Yahoo News Coronavirus: The 15 major developments that happened on Tuesday
Here’s what you need to know on 26 May. This article was updated at 5pm.
Deaths: Northern Ireland has reported no new coronavirus-linked hospital deaths in 24 hours – for the first time since 23 March. It comes as the number of people who have died across England, Scotland and Wales after contracting coronavirus has risen by 134 in 24 hours. Read more here.
England’s coronavirus death toll is nearly 10,000 higher than previously reported by the government, new statistics show. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Tuesday show that by 15 May, there had been 40,096 deaths involving COVID-19. This compares to the government’s official England death toll of 30,753 for that day, making a difference of 9,343. Read more here.
Politics: Dominic Cummings remains under fire over allegations he breached coronavirus lockdown restrictions, after he said he does not regret his actions and declined to apologise. Opposition leaders held talks on Tuesday morning to discuss public health messaging amid the row. Read more here.
Douglas Ross, the Conservative MP for Moray, tendered his resignation as under secretary of state for Scotland over the handling of the Dominic Cummings row. He said he had “trouble” with aspects of the explanation offered by the PM’s aide. Read more here.
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said the government has signed deals to manufacture two billion pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the UK. There are also international deals, which he said would help replenish national stockpiles. He made the announcement in the government’s daily briefing.
Symptoms: As Dominic Cummings faces backlash over his car journey to check his eyesight, Yahoo UK investigates whether COVID-19 has an impact on vision. The only eye-related symptom listed by any health authority is conjunctivitis, by the WHO. Read more here.
Science: Matt Hancock announced a new trial for an anti-viral drug which has shown it can cut the recovery time of COVID-19 by four days. He called remdesivir "the biggest step forward in the treatment of coronavirus since the crisis began" but stressed the trial is at an early stage. Read more here.
Lockdown: Cheltenham festival and Liverpool FC’s Champions League match at home to Atletico Madrid – which were allowed to go ahead in March, “caused increased suffering and death” – according to scientists. Researchers said the government’s refusal to ban mass outdoor events, even as the World Health Organization declared a coronavirus pandemic, cost lives. Read more here.
The government has said customers should not try on clothes when shops reopen next month. Senior cabinet member Michael Gove said shoppers will need to “exercise restraint”. Read more here.
London-focused estate agent Foxtons said physical viewings of available properties would resume from 1 June with a “tightly controlled” social distancing protocol. The firm hopes to open some branches on the same day. Read more here.
Finance: Supercar and Formula 1 racing business McLaren is cutting more than a quarter of its staff as the effect of the pandemic hits. The company has been hit because the F1 season was halted. Read more here.
Read more about COVID-19
How to get a coronavirus test if you have symptoms
What you can and can’t do under lockdown rules
In pictures: How UK school classrooms could look in new normal
How public transport could look after lockdown
How our public spaces will change in the future
Rest of the world
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned countries loosening lockdowns after coming through the peak of infections could face an immediate second peak. WHO emergencies head Dr Mike Ryan said: "We cannot make assumptions that just because the disease is on the way down now, it is going to keep going down." Read more here.
A potential vaccine for COVID-19 is being tested in 131 human volunteers in Australia. It has been formulated using an alternative method from the others being developed around the world. Read more here.
Positive news
Tourists will be able to visit Spain without quarantining for 14 days from 1 July. Currently visitors have to isolate for two weeks but that policy will be lifted in time for the holiday season. Read more here.
With no set date on pubs and restaurants reopening, a drive-in cinema is heading across the UK to provide some socially distanced entertainment. The Drive In, will open on 4 July in the newly-launched Troubadour Meridian Water site in Enfield, before moving across the country to 12 cities in the UK. Read more here.
