Disputes between the government and suppliers of personal protective equipment during the pandemic that didn't make the grade could cost the taxpayer £2.7bn, MPs have said. The Public Accounts Committee accused the Department of Health and Social Care of "significant failings" in its handling of the contracts during the COVID pandemic, leaving the government with four billion unused items - many of which will be burnt. The report also said the department took little action against potentially fraudulent suppliers - believed to account for 5% of PPE spend - and that it did not carry out due diligence over some contracts, allowing firms providing substandard equipment to get away with it. Politics Hub: Mordaunt and Truss battle it out for second spot in Tory leadership contest The committee said there … 阅读全文

The leader of the US COVID taskforce has revealed how the government's credibility "unravelled" after President Donald Trump claimed bleach could combat the virus. Dr Deborah Birx, who served as White House coronavirus response coordinator in the Trump administration between 2020 to 2021, told Sky News there was a "failure" in providing "clear and consistent communication" to the American public during the pandemic. Mr Trump made the widely condemned remark after a study was conducted to establish the effect of sunlight compared to disinfectant on playground equipment. He came under fire from medical experts who slammed his suggestion as "irresponsible" and "dangerous". Recalling the moment, Dr Birx told Sky News' Kay Burley: "Everything that we have done to build credibility with the American people is unravelling. "I couldn't understand what … 阅读全文

COVID infections are surging because the virus is constantly evolving and becoming "too clever", the WHO's special envoy on the virus has told Sky News. Dr David Nabarro has urged people to "respect the virus" as it was revealed COVID related deaths had exceeded 200,000 in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The data was published on Wednesday as a new wave, mainly driven by Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, hits the UK. COVID restrictions could be reintroduced if the rising number of cases has an impact on the NHS backlog, health minister Lord Kamall has warned. Dr Nabarro told Sky News' Kay Burley on Thursday morning: "This virus is capable of constantly evolving and changing. "The reason why we've got an increase is it's changed … 阅读全文

Derek Draper is back in hospital amid his ongoing battle with long COVID. Speaking at the Tric Awards in London, his wife, TV presenter Kate Garraway, said: "He has been back in [hospital] for a bit." Mr Draper became seriously ill with the virus in March 2020. Although the former political adviser no longer has the virus, he has long-lasting damage to his organs and requires daily care. The virus also affected Mr Draper's ability to communicate, and he can be bed-bound for days. Last year Kate Garraway's documentary about her family's experience during the pandemic titled Finding Derek won a prize at the National Television Awards. It included details of her husband's treatment and his return to their family home after being discharged from hospital in April 2021. Mr … 阅读全文

Jeremy Corbyn's brother has been fined for holding illegal gatherings during coronavirus lockdowns. Piers Corbyn has campaigned against vaccines, face masks and COVID restrictions throughout the pandemic. The 75-year-old was found guilty of holding, or helping organise, a gathering of more than 30 people in Trafalgar Square in August 2020. Another illegal gathering that flouted COVID rules happened in the same place in September 2020, and in Westminster a month later. He has now been fined £750 over these three offences - and was also ordered to pay £275 in prosecution costs and £109 in surcharges. At the time, regulations stated no one could gather outdoors in groups of six or more unless certain exemptions applied. Fellow protesters Louise Creffield and Vincent Dunmall were found guilty of the same offences. … 阅读全文

COVID is now an "inconvenience" for most people rather than "life-threatening", the World Health Organisation's special envoy on the virus has told Sky News. But concerns remain for those who are older and with health conditions, as well as the unvaccinated, warned Dr David Nabarro. He urged people to be "responsible" and continue to wear masks and social distance "to protect others" - as COVID cases continue to surge. Around 1.7 million people in the UK are estimated to have tested positive for the virus last week, up 23% from 1.4 million the previous week, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Dr Nabarro told Sky News' Kay Burley: "I'm not worried for the world in that I really do believe that a lot has been learnt and at … 阅读全文

Beijing said the city would persist with its zero-COVID policies "over the next five years", although it quickly removed reference to a time period in the announcement. Beijing Daily, a state run newspaper, quoted Cai Qi, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) secretary of Beijing, as saying that the city "will maintain its pandemic control policy for the next five years". Shortly after the article was published, and had started spreading rapidly on social media, reference to the time period was removed. It was unclear why the amendment was made. It is possible that the mention of "five years" was a standard reference to the start of the next five-year planning period, which begins on 1 July. But the rapid spread of the news on social media, and the subsequent retraction, … 阅读全文