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Here is a round-up of the latest news headlines in response to the coronavirus pandemic on Monday, April 20.
Confirmed worldwide cases: 2,403,963
Confirmed deaths: 165,229
Confirmed recoveries / discharges: 624,698
The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Wales has reached a total of 575 after 41 more deaths were confirmed on Sunday.
A total of 7,270 people have tested positive after a further 334 cases were announced on Sunday afternoon.
Across the UK, a total of 16,060 people have died in hospital after contracting Covid-19 as of 5pm on April 18. The figures, confirmed by the UK’s Department of Health also say that 120,067 people have tested positive for coronavirus.
Ysbyty Calon Y Ddraig to be opened by the Prince of Wales today
The Prince of Wales will mark the official opening of the temporary hospital based at the Principality Stadium today.
Ysbyty Calon Y Ddraig, the Dragon’s Heart Hospital, is the largest temporary hospital in Wales and the second largest in the UK, providing up to 2,000 additional beds for Covid-19 patients.
It will double the size of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s system, with patients being treated in large tent-like structures and the hospitality boxes.
Around 750 beds are on the pitch, with 250 on platforms around it, and there is on-site radiography, laboratories and a pharmacy.
Liquid oxygen tanks are installed for the Dragon’s Heart hospital
(Image: Matthew Horwood)
Len Richards, chief executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said the stadium “embodies the heart and soul of the nation”.
On Monday afternoon, the official opening will be hosted by Welsh rugby star Dr Jamie Roberts, who has been temporarily working in the NHS as a clinical innovation fellow.
Yesterday, two massive oxygen tanks were installed at the hospital.
Furlough scheme opens
The UK Government’s job retention scheme has today opened for applications.
Employers in Wales can now go online to claim cash grants worth up to 80% of wages, capped at £2,500 a month per worker.
There will be 5,000 HMRC staff working to operate the scheme which is expected to help thousands of firms across the UK.
If you are furloughed then your employer is keeping you on the payroll while a business has less work than normal.
While on furlough you cannot undertake work for or on behalf of your employer.
Research suggests far more people had had the virus without any symptoms
New research suggests that far more people have had the coronavirus without any symptoms, fuelling hope that it will turn out to be much less lethal than originally feared. Based on known cases, health officials have said the virus usually causes mild or moderate flu-like illness.
Now evidence is growing that a substantial number of people may have no symptoms at all.Scientists in Iceland screened 6% of its population to see how many had previously undetected infections and found that about 0.7% tested positive.
So did 13% of a group at higher risk because of recent travel or exposure to someone sick.
A woman wearing a face mask in Jena, Germany, the first city to make wearing a mask mandatory
(Image: AP)
Aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, where one crew member died from the virus, “the rough numbers are that 40% are asymptomatic,” said Vice Admiral Phillip Sawyer, deputy commander of naval operations.
Previously, tests on passengers and crew from the Diamond Princess cruise ship found nearly half who tested positive had no symptoms at the time. Researchers estimate that 18% of infected people never developed any.
These studies used tests that look for bits of the virus from throat and nose swabs, which can miss cases.
Someone can test negative one day if there is not much virus to detect and then positive the next. Symptoms also may not appear when someone is tested but turn up later.
One Japanese study found more than half of those who had no symptoms when they tested positive later felt sick.
Stars to teach lessons on new BBC virtual learning programme
Footballer Sergio Aguero, Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker and EastEnder Danny Dyer will be among the famous faces leading lessons as part of the BBC’s plans to help educate the nation’s schoolchildren during the Covid-19 crisis.
The broadcaster has announced new details of its virtual learning programme, which launches today.
Among those taking part are Manchester City star Aguero, who will help youngsters learn to count in Spanish, and Professor Brian Cox who is due to teach science topics such as force, the solar system and gravity.
David Attenborough is among the celebrity line-up who will be teaching children on BBC
(Image: PA)
Former shadow chancellor and Strictly Come Dancing star Ed Balls has been recruited to deliver a maths class for 11 to 14-year-olds, Sir David Attenborough will look at geography topics such as oceans and mapping the world and EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, who is a direct descendant of King Edward III, will provide a history class for five to seven-year-olds on Henry VIII, the BBC said.
It added that Whittaker, who plays Doctor Who will “drop in” on its Bitesize Daily lessons.
Along with more than 200 teachers, other celebrities taking part include singers Liam Payne and Mabel, as well as TV presenter Anita Rani and Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse.
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