Summary

  • UK PM Boris Johnson is moved to intensive care in a London hospital

  • He has been suffering from coronavirus symptoms for 10 days, went to hospital on Sunday

  • Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise in his absence

  • Donald Trump joins other world leaders in wishing Johnson a speedy recovery

  • The US records 1,150 new deaths with coronavirus in 24 hours

  • More than 1.3 million cases have now been confirmed worldwide with nearly 75,000 deaths

  • New infections have fallen in Spain and Italy in recent days - suggesting lockdowns are working

  • In Asia, Japan is braced for a lockdown due to be announced by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today

  1. End of live coverage on this pagepublished at 05:05 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    We're closing this page now, after another day of dramatic developments, including the UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson being taken into intensive care. He was diagnosed with coronavirus more than a week ago, but as many patients are finding, his condition deteriorated rapidly.

    We'll bring you the latest on that as we get it.

    But our new coverage is up and running - you can follow it here.

  2. NZ virus cases at new lowpublished at 04:38 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    New Zealand has recorded 54 new virus cases - the lowest number the country has seen in two weeks.

    Earlier Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country appeared "at this early stage to be on track".

    New Zealand is currently in a state of emergency and a lockdown has been in place for almost two weeks.

    All schools and non-essential services have been closed and five million people told not to leave their house unless necessary.

    People have also been called to stick to their "bubble" - your family or the group of people that you live with.

    "Whatever your bubble is for the month, this is the bubble that you must maintain," said Ardern.

    There are currently 1,160 confirmed cases in New Zealand, with one death.

    Prime Minister Jacinda ArdernImage source, Getty Images
  3. Locked-down pub manager serves beer by trainpublished at 04:26 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    We're all having to find new ways to fill our time during lockdown.

    With no customers, Michael Purchase, a Nottinghamshire pub manager in the UK, found a way to serve himself a pint of "rail ale" at his bar.

    Take a watch.

  4. Philippines extends Luzon lockdownpublished at 04:12 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    Health check in the PhilippinesImage source, EPA

    The lockdown of Luzon, the most populous island in the Philippines, has been extended to 30 April. The measures had been due to end next week.

    The Philippines was one of the first countries to adopt strict home quarantine measures.

    Rules restricting movement and gatherings have been in place in and around the capital, Manila, for nearly a month now since the confirmation of the first domestic transmission.

    There have been 3,660 positive tests and 163 deaths in the Philippines. But like many countries in the region, there have been very few tests carried out, so the actual number of infections is thought to be much higher.

  5. Trump threatens India 'retaliation' over unproven drugpublished at 04:05 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    Donald Trump has said the US would "retaliate" if India turned down his request to release stocks of a drug that he has called a "game-changer" in the fight against Covid-19.

    Mr Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, a day after the country banned the export of hydroxychloroquine, which it manufactures in large quantities.

    "I said we'd appreciate your allowing our supply to come out. If he doesn’t allow it to come out, that would be okay, but of course there may be retaliation," he said during a White House briefing on Monday.

    India is reportedly still "considering" the request.

    Hydroxychloroquine is very similar to Chloroquine, one of the oldest and best-known anti-malarial drugs.

    But is India really in a position to help the US? And does the drug even work against the coronavirus?

    You can read more here

  6. 'Idiot' health minister breaks lockdown at beachpublished at 03:58 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    New Zealand's health minister has called himself an "idiot" after breaking the lockdown by driving his family to the beach.

    David Clark admitted the 12-mile (20km) drive was "a clear breach of the lockdown principles".

    He offered his resignation to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, but kept his job because of the ongoing crisis.

    Clark admitted the trip to Ardern after being criticised for another breach of the rules.

    Last week, he drove a shorter distance to a mountain bike trail - and his van, featuring a picture of himself on the side, was photographed at the trail., external

    David ClarkImage source, Getty Images
  7. 'Terrible time for UK government to be without figurehead'published at 03:50 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    With British PM Boris Johnson in intensive care, what does this mean for the UK government and the country as a whole? The BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg breaks it down for us here:

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus and Boris Johnson: 'Terrible time to be without a figurehead'

  8. The end of Sweden's relaxed approach?published at 03:40 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    People in a park in SwedenImage source, AFP

    Sweden's government has asked parliament to give it additional powers - which could be an indicator it's heading towards tighter measures or even a lockdown after all.

    Sweden so far has taken a markedly different approach - that is it did not enforce any tough measures like the rest of Europe has.

    Instead, the government has called for people to simply be responsible and follow social distancing guidelines. But shops, restaurants and businesses remain open. Visits to elderly homes are no longer allowed, though.

    So far, there are 7,206 confirmed infections and 477 deaths in Sweden. While those numbers might seem low compared to the UK, Germany, Spain or Italy, do keep in mind that there are only about 10 million people living in Sweden.

  9. UK PM receiving 'excellent care'published at 03:33 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    The major news out of the UK overnight has been that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in intensive care after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.

    Mr Johnson, who is the most prominent victim yet of the pandemic, is in St Thomas' Hospital in London.

    We've been told he was moved to intensive care in case he needs ventilation - help to breathe.

    A statement by Downing Street said he was receiving "excellent care".

    We've not received any further news as to his condition as yet.

    Britain's Prime Minister Boris JohnsonImage source, Getty Images
  10. Australia's farmers move to calm panic buyerspublished at 03:32 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    National Farmers Federation billboard in Melbourne Australia reading “Don’t panic. We’re experts at working from home".Image source, Civic Media

    Farmers in Australia are using billboards to reassure people that there will be no shortage of food during the coronavirus outbreak.

    The National Farmers Federation is running street adverts in Melbourne that read: "Don’t panic. We’re experts at working from home."

    It comes as grocery stores see waves of panic buying by shoppers worried about food supplies.

    "Farmers want all Australians to know that running out of food is one thing they don’t need to be worrying about in these challenging times," the organisation's president Fiona Simson said in a statement.

  11. South Korea numbers continue to dippublished at 03:22 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    South Korea has reported fewer than 50 new cases for the second day in a row.

    It reported 47 new cases - of which 17 were overseas arrivals - on Monday, according to news site Yonhap News, which added that there are now 10,331 cases in the country.

    South Korea's approach to getting the virus under control has been praised by many. It's basically been down to two things - testing and tracing.

    It was quick to implement digital contact tracing and also carried out testing on a mass scale, with tens of thousands of people being tested every day.

    a drive-through coronavirus clinicImage source, Getty Images
  12. Public health explained in chips, beer and animalspublished at 03:18 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    Belgium uses its well-loved food and drink to encourage people to keep their distance
    Image caption,

    Belgium uses its well-loved food and drink to encourage people to keep their distance

    Until a few weeks ago, social distancing was an alien idea to most of us. Now, as we learn to navigate this new world, different countries and cultures are figuring out how to best explain new public health measures.

    Belgians should be keeping apart the same distance as 22 bottles of Orval beer, 10 cones of chips, or three crates of beer. (Presumably those supplies are useful for self-isolation, too.)

    While in Kenya, one graphic explains that the length of a lion is the correct distance to keep from others. But please don't use actual lions, it warns.

    A graphic in Kenya encourages people to stay the distance of one lion away from othersImage source, One Stop Nanyuki
    Image caption,

    A graphic in Kenya encourages people to stay the distance of one lion away from others

    And in Mexico, superhero Susana Distancia was launched by the government to encourage people to keep their distance and stay at home. Her name is a play on words that translate as "your healthy distance".

    Susana Distancia's superpower is extending her arms 1.5m to create a bubble protecting herself and others from infectionImage source, Mexico Department of Health
    Image caption,

    Susana Distancia's superpower is extending her arms 1.5m to create a bubble protecting herself and others from infection

    Meanwhile in Egypt, a very catchy song with old footage of famous actor Adel Imam is being broadcast on television and even in the streets. "Don't kiss, don't shake hands, don't transmit the virus," it sings.

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  13. Indonesia: Not prepared for what's to come?published at 03:12 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    Medical workers wearing rain coats as PPEImage source, Reuters

    There are growing concerns over the situation in Indonesia.

    The country has registered around 2,500 infections and 209 deaths with a confirmed Covid-19 link. But with very low levels of testing, Indonesia's Doctor's Association warns the situation could be far worse than the official statistics are suggesting.

    The news on Monday that 24 doctors are among the dead seemed to confirm the criticism that the health system is woefully unprepared. That picture above actually shows medical staff wearing raincoats instead of proper protective gear.

    In Jakarta, there's now a special police unit to guard the burials of Covid-19 victims because of fears that worried residents will block funerals. In several cities, angry citizens have already tried to block ambulances from bringing victims to the local cemetery.

  14. Canadian hospitals ask nurses to pick a countrypublished at 03:08 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    Robin Levinson King, BBC News, Toronto

    Canadian hospitals near the US border in Michigan are asking staff to pick a side and stay there.

    Some 1,600 healthcare workers from Windsor-Essex county in Canada travel over the border each day, the county's health authorities say.

    Windsor Regional Hospital has asked staff members who work in nearby Detroit to choose a side. More than half chose to remain.

    The hospital's CEO David Musyj told the BBC he does not want to stop workers from working in Detroit but he is concerned it is not safe for them to work both sides of the border during the pandemic.

    He worries that if these steps aren't taken, officials may close the border entirely, which would "devastate" Detroit's supply of healthcare workers.

    "Our local public health leaders can and should put into place rigid screening mechanisms and self isolation mechanisms for these individuals if and when they come home to Windsor."

  15. Australian museum's call-out for history entriespublished at 03:00 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    Frances Mao
    Sydney

    Silhouette of girl looking out a windowImage source, NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA

    We’re living in a weird time. However it plays out, there’s no doubt this coronavirus pandemic will be remembered as a seismic world event.

    Whether you’re writing down notes in a diary, or sharing pictures of your isolation routine on social media - you’re recording history.

    And the National Museum of Australia wants those everyday observations. It’s calling on all Australians to send in their stories to an official Facebook group, external, to help document the major moment we’re all living through.

    Just scrolling through some of the personal entries is illuminating – and comforting. It’s nice to read about other people’s experiences, particularly as we remain physically apart from one another.

  16. How do I take care of someone with the virus?published at 02:52 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    It can be a tricky time for you, if you're living with someone who has the virus. What's the best way to take care of them, and how can you stay safe yourself?

    The BBC's Laura Foster shares some tips.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: How do you care for someone at home?

  17. China reports no virus deathspublished at 02:49 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    China has reported 32 new confirmed virus cases - all of which were imported - but crucially no new deaths in the past day.

    According to news agency AFP, this is the first time China's National Health Commission has reported no new deaths since it started publishing its figures in January.

    There have been 81,740 confirmed cases nationally, and more than 3,300 deaths.

    A man stands in silent tribute with a protective maskImage source, Get
  18. Asia stocks follow US higher after Wall Street rallypublished at 02:44 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    Peter Hoskins
    Business reporter, BBC News Singapore

    A pedestrian walks past a quotation board displaying share prices of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo (7 April 7 2020).Image source, Getty Images

    Asian stock markets made gains on Tuesday after shares rallied in the US on signs of a slowdown in coronavirus-related deaths.

    Wall Street investors were encouraged by the slowing death toll from the virus across major European nations, including France and Italy. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite all gained more than 7%.

    Oil prices also stabilised as traders wait for a potential agreement between Saudi Arabia and Russia to cut crude production as lockdown measures hammer demand for energy.

    Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 was 2.7% higher, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong gained 0.8%, while China's Shanghai Composite was 1.5% higher.

    In early Asian trade Brent crude oil was 2.4% higher.

  19. UK Labour MP admitted to hospitalpublished at 02:37 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    Tony LloydImage source, PA Media

    Late on Monday in the UK it was announced that Tony Lloyd, Labour MP for Rochdale, has been admitted to hospital with coronavirus.

    The 70-year-old was "stable and responding to treatment" at Manchester Royal Infirmary, his family said.

    In a statement, his family paid tribute to the "brilliant doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff at the hospital."

    The new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wished him a "swift recovery".

    Read more here

  20. What’s happening in Australia?published at 02:23 British Summer Time 7 April 2020

    Frances Mao
    Sydney

    Good morning from Sydney, where most people are staying indoors and increasingly donning face masks when they venture outside.

    • In the past 24 hours, the number of deaths has risen from 35 to 41. More than 5,800 people have contracted the virus.
    • The government is due to release modelling on the spread of the virus in Australia – these projections have been the basis for Australia's lockdown measures so far
    • Education officials are discussing how to run exams for final-year students so they can finish school
    • More people have been fined for leaving their home without good reason. These include reports of a mother and daughter being penalised for going on a driving lesson, and friends having a game of backyard cricket.