Yahoo News Coronavirus: The 17 major developments that happened on Monday
Here’s what you need to know on 22 June. This article was updated at 5pm.
Deaths: The number of people who have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus has risen to 42,647 – an increase of 15 over 24 hours. It is the lowest number since 15 March. Read more here.
Policy: Boris Johnson is reportedly set to announce a change to the 2m social distancing rule after a review. Sky News said the prime minister is due to seek advice from experts and finalise the changes on Monday, before seeking approval from his Cabinet and outlining the plans to parliament on Tuesday. Read more here.
The large rise in Germany’s coronavirus R rate is “concerning”, the UK government has said. Security minister James Brokenshire made the comment on Monday after it was revealed that Germany’s COVID-19 reproduction number had spiked dramatically. The German transmission rate rose from 1.79 on Saturday to 2.88 on Sunday, according to official figures. Read more here.
Millions of people "shielding" during the coronavirus outbreak will soon be able to meet six others from outside their home. Health secretary Matt Hancock said the change will apply in England from Monday 6 July for those deemed clinically "extremely vulnerable". Read more here.
Wales: Non-essential shops have reopened in Wales as the country begins to move out of lockdown. It comes as first minister Mark Drakeford revealed he would not implement a local lockdown in Anglesey, after 158 people tested positive for COVID-19 following a factory outbreak. Read more here.
Structural and systemic racism is a key part of why black, Asian and minority ethnic people have died at a high rate of coronavirus in Wales, according to a report. Prof Emmanuel Ogbonna, who chaired the group that produced the report, said the central issues raised had been identified many times before the COVID-19 crisis but had not been addressed. Read more here.
Testing: An at-home saliva test is being trialled in Southampton, as experts believe it could be more accurate than the existing swab test. Participants will be tested once a week for four weeks, and details of those who test positive will be shared with the NHS Test and Trace Programme. Read more here.
Children: Children are said to be developing post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The charity the Children’s Trust has warned youngsters are experiencing “vivid nightmares”, a potential warning sign of the condition. Read more here.
Care homes: The daughter of an 88-year-old man who died of suspected COVID-19 in a care home is taking legal action against the health secretary. Dr Cathy Gardner demanded Matt Hancock retract his comments that he had placed a protective ring around care homes and has now started legal action. Read more here.
A Tory MP has branded the government “reckless” and “negligent” over its handling of the coronavirus outbreak in care homes. With Downing Street’s messaging at the beginning of the pandemic focused on “protecting the NHS”, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said the care sector was treated as a “forgotten cousin”. Read more here.
Lockdown: Thousands of extra kittens could be born during lockdown, with animal welfare charities fearing a kitten crisis. Cat owners are being urged to keep female cats indoors as the number of kittens being born is expected to rise, with the seasonal boom exacerbated by the UK’s lockdown restrictions. Read more here.
Sport: Grigor Dimitrov has become the second tennis player to test positive for coronavirus after playing in a tournament put on by Novak Djokovic. Dimitrov withdrew on Saturday after feeling unwell. His opponent that day, Borna Coric, also tested positive. Read more here.
Three Arsenal players went into self-isolation after what is now thought to have been a false positive coronavirus test. The player had returned a positive test, but has since returned a negative virus and antibody test. Read more here.
Travel: Spain and Greece are likely to be the first countries to form air bridges with the UK, according to indications by Tui, which has announced that flights to the nations will be reinstated from 11 July. 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
There has been a record daily increase in the number of coronavirus cases worldwide. On Sunday, the World Health Organization said the total number of cases across the globe had risen by 183,020 over 24 hours. The previous record daily rise was 181,232 on 18 June. Read more here.
South Korea is in the midst of a “second wave” of coronavirus infections, health officials claimed on Monday. Until now the country had been hailed a success story for its handling of the worldwide virus pandemic. However, the Korea Centers for Disease Control said a rise in new cases signalled a second wave in the capital of Seoul. Read more here.
Positive news
A mysterious disease linked to COVID-19 that was occurring in children is no longer believed to be fatal after a breakthrough. Dr Karyn Moshal, a senior consultant in paediatric infectious diseases at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, said patients are recovering in three to five days thanks to a combination of treatments. Read more here.
