Our coverage across the daypublished at 19:05 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
We'll bring you more updates on coronavirus in the West Midlands on Wednesday.
Summary
Fine over 25-mile round trip to grab burger
Council staff 'subjected to abuse' by mourners
Bespoke pins for nurses raise thousands
Bride to dedicate wedding to late father
Paramedic: 'I didn't think I was going to get home'
JLR furloughs half its workforce
Airports 'at risk' of closure
DIY haircuts raise thousands for NHS
Updates from Tuesday 21 April
Our coverage across the daypublished at 19:05 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Work to revamp city centre resumespublished at 18:57 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceWork to revamp Coventry city centre that was put on hold last month because of coronavirus has resumed.
The programme at Hertford Street, Coventry Point, Upper Precinct and Coventry Station is to get Coventry ready for its City of Culture celebrations next year.
Image source, LDRSCouncil cabinet member for jobs and regeneration Jim O’Boyle said those involved would take care, adding: “Life goes on and the economic industries of this city are really important, so anything we can do to help that we will do.”
In pictures: Ricoh Arena opens as Covid-19 testing sitepublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
The Ricoh Arena in Coventry, home to the Wasps rugby union team, has set up a coronavirus testing centre for NHS staff and registered care workers.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe set-up went live on Monday and is being managed by the Coventry & Warwickshire Health & Care Partnership, comprising NHS organisations and local authorities, the club says.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesA Wasps spokesman said: "Wasps has always tried to play a big part in the local community so it was a pretty easy decision when approached to help.
"Everybody knows where the Ricoh Arena is, so it makes sense to set up the centre at such an accessible location. It has been a team effort from all bodies involved to get this up and running inside a week, and hopefully will be a major help to all those who are working so selflessly to keep the population safe at such a difficult time."
Thank you messages painted on hospital roadspublished at 18:51 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Messages of thanks have been painted on to roads near hospitals in Whitchurch and Gobowen in Shropshire.
And in Shrewsbury this evening, the road entrance to Shrewsbury Hospital is set to be decorated with a thank you message and rainbow heart by Shropshire Council.
Image source, Shropshire CouncilNeighbouring Telford and Wrekin Council has already painted the entrance to The Princess Royal Hospital.
Art student decorates pub to thank NHSpublished at 18:30 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
John Bray
BBC NewsAn 18-year-old university art student has painted the side of a pub in her home village in support of the NHS.
Davina Dickson is studying at the University of Wolverhampton and was asked by Ally Heath, landlady of The Star in Penkridge, Staffordshire, to create the artwork.
Image source, Davina DicksonDavina said: “I’ve never done a piece that big before and I’m pleased with how it’s turned out.”
“It took me eight hours to complete on Sunday and it’s to say a big thank you to the NHS.”
Image source, Davina DicksonDog-walking volunteers help people stuck at homepublished at 18:14 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Dog owners in Telford who are having to stay in their homes because of coronavirus are being offered a free dog-walking service.
The local authority has recruited a band of volunteers to help out, including Russ here, who takes Sebby on daily outings.
Image source, Telford and Wrekin CouncilTop officer back home after 13 days on ventilatorpublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Phil Dolby had "frightening episodes of breathlessness and dizziness" after falling ill in March.
Read MorePair drive to beauty spot 'for selfie'published at 17:46 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Amy Woodfield
BBC NewsA couple admitted driving from Nottinghamshire to The Roaches in Staffordshire "to take a selfie", police have said.
Image source, Staffordshire PoliceCh Insp Mark Thorley, of Staffordshire Police, said the pair conceded they had "been stupid" by travelling a long way from home, contrary to rules around social distancing.
He said they avoided a fine, adding "the advice given was taken on the chin and a lesson learned".
'I had to tell my wife I was going to die'published at 17:33 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Tony Trueman, 63, was not expected to survive when he was diagnosed with Covid-19 but is recovering.
Read MorePolice patrols to deter further phone mast attackspublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Police patrols are being carried out to deter further attacks on 5G phone masts.
Image source, Getty ImagesNine masts in the West Midlands have been set on fire or vandalised, including one providing mobile connectivity to Birmingham's Nightingale Hospital.
Ch Const Dave Thompson of the West Midlands force told a meeting earlier that false claims of a link between 5G and coronavirus was "one of the stranger" examples among a "huge amount" of speculation surrounding Covid-19.
He said: "The force has seen some examples where people who are either motivated by this belief or have seized it as an opportunity to be disruptive, have caused some damage to masts."
Confirming that a senior detective was leading an inquiry into the offences alongside national agencies, Mr Thompson added: "We are working to ensure the best protection exists around these sites in terms of target-hardening them, but at the same time, West Midlands Police is actively patrolling locations to ensure we capture evidence and we try and make sure that we provide a deterrent."
'Glad I got treatment when I did'published at 17:09 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
An NHS worker who has recovered from coronavirus, despite recently having a kidney transplant, is urging people to seek medical help sooner if they feel their condition is deteriorating.
Charlene Nelson, who works as a nurse at Sandwell Hospital, fell ill on 12 April and phoned 999 when she felt she couldn't breathe.
Image source, PA Media"I got into A&E and then I was put into isolation because of my symptoms," the mum-of-one said.
"Because of my kidney condition, I was transferred to another hospital for further treatment," she added, where she tested positive for Covid-19.
"I was in a bad way for the first two days and I was very scared."
She said: "If I hadn't dialled 999, who knows what sort of condition I would be in now. I'm just glad that I got treatment when I did."
Men fined £240 for 25-mile round trip to pick up burgerpublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Samantha Noble
BBC News OnlineFour men have been handed fines totalling £240 for making a 25-mile round trip to pick up takeaway burgers.
Derbyshire Police said the men, who were friends and did not live together, were found parked in a vehicle in Harriet Street, Normanton, Derby, yesterday at about 19:45.
The force added the men had travelled from Burton-upon-Trent for "the sole purpose of getting a meal".
A spokesman said all four had a meal each, consisting of a burger, chips and drink and were parked up eating the meal.
"This burger has cost them £240 in fines for ignoring government guidelines," officers from the Derby West Response team added.
Image source, Science Photo LibraryVirus-death nurse 'refused to leave front line'published at 16:27 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Patrick McManus wanted to stay with his "work family" during the crisis, his son says.
Read MoreCouncil staff 'subjected to abuse' by mournerspublished at 16:08 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Kathryn Stanczyszyn
Political Reporter, BBC WMCouncillors in Birmingham have urged the public to respect bereavement services workers after some were subjected to "verbal and even physical abuse by mourners" as lockdown restrictions were applied.
A statement from four senior cross-party members said bereavement services had been "under a significant pressure since the coronavirus outbreak, with staff putting in additional hours and working on Bank Holidays to support bereaved families during the UK lockdown."
It went on to say: "Sadly in a minority of cases, our staff have been subjected to verbal and even physical abuse by mourners attempting to flout the necessary restrictions imposed to limit the spread of Covid-19.
"The difficult decision to maintain the restriction of the number of mourners attending funerals to six - which has the support of all the political groups on Birmingham City Council - was not made by our staff.
"We firmly believe that the current limit is correct for Birmingham and must remain in place while the national lockdown continues."
Midlanders learning to live with the lockdownpublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
We find ourselves in the new country of Lockdownland, but when can we expect to leave?
Read MoreResponse to food parcels 'humbling'published at 15:28 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceThe response to council food deliveries in Stafford has been "humbling", the local authority's leader says.
The free parcels can be ordered, external for people who are vulnerable, isolated or struggling to afford food.
Image source, LDRSCouncillor Patrick Farrington said: “It has been very emotional listening to what some of our residents have been telling us. When you hear them say our work is ‘lifesaving’, you feel very humble indeed."
Children decorate street with rainbowspublished at 15:09 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
A street in Rugeley, Staffordshire, has been decorated by more than 100 rainbows drawn by three children living there.
Olly, Isobel and Maisy made enough to decorate most of the houses in their road.
The children said they wanted to show their support for key workers and that people in the houses had been shouting thank you for the artwork through their windows.
Off-road bikes seized by policepublished at 14:52 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Off-road bikes have been seized by police following complaints of groups gathering in Coventry, the West Midlands force says. , external
Image source, West Midlands PoliceFive were seized in the Wood End and Stoke Aldermoor areas of the city on Sunday during what police said was an ongoing crackdown on anti-social and dangerous riding.
Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were detained on suspicion of driving offences.
A 24-year-old man was summonsed to appear at court at a later date, the force added.
Virtual celebration planned for VE Daypublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
The 75th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May will be marked with virtual celebrations in Telford, the local authority has announced.
Street parties won't be possible due to lockdown, but the council invited people to "get creative" and suggested residents held an "online family get-together" or celebration "with neighbours on your front lawn or over fences".
Image source, Getty ImagesThe council also suggests people decorate their homes and share photos online.
It also promised "a schedule of things happening throughout the day that people can get involved with".
Bespoke pins for nurses raise thousands for NHSpublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 21 April 2020
Artist Jamie Taylor raises more than £30,000 selling prints and pins inspired by emergency workers.
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