Nationally, as of 9am on 23 April, 559,935 people have been tested for Covid-19, of which 131,495 tested positive. As of 5pm on 23 April of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 18,100 have sadly died. Locally, as at 4pm on 22 April, the number of confirmed cases within Leeds stood at 1010. Sadly, the total number of reported deaths of people who tested positive with COVID-19 at LTHT up to 5pm 22 April is 277.
Testing
I was delighted to hear that after pressure from the Labour Front Bench testing has now been extended to include more frontline workers and symptomatic members of their household.
Frontline workers included in extended testing include NHS and social care staff, NHS voluntary workers, the Fire service, Police, Prison Officers, Probation workers, Frontline benefit workers, people working with vulnerable adults and children.
Following Keir Starmers questioning at Wednesday PMQs with regard to not all people having the accessibility to travel to testing centres, Matt Hancock has announced the Government will be setting up mobile testing units.
Free School Meals extension
I am glad to see that the Free school meal eligibility is now to include some children of groups who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF).
Details of the groups of children now to be included can be found at Extended Free School Meals
Leeds GPs Urgent Plea
I have received some correspondence from GPs across the Leeds district who are concerned that people with symptoms that may relate to Cancer are not seeking medical advice due to the Covid-19 crisis.
A press release by Leeds Cancer programme urges anyone concerned they may have cancer symptoms not to delay consulting with their GP.
Postal Workers
I was happy to support the 9th Annual National Postal Workers Day yesterday, organised by the Communication Workers Union. Our post workers are still processing and delivering our letters and parcels during this crisis, but again is proving to be another sector that is lacking in PPE equipment.
I’m continuing to support our care homes, hospices and GP surgeries with PPE wherever I can. I’d like to thank all our key workers who are working so hard to keep us safe and functioning throughout this crisis.
National Union of Students
The results of a survey carried out by the NUS, showed that 95% of students are concerned with the impact Covid-19 will have on their job prospects. The NUS is calling for a student hardship fund to be set up and for students to be reimbursed for this academic year or be given the option to retake the year.