Martin Barber
BBC News

The beautiful weather on Sunday was tempting for a trip to the coast, but people continued to observe the instruction to stay at home and help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Teachers at a school in Suffolk have sent their pupils a special message using sign language.

Sue Ryder says its 1,000 medical staff need the right equipment to protect themselves from coronavirus.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

Sixty soldiers from a Norfolk-based regiment are supporting the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS) during the coronavirus pandemic.

The soldiers from the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards are driving ambulances transferring critically ill patients between hospitals, releasing ambulance to continue their frontline duties.

Image source, EEAS

The patrol vehicle drivers have completed a three-day EEAS training course at Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk.

The troops are providing patient transport services across the East of England. Patients will be accompanied at all times by a critical care team, including a doctor and nurse.

Marcus Bailey, chief operating officer at EEAS, said: "Covid-19 represents an unprecedented challenge for all of us and we truly appreciate the fantastic support we have received."

Trooper Jake Tredgett, 21, who grew up in Norwich, said: "I did feel a bit overwhelmed initially, but that passed once I was fully briefed and knew what was expected of me. I'm just keen to get on, get out there and do my bit."

Working from home? Missing your colleagues? Well, fear not - maybe you could rustle up some company?

Kate, who works for Blue Sky Assessing and Consultancy, external based at Earl Soham, Suffolk, had the idea of creating her own work buddies after she and her team were forced to work in isolation.

Image source, Blue Sky

"It is a difficult time for people working on their own and when Kate suggested building a buddy, I jumped at the opportunity," said Jane Bloomfield, director of Blue Sky.

"The team have been really creative with buddies being made from items such as loo rolls, plastic bottles and sugar paste.”

They include Talulah, a showgirl and trapeze artist, and Forky, a drink bottle with forks for hands.

"Kate’s parents even got involved building a full-sized buddy, which they admitted did cause some alarm when they entered the room having forgotten the buddy was there," Jane said.

Clinton Hicks bought a blank-firing revolver "as part of his interest in militaria", a court hears.

Steven Hancock and Ann Williams enjoyed five days of their trip before they were quarantined.

• The Lowestoft Journal reports that great-grandmother Florence Fisher , externaldied with suspected Covid-19 at Britten Court care home in the town five days before her 100th birthday
• The coronavirus death toll in Suffolk could be up to 20% higher , externalthan reported due to deaths at care homes, a leading care official has told the East Anglian Daily Times
• Shopping centres may be empty of customers due to the coronavirus lockdown but at the Arc in Bury St Edmunds, a deer has been spotted, the Bury Free Press, external reports

Ipswich Hospital's chief executive thanks the singer for his "incredible generosity".

Britten Court in Lowestoft offers its condolences to the families of those who have died.

Some of Newmarket's famous racehorses are showing support for the NHS with new sheets emblazoned with a rainbow heart.

Rainbows have become a sign of solidarity and support for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

The distinctive new sheets can be seen in a video by Newmarket Racecouse sharing messages of support for Addenbrooke's, West Suffolk and Newmarket hospitals from jockey Frankie Dettori and trainer John Gosden.

Three died with coronavirus while the disease is linked to the five other deaths, managers say.

Seaside spots around the east coast that would normally be teeming with visitors were eerily quiet as people observed the coronavirus lockdown over the Easter weekend.

Apart from a few residents taking their permitted exercise and giving their dogs a stretch on the sand, popular beaches in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex were almost empty, these aerial pictures show.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council went as far as publicising a "Don't Visit Southend" campaign before the weekend, urging tourists to stay away to protect the local population.

It thanked people on Twitter for staying at home and said nearly £10m in grants had been paid out to 944 small businesses to try and keep them afloat during the pandemic.

Tourists largely stayed away from East of England seaside spots as people heeded the coronavirus lockdown.

Emily Woodger says she is "thankful" after her five-month-old daughter was treated for Covid-19.

Aurora's bedroom has been transformed as she cannot have a party with her friends.

Crystal Stanley says the rainbows represent "positivity, hope and togetherness" during the pandemic.

Kesgrave Kruisers says the fun contests are helping runners support each other through the crisis.

Fayaz Ayache stopped working last month but may have visited patients at home since.

Image source, Long Melford FC

A Suffolk junior football club has named the NHS its Player of the Year.

Long Melford Colts and Fillies FC donated the £1,000 it would normally spend on trophies for the end-of-season celebrations to frontline NHS workers instead.

Club chair Rob Bowden said: "Nick Marlow, our under-13s manager, came up with the idea and our management committee unanimously agreed.

"We know clubs up and down the country are already doing a lot to support their local communities, but we hope it's an idea which might catch on."