Summary

  • The number of UK deaths has risen by 181 in a day, taking the total to 759

  • PM Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus

  • Birmingham Airport is being turned into an emergency mortuary

  • England's Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty is self-isolating

  • GP with 'textbook coronavirus symptoms' dies

  • Clap for Carers: UK in 'emotional' tribute to NHS and care workers

  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock also has coronavirus

  1. Goodbyepublished at 18:58 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    James Law
    BBC News

    Well that brings an end to today's updates from around England, but we'll be back over the weekend with the latest on the coronavirus outbreak.

    We hope you're able to enjoy your weekend - while following the government's advice to stay at home.

    Thanks for joining us and have a good evening.

  2. Kids enjoy virtual trip to the zoopublished at 18:44 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Simone Stewart
    Video journalist

    Media caption,

    Children were able to visit Chester Zoo even though it's been closed by the coronavirus pandemic. Zookeepers hosted Facebook live videos with animals such as red pandas, elephants, tigers and penguins. The zoo says it is having to change the way it works but still wanted to keep in touch with customers.

  3. Mum's warning as son, 5, contracts viruspublished at 18:33 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    The mother of a five-year-old boy with coronavirus has condemned the "selfishness" of those breaking rules to stop the spread of the infection.

    Tanya Isaac, 36, from New Milton, Hampshire, said her son Byron was left "screaming in pain" and had to be rushed to hospital on Thursday.

    Byron in hopsImage source, Tanya Isaac

    Byron is now recovering at home and receiving regular oxygen.

    Ms Isaac said others like her son, who is asthmatic and non-verbal, could suffer because of people's "ignorance".

  4. What are you doing this weekend?published at 18:14 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Our weekly film series shows what people in the UK, and around the world, are doing each weekend under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Things to do this weekend

  5. Boost to coronavirus testing capacity announcedpublished at 18:05 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Increased testing capacity announced by Michael Gove

    Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove has confirmed there will be increased antigen testing for frontline workers, starting this weekend.

    Mr Gove chaired today's pandemic press conference after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was self-isolating.

  6. London warned to expect 'large number' of deathspublished at 17:55 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Sadiq Khan has warned Londoners there will be "a large number" of deaths from coronavirus and temporary mortuaries will be set up across the capital.

    Just under 4,000 people in London have been infected with the virus, according to the latest government figures, and at least 180 have died.

    Sadiq KhanImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Sadiq Khan has repeatedly warned Londoners to avoid travelling on the Tube unless absolutely necessary

    "I need to warn people that it is going to get a lot worse over the next few weeks," Mr Khan said.

    "But we are going to do what we can for that eventuality. The number of people we are talking about are large and we need to be ready for that."

  7. First 'coronavirus injunction' handed outpublished at 17:46 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

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  8. Care homes plead for coronavirus helppublished at 17:35 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    One home facing a Covid-19 outbreak is running out of equipment and nearly half its staff off sick.

    Read More
  9. Non-league clubs 'heard of season end on social media'published at 17:29 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    James Law
    BBC News

    Non-league football clubs have claimed they first discovered their seasons would end immediately through social media.

    All football in England below the three National League divisions was ended on Thursday as the Football Association confirmed results would be expunged, with promotion and relegation scrapped.

    Non-league footballImage source, Getty Images

    "Our input was frankly zero,” South Shields chairman Geoff Thompson told BBC Radio 5 live.

    "We got to hear of this decision from social media - there was no formal communication from our league nor through the FA itself."

    The move also affected women’s football below the top two tiers.

  10. How many confirmed cases are there in your area?published at 17:20 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Promo image showing UK

    In the UK, there are more than 14,500 confirmed coronavirus cases and at least 759 people have died.

    The actual number of people with the respiratory infection in the country is estimated to be much higher.

    Nearly 100,000 people have been tested for the virus but were found not to have it.

    Find out how many people have confirmed cases in your area.

  11. Classic hit tops lockdown listening listpublished at 17:12 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers has topped a chart of classic songs that are enjoying renewed popularity amid the coronavirus crisis.

    The Official Charts Company's "lockdown listening list" is based on the tunes that have seen the biggest increase in plays on streaming services this week.

    Left-right: Michael Stipe, Gerry Marsden and AkonImage source, Getty Images

    Liverpool FC anthem You'll Never Walk Alone was up 150% after dozens of radio stations came together to play it last Friday.

    Tracks by Akon, Frank Ocean and The Police also featured in the top five.

  12. Manchester Central to become temporary virus hospitalpublished at 17:05 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Manchester CentralImage source, @mcr_central

    The Manchester Central Conference Centre (formerly the GMEX Centre) will become a temporary hospital able to deal with 1,000 patients during the coronoavirus pandemic.

    It will be run by the armed forces and is due to open in mid-April.

    The ExCeL Centre in London is also being made into a makeshift field hospital, while Birmingham Airport could serve as a mortuary during the crisis.

  13. Gymnast Whitlock films workout videos from homepublished at 16:58 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Olympic gymnast Max Whitlock has been doing his bit to keep people fit while gyms are closed due to coronavirus.

    Great Britain's double gold medal winner has been forced to improvise as he can no longer train at his gym in Basildon, Essex.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Olympic gymnast Max Whitlock films workout videos

    He has been posting daily routes online for people to follow, which are recorded at his home and sometimes interrupted by his baby daughter.

    Whitlock said: "I think at this time, everyone's got to be creative and use what they have at home. Just do what you can to keep busy and keep a structured life."

  14. Bike-theft doctor donates replacements to NHS staffpublished at 16:50 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    A hospital consultant who had his bicycle stolen is offering NHS colleagues some of the bikes donated by well-wishers.

    Dan Harvey, who works at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre, posted about the theft on social media and received "loads and loads" of messages offering him a replacement bike.

    Dan Harvey rides a bikeImage source, Dan Harvey

    "There are lots of NHS workers on relatively low salaries who are struggling to get in and out of work," he said.

    "This might be a way of trying to get them on a bike, which is good for their body and soul."

    Nottinghamshire Police wants to speak to two men about the theft.

  15. Public benches taped off by police to stop gatheringspublished at 16:44 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Benches in Boston, Lincolnshire, are being taped off by police to stop people using them during the pandemic.

    The government says people are only allowed outside of their house to go to work, for one piece of exercise a day or to get essential food or medicine.

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  16. Chief medical officer self-isolatingpublished at 16:30 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Prof Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, has said he is self-isolating at home after experiencing coronavirus symptoms.

    In recent weeks he has been leading press conferences alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has tested positive for the virus.

    Prof Whitty said he would continue to advise the government on the pandemic.

    Sir Patrick Vallance - the government's chief scientific adviser - says he has no symptoms.

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  17. Fraudsters set up fake coronavirus checkpointpublished at 16:23 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    In some parts of the country police are stopping motorists to ensure that their reason for being out of the house is "essential".

    Officers have the power to fine or arrest those breaking lockdown rules.

    But Humberside Police has issued a warning after two men set up a fake checkpoint and tried to make motorists pay an on-the-spot fine.

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  18. 'Last Big Mac' auctioned for NHS staffpublished at 16:16 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    A man is auctioning what he has dubbed "the last Big Mac of 2020" to raise money for the NHS.

    Burger lovers from across the UK made a dash for the drive-thru on Monday after a temporary closure of the 1,270 Golden Arches outlets was announced.

    The fast food fanatic, from Wallingford, who asked to remain anonymous, said it was a "fun way" of raising money to "thank all the amazing staff who are working tirelessly" during the coronavirus outbreak.

    Big Mac
    Image caption,

    The burger is not meant to be eaten

    He said: "I hope the people bidding on the burger aren't seeing the listing as buying memorabilia or dinner, but instead as a fun way to donate to a cause that is in desperate need."

    He hopes to raise a super-sized £1,000 by the time bidding ends on 2 April.

  19. Virus shutdown hits funeral planspublished at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Hayley Smallman wanted the funeral for her 18-year-old daughter, Holly, to be a massive celebration of her life - in a venue big enough for the hundreds of people she expected to turn up.

    Instead, because of social distancing due to coronavirus, it's going to be held in a nearly-empty building.

    Holly Smallman surrounded by familyImage source, Hayley Smallman

    Holly was born with a series of serious medical problems that left her unable to see or speak.

    She spent her life under the care of a children's hospice, and died on 13 March.

    "I am so scared of going into an empty crematorium. My son and daughter are petrified," Hayley, from Liverpool, told Radio 1 Newsbeat.

  20. Virtual Grand National to be broadcastpublished at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    The actual Grand National may be off but next weekend will still feature a televised Virtual Grand National.

    Forty runners who would have been most likely to line up will take part, using CGI technology and special algorithms.

    Grand NationalImage source, Inspired Entertainment

    The virtual race will be broadcast by ITV at 17:00 BST on Saturday 4 April - the day the race was due to be held at Aintree.