The case rate in the city is now above one of the key benchmarks for the move to level two

The state will be "under the microscope", Boris Johnson says, as Labour urges an earlier start date.

The actress will soon be back on stage in London as theatres reopen with lockdown restrictions easing.

Customers of Allard's Lounge in Tynemouth are being asked to take a Covid PCR test.

The number of Covid patients in hospital in Wales again reaches record low levels for the pandemic.

Industry leaders in Scotland have warned of an "extremely slow" start to accommodation bookings.

Mark Dando, who was seriously ill with Covid-19, thanks the nurses who saved his life.

Akwasi Sarpong
BBC News

Image source, AFP

Three more African countries - Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria - have now detected the Indian variant of coronavirus, Dr Ngoy Nsenga, from the World Health Organization (WHO), has told the BBC.

The confirmation brings to seven the number of African nations that have confirmed the B.1.617 mutation, which initial studies show spreads more easily than other variants

Dr Nsenga, who co-ordinates the WHO's Covid-19 response in Africa, said he had no further details on the number of cases or travel history of the people who tested positive in Algeria, Dr Congo and Nigeria, .

Four African countries have already confirmed the presence of the B.1.617 variant all linked with recent travel to India. They are:

• Kenya: five cases
• Morocco: two cases

• South African: four cases

• Uganda: one case.

The WHO has recently classified the Indian mutation, which was detected in October 2020, as a "variant of global concern".

It is being studied to establish whether it is responsible for a deadly surge in India, which is currently overwhelming hospitals and crematoriums.

Jose Tembe
BBC News, Maputo

Image source, Getty Images

Mozambique is in the process of obtaining approvals to take part in an international research for a Covid-19 vaccine for pregnant women.

The Manhiça Health Research Centre Director Francisco Saúde said an investigation protocol was being developed then it will be approved by various health committees, the pharmaceutical department, and the health ministry.

Mozambique is among nine other countries taking part in the study by American pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German partner BioNTech.

South Africa is also part of the research that includes the UK, US, Canada, Spain, Argentina, Brazil and Chile.

During the study, tests will be done to determine the safety of the vaccines and whether unborn babies receive anti-bodies from their mothers.

In February, Pfizer and BioNTech said that the first volunteers received vaccines in the study, which enrolled about 4,000 healthy pregnant women aged 18 and above.

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Pregnant women will be directed to centres offering Pfizer and Moderna vaccines when booking.

Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill say ministers will discuss restrictions when they meet on Thursday.

An independent review calls the international response to the pandemic a "toxic cocktail".

Fans are told not to gather in large numbers to celebrate Saturday's Premiership trophy presentation.

It is hoped the dancefloor can reopen on 21 June when the last Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.