Robert Cuffe
BBC head of statistics

Image source, PA Media

Data published by the UK drug regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), reveals the number of clots experienced by each age group in the UK after taking the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

The regulator says they show “higher” rates in younger adults, as has been previously reported, and the MHRA advises that people keep an eye on this “evolving evidence”.

The Financial Times reported this morning that the committee that decides who gets what vaccination, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, is looking closely at the data on clots in those under 40.

The figures from the MHRA show that, overall, the risk of experiencing these unusual clots with low platelets is about a little below one in 100,000.

Up to 21 April, they had seen 27 of these clots in people in their 30s and another 30 among people in their 40s. We don’t have public figures yet on exactly how many people in these precise age groups have been vaccinated.

But the vaccination program has only just opened up to everyone in their 40s.

And the latest figures for England are a reminder how many more older people have been vaccinated, for example 13 million over 60s (with 57 clots reported) compared with seven million people in their 50s (with about the same number of clots reported).

Dame Judi Dench is among the celebrities to honour Captain Sir Tom Moore by taking part in a charity challenge on what would have been his 101st birthday.

The actress will eat 100 Maltesers and in a video shared on Sir Tom's Twitter account she says: "Last year, Captain Tom inspired us all by doing 100 lengths of his lawn and raising a huge amount of money.

"Now I am completely inspired by him, and I've decided to do it. Only I'm going to eat Maltesers. Lovely. My fave."

Sir Tom raised more than £32m for the NHS last year by walking 100 laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday on 30 April.

A year on people are taking part in their own charity challenges, themed around the number 100.

Read more on that here

The coronavirus reproduction number, or R value, has crept up in England and is now estimated to be between 0.8 and 1.1 according to the latest government figures, external.

Last week the estimate was between 0.8 and 1.0.

The R value represents the number of people each person with Covid-19 will go on to infect.

When the figure is above 1, an outbreak can grow exponentially, but when it is below 1, it means the epidemic is shrinking.

An R number between 0.8 and 1.1 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between 8 and 11 other people.

Image source, PA Media

If you're just joining us on your lunch break, here's a quick round-up of what's happened so far today:

• Only about 0.1% of the population in the UK was infected with coronavirus during the week up to 24 April, an Office for National Statistics survey suggests. It means infections are now at the same level as late summer, while at the peak in January, almost 2% of the population were infected
• An analysis by the BBC has also shown that about 22 million people are living in areas which have reported zero deaths throughout April
• About 3,000 people are about to hit the dance floor at a warehouse party in Liverpool as part of a government trial to see how nightclubs might be able to reopen. The First Dance event doesn't require masks or social distancing, but attendees have to get a negative test to enter
• The Olympics in Tokyo, already delayed a year by the pandemic, could take place behind closed doors, organisers have said. A final decision is expected in June, before the games begin in July
• Shoppers were queuing around the block in Northern Ireland as many retailers opened their doors for the first time in four months. Pubs, restaurants and cafes can also serve outside and gyms are able to reopen for individual training
• Delhi's morgues and crematoriums are being overwhelmed by the number of Covid deaths during India's surge. The country reported 386,452 new cases on Thursday, the biggest one-day increase recorded anywhere in the world

Image source, Getty Images

A man has been arrested after allegedly placing fake QR labels over official Covid-19 check-in signs in Australia.

When customers used their smartphones to check-in at places in South Plympton, Adelaide, they were instead directed to an anti-vaccination website.

Colin Mark Davies, 51, has been charged with two counts of obstructing operations related to Covid-19.

His lawyer said he "wanted to get his message out to the public".

In Australia, anyone found tampering with Covid-19 QR codes faces arrest and a penalty of up to $10,000 (£5,577).

We've got the full story here.

Image source, Getty Images

With shops, cafes, pubs and gyms reopening in Northern Ireland today it might be a good time for a reminder of what the rules are around the UK.

Up to 15 people can meet outdoors in Northern Ireland, while self-contained accommodation can also reopen.

The next stage of easing in Northern Ireland will happen on 24 May at the earliest. This will see the resumption of indoor hospitality and some indoor mixing, as well as the reopening of hotels.

In Wales, gyms, fitness facilities and community centres can reopen from Monday.

From 17 May, subject to Welsh government approval, indoor hospitality and attractions such as museums should be able to reopen.

On that same day, Scotland is due to further ease its restrictions, allowing up to four people from two households to socialise indoors in a private home. Also, some businesses may be allowed to serve alcohol indoors.

The next easing of lockdown in England is also due on 17 May with six people from two households allowed to meet indoors, as well as up to 30 allowed to meet outside.

Domestic overnight stays and indoor hospitality will also be allowed.

For more on the rules in your area, use our postcode look up tool here.

Image source, PA Media

Chancellor Rishi Sunak says he remains "optimistic" about the future of high street shopping after the pandemic, even though 5,000 stores have closed across the UK.

Speaking in Hartlepool, he said: "It is tough for retail, it has been for a while and obviously the pandemic has accelerated some existing trends.

"I am optimistic about high streets."

He says the government is investing £3 billion in high streets and town centres around the country, there had been planning changes to make it easier for streets to adapt and the tax system for online sales was being made fairer.

"I am confident as the economy reopens people will be keen to support their local high street and shops and we will see them spring back to life," he says.

Image source, Getty Images

UK clubbers are to return to the dance floor for the first time since the pandemic began, as part of a trial event to see how venues can reopen.

Some 6,000 people will attend a two-day event in Liverpool on Friday and Saturday.

Ticket holders won't need to socially distance or wear face coverings, but they'll have to have a negative Covid test result before being allowed in.

Organisers are stressing the events do not carry a risk to public health, with experts to use it to look at whether crowds mixing indoors increases the transmission of the virus.

The First Dance event, which is part of the government's Events Research Programme, will be at the Bramley-Moore Dock warehouse.

Sven Väth, the Blessed Madonna and Jayda G are all performing on Friday night, with Fatboy Slim headlining the Saturday night event.

Robert Cuffe
BBC head of statistics

We've got more on the figures from the ONS which estimated just 0.1% of the UK would have tested positive for Covid-19 in the week to 24 April.

At the peak in January, the ONS estimated that about 1.25 million people in the UK were infected – 1-in-51 people (or nearly 2%).

In England it's estimated 1-in-1010 would be infected in the week up to 24 April. In Wales it was 1-in-1,570 - these are the lowest numbers since mid-September.

We don’t have figures for Scotland or Northern Ireland that go back that far since they joined the survey late.

Image source, Reuters

The head of the organising committee for this summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo says the event could take place behind closed doors with no spectators.

Seiko Hashimoto told AFP news agency: "The only way that we can call the Games a success is if we completely protect the lives and health of athletes and the people of Japan."

A final decision on fans is expected in June. Overseas visitors have already been banned from travelling to watch the Olympics, which begin in July.

This week the organising committee issued a series of strict rules for competitors, including taking two tests before going to Japan.

• How ready for Olympics are Japan and Team GB?

As a deadly second coronavirus sweeps through India, nurse Viveki Kapoor tells the BBC how the virus has changed her life:

"I'm the nurse in-charge at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Covid ward in a private Delhi hospital and I supervise the work of 25 nurses. Since the pandemic began, many staff quit, they said our salaries were so low and not worth the risk.

"The second wave has brought a flood of patients. Like all other Delhi hospital, ours also had to turn away so many after we filled up.

"Our workload has gone up five times. All the nurses are now putting in extra hours. We always come on time, but we are never able to leave on time.

I've been a nurse for 22 years but what is unfolding now is unprecedented. Now I'm so tired at the end of the day, that I can fall sleep anywhere. I don't even need a bed anymore."

Read Veveki Kapoor's story in full.

Image source, Viveki Papoor

Robert Cuffe
BBC head of statistics

Estimates from the ONS survey suggest that about 66,000 people in the UK would test positive for coronavirus in the week to 24 April - down from 105,000 people the previous week.

This is 0.1% of the population – or one in 975 people.

The ONS also says that infections “decreased” in every nation of the UK.

Here's the breakdown across the UK:

England: 1-in-1010 are estimated to be testing positive for coronavirus Vs 1-in-610 last week.

Wales: 1-in-1,570 vs 1-in-840

Northern Ireland: 1-in-940 vs 1-in-660

Scotland: 1-in-640 vs 1-in-560

Image source, Pacemaker

As shops reopen across Northern Ireland, Stormont has announced that every adult can apply for a £100 voucher to spend on the high street.

People over the age of 18 are eligible for the scheme, which could open at the end of the summer, Economy Minister Diane Dodds says.

She also revealed details about a holiday-at-home voucher scheme.

It will allow households to claim back 50% off a stay of two nights or more in certified accommodation, up to the value of £100.

Vouchers will also be issued, offering 50% off visits to attractions or tourism experience providers, up to the value of £20. Here's how to claim.

The high street voucher is designed to encourage spending at retail and hospitality outlets, which have been adversely affected by lockdown measures.

One in seven shops lies empty in England, Scotland and Wales, a study suggests.

Take a look at our key maps and charts explaining how the virus has spread around the world.

Image source, EPA

Sri Lanka has announced a ban on all public events, including weddings and large religious services, for the next two weeks.

The ban will be in force from Monday. The island, which moved quickly to stem a first wave of infections last year, is now reporting more than 1,000 new cases a day following the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in mid-April.

Nearby India is experiencing a devastating surge after its government decided to allow election rallies and religious festivals to go ahead in recent weeks.

Image source, EPA

Under a plan outlined by President Emmanuel Macron, France will start easing coronavirus restrictions in four stages:

• Next week secondary schools will return to in-person classes and a ban on travelling more than 10km (six miles) from home will end
• On 19 May, an existing 19:00 curfew will be pushed back to 21:00. Non-essential shops, cinemas and museums will be able to reopen, as well outside cafes and restaurants
• On 9 June restaurants and bars can bring customers back inside, and the curfew will be pushed back still further. A "health pass" will be introduced for those attending large events, and for foreign tourists entering France
• On 30 June, the curfew will be lifted completely but nightclubs will remain shut

President Macron reserved the option of imposing an emergency brake in regions where the virus runs out of control.

France entered a third national lockdown on 3 April, as the surge threatened to overwhelm hospitals.

The daily number of new cases has fallen since then, from around 40,000 to 27,000 on average over the past week.

A mother has been telling of her struggle to feed and clothe her daughter while trying not to lose their home throughout lockdown.

Single mum Natalie spoke to BBC Scotland's The Nine about using foodbanks, getting hand-me-downs for five-year-old Willow and says she is considering selling the flat she's lived in for 20 years.

Image source, Getty Images

Crowds of up to 10,000 people will be able to attend the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals at Twickenham next month.

The home of English rugby has been selected as the venue for the finals of the European Rugby Union competitions, due to take place on 21 and 21 May. The matches were originally scheduled to take place in Marseille.

No team from England's Gallagher Premiership has made it through to the semi-finals of the Champions Cup, but Leicester and Bath are still competing for the second-tier Challenge Cup.

It will be the first time that supporters have been allowed into Twickenham since 6 December, when 2,000 spectators were present for a match between England and France.

Image source, PA Media

The 40-year-old Chancellor has welcomed the news that people his age were now eligible for the coronavirus vaccine in England.

During a visit to the Northern School of Art in Hartlepool, Rishi Sunak said: "That's good news that it's down to 40-year-olds. I will be standing by my phone. I am excited.

"My dad who is a retired GP has come back and is actually doing vaccinations as a volunteer. It's going to be lovely to do."

Read more: England's vaccine rollout extended to over-40s.

Image source, Getty Images

In England, people aged 40 and over are now being invited to book their coronavirus vaccine online, external.

People aged 45 and over in Scotland can get their jab, external along with unpaid carers aged 16-64., external

The Welsh government says vaccines are now being offered to people aged 40 and over, external, and some health boards have started inviting the 30-39 age group.

In Northern Ireland, people aged 35 and over are now eligible.

Across the UK, people over 16 who live with adults with weakened immune systems are also being offered a vaccine.

The government insists all adults will be offered their first dose - in decreasing age order - by the end of July. Find out when you will get yours here.