An English teacher working at Kingsford Community school, external in Newham has died of coronavirus.

Image source, Family

On the east London school's website, headteacher Joan Deslandes wrote:

"It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that I must share the tragic news that Doctor Louisa Rajakumari, a much-loved and gifted Kingsford teacher, sadly died this morning after contracting the coronavirus."

The teacher had spent time on a ventilator before losing the fight with Covid-19.

"As an international educator of the highest calibre, Dr. Rajakumari devoted her life to supporting and developing others. She will indeed be greatly missed by all. Our thoughts, deepest sympathies and prayers are with her family and loved ones at this difficult time of loss and bewilderment," said Ms Deslandes.

A special memorial service for Dr Rajakumari will be held when the east London school re-opens.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A council leader has warned localised outbreaks of coronavirus in care homes are “rapidly increasing” as she urged ministers to protect staff and residents.

Image source, Enfield Council

Nesil Caliskan, leader of Enfield Council,, external has called on the government to ensure enough personal protective equipment such as face masks reaches “forgotten” care homes and care workers.

Ms Caliskan claimed there had never been enough stock of the equipment at Enfield care homes to last “more than two or three days”.

Her pleas came in a letter to health secretary Matt Hancock dated 16 April, a day before the tragic death of Enfield care worker Sonya Kaygan, who worked at Elizabeth Lodge Care Home in Winchmore Hill.

She added that in the week beginning 6 April there were just ten testing places available for a care workforce of 5,000 staff in Enfield and that some had to travel to Wembley to take part.

The National Care Forum (NCF), which represents care providers, said it estimated around 4,000 residents had died from Covid-19 within UK residential and nursing services up to 13 April.

The Department for Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.

Helen Yang and Thomas Etheridge take an alternative approach to the NHS rainbow-themed tributes.

Spanish police say they have detained Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary, formerly of west London, after a raid.

A fans' organisation says the "very existence" of Charlton Athletic is "under threat", with a takeover yet to be ratified.

Imperial College London, whose research has played a key role in the Government's response to the Covid-19 crisis, has announced plans to limit recruitment and furlough staff.

Image source, PA Media

University president, Professor Alice Gast and provost Professor Ian Walmsley, said they have volunteered to take a 20% pay cut as they announced plans to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic.

"The immediate need, as we face threats to enrolments and the financial burden of the shutdown, is to look for ways to conserve cash in the coming year.

"We have already taken important decisions to suspend starting or approving new capital projects, limiting ongoing staff recruitment and identifying roles eligible for the furloughing scheme. We need to consider further measures," the said in a letter to staff.

Oxford University has also announced similar measures and will freeze recruitment for the next 12 months in a bid to protect its finances amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier this month, vice-chancellors warned that universities were likely to face "financial failure" amid the Covid-19 crisis without emergency funding of at least £2 billion from the government.

Universities UK (UUK) said the sector could face major financial risks in the next academic year amid a predicted sharp fall in international students and a rise in home student deferrals.

Image source, LFB

Two million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being delivered by London's firefighters to frontline health and social care workers.

The brigade is delivering masks, gloves and eye protection to 33 local authority centres and London partners including police services and Transport for London.

They are also delivering to GP surgeries, care homes and mortuaries.

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “Throughout our 150 year history London Fire Brigade has played a key role in times of crisis and this is the same today.

"I’m extremely proud of our staff who are going above and beyond to protect the capital.”

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The Duchess of Cambridge has written a letter to a London hospital telling staff their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic had been "truly inspirational".

Kate is patron of the Evelina London Children's Hospital and wrote to staff at the institution, which is also treating Covid-19 patients, to say she is thinking of them during "this hugely difficult time".

In the letter she said: "It is heartening to know you are still very much open for business and continuing to provide expert care to sick children despite the challenging circumstances.

You are all truly inspirational and I know how much you will be there for these families, as you always have been.

"You are now facing the additional pressure of caring for adult Covid-19 patients, but it is a testament of your support and commitment to your patients that you are all pulling together to ensure they will have the best possible care.

"Whether working on the front line, or behind the scenes, you will be having to juggle these pressures and manage both your professional and personal lives.

"Please look after yourselves and each other and know the whole country is behind you."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A man walking in a south London park was allegedly told to leave by a council official because “walking isn’t exercise”.

Image source, Paul Burston

Journalist Paul Burston, who went out on 18 April wearing a facemask and observing social distancing, tweeted: “Stopped by an official in Kennington Park and told to go home.

“Apparently ‘walking isn’t exercise – only jogging and cycling’.

Lambeth council leader Jack Hopkins said the official was incorrect and would make sure staff were briefed, adding: “Sorry to hear this Paul, that is not the right advice and guidance."

A teenager has denied stabbed to death with a Zombie knife a 16-year-old boy at a busy mainline railway station.

Louis Johnson was attacked at East Croydon station shortly before the afternoon rush hour on 27 January.

His alleged killer, also aged 16, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Cookham Wood Young Offender Institute for a plea hearing on Tuesday.

The defendant, who cannot be named because of his age, spoke only to confirm his identity and enter a not guilty plea to murder.

He was not asked to enter a plea to a second charge of possessing a bladed article.

Judge Mark Lucraft QC confirmed a two-week trial had provisionally been set to start on 20 July at the Old Bailey.

Sam Francis
BBC News, London

More than 4,000 people have died in London hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus, according to the latest figures.

An extra 132 deaths in London were announced in NHS England daily briefing taking the capital's total up to 4,038.

Among the figures, the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust announced its first death linked to coronavirus.

The most deaths have been recorded at the Royal Free London hospital has now reported (396) deaths, followed by London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (386) and Kings Collge London NHS Foundation Trust with (332).

Amazon warehouse staff and delivery drivers will get a £2-an-hour pay rise in recognition for their work during the coronavirus lockdown, the company said.

Image source, AFP

UK boss Doug Gurr wrote to customers on Tuesday explaining that the online retail giant has also upgraded its warehouses to government standards on social distancing.

More than 150 changes have been made, based on World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, he added.

Mr Gurr said: "In recognition of their incredible contribution, we've increased the pay for employees in our fulfilment centres and delivery roles, adding a further £2 per hour on top of our current starting rate of £10.50 for the London area and £9.50 for the rest of the UK."

A further 5,000 full and part-time jobs have also been created to help ease the expected surge in unemployment, the company said.

Amazon has operated throughout the lockdown, although deliveries have been delayed and some non-essential products were removed from sale.

The company also told customers it is working with the government to help boost testing capacity for Covid-19 in the UK.

Previously, the company said it will give employees diagnosed with Covid-19 up to two weeks of pay, and has set up a fund for the contractors it uses for delivery and seasonal work.

A PC who was one of the first officers at the scene of the London Bridge terror attack has said finding a letter left of thanks on his van during the coronavirus lockdown was "genuinely one of my proudest moments".

PC Leon McLeod wrote on Twitter that the note from Emily Rose, in which she said she was "so grateful for the incredible work you do to keep everyone safe", had left him "proper touched".

He previously received a Queen's Gallantry Medal after chasing the three attackers during the van and knife attack in June 2017, which killed eight people.

Keith Palmer's family say he was left with just "a spray and a baton" during the terror attack.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry could resume over video conferencing, organisers have said.

The second phase of hearings were halted last month because of coronavirus restrictions.

The inquiry has now written to key witnesses and victims of the 2017 blaze with three options for how evidence may continue being heard.

As well as the possibility of carrying on remotely via video, the inquiry is also considering suspending hearings entirely until social distancing rules are lifted, or resuming with limited attendance when rules are partially relaxed.

Image source, Reuters

In a statement earlier, lawyers said they need to conduct a "balancing exercise" between "further(ing) the inquiry's work by taking oral evidence" and the health of witnesses and other participants.

According to government shielding advice, the inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick and lawyer for victims and the bereaved, Michael Mansfield QC, should be staying at home, as they are both over 70 years old.

Image source, Met Police

Some 320 trainees for the Met Police have been welcomed to the force virtually.

The intake were set to start at Hendon on Monday but due to the current government restrictions instead began their courses from home.

Each recruit received a personal phone call from senior members of the Met’s learning and development team who helped explain the decision to reconfigure the course and answer any questions or concerns.

They have all now started their seven-week Certificate in Knowledge of Policing (CKP) online.

Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball said: “Despite the unique circumstances we find ourselves in, recruitment and training remains a priority and we are doing all we can to ensure our recruits continue to receive the best possible start to their careers."

She added: “Replacing some classroom-based sessions with online learning will ensure far less footfall at our sites, particularly Hendon.

"The centre does however remain open and recruits will attend for training in areas that are not suitable for working from home. In these cases, appropriate hygiene and social distancing measures will be in place.”

Restrictions on gatherings also means that the most recent passing-out parade, scheduled to take place on Friday, 20 March, had to be postponed.

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