It is "very disappointing to see widespread outbreaks of deliberately-set grass fires," the Minister for Housing and Local Government Julie James has told the virtual Senedd meeting.

She said that "even in a normal year, this is highly irresponsible: it devastates the environment and puts communities in genuine fear.

"This year it is doubly so. Our firefighters and police officers have far better things to do during the outbreak than responding to grass fires.

"The smoke such fires cause is also a serious health hazard for many of those in the shielded group – and for Covid-19 sufferers themselves.

"I am sure all members would join me in strongly condemning this senseless behaviour."

Image source, MELANIE DE CASTRO PUGH

Five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this evening.

The Welsh secretary has told MPs he was “surprised” to read comments by the first minister suggesting a lack of communication by UK government ministers.

Simon Hart said “I really do believe that the relationship at every level is regular and thorough."

Giving evidence to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, he said a list of all the letters, telephone calls and meetings between the two governments would be a very “substantial document”.

First Minister Mark Drakeford had suggested 10 days had passed since he spoke to senior UK cabinet minister Michael Gove.

In response, Mr Hart’s deputy, the Wales Office Minister, David TC Davies, told the committee he attends a daily meeting with Michael Gove and “there is always a representative from Welsh Government there, it’s not normally Mark Drakeford, but I’m sure we’d be happy to invite him to attend".

On the question of Wales easing out of the coronavirus lockdown, the first minister has said he’d like to adopt a four-nations approach but “it's a bit of a struggle, I have to say, to get the UK government to engage with us on that agenda".

But in his evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee, Simon Hart said Mark Drakeford had not told him of his plans to publish a framework for ending the lockdown the previous week.

“We didn't see that, and it did come out of left field,” Mr Hart said.

He said he then wrote to Mr Drakeford “re-emphasising our commitment on behalf of UK government to work with his government in Cardiff at every possible opportunity, but for the effective execution of that work, communications needed to be a two-way arrangement.”

Image source, FSG Tool and Die

There has been a huge response from manufacturing in Wales to the first minister's call for help to get vital supplies to healthcare workers on the front line of the pandemic.

The Welsh Government said it had received more than 1,000 offers of help and is now working with 317 firms from across Wales.

From the manufacturer bringing back retired workers to the man who has swapped motorsport parts for inventing a visor, this is how people have been responding to First Minister Mark Drakeford's rallying call.

Coronavirus tests should be made available to all care home residents in Wales “as a matter of urgency”, the Older People’s Commissioner has said.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said there would be "no value" to providing coronavirus tests to everybody in care homes.

That is not the case in England, where all residents and staff will be covered, after the policy changed on Tuesday.

Helena Herklots said the Welsh Government needed to do the same "as a matter of urgency".

“We know that if people develop coronavirus they don’t always show symptoms and, indeed, residents in care homes are not always showing the traditional symptoms. So it’s really important that the testing is put in place," she said.

“I know from talking to older people and people working in care homes that they want to see that happen.

“It’s important that we listen to people who are living and working in care homes at the moment in terms of what they need and the reassurance they need."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, AFP

The number of people who have died with coronavirus in the UK has passed 26,000, as official figures include deaths in the community, such as in care homes, for the first time.

The total number of deaths in the UK is 26,097, Public Health England (PHE) said.

This figure now includes deaths in the community since the start of March, along with hospital deaths.

Only people who died after testing positive for coronavirus are included in the new total.

PHE said the latest figures included an additional 3,811 deaths in England since the start of the coronavirus outbreak.

At the government's daily briefing, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stressed the figure did not represent "a sudden surge" in deaths as these were spread between 2 March and 28 April.

An online portal for Welsh NHS and care workers to book coronavirus tests may not be accessible from tomorrow.

In England, essential workers and their families have had access to a website to book tests if they have symptoms associated with Covid-19, since Friday.

The Welsh Government said a portal for health and social care staff to book tests should be up and running by the end of the week.

But unlike the website in England, which was temporarily halted on Friday after 5,000 home tests were booked within two minutes of it opening, staff in Wales will not be able to self-refer themselves for tests.

Critical workers with symptoms will have to be referred by their employer who will give them online details, so they can book a test.

A Welsh Government spokesman said it expected the first workers to "start using the system" by the end of the week.

Image source, Getty Images

Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies believes it is unlikely there will be summer rugby played because of the coronavirus crisis.

Wales' tour of Japan and New Zealand scheduled for June and July is set to be postponed.

Pro14 and European Rugby bosses are hopeful of restarting the season but Davies has his doubts.

"It is becoming increasingly more likely that rugby over this summer will not take place," he said.

Full story here

Image source, Getty Images

Owain Clarke
BBC Wales Health Correspondent

Image source, Reuters

There would be "no value" to providing coronavirus tests to everybody in care homes, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.

The Welsh NHS is testing residents and staff who have symptoms, but not those who do not.

That is not the case in England, where all residents and staff will be covered, after the policy changed on Tuesday.

Mr Drakeford said doing so would "divert capacity".

Since all of this began, the Welsh Government has faced some fierce criticism about the lack of capacity to for Covid-19.

Remember weeks ago it set a target, that had to be scrapped.

In England, we see now that the criteria for testing has been widened so that pretty much everybody in health and social care settings can request a test whether they show symptoms or not.

The Welsh Government is resisting going that far, claiming the scientific advice indicates it would not be the best use of resources.

Now on one level - there's logic to that.

The test currently available, as I understand it, shows positive during a short period when somebody is symptomatic.

So would it be pointless testing somebody without symptoms, unless you tested them time and again?

But if the question is, 'If Wales had more capacity - would it be testing more people?', then I think the answer has to be yes.

I think the fundamental issue here is about what happens in the weeks to come.

Experts agree that when it comes to easing the restrictions and lifting the lockdown you need to have a really strong testing and tracing strategy.

People will not, I think, be able to forgive the Welsh Government if lack of testing means either having to extend the restrictions or missing new outbreaks as they occur.

In the meantime, the different criteria on both sides of the Severn bridge will, at best, mean people are confused, or even may feel a sense of injustice.

If you're somebody over 65 in Wales you might well ask why a similar person in England can request a test while you cannot.

We did ask the Welsh Government if we could speak today to the chief medical officer or the chief scientific adviser for Wales. Our request was declined.

Alcohol has been seized by police from someone doing their daily permitted exercise in Ceredigion.

Dyfed-Powys Police's Lampeter team tweeted images of the cans of lager confiscated by officers.

"Alcohol seizure in Lampeter town today whist person was doing their daily exercise!" they posted.

"Please be aware of protected public spaces."

Wales may feel the lasting impact of coronavirus more than anywhere else in the UK, its counsel general has said.

Jeremy Miles told today's Welsh Government briefing the effects of Covid-19 could be "deeper and more profound" in part due to the country's older population and its economic profile.

Mr Miles, who will lead the work on Wales' recovery from the pandemic, said he had begun work planning for Wales' future after the pandemic.

But he gave a stark warning that the damage caused to the country could be worse than elsewhere.

He said: "Coronavirus is changing all of our lives today, but it will also have a lasting effect on our economy, on our public services, and on our communities.

"Our older population and our economic profile mean that the impact of the virus may well be deeper and more profound than elsewhere."

Mr Miles said recovery decisions would be guided by "social, economic, and environmental justice".

Image source, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

The first patients have been admitted to a field hospital set up in the grounds of the home of Welsh rugby.

Earlier this year tens of thousands of rugby fans were watching Wales play during the Six Nations at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff.

But now, after being transformed into a 2,000-bed field hospital, 12 patients have arrived and are being treated in the grounds, normally host to international matches and concerts.

More patients are expected to continue arriving at The Dragon’s Heart Hospital, from the University Hospital of Wales and University Hospital Llandough, as they recover from coronavirus.

Stuart Walker, Executive Medical Director at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said the beds had been utilised as the health board prepared for a potential increase in new cases when lockdown measures are relaxed and more people need treatment for non-Covid-19 related conditions.

“We may also need to offer some surge capacity to neighbouring regions, plus to offer some capacity to local residents of care and nursing homes to facilitate separation of residents with and without Covid-19 infection," he said.

The hospital is being used as a “step-up and step-down” hospital for patients who are near the end of their treatment and are due to return home, and for those who need end of life care.

More than 400 staff are set to be brought in to work in the hospital, which has mobile x-ray facilities, scanners and a pharmacy, as more patients are admitted, and the health board said.

The Cardiff Blues stadium next door will be used as a staff rest area and a reception area for relatives.

In their woggles and neckerchiefs, a group of Beaver Scouts have thanked a leader for giving up his free time with a virtual tribute made from toilet rolls, guitars, twigs and paint.

Phil Bentley, who has run 1st Rossett Scouts, in Wrexham, for more than 30 years, was due to go to a service at Windsor Castle after being awarded a Silver Acorn by Chief Scout Bear Grylls for exceptional service.

But after the service was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the beavers were prepared and got creative to show their appreciation for their leader.

From their homes, the girls and boys aged six and seven, used toilet rolls, musical instruments and paint, to spell out Bravo, the traditional Scouts cheer when someone does something well.

Image source, COLIN SMITH/GEOGRAPH

Cardiff University could lose £110m due to the pandemic, its vice-chancellor has said.

Prof Colin Riordan said a "realistic view" would see it lose 20% of its income in the next financial year.

He said, even if requested government funding were to be forthcoming, it would only "at most halve that deficit", still leaving Cardiff in an "unsustainable position".

"We are in a good position compared to many universities because we have managed our finances prudently over the years," Prof Riordan said.

"But even we might face cash-flow issues in the next academic year if the more pessimistic scenarios come to pass."

He said the university had started to discuss the challenges with unions and a number of steps had already been taken to protect staff.

These included a suspension of any new capital expenditure on building or equipment, a recruitment freeze except for critical roles and planning for potential furloughing.

In addition, the vice-chancellor said he would take a 20% pay cut and other executive board members would have a 10% cut.

Prof Riordan said the proceeds of these cuts would go towards a hardship fund for students and staff affected by Covid-19.

Is there a sign that cases of coronavirus in Wales are past their peak?

The number of cumulative cases has been fairly static around the 9,600 mark in recent days.

Looking at the proportion of positive cases in different parts of Wales - even those areas with the most cases - it suggests a possible tailing off.

Dr Giri Shankar, incident director at Public Health Wales, said: “Based on the new case numbers there is emerging evidence suggesting a levelling off in the number of new cases of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Wales, which may be an indication of the effectiveness of lockdown measures.

"However, it is still too early to tell for sure, and it is too soon to end the current social distancing rules."

People across the world are sending their thoughts and feelings in letters to a Cardiff theatre company, which will perform them to an audience once the lockdown ends.

The Fio theatre company recently launched the "pen to paper challenge", which encourages people to write down their feelings and send them in.

A health board has warned about a "hoax" NHS website with "harmful links and malware".

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board tweeted the warning and pointed people to its own official online advice.

Schools may still be closed for most, but BBC Cymru Wales continues to fill the void with BBC Bitesize.

Starting last week, lessons for pupils in Wales are published through the new Bitesize Daily Lessons service on bbc.co.uk/bitesize

The first set of lessons focus on the three core subjects - English, Welsh and Mathematics for primary and secondary learners - as well as some occasional additional lessons on various subjects.

There is more information about the service here, while there are weekly and daily schedules available.

You can find the guides for English language primary and secondary age lessons here.

You can find the guides for Welsh language primary age lessons here, and Welsh language secondary age lessons here.

BBC Bitesize has also announced how it is supporting non-Welsh speaking parents who need help teaching children in Welsh-medium education during the lockdown.

Image source, PA Media

Gordon Brown will be offering his services for free while helping the Welsh Government, as it leads the country's recovery from the coronavirus crisis.

The former Labour prime minster has agreed to be part of an advisory group from outside Wales.

It will advise ministers on how services such as schools, transport and the NHS could operate once the lockdown restrictions have eased.

The Welsh Government has confirmed he will not be paid, with the former Labour leader expected to take part in his first session on Monday, most likely on the economy.

The group's first session, looking at climate issues, is set to take place on Friday.

A hidden lagoon is being used by coronavirus lockdown rule-breakers, some travelling 100 miles for a walk.

Police say they have "dispersed large groups of people" - some from as far away as Somerset, Bristol and Cardiff - to a beauty spot in south Wales.

It comes after police in north Wales reported 10 people for breaching Covid-19 laws after they made a 500-mile round trip to Snowdon from London.

"This is not essential travel," Gwent Police said.

The beauty spot - known locally as Blue Lagoon or The Canyons, near Pontypool - on the Torfaen, Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent border, is the former Tirpentwys opencast coal mine.

The site is in one of worst affected coronavirus death rate areas of the UK, where the local Anuerin Bevan University Health Board has recorded 223 deaths.