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You've been paying tributes to Walsall nurse, Areema Nasreen, who died after contracting coronavirus.

Among messages left on the BBC Midlands Facebook page, external, Ann Millichope said: "I am so upset and can’t imagine what her family are going through at the moment."

Sidra Imaan wrote: "My condolences go to her and the family, especially her three children. She is an inspiration for us all."

Firefighters in Leamington Spa were among those joining in the applause for NHS staff and other essential workers last night.

Elsewhere there were also fireworks and in Telford people were encouraged to sing and play musical instruments.

Kate Fox taught literacy at the Thorns Collegiate Academy, near Dudley, for more than 20 years.

NHS staff are being offered free bus travel from today by National Express in the West Midlands and Coventry., external

Image source, National Express

The firm's said it'll carry them to and from work without charging as long as they show their staff pass to the driver.

Children of all key workers are also getting free travel to and from school if they show their confirmation letter, National Express added.

The government says you should only shop for "basic necessities" - but what does that actually mean?

BBC News England

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have phoned colleagues of one of the first frontline NHS workers to die after contracting coronavirus.

Image source, UHDB

Consultant Amged El-Hawrani died on Saturday at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester.

Prince William and Catherine rang staff from Queen's Hospital Burton, where he had been working, to talk about Mr El-Hawrani, offer sympathy and praise their "incredible" efforts.

The 55-year-old was described as "fit and healthy" before he was infected.

Edgbaston Stadium is to be used as a coronovirus testing station.

Warwickshire County Cricket club said the main car park will be used to regularly test NHS staff and will become operational in the next few days.

Image source, Warwickshire CCC

NHS staff will be asked to stay in their vehicles while being tested.

Warwickshire is also going to give NHS staff free entry to a Birmingham Bears fixture later this summer.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A teacher, admitted to hospital having been diagnosed with coronavirus, has died, her school's confirmed.

Image source, Thorns Collegiate Academy

Thorns Collegiate Academy in Quarry Bank, near Dudley, said , externalKate Fox was admitted to hospital a week ago.

Covid-19 worsened her underlying health conditions and she passed away yesterday, a letter issued by the school said.

Ms Fox had worked at Thorns for more than 20 years and the letter added: "This is a tragic loss for our whole school community."

BBC Weather Watchers

It's been a bright start to the day and the BBC Weather Watchers have been sharing their photos from around the region.

These were taken in Knowle and Haughton.

Image source, Dammo

Image source, Shaun

Local Democracy Reporting Service

People in Solihull are being urged to "think twice" about burning garden waste on bonfires amid a rise in complaints to the local council.

The borough's rubbish tip is currently closed and green waste collections suspended during the pandemic.

While not against the law to burn garden rubbish, Solihull Council said it had received 18 reports about them causing a nuisance since 18 March.

West Midlands Fire Service said it believed sunnier spring weather and people being confined to their homes had helped fuel the increase in garden burning.

Express and Star

From the Express and Star:

• Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire death toll increases by 36% in one day, external
• 'It's like nothing I've experienced before': Wolverhampton MP speaks of suffering coronavirus symptoms, external
• Walsall homeless group in 'urgent' appeal due to 'overwhelming' demand, external

Anyone feeling a bit cooped up and fancies a stretch of the legs can take part in a class lead by the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

As part of the BBC's Culture In Quarantine, viewers will be able to watch an international morning class featuring dancers from the UK, Tokyo and elsewhere.

The class will include a daily physical warm-up routine and be live streamed on BBC Arts Digital and the BBC iPlayer, then available on catch up.

Next week, Birmingham Royal Ballet: Home From Home will see the company present a special "living room" performance of The Swan.

John Bray
BBC News

A British doctor who has spent 15 years helping amputees across South East Asia is to receive an award for his work.

The Rotary Club will mark the efforts of Dr Viquar Qurashi, from Russells Hall Hospital, in Dudley, after his charity helped 10,000 people.

The orthopaedic surgeon and his small team melt pieces of plastic drainpipe in an oven before moulding them to fit patients.

This film was made before stricter coronavirus social-distancing rules were brought into place.

BBC Weather

Today's forecast sees the weather starting partly cloudy and then turning more cloudy as the day goes on, with the chance of the odd shower this afternoon. High: 11C/52F.

Image source, Peter Steggles

This evening will turn mainly clear, but it will feel chilly with light to moderate winds. Low: 3C/37F.

You can keep up to date on your local forecast via the BBC Weather website.

People across the West Midlands took part in a second "Clap for Carers" tribute last night, saluting NHS staff and other key workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

Among them, a drummer in Coventry and emergency staff across the region:

Allen Cook
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Friday.

We'll be bringing you the latest coronavirus news for the West Midlands.

You can get in touch, let us know how you are coping and issues you want to raise, via email, Twitter, external and Facebook, external.