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RISHI Sunak held tonight's coronavirus press conference at 5pm alongside scientist Angela McLean and public health specialist Yvonne Doyle.

The Chancellor addressed the current PPE shortage and the furlough scheme which launched today.

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 The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, chaired today's government's press briefing
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The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, chaired today's government's press briefingCredit: Crown Copyright

What was said at tonight's coronavirus press conference?

  • Rishi Sunak on PPE shortage 

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak addressed the issue of PPE which the government has been criticised on in.

He said the PPE shortage is an “international challenge” for all countries.

He added the government is working hard to get the PPE NHS staff need and are receiving shipments of PPE regularly.

He also said the government is "working to resolve the Turkish shipment following unexpected delays."

Today the UK "unloaded 140,000 gowns from Myanmar".

He said the UK government are continuing to pursue “every possible option” for procurement.

Rishi Sunak said medics "deserve to have the equipment they need to do their job safely".

The Chancellor said over 140,000 firms have applied for grants from the UK government's furlough scheme.

The grants they receive will help pay the wages of more than a million people, he added.

The government aims to keep as many people as possible in their existing jobs.

  • Dr Yvonne Doyle on PPE
Dr Yvonne Doyle confirmed 12 million pieces of PPE were delivered to 141 trusts over the weekend.
She said, however: "It is concern, we want people to have what they need."

The situation is challenging due to the "very high burn rate" but authorities are working to secure more items, she added.

Authorities are also working to "to ensure that people use guidance in most precautionary way to make best use of what is available".

  • Rishi Sunak on today's coronavirus figures

Rishi Sunak said the UK has now carried out 501,379 tests for coronavirus.

19,316 tests were carried out yesterday.

He said 124,743 people have tested positive for the virus, 17,971 people are in hospital with coronavirus in the UK and 16,509 who were in hospital with coronavirus have died.

The UK government has promised it will increase testing to 100,000 a day by the end of April.

 

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What time was the coronavirus press briefing today?

The press briefing, according to Downing Street will be held at 5pm.

It will be broadcast live by the BBC.

Downing Street will also broadcast it on its YouTube account.

The briefing is normally held at Downing Street and usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes.

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What happened in Sunday’s press briefing?

Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson chaired the press briefing with Deputy Chief Medical officer Jenny Harries on Sunday, April 19.

He first gave an update on the country’s confirmed coronavirus cases, now at 120,067 and deaths which stood at 16,060.

Education was discussed in the conference as Williamson said he cannot give a specific date for when schools will reopen.

He said his department’s first priority is to protect the wellbeing of children and young people.

Williamson also said the government has published a list of high quality online educational resources, a new initiative called the Oak National Academy, available for teachers in the UK.

He said: “I recognise the challenge families will be facing at the moment, we are determined to support parents whose children are learning from home.”

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