Covid-19 update: Cancer deaths, A&E and the lockdown effect

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News and analysis 

• Slogan update. After ‘Stay alert’ comes: ‘Keep our distance, wash our hands, think of others and play our part. All together.’
• Delays to cancer surgery will lead to almost 5,000 deaths, according to the Institute of Cancer Research. Analysis from Fraser Nelson below.
• The UK has sold government bonds with a negative interest rate for the first time ever: £3.75 billion worth, maturing in July 2023 with an average yield of -0.003%.
• Cambridge University said it will switch to online lectures in the next academic year. Meanwhile, more than 20% of prospective students may defer going to university while 25% say they may switch university, according to a study by London Economics.
• The British Medical Association has dropped its opposition to schools reopening from 1 June.