after testing positive for covid—19, that brings the total number who have died to 45,233. on average in the last week, 83 people died every day, from coronavirus. globally, the rate of coronavirus infections continues to rise, in some of the world's most populous countries. in the last 24—hour reporting period, america, saw its biggest dailyjump to more than 77,000. 0verrall the us has more than three and half million cases. there's also been a record daily number of infections in india, with 35,000 new cases reported in the last 2a—hours. it's only the third country to record one million overall, along with the us and brazil, where infections there have passed two million, and where more than 115,000 people tested postive, in the last 2a hours. a quicker, less invasive test for the coronavirus, is being piloted in southampton. thousands of people are having samples of their saliva an

here's our health editor, hugh pym. blackburn today. recent increases in coronavirus cases. it's been identified by national health officials as needing enhanced support for tackling the virus. the local council has introduced its own measures, including limiting household gatherings. i think the two metre distance has more or less gone, but that's not the council's fault. that's down to silly people, isn't it? we need to take control of the virus, you know, and, yeah, i think, i think at the end of the day, everybodyjust needs to obey, you know, by the rulings. an investigation is under way at a blackburn mosque after about 250 people attended a funeral. there has been a positive test result, and the congregation contacted. mosque leaders say there was a misunderstanding over the guidelines for a limit of 30. in communities like this, the test and trace scheme is vital. finding people who have been in contact with those who have tested positive, and telling them to self—isolate. but the local public health chief said today the national

hugh pym, bbc news. known to help people recover faster from coronavirus. in trials, remdesivir has been shown to shorten hospital stays for the most seriously ill by about four days. here's our medical correspondent, fergus walsh. geraldine from north london is one of more than 1,000 covid patients who took part in a global trial of remdesivir. this is her receiving the drug in april. she made a rapid recovery and is shocked that the drug has been bought up by the us. i wanted to be part of something that could potentially help everyone, and i feel that now only a small percentage of the world's population really are going to receive any benefit from it in the near future. it's really disappointing. remdesivir takes months to manufacture, so there was already a shortage. this deal means the american pharma company gilead will reserve nearly all production in the coming three months for us patients. covid is a global problem with millions of patients affected worldwide. those patients need access to prov

here's our health editor, hugh pym. blackburn today.ent increases in coronavirus cases. it's been identified by national health officials as needing enhanced support for tackling the virus. the local council has introduced its own measures, including limiting household gatherings. i think the two metre distance has more or less gone, but that's not the council's fault. that's down to silly people, isn't it? we need to take control of the virus, you know, and, yeah, i think, i think at the end of the day, everybodyjust needs to obey, you know, by the rulings. an investigation is under way at a blackburn mosque after about 250 people attended a funeral. there has been a positive test result, and the congregation contacted. mosque leaders say there was a misunderstanding over the guidelines for a limit of 30. in communities like this, the test and trace scheme is vital. finding people who have been in contact with those who have tested positive, and telling them to self—isolate. but the local public health chief said today the national sys

they'll be tested even if they don't have symptoms. 0ur health editor, hugh pym, reports. and the biggest challenge is trying to keep the virus in check. today, news of a pilot scheme to test taxi drivers and some other vulnerable groups of workers was given the thumbs up. whoever you carry, you really don't know, do you? that is the risk that you take, even for myself, i mean, if they do test it... i would welcome it. if the government do more testing, then they know who has got the virus and who doesn't, and then we can control the virus. bedford's local council and partners are doing what they can to get

here's our health editor, hugh pym.ly on their way to walk and testing centre, they want to get a coronavirus test because there was a case at his son's nursery. they must provide personal- details provide personal contact details then they take the kids and get the swa bs then they take the kids and get the swabs which are sent onto the labs. they are told results should be back the next day. they set the whole process was straightforward. easy, convenient. i would advise people to come in and get them tested. if they have any symptoms. this was one of the first walking sites, the idea you could come in without booking and it is open 2a hours a day. the bosses have set up a major task rating a network like this around citizen on the country in time for winter with all the pressures that will bring. the executive leading the test and trace programme in england explained it was all about better access. we want to make sure the majority of people living in urban environments and within —— are within 30 minutes walk of a t

here's our health editor, hugh pym. beeping. hospitals under pressure at the recent covid—19 peak.that feel? yeah? intensive care units filled with very sick patients. a second wave of coronavirus cases in the uk could result in around now a new study says something similar or even worst similar or even worse could happen over the winter. we are not making a prediction, we're just trying to look at what the worst might be. but, sometimes, you just have to look at what the worst might be in order to focus your mind on the things that you can put in place to stop it happening. the reproduction number, known as r, shows the spread of the virus. above one means it is accelerating. currently, it is in a range of 0.7 to 0.9. the report looks at what might happen if it goes up to 1.7. about 120,000 covid—related deaths between september and june. but if it is at 1.5, it would be more like 75,000. and if it is at 1.1, close to the current level, there might be under 1,500 deaths. none of these allow for any government intervention. the report calls for urgent preparations to reduce risks,

hugh pym, bbc news.scotland will have to wear a face mask or covering. the first minister, nicola sturgeon, said the two metre social distancing rule would also be eased for some premises at the end of next week. and children under the age of 12 won't have to social distance when they're together outdoors. here's our scotland editor sarah smith. getting a point to take away in the street isn't exactly normal, but the scottish government are clear. life should not yet feel like we are back to normal. as some familiarity returns to scotland's streets, from the end of next week, the unusual practice of having to wear a face covering inside a shop will be compulsory or you will face a £60 fine. it makes sense to make it mandatory. some people choose to follow the rules and some ignore them, but if it's a rule it's more likely they will, yeah. it's fine with me. keep safe. pleas for people to cover their faces voluntarily have not been effective enough. as we all start to interact more, it is vital we take al

our health editor hugh pym, has more details... she has organised a video call with a relative in the united states. this is perfect, but even so, i think with dementia you get worried because you know that they need to contact with their family, and want to keep doing things all the time. so far here, they have had no coronavirus cases but they are taking nothing for granted. the manager says new plans for regular testing of residents and staff will help. i think there is always going to be an element of worry, isn't there, and concern, but i am extremely hopeful now that

here‘s our health editor, hugh pym.nursery. theyjust need to provide personal contact details, then they take the kits and get the swabs, which are sent on to the labs. they‘re told results should be back the next day. they said the whole process was straightforward. easy, convenient. very easy. i would advise people to come in, you know, get them tested if they have any symptoms. this was one of the first walk—in sites. the idea is you can come along without booking, and it is open 12 hours a day. the system‘s bosses have set themselves a major task, creating a network of centres like this in towns and cities around the country in time for winter, with all the pressures that will bring. the executive leading the test and trace programme in england explained it was all about better access. we want to make sure that the majority of people living in urban environments are within 30 minutes‘ walk of a walk—in testing centre. we‘ve already got good access for drive—in testing, and we‘ll continue to expand out. for lots of u

to give us some more detail on that change to the r—number, i'm joined now by our health editor hugh pymdying from this fiver. that is right. tragic stories for the families of those involved. it has to be said though that the lines are pointing in the right direction for all the data on coronavirus. let's look at a few of the charts which have come out today and been updated. the daily death toll reported 48 but the rolling average, that is the solid line there, you can see the daily report has come down and a bumpy way because of the weekend. look at the seven—day relic average, that is not followed to over 74 having been at a peak of above 900 back in april. that is falling slowly on the rolling average. the next chart we can look at is the number of new cases and new infections. they continue to fall as well around the uk. this is newly tested infections. you can see the solid line once again, the seven—day rolling average, that has come down to about 550 on a daily basis. but it has got a little bit flaccid the last few days which i think shows that it will take time. that's got a l

our health editor hugh pym reports.boris johnson today, borisjohnson will set out plans aimed at preparing the nhs in england for the winter ahead. this will include funding to keep the nightingale hospital open through till the end of the financial year in march. their workload with covid—19 patients was much less than expected, and they were put on standby. some are now being used for scans for cancer patients, but spare capacity will be maintained in case there is a second wave of coronavirus infections. a deal will also be done with hospitals, which provided beds for energy is used during the crisis. funding will be allocated to cover routine operations for nhs patients. on top of the £3 billion of england, there will be money allocated proportionally to the devolved administrations. the prime minister will also confirm plans to boost testing by the autumn and a new marketing campaign to raise awareness of the test and trace scheme. the british medical association representing doctors said it was vital to understand

hours, the 7 day rolling average is 82 and the total deaths is 44,968 here's our health editor, hugh pymre units filled with very sick patients. now a new study says something similar or even worst now happen over the winter. we are not making a prediction, we're just trying to look at what the worst might be. but, sometimes, you just have to look at what the worst might be in order to focus your mind on the things that you can put in place to stop it happening. the reproduction number, known as r, shows the spread of the virus. above one means it is accelerating. currently, it is in a range of 0.7 to 0.9. the report looks at what might happen if it goes up to 1.7. about 120,000 covid—related deaths between september and june. but if it is at 1.5, it would be more like 75,000. and if it is at 1.1, close to the current level, there might be under 1,500 deaths. none of these allow for any government intervention. the report calls for urgent preparations to reduce risks, including supplies of ppe and training for staff. here, they are carrying out operations for other conditions, with covid

our health editor, hugh pym, has more. concerned that if there is a flu outbreak at the same time as another surgeon outbreak at the same time as another surgeon covid—19 infections, the nhs will again be under great strain. so the government has announced an extension of eligibility for flu vaccinations in england previously, those who are pregnant, aged over 65 or with certain medical conditions qualified along with preschool and primary school children. added to the list this winter will be the over 50s, year 7 pupils and all those who have been shielding as well as their households to the news was welcomed by doctors. what we wa nt was welcomed by doctors. what we want now is for things to move to a normal pace without having to worry about coming out of the pandemic into the winter flu season which we get every year anyway but now with coronavirus around as well it is a situation we want to avoid, really. at the royal college of gps said they would be challenges including ensuring that at—risk patients were confident

scheme, which has been extended to include everyone over 50, and all 11—year—olds. 0ur health editor, hugh pymers are concerned that if there is a flu outbreak at the same time as another surge in covid—19 infections, the nhs will again be under great strain. so the government has announced an extension of eligibility for flu vaccinations in england. previously, those who are pregnant, aged over 65 or with certain medical conditions qualified, along with preschool and primary school children. added to the list this winter will be the over 50s, year 7 pupils and all those who have been shielding as well as their households. the news was welcomed by doctors. what we want now is for things to move to a normal pace rather than having to worry about coming out of the pandemic into the winter flu season, which we get every year anyway but now with coronavirus around as well it is a situation we want to avoid, really. the royal college of gps said there would be challenges including ensuring that at—risk patients were confident about coming into surgeries for their jabs. officials say more than 30 mi

hugh pym, bbc news, leicester. clearer today here in the uk. figures show nearly 650,000 people lost their jobs between march and june, coming off company payrolls across the uk. overall the unemployment rate has not increased substantially as there are more than nine million people still on the uk government—backed furlough scheme. but as that is wound down, the british chamber of commerce has warned that almost a third of firms are likely to cut headcount in the next three months. 0ur economics correspondent dharshini david reports. # bring me a higher love... but this year, the christmas pantomime is off. with theatres shut, the curtain's fallen on their moneyspinner. i was furloughed pretty much straightaway, at the beginning. but we've had to let you go. and itjust, it plummets, you know. your mood plummets.

.> she told our health editor hugh pym the test and trace was making progress. six and half weeks and i think the service is doing a really good job. there are 180,000 plus people who have been advised to self—isolate to protect their friends and family. that is in a very short amount of time. we are still not to 8096 of those who tested positive to find of the contact. does that suggest you have got more work to do? as you just said, the service is six weeks old. as you can see, circa 75% of people tested positive, we contact. they give us their details. so there is more work to do, but six weeks m, is more work to do, but six weeks in, that is pretty good performance for a brand—new national citizen service. where are your areas of concern and the real worries? we publish the areas of the country that we are most worried about. every week now. so you can see it on the website from last week. clearly at the top of that list is leicester. we have taken national action to protect everyone in the city and in the county. are you still concerned about leicester, eve