Summary

  • Italy's death toll has risen by more than 900 - believed to be the sharpest hike in fatalities of any country

  • President Trump has signed into law a $2tn stimulus bill to kick-start the coronavirus-hit economy

  • Britain's PM Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus, as has Health Secretary Matt Hancock

  • Testing for frontline UK health workers is to be ramped up next week; the number of deaths in the UK has reached 759

  • Thousands of home-bound Ukrainians queued for hours at Polish border crossings to beat a midnight deadline

  1. US markets drop after three-day surgepublished at 15:04 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Traders, some in medical masks, work on the floor of the New York Stock ExchangeImage source, Getty Images

    US stock markets have been falling in the early hours of trading, a reverse in fortunes after Wall Street's best three-day rally since 1933.

    Markets were boosted earlier this week after the US Senate voted unanimously for a $2 trillion economic relief package. Today the bill is being voted on in the House of Representatives which - unlike the Senate - has a Democrat majority.

    The subsequent rally was pushed largely by a buy-up of shares in firms set to benefit most of the relief package, including airline companies.

    But investor confidence in America appears to be waning, despite a rise in several Asian markets earlier on Friday. At the time of publishing, the S&P 500 plunged by 3.5%, and the Dow Jones by over 4%.

    Markets in Europe have also seen drops of 2-4%.

  2. First fines from British police for illegal gatheringspublished at 14:59 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Chiefs urge people to use "common sense"

    Danny Shaw
    BBC Home Affairs Correspondent

    Police have begun fining people breaching the rules set out by the government to try to slow down the spread of the virus between households.

    The new regulations, external, which were brought in yesterday, are designed to stop people leaving their homes unless they have to and to prevent gatherings of three or more individuals.

    Police can impose a £60 penalty, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days, if someone fails to comply, with the amount doubling for each further offence.

    Deputy Chief Constable Sara Glen, who speaks on enforcement issues for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said some people had already been fined.

    “If individuals are in a group gathering and they don’t take the request and the advice and the engagement from the officers to go home and the only way we can secure compliance is to give them a fixed penalty ticket that’s what they would have been given for,” she said. Ms Glen, who’s based at Hampshire Police, declined to provide precise figures on the number of fines imposed but said each constabulary would collect the data.

    “We want to know whether we’re winning the kind-of ‘negotiation’ with the community to keep them in line with this regulation or whether or not we have a lot of people that are breaching it,” she added.Police said they had a range of other sanctions if people failed to provide their details for fines to be administered including arrest and prosecution.

  3. Ex-footballer arrested for breaking curfewpublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Peru's Nolberto Solano (L) vies for the ball with Paraguay"s Claudio Morel (R) during their their FIFA World Cup South Africa-2010 qualifier football match at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion in October 2008.Image source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Peru's Nolberto Solano (left) vies for the ball with Paraguay"s Claudio Morel in this 2008 file photo

    Former Premier League footballer Nolberto Solano has been arrested in his native Peru for breaking a coronavirus curfew to attend a party.

    Peru President Martin Vizcarra has banned people from leaving their houses in many cities from 20:00 until 05:00.

    More than 18,000 people have been arrested for ignoring social distancing measures in the South American country.

    Mr Solano, 45, who played more than 300 games for Newcastle United, said he was just chatting to friends at a neighbour's house and it was not a party. He was later released.

  4. UK coronavirus deaths rise to 759published at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020
    Breaking

    The number of coronavirus deaths in the UK has risen from 578 to 759, according to the Department of Health. This is the biggest rise in deaths that the country has seen so far.

    14,579 have now tested positive for the disease, including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

  5. India 'super spreader' quarantines 40,000 peoplepublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    People in Punjab attempt to protect themselvesImage source, Getty Images

    Authorities in India have quarantined around 40,000 residents following a coronavirus outbreak linked to one person in Punjab.

    The 70-year-old man died from COVID-19.

    He had ignored advice to self-quarantine after a trip to Italy and Germany, officials told the BBC’s Punjabi service.

    Upon returning to India, he attended an event to celebrate the holy festival of Hola Mohalla. It attracts around 10,000 people every day.

    A week after his death, 19 relatives tested positive for coronavirus.

    Police have sealed 20 villages near the area where the man stayed to prevent the virus from spreading.

    Read more here.

  6. Djokovic buying respirators to help Serbia's fightpublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Novak Djokovic, ranked as the world's leading male tennis player, is donating 1m euros to help buy respirators and other medical equipment for his native Serbia.

    The 17-time Grand Slam champion will provide the financial support - about £890,000 - from the foundation he runs with his wife Jelena.

    They are using contacts in China and Germany to buy the equipment.

    "We have spoken with Serbian authorities and health officials, as well as with many other people willing to help us to get the right information, to find out what are the most necessary things at the moment," he told Serb journalists in a video call.

    Serbia recorded 81 confirmed cases on Thursday - its highest daily number so far - taking the total tally to 384. There have been four deaths.

    Earlier this week, Roger Federer and his wife Mirka donated 1m Swiss francs (£857,000) for vulnerable families in Switzerland, while Rafael Nadal has teamed up with Spanish basketball star Pau Gasol to raise money.

    Novak DjokovicImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Novak Djokovic is the reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion

  7. 7,000 nurses and midwives sign to return to NHSpublished at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    More than 7,000 former nurses and midwives have signed up to support health and social care services across the UK.

    According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, nurses and midwives who left the profession in the last three years can sign onto the Covid-19 temporary register.

    The register verifies the former nurses and midwives and enables them to practise during the coronavirus outbreak.

    Their details are shared with national health and care organisations across the UK who will then connect them with employers in need.

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  8. Fears of global condom shortage amid coronaviruspublished at 13:52 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    a worker packs condoms at the Malaysian condom-maker Karex Industries headquarters in Port KlangImage source, AFP

    There are fears about the long-term implications of a global condom shortage after the world's largest manufacturer was forced to stop production due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    Karex Berhad's three factories in Malaysia have been shut for 10 days already, meaning there are already 100 million fewer condoms, the company's chief executive Goh Miah Kiat told news agency Reuters., external

    The company, which produces one in five of the world's condoms, is now appealing to the Malaysian government for a partial exemption from a nationwide lockdown.

    The country is the worst affected in South-East Asia, with 2,161 coronavirus infections and 26 deaths.

    But without being able to reopen, Mr Goh said there would be a "global shortage" of condoms, which could potentially impact "a lot of humanitarian programmes... for months".

    What's more, he added, demand "is still very strong", which is no bad thing "given that at this point in time people are probably not planning to have children".

    "It’s not the time, with so much uncertainty.”

    Karex supplies companies like Durex and organisations like the NHS and the UN Population Fund.

  9. Over a million masks sitting in US warehousepublished at 13:39 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    A stockpile of 1.5 million N95 masks is sitting in a US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warehouse as hospitals across the US face critical shortfalls of personal safety equipment.

    The masks are expired, but still effective against the coronavirus according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    According to the Washington Post, DHS officials decided the masks should be given to the transportation security agents who monitor US airports.

    Luxury fashion designers as well as average Americans stuck at home are stitching masks as fast as possible to provide to frontline medical workers, as states report the real possibility of running out of necessary hospital equipment.

    One nurse in New York City told the BBC on Thursday of being given only one surgical mask to wear for the week, and how every floor of her hospital began to take on Covid-19 patients.

  10. Johnson's diagnosis and other developmentspublished at 13:28 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    It's been a dramatic few hours so let's have a recap of the main developments:

    • UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus after displaying "mild" symptoms
    • He is continuing to work in his Downing Street office although he will not be taking part in Friday's daily government briefing
    • His fianceé Carrie Symonds, who is several months pregnant, is self-isolating elsewhere
    • The UK's Health Secretary Matt Hancock has also contracted the virus and is in self-isolation
    • In Spain, the death toll has risen sharply in the last 24 hours. There were 769 new fatalities, up from 655 the previous day, taking the total toll to 4,858
    • Firefighters in the UK are to take on extra duties during the pandemic, including driving ambulances and delivering food and medicines
  11. Queen 'remains in good health'published at 13:19 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    PM Boris Johnson and the Queen hold weekly audience by phoneImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Mr Johnson's last weekly audience with the Queen took place by phone

    The Queen has not met Prime Minister Boris Johnson in more than two weeks and remains in good health, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

    Mr Johnson announced on Friday that he had tested positive for Covid-19 after developing minor symptoms.

    A spokesman said the 93-year-old monarch last met the prime minister on 11 March.

    The news comes just days after it was announced that the Prince of Wales - who is the Queen's eldest son and first in line to the throne - had also tested positive for the virus after suffering minor symptoms.

    Both Prince Charles, 71, and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall are now self-isolating at Balmoral.

  12. After Johnson diagnosis, who else should be tested?published at 13:12 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Nick Eardley
    Political correspondent

    Boris Johnson says his symptoms are mild and he continues to lead the government’s Coronavirus strategy.

    No 10 has previously confirmed that if the PM couldn’t work, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab would take over in his role as first secretary of state. At the moment, that’s not happening.

    The question now is who the PM has had contact with and who else will need to be tested.

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak has not been tested yet because he’s shown no symptoms.

    Measures had been taken to limit contact in Downing Street; cabinet earlier this week was largely by conference call and the daily briefing has gone digital too.

    However, the PM has been in Parliament in recent days and hosted some senior figures in person for cabinet, as well as the chief medical officer.

  13. Eight more dead in Scotlandpublished at 13:11 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Eight more people in Scotland have died from coronavirus, taking the total to 33, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

    The total number of positive diagnoses in Scotland has risen by 165 - from 894 on Thursday to 1,059 today.

    There are 72 patients with coronavirus symptoms in intensive care units.

    Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood estimates that more than 65,000 people in Scotland have the virus.

  14. Health Secretary Hancock also tests positivepublished at 13:02 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020
    Breaking

    UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has tested positive for the coronavirus. He is self-isolating at home and his symptoms are said to be mild.

  15. Gove to take PM's place at daily briefingpublished at 13:00 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Michael GoveImage source, Reuters

    Boris Johnson is continuing to work in No 10 after his diagnosis, although the BBC understands that his Downing Street flat has been "sealed off".

    A No 10 spokesman said the PM's meals and work documents would be left outside his door.

    It is understood his fiancee Carrie Symonds, who is pregnant, is self-isolating elsewhere, although No 10 has not given any details about where she is.

    Other people working in Downing Street are also now self-isolating.

    Mr Johnson will not be appearing at this afternoon's daily coronavirus briefing. It is understood that senior Cabinet minister Michael Gove will be taking his place.

  16. Birmingham Airport could become emergency mortuarypublished at 12:54 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Birmingham International AirportImage source, Getty Images

    Birmingham Airport could be used as a temporary mortuary for up to 12,000 bodies in a worst-case coronavirus scenario after talks with several local councils.

    The site - which would initially have space for 2,500 bodies, increasing if needed - includes a cargo hub, with hangars on the opposite side of the airstrip from the two passenger terminals.

    Deputy leader of Sandwell Council Wasim Ali said: “In reality, we have to prepare for the worst.

    “We really don’t want to have to use it, but if we do, then it’ll be available.”

    A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: “We have been in discussions with the authorities and we will of course cooperate to find a suitable location and help where we can to suport the fightback against this pandemic.”

    The UK government is making £1.6bn available to councils to deal with pressures on existing services.

  17. World leaders wish Johnson quick recoverypublished at 12:46 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic was the first national leader to send a message of support for Boris Johnson on Twitter.

    On the news that the British prime minister had tested positive, Mr Vucic said: "Get well soon and keep fighting."

    European Council president Charles Michel also wrote on Twitter: "Europe wishes you a speedy recovery."

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    Meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told Mr Johnson: "Please take good care."

    He went on: "Your leadership and commitment to beating the coronavirus are key to saving lives.”

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  18. Boris Johnson is first world leader to announce infectionpublished at 12:39 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Boris JohnsonImage source, PA Media

    In a tweet earlier today, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that he had tested positive for coronavirus. Mr Johnson said he was experiencing "mild symptoms" and would be leading the country from home while self-isolating.

    While he's the first major world leader to announce a positive test, the disease has already impacted the daily lives of several others.

    Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel is self-isolating after a doctor who gave her a vaccination tested positive. Canada's Justin Trudeau is also self-isolating with his wife Sophie after she tested positive following a trip to London.

    Other leaders who have been tested but say their results have come back negative include the presidents of Brazil, the US and the Philippines. Concerns were raised after several Brazilian officials tested positive after returning from a trip with Jair Bolsonaro to meet Donald Trump. Both leaders have hit out at critics and refused to self-isolate, despite WHO recommendations for anyone with possible exposure to do so.

  19. Dance, exercise, knit - Little Mix star's tips for life in lockdownpublished at 12:29 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

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    Like most performers, the members of pop group Little Mix have had their plans thrown into disarray by the coronavirus outbreak. But singer Perrie Edwards has told the BBC she's keeping busy with dancing and knitting.

    The band were in the middle of recording their sixth album and about to record a new BBC TV show when the virus hit.

    "If we were a lot more prepared and we had everything in the bag, we could easily just release what we'd got. But we’re only halfway through," says Perrie.

    Luckily, the pop group had completed work on a single before the lockdown came into force - and decided to release it today to keep fans' spirits up.

    "I think it’ll uplift everybody at home, just jamming out to it," says Perrie.

    In the meantime, the singer is making the most of the first extended break in her schedule for nine years

    "I think it’s good to have routine. Get up and do things, dance around the house, exercise and stuff," says Perrie, whose Instagram video of a self-isolation dance routine with footballer boyfriend Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has notched up some 1.6m likes.

    "I’ve been knitting a little bit," she adds. "Like a grandma, I've knitted a blanket - and it's come in really handy, actually."

    Read her full interview here.

  20. Hong Kong to restrict restaurant tables to four peoplepublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020

    Customers sit in a quiet restaurant in Hong Kong, 26 March 2020Image source, Getty Images

    The Hong Kong government wants to limit the number of people allowed to sit together at restaurant tables to four, external, the South China Morning Post says.

    Starting Sunday, each table will be 1.5m apart. The measures are reportedly part of new tough restrictions after the city saw its biggest daily rise of 65 infections on Friday.

    The newspaper says that bars and restaurants will only be allowed to operate at half their capacity for at least two weeks. The new social distancing measures could also extend to parks, playgrounds and outdoor sports centres.

    Infections in Hong Kong have more than doubled in a week to a total of 518 cases.