Photo

MPs call for support for students affected by coronavirus outbreak

Over 100 MPs have signed a letter to Universities Minister Michelle Donelan calling for support for students affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The MPs have called for a flexible approach to assessment, refund of rents on unoccupied accommodation and a temporary suspension of rules preventing students claiming universal credit. Speaking to Sheffield Live! Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, said thousands of students have lost their casual jobs due to the coronavirus. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Sheffield hospitals coping with coronavirus surge, says health chief

Greg Fell, Director of Public Health, told Sheffield Live! the city’s hospitals are treating hundreds of Covid-19 patients but are coping with the surge. There have been 822 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Sheffield as of 6 April, according to Public Health England, but thousands more are likely to have been infected by the coronavirus. There have been 51 Covid-19 related deaths reported in Sheffield hospitals. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Sheffield nurse urges public to follow stay at home guidelines

A Sheffield nurse has spoken to Sheffield Live! about the challenges facing doctors, nurses and other NHS staff and has called on people to follow the public health guidelines on staying at home. Rosaline Bazzie, who works as a staff nurse at the Northern General Hospital, said the job has been challenging recently due to a lack of sufficient personal protective equipment but she said there has been significant improvement over the last week. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield MPs welcome Keir Starmer election as Labour’s new leader

Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, is among local MPs welcoming news of the election of Sir Keir Starmer as new leader of the Labour Party. The 57-year old defeated Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy in a ballot of party members, trade unionists and registered supporters and will succeed Jeremy Corbyn as opposition leader. The lawyer, who became an MP in 2015, won on the first round of voting, with more than 50% of ballots cast. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Volunteers mobilise to deliver food to the isolated

Volunteers have been coming forward across the city to support the vulnerable through local voluntary organisations and neighbourhood-based mutual aid groups. Sheffield Live! spoke to volunteer Julian Hales who has been delivering food to vulnerable and isolated people in the S5 area. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Age UK Sheffield launch appeal to help vulnerable

Age UK Sheffield have launched a fundraising campaign to raise £50,000 to help deliver food, prescriptions and other basic necessities to the city’s most vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak. The charity says it is helping over 1000 vulnerable people in the city and demand is increasing. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Steve Chu, chief executive of Age UK Sheffield.

Sheffield hospitals are prepared for Covid-19, says councillor

Nether Edge and Sharrow councillor, Jim Steinke, has told Sheffield Live! the city’s hospitals are well place to tackle the expected number of coronavirus patients. On Wednesday, Sheffield was reported to have the highest level of coronavirus infections per head of population outside of London with 62 confirmed cases per 100,000 people, according to figures released by Public Health England. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Sheffield charity delivers food to the vulnerable

Sheffield Foodhall Project is delivering dozens of hot and cold food parcels to vulnerable people in self isolation due to the coronavirus crisis. The charity says there is increasing demand for food deliveries and other support. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Foodhall Project director Louis Pohl.