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Day 72: Key points from today's conference

Posted on May 2020 By Aaron Liffen

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Today's government coronavirus conference was led by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who was joined by Prof John Newton, the national co-ordinator of the UK's Covid-19 testing programme.

Key points to take away from today's speech are:

  • 37,048 have now died after testing positive for coronavirus - an increase of 134 reported deaths from yesterday. The health secretary also describes how, for the first time since 18 March, there were no deaths in a single day from coronavirus in Northern Ireland.

  • He says a new contract has been signed for the supply of billions of gloves. He says "significant progress" is now allowing the government to replenish the UK's stockpiles.

  • Mr Hancock announces the trial of anti-viral remdesivir in the treatment of coronavirus.

  • Prof Newton is running through the government's slides, which show there are currently 8,802 people in hospital with COVID-19, down from 10,118 this time last week.


  • Mr Hancock is asked about the growing number of Tory MPs publicly calling for Dominic Cummings to resign, and whether he feels the same. The health secretary replies: "What he did was within the guidelines, I understand why reasonable people take a different view." He adds: "The most important thing is we can get on and deal with the other issues."

  • Mr Hancock says the NHS test and trace programme will be "incredibly important" in implementing a "more targeted lockdown".

  • Hancock continues to be questioned on the actions of Dominic Cummings, mirroring the questions asked yesterday evening.

To read a brief summary of last night's points and important measures click here.