A former Labour MEP for the Eastern region has tweeted that he has caught the virus.

Richard Howitt was first elected as a Euro MP in 1994 representing South Essex.

The electoral system changed and he then represented the whole region from 1999 until 2016, when the country voted to leave the EU and he stepped down.

Magpas says it received more than 700 items of personal protective equipment within 10 days.

A "pop-up" logistics centre has been set up by Cambridge University so it can process donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be given to NHS staff.

Face masks, gloves and visors from Cambridge Labs are being redistributed along with equipment donated by university staff and past students.

Items have been donated by the university’s biology, zoology, pharmacology and chemistry departments, the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and the city’s science parks.

Image source, University of Cambridge

Professor Andy Neely, pro-vice chancellor for enterprise and business relations, said: "When our alumni and partners joined in it soon became clear we needed a more co-ordinated approach to make sure the right equipment was made available to local services.

"The infrastructure has now been set up to deal with all of the promised donations – some of which have already arrived - and we’re ready to go."

The NHS trust that runs the Cavell Centre in Peterborough and Fulbourn Hospital in Cambridge has said that it had taken "the difficult decision" to stop all people visiting patients, except in exceptional circumstances.

It said one family member or carer can still see a patient if they're their child or they're receiving end-of-life care, or if they arrange their visit in advance.

How does a football mascot keep active during the coronavirus lockdown?

He eats plenty of carrots and lifts a few weights, of course.

Here's how Peterborough United's "crazy rabbit" Peter Burrow, external is encouraging fans to keep fit while holed up at home.

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

Cambridge United FC has opened its kitchens to cook food for families most in need.

Using the club's own food, cooked by the resident chef, on Monday they delivered 55 sets of lasagnes, soups, and bread and butter pudding and will be delivering almost 200 more across the week.

The initiative is part of the Cambridge Food Poverty Alliance, external's wider scheme, ensuring that people have access to healthy and sustainable food and builds on the successful holiday lunches which have previously been held at the club's Abbey Stadium.

It is also part of the football club'sHere For U, external’s scheme, which is offering support to the local community during the current health crisis.

A "growing number" of design and technology teachers are making face shields for NHS staff.

With kids's rainbow posters appearing in windows across the land, one ageing rocker dad has given it his own twist.

David Scott, 51, late of St Neots and now living near Hitchin, has attempted to out-do his children.

Posting on Facebook, he said "the oldest child in the house makes his contribution to the Covid-19 rainbow display".

Image source, David Scott

A driver has been caught flouting lockdown procedures after setting out on a 180-mile round trip to pick up a friend from London.

Image source, PA Media

The driver, from Spalding, was stopped on the M1 by Hertfordshire Police at the weekend.

When officer asked what they were doing they told officers they were en route to London to pick up a friend before driving to Peterborough to see others.

Writing on Twitter, external the force said: "REALLY is this essential? Come on people COVID19 is a KILLER, STAY AT HOME."

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A council has issued a warning after some residents received letters claiming they had "failed to obey" self isolation and social distancing procedures.

The letters, purporting to be from Huntingdonshire District Council,, external said they had photographic evidence of multiple infringements and while they will not "peruse" [sic - we think they mean pursue] the matter further on this occasion, they may do in the future.

The council said they were not from the authority and people should disregard them.

It says they "do NOT issue this type of letter about individual whereabouts".

"We remind residents to practise social distancing and self isolation as laid out by government guidance," a further tweet, external added.

Joe Mitton took up live-streaming to keep his personal fitness business operating.

The Cambridge Folk Festival, external is the latest event to fall foul of the coronavirus pandemic.

The event, due to run 30 July-2 August, was to star the likes of Yusuf (formerly known as Cat Stevens), Grammy Award-winning Patty Griffin and Passenger.

Organisers said the safety of festival-goers, artists, staff and crew was their "top priority" and the event had become "too difficult to plan, prepare and deliver".

Anyone who has already booked tickets will be given the choice of a refund or the chance to hold onto their tickets for the 2021 festival.

FolkEast, external in Suffolk has yet to make a decision about its festival, which is due to take place 21-23 August.

Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent

Local councils are warning that they're facing a financial crisis because of a big drop in their income due to the coronavirus outbreak.

They're writing to the government asking for extra funding later in the year so they can afford to keep running services.

They say that with leisure centres and museums closed, tenants unable to pay their rent and motorists staying away from car parks, they are losing an important source of income.

Ipswich Borough Council makes £2m a month from its commercial activities while Norwich City Council earns £500,000 a month from parking charges.

I understand Cambridge City Council is warning it could be £10m in the red at the end of this crisis.

The government says it's giving extra help to councils and they should also think about using their reserves.

But councils say it's not enough - Ipswich's Labour leader David Ellesmere said "the government's given us £76,000 - that won't cover our loss of income for even a week".

Photos from Peterborough city centre appear to show many people not adhering to the new rules set out by the government about social distancing and when to leave your home.

Image source, Terry Harris

Under the restrictions, people must stay at home and only leave for the following reasons:

• to exercise once a day - either alone, or with members of your household
• shopping for basic necessities, although this should be done as little as possible
• medical need or to provide care for a vulnerable person
• travel to or from work but only where this is absolutely necessary

Image source, Terry Harris

If you have to go outside - to buy food for example - you must stay more than 2m (6.5ft) apart from others. This is social distancing, external.

Its purpose is to cut down non-essential contact and stop the spread of the virus.

Cambridgeshire Police said most people were sticking to the rules but "unfortunately there are still some who are ignoring the guidance".

A spokeswoman said: "Our officers will continue to be out and about... to proactively communicate with these people and stress the importance of following the new rules in order to reduce the risk of harm to others."

Phil Shepka
BBC News

Image source, 50 Backpacks for the Homeless

Essential supplies meant for elderly and vulnerable people who are self-isolating have been stolen during a break-in at a charity premises in Wisbech this morning.

It happened at about 02:20 at the Vision Centre on Bridge Street, in premises run by 50 Backpacks for the Homeless, external.

As well as causing about £1,500 worth of damage, the charity's chairman Simon said stocks that "we're struggling to get most of, such as coffee, sugar and toilet rolls" were also taken.

"Initially it made me feel angry, but then when I saw the support we have from the community, I felt quite overwhelmed," he added.

"This will make us stronger, it will unite the community more and we will carry on growing and growing and supplying the way we have."

Cambridgeshire Police said it was investigating and appealed for information.

West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock says he's tested positive for COVID-19.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care tweeted the news and said his symptoms were "mild" and he was self-isolating and working from home.

Earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed he had also tested positive and was self-isolating in Downing Street.

There was clapping, cheering, pots clanging and car horns honking as people across the East of England gave their thanks to the NHS.

Many people took part in the social media campaign on Thursday night, where people across the UK applauded the work of the health service treating coronavirus patients.

Supermax's managing director says sending its stock to the NHS is "the right and proper thing to do".

Pete Cooper
BBC News

Cambridgeshire County Council, external has ceased all "non-essential" works on road projects due to the coronavirus pandemic.

That includes work on Histon Road in Cambridge which is meant to improve bus, walking and cycling lanes for the busy road into north Cambridge.

A wishlist of non-medical supplies to help staff at Peterborough and Hinchingbrooke hospitals, ranging from Pot Noodles to comfy Crocs, has been written.

Members of Huntingdon Ladies Circle, external have created the Amazon wishlist where members of the public can buy any of the items which will then be sent to staff.