James Gallagher
Health and science correspondent, BBC News

Research into coronavirus is happening at breakneck speed.

There are more than 20 vaccines in development.

One has begun human trials after unusually skipping any animal research to test either the safety or the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Other scientists are at the animal research stage and hope to get the results of human trials later in the year.

But even if scientists can celebrate having developed a vaccine this year, there is still the massive job of being able to mass-produce it.

It means, realistically, one would not be ready until at least the middle of next year.

All of this is happening on an unprecedented timescale and using new approaches to vaccines, so there are no guarantees everything will go smoothly.

Remember there are four coronaviruses that already circulate in human beings. They cause the common cold, and we don't have vaccines for any of them.

Former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow has released a message telling people to self-isolate if they are required to.

The rugby league legend was diagnosed with motor nuerone disease in December 2019 and he says he is "vulnerable".

He said: "It's a terrible thing but we've all got to work for each other. A bit like when you're on the pitch, your team mates are asked to dig in and do what's right."

In his playing career, Rob Burrow won eight Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups in 17 years with the Super League side.

The funeral of a two-year-old boy who died after being found with head injuries at a house in Doncaster earlier this year has taken place.

Image source, Family Photo

Keigan O'Brien was taken to hospital after emergency services were called to a house in Bosworth Road, Adwick, on 8 January.

He was believed to be in cardiac arrest and died the next day. A post-mortem examination found he died from head injuries.

In a tribute to Keigan following his funeral, his family said: "Keigan was a beautiful, happy, funny, cheeky, mischievous little boy.

"He was only with us for two short years but in this time he brought happiness to his family and friends who loved him very much.

"Today we will celebrate his short life and the joy that he brought to his dad, siblings, grandparents, aunty and uncle, and not focus on the circumstances that have led to his death."

His family has also thanked members of the public for their support and donations to a fundraising page which helped raise money for his funeral and to support his siblings.

Sarah O'Brien, 32, and Martin Currie, 36, both of Bosworth Road, Doncaster, are due to stand trial in October charged with the two-year-old's murder.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Children in North Yorkshire who face mental health concerns or drug and alcohol misuse problems could be seen quicker following an overhaul of services following criticism by a government watchdog.

Image source, Spukkato/iStock/Getty Images

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive is to consider pooling the authority’s resources with the county’s NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to deliver a universal and targeted emotional wellbeing service which will be based in schools.

The changes are viewed as important as it has been estimated there are about 4,700 children in the county between the ages of five and 16 with a mental health disorder.

Estimates from 2013 suggest about 7,400 children and young people aged 16 to 24 years in North Yorkshire had an eating disorder.

The move, which will see the emotional wellbeing and specialist substance misuse elements of the service separated, is in response to a Care Quality Commission mental health review in the county in 2017 .

That showed clearer ways of accessing emotional mental health support were needed as well as early interventions.

The report also found variability in the service across North Yorkshire which “could be experienced as uncoordinated".

It also concluded teachers found it hard to access services and expressed concerns about how to manage behaviour needs and those who are awaiting autism diagnosis and that some young people felt bounced around services.

Subject to the outcome of a consultation, it is proposed the new arrangement will begin in September.

Nasar Munir was part of a gang which defrauded elderly and vulnerable people.

Staff at a food bank in West Yorkshire have been "overwhelmed" by the public response after it was targeted by thieves earlier this week.

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

A baroness from London has offered to pay to replace what was stolen from the food bank in Knottingley during the raid on Wednesday, staff say.

Project manager Janet Burns said: "The phone never stopped yesterday afternoon.

"We’ve had offers of quite large amounts of money and several companies offering to help."

Ms Burns had previously said she was "absolutely positive" the raid was related to the coronavirus outbreak, with thieves knowing they can steal items to "sell at pubs and clubs".

The Trussel Trust food bank is still looking for volunteers to help it stay open - as well as security advice to prevent repeat thefts.

A dance teacher takes her dance classes online in a bid to keep people active.

An exhausted nurse from North Yorkshire has urged panic-buyers to think about other people after finding supermarket shelves empty.

Dawn Bilbrough, from York, said people should stop and think that NHS staff like her could be looking after them - and need to stay healthy to carry out their task.

The critical care nurse, who has been working in West Yorkshire, urged people to stop and leave goods for everyone:

Former Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff has been diagnosed with breast cancer, she has revealed.

Image source, Labour Party

Writing on Twitter Ms Sherriff said she had received confirmation of the diagnosis after discovering a lump in her breast.

She said she was "scared" but planned to to fight the disease.

Ms Sherriff lost her Dewsbury seat in December's General Election, but, earlier this month, announced she intended to seek the Labour nomination in the forthcoming West Yorkshire mayoral election, external.

A cleaning company is disinfecting parts of a North Yorkshire town free of charge.

Image source, Chad Campbell

Chad Campbell, who runs Cleancore UK, has offered to clean schools, care homes and shopping areas across Thirsk.

Mr Campbell and his team clean communal areas in the evening after finishing work for the day.

He said they were trying to "put people's minds at ease" over the coronavirus outbreak, which has caused the death of one person in the county.

"There's a lot of panic going on at the minute. It's sanitising of public spaces. Anything that hands come into contact with or immediate areas into the building, walkways etc."

Mr Campbell said they had cleaned dozens of sites, including sterilising shopping trolleys at a local supermarket.

His efforts have attracted praise on social media and donations of cleaning equipment and people offering him money towards fuel costs, as well a gifts of chocolates and wine.

"The response has just been fantastic. Gratitude, that's as good as anything," said Mr Campbell.

More about coronavirus:

• EASY STEPS: How to keep safe
• A SIMPLE GUIDE: What are the symptoms?
• GETTING READY: How prepared is the UK?
• MAPS AND CHARTS: Visual guide to the outbreak
• TRAVEL PLANS: What are your rights?
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT: What's the risk?

Train operator TransPennine Express (TPE) is to begin running a reduced timetable from Monday "due to the implications of coronavirus", it's been confirmed, external.

The "emergency timetable" will see services reduced in a bid to "provide a reliable and consistent service for thos customers who need to still use our trains", the firm says.

During the period the timetable is in operation, TPE says it will run the following services, with additional extra services at peak times.

• Two-hourly service between Liverpool and Scarborough
• Two-hourly service between Liverpool and Newcastle
• Two-hourly service between Hull and Manchester Piccadilly
• Hourly stopping service between Leeds and Manchester Piccadilly
• Two-hourly service between Cleethorpes and Manchester Piccadilly
• Two-hourly service between Preston and Edinburgh

Additionally, there will be limited TPE services between Newcastle and Edinburgh, Redcar Central and York, Preston and Manchester, along with Glasgow and Carlisle, the firm says.

Liz Collins, interim managing director for TPE, said: "These are truly extraordinary times and I’d like to thank our customers who are still travelling with us."

BBC Sport

The Rugby Football Union has confirmed the end of the season for all levels below the Premiership following the coronavirus outbreak.

Image source, PA Media

The move, which applies to "all league, cup and county rugby in England", means the Championship campaign will finish with at least seven rounds to play.

Newcastle Falcons are top, with a 100% record, but are yet to seal promotion, while Doncaster Knights are ninth and Leeds-based Yorkshire Carnegie are bottom of the league in 12th.

The RFU said a further update would be issued in April as it aims to "ensure fair and balanced outcomes".

The World Snooker Championship due to be held in Sheffield next month has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, Google

Judd Trump had been due to defend his title at the tournament, which was scheduled to take place from at the Crucible Theatre between 18 April and 4 May.

Organisers hope to reschedule the tournament in July or August.

The championship, the 17th and final ranking event of the season, has taken place 43 years running at the Crucible.

World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn said: "These are tough times for everyone but we are determined to get through it.

"Fans around the world - as well as the 144 players involved - are anxious to know if and when the World Championship will go ahead.

"I can assure everyone that we are doing all we can alongside our broadcasters, the venues and other partners to confirm new dates as soon as possible."

Train operators are continuing to run reduced timetables across several routes in Yorkshire and the north of England amid a collapse in demand due to coronavirus.

Image source, TransPennine

Northern and TransPennine Express services are among those affected by cancellations.

The cuts are down to a decrease in travel and an increase in staffing absence caused by the virus.

Northern apologised for any inconvenience caused but said the cancellations were due to increased staff absence.

TransPennine Express said: "It is anticipated that an increasing number of our services may be altered, delayed or cancelled for all or part of their journey as more of our colleagues are affected".

More about coronavirus:

• A SIMPLE GUIDE: What are the symptoms?
• AVOIDING CONTACT: Should I self-isolate?
• STRESS: How to protect your mental health
• LOOK-UP TOOL: Check cases in your area
• VIDEO: The 20-second hand wash

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A former hotel in Whitby could be saved from "deterioration and decay" by converting it into 15 new holiday apartments, under plans submitted to Scarborough Council.

Image source, Google

Developer The Dapatchi Group has applied to the authority to transform The Carlill in Royal Crescent into flats, as well as building a five-storey extension to the rear of the property.

The firm's submission to the council states: “The hotel that operated on the site for many years ceased to operate due to viability issues and has been vacant for a a significant length of time.”

“The development will put the building to use and therefore prevent its deterioration and decay."

There would be no affordable housing as part of the scheme, the plans state.

Whitby Town Council has not objected to the plans, though two members of the public have lodged their opposition with Scarborough Borough Council.

Parents of children at a primary school in Leeds are being told to keep them away from classes today after a confirmed case of coronavirus.

Image source, Google

Broadgate Primary School in Horsforth has been closed so a deep clean can be carried out "to keep everybody safe", according to a message to parents on Facebook.

It comes after "a confirmed case of coronavirus in the school," the message says.

It adds: "Today was going to be the last day of school and we were going to be sending home work packs and any medication in school.

"Once the school has been deep cleaned we will reopen, but only for vulnerable pupils and the pupils of key workers.

"Please all stay safe in these uncertain times," the message concludes.

The National Trust is expected to announce later which of its open spaces in Yorkshire will still be accessible to people while it closes its other properties due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Image source, Roger Nunn/Geograph

The organisation says it will try to keep as many of its open spaces available as possible, "but this is a changing situation and we're strictly following government advice".

Nature expert and writer Andy Beer, from the National Trust, says: "We’ve had so much support for our move to keep our outdoor places open, which has been really terrific to see.

"However, we have a responsibility to adhere to government advice and although many can continue to enjoy many of our outdoor places we recognise this weekend is likely to be a challenge.

“To ensure we are encouraging people to stay aware of social distancing, many of our smaller parks and gardens could be closed this weekend."

Restrictions come into force today for hospital visitors in Sheffield to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Image source, Google

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust says they're to help protect patients, staff and other visitors.

The trust says patients will be asked to name just one family member who will be the only visitor every time a patient is visited.

A time limit of one hour is also being applied to visits, with people being encouraged to ideally stay for less time than that.

The restrictions are being brought in at the Northern General, the Hallamshire, Weston Park Hospital, and the Jessop Wing.

In addition the trust says no at risk people should visit, which includes people over 70 or under 16-years-old.

People attending outpatient appointments are also being asked to attend on their own if possible.

More about coronavirus:

• LATEST: Live updates from around the world
• A SIMPLE GUIDE: What are the symptoms?
• AVOIDING CONTACT: Should I self-isolate?
• LOOK-UP TOOL: Check cases in your area
• MAPS AND CHARTS: Visual guide to the outbreak

BBC Weather

This morning will be largely dry but with some areas of cloud.

Remaining fine in the afternoon with more in the way of sunny spells.

Moderate to fresh north-easterly wind:

Victims of crime in West Yorkshire are being urged to give witness statements over the phone during the coronavirus outbreak.

Image source, PA Media

West Yorkshire Police is asking victims and witnesses to use its recently introduced Telephone Witness Statements service to reduce any unnecessary public contact.

The service was piloted in Bradford and Leeds earlier this year, but will be rolled out across the county from 23 March.

Assistant Ch Con Tim Kingsman said: “While it may not overcome every eventuality, it will certainly go some way to reducing the spread of COVID-19 within our county, while keeping people safe.

“Originally designed to increase convenience for victims and witnesses and enhance their experience, it ideally lends itself to the scenario we are all now contending with.

“I would urge those who have been subject to an offence to use this simple and effective approach, particularly during these unfolding events."