Updates from 20 March
A minor injuries unit at Leek Moorlands Hospital closed temporarily from today because of staff shortages.
But health bosses say opening hours for the walk-in centre at the Haywood hospital in Stoke-on-Trent are going to be extended from 07:00 to 21:30 every day.
There are 18 cases of coronavirus in Staffordshire, two in Stoke-on-Trent and nine across Cheshire East.
Coventry's Godiva Festival has been cancelled, the city council has announced.
The decision was taken after "careful consideration and together with partners involved in the popular summer event".
Organisers say they know many people will obviously be disappointed, but say the decision was taken in line with the latest advice regarding limiting the spread of coronavirus around social distancing and avoiding mass gatherings.
Quote MessageWe are very sad to announce that this year's Godiva Festival has had to be cancelled and I would like to stress that this decision has been carefully considered in light of the current coronavirus situation, which is unfolding quickly around all of us. With all public events, the health and safety of all festival-goers, participants and staff is vital and we believe this is the responsible course of action."
Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy leader Coventry City Council
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says he is looking “very, very closely” at why there is a coronavirus hotspot in the Midlands.
Asked on Sky News about 28 deaths recorded in the West Midlands, Mr Hancock said: “There is a hotspot, not as big as in London, but there is a hotspot in the Midlands.
“It’s something that we’re looking at very, very closely to find out why, frankly."
BBC Radio Stoke
Bentley Motors has announced it’s suspending production from today at its Crewe factory HQ for four weeks.
Image source, Stefano Guidi/GettyCore business functions will continue throughout the shutdown with staff either based in Crewe following social distancing policies or working remotely.
Production won’t start again until 20 April.
The trading standards team in Birmingham said they were clamping down on "dual-pricing" - warning traders they face prosecution if found to be exploiting customers.
Officers visited shops and supermarkets across the city after receiving more than 70 complaints about shops charging a higher price than the one originally marked.
Visits were carried out at 19 premises, it said "but many of the stores had already been stripped of the overpriced products as a result of customers bulk-buying".
The council reminded traders that they could charge "what they want" for items without a price mark, but it was a criminal offence to charge more for pre-priced products.
A pharmacy which priced bottles of Calpol at £19.99 in the city has been criticised for the "extortionate" move.
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For some children this could be the last day of primary or senior school.
The government has announced all schools will close apart from the children of key workers and those with EHCPs and others considered vulnerable.
Image source, Hilary HopkerCoventry mum Hilary Hopker said: "I've been preparing my 11-year-old for the chance that it could be the last day of primary school ever.
"I'm encouraging him now to give our his contact details so his friends can keep in touch virtually if they want."
Are you affected by the schools closures coming into force today?
Let us know how you're feeling about the plans and send any questions our way.
Much remains unclear, but we'll do our best to answer them.
A Walsall teacher says it's been a "turbulent" week for staff and pupils, after the prime minister announced schools would close.
Head teacher Steph Field at Busill Jones Primary in Bloxwich said: We've been kind of living day by day at the minute, but the children have been amazing.
"I asked the children to come in bright, cheery, positive colours today just so we can keep that positivity going across our school during this unprecedented time.
"We don't know what's going to happen as of today, we don't know when we'll see our children - it could be in the summer it could be in September, who knows.
"So we're hoping that the bright colours and the cheery dispositions around the school are just going to add that bit of cheer to our community."
This is how some of the local news websites are reporting coronavirus developments:
Around 400 UK tourists are stranded after Peru shut its borders to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Read MoreMarket traders who have to self-isolate won't have to pay rent for up to 14 days, said Walsall Council.
Additionally, rents will be reduced by 50% for traders at Walsall, Willenhall and Bloxwich markets, it added.
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A revised timetable is to be introduced by West Midlands Railway "designed to keep essential workers moving".
Image source, West Midlands TrainsThe operator said the move will "build resilience into the train service" as more rail workers begin self-isolating.
There has been a major fall in demand for rail travel due to coronavirus, it said.
Sister company London Northwestern Railway will also reduce the number of trains running on the network from Monday 23 March.
Quote MessageAlthough demand for rail travel has dropped, we know there are many thousands of people who need to keep moving, including NHS workers and others involved in delivering essential public services. That is why our front-line staff will continue coming to work in order to deliver this timetable and help keep the country moving.
Julian Edwards, Managing director of West Midlands Railway
The Royal Shakespeare Company is offering free access to shows via television for a month.
The company closed it's theaters and touring productions on Monday.
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Many mosques across the region have cancelled Friday prayers until further notice.
Those abstaining from the weekly worship include Birmingham's central mosque which said it had taken the decision with a "heavy heart".
It follows a meeting with officials from Public Health England which resulted in all prayers and evening schools at the site being suspended.
It's the last day of school for thousands of pupils across the West Midlands.
From Monday, schools will only open to pupils whose parents or carers are classified as key workers.
The list, published by the Department for Education, , externalincludes NHS staff, social workers, teachers and food delivery drivers.
More details are expected on how pupils will be awarded grades after some exams were cancelled.
Jaguar Land Rover is to suspend production at its UK plants from next week to try to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Image source, PA MediaThe company said it hopes to reopen the sites in the West Midlands and Merseyside in a month's time.
Production in Brazil and India will continue operations, it said.
BMW, Toyota and Honda said they would also temporarily shut down their UK factories because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Vanessa Pearce
BBC News
As schools are set to close across the West Midlands later, we'll be bringing you live updates on how coronavirus is affecting the West Midlands.
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