Summary

  • Self-employed people in financial difficulty will have 80% of their monthly wage covered by the government

  • Man, 84, first UK prisoner to die after contracting coronavirus

  • More than 500,000 volunteers to help the NHS

  • Government orders 10,000 ventilators from Dyson

  • Updates on Thursday 26 March

  1. A message from The Doctorpublished at 09:01 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2020

    We've received an emergency transmission from The Doctor.

    They're in self-isolation but responding to psychological signals that "somebody somewhere might be a little bit worried".

    Watch to find out what you need to do:

    Media caption,

    The Doctor has an emergency transmission

  2. ☀️ "Hold on to the sunshine" ☀️published at 08:51 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2020

    Jennifer Meierhans
    BBC News Online

    I promised you I'd be highlighting some of the things we have to smile about today.

    In today's weather forecast Stav Danaos said "we are going to hold onto the sunshine".

    So we've got a sunny day ahead of us - let's try and do just that.

    Dog at sunriseImage source, Heartbeat

    Look at the gorgeous sunrise - and dog - captured by our Weather Watcher, Heartbeat, at Elterwater, Cumbria just two hours ago.

  3. Camper van couple self-isolate in Turkey car parkpublished at 08:35 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2020

    John Bray
    BBC News

    A British couple who set off on a round-the-world trip in a camper van now find themselves trapped in a deserted public car park in Istanbul, Turkey.

    I'd been following the story of Chris and Marianne Fisher, from Shropshire, as they posted their Tread the Globe, external exploits online.

    Media caption,

    Shropshire couple trapped in Turkey as coronavirus hits their world trip

    They told me the coronavirus outbreak had left them as the sole residents of a £10-a-night car park, although they do have access to washing and toilet facilities at a neighbouring sports ground.

  4. Stephen Fry's tips on managing anxietypublished at 08:33 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2020

    Stephen Fry has been giving advice on dealing with anxiety and stress at this challenging time.

    He said "anxiety and stress are almost as virulent as this coronavirus".

  5. How to wash your handspublished at 08:30 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2020

    The NHS says that washing your hands is a key part of preventing the spread of viruses such as the coronavirus.

    Here Dr Adele McCormick, from the University of Westminster, demonstrates how to do this properly, which should take about 20 seconds.

  6. Cancer patient's chemo on holdpublished at 08:21 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2020

    A woman with brain cancer has been told her chemotherapy has stopped because of the coronavirus outbreak.

    Nancy Carter-Bradley, 44, from Hampshire, said the health secretary should ring-fence cancer treatment.

    Nancy Carter-BradleyImage source, Nancy Carter-Bradley

    She said her treatment at a London hospital had paused as it was at full capacity and oncologists were helping with the response to coronavirus.

    Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said it was "exploring use of private healthcare facilities".

  7. Banks under fire for coronavirus loan tacticspublished at 08:00 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2020

    Jennifer Meierhans
    BBC News Online

    Staying with the financial impact of the virus, MPs have criticised banks for asking business owners to put their own property up to secure loans.

    Barclays and HSBC offices in Canary WharfImage source, Getty Images

    It means that the banks can go after the personal property of the owner of a firm if their business goes under and they cannot afford to pay off the debt.

    Our economics correspondent Andy Verity has some analysis of the issue here.

  8. Chancellor to unveil support for workerspublished at 07:53 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2020

    Jennifer Meierhans
    BBC News Online

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak will unveil financial support for self-employed workers later today.

    Last week he told us his plans for 80% wage subsidies for staff kept on by employers - and the PM has said he wants similar protection for freelancers.

    Here's a reminder of what the chancellor has promised so far.

    Media caption,

    Rishi Sunak: UK govt to 'help to pay people's wages'

  9. Good morning everyonepublished at 07:48 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March 2020

    Jennifer Meierhans
    BBC News Online

    Thanks for joining me, I hope you’re safe and well.

    I’ll be bringing you the latest coronavirus updates from across England.

    And I’ll be shining a light on the things we have to smile about today.

    Let’s navigate day three of lockdown together.