Image source, Getty Images

There has been a lot of confusion over who should be wearing face masks after a number of countries, including the US, advised their citizens to wear them in public to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

But now the World Health Organization has re-examined the evidence and its advice is clear: only those who are sick and showing symptoms of the virus - or their carers - should use face masks.

The UK does not advise most people to wear them, and there have been concerns that reusable cloth masks could even increase the risk of infection.

Read more from our health editor, Michelle Roberts.

More than 10,000 people have died in France since the coronavirus outbreak began, according to the daily press briefing from the French health ministry.

The ministry said 7,091 people had died in hospital, an increase of 607 in 24 hours.

At least 3,237 have died in care homes since the start of the outbreak.

More than 30,000 people are currently hospitalised in France, 7,131 of them in intensive care.

Image source, Getty Images

Some sombre news from a report on businesses and the virus today.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) warns that coronavirus could threaten the livelihoods of as many as 1.25 billion workers globally.

An ILO report on the pandemic, released today, says those workers are in sectors identified as being most at risk of the catastrophic impacts of the outbreak.

Even just in the current three-month period, it adds, the pandemic is likely to wipe out almost 7% of working hours globally - which is equivalent to 195 million full-time workers.

ILO Director General Guy Ryder said businesses and workers in both developed and developing economies would be hit - but people in insecure work, particularly in developing countries, were particularly at risk.

Jonathan Blake
BBC political correspondent

There was a show of support for Boris Johnson from Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on behalf of his cabinet colleagues during today's briefing. The PM, he said, was not only their boss but "also our friend".

Raab's bullish language about Mr Johnson being "a fighter" who would be back "in short order" was clearly an attempt to keep spirits up at a difficult time.

Raab has been asked to deputise for the PM while he is in intensive care, but we have learned very little about exactly how much authority he has.

In response to questions about whether his role allowed him to take decisions, he said there was "total unity" in government and referred to the system of collective responsibility.

That, simply put, is the principle that all senior ministers agree to support a policy once it's agreed.

It seems Downing St and Raab himself are keen to show that he is simply carrying out orders until Mr Johnson returns.

The hope is, of course, that he is able to do that as soon as possible, but with every day that goes by decisions will need to be made and someone will have to make them.

Image source, Getty Images

A judge in Illinois has rejected Grammy-award winning singer R Kelly's request to leave jail due to coronavirus fears, saying that he poses a flight risk and a "danger to the community, especially prospective witnesses".

The accused sex offender is awaiting trial in Chicago for child pornography and other charges.

A lawyer for Kelly had argued that forcing him to remain in jail is "tantamount to making [him] drink poison".

Prison reform advocates say jails are especially vulnerable to Covid-19, due to the impossibility of enforcing social distancing measures, as well as hygiene problems.

Stephen McDonell
BBC News, China correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Train, road and rail connections have just been re-established in the Chinese city of Wuhan – where the global coronavirus emergency started – for the first time since 23 January.

Wuhan police have warned that motorists should expect heavy traffic on roads out of the city, while even with a limited air service, 200 flights are departing on the first day carrying out 10,000 passengers.

Chinese state media has also shown aerial footage with nearly 100 high-speed trains ready to depart, and highway roadblocks have been removed.

For more than 10 weeks, millions of people have not been able to leave the city - and, initially, only those with health clearance are permitted to go.

The re-opening of Wuhan has come just hours after China reported its first day with no new coronavirus fatalities.

Though many analysts have questioned whether this country has under-reported its rate of deaths and infections, the overall trend does appear to match real life experience.

Today's briefing was chaired by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab who is standing in for Boris Johnson, who remains in intensive care.

He was joined by Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, and the chief medical officer, Chris Whitty. Here's what they told us:

• It is possible we are seeing the start of the flattening of the curve of infections, as the number of new cases is not growing exponentially. The same may be true of hospital admissions, but we won't know for sure for another week or so
• Because of the lag between admissions and deaths, we can expect the number of deaths to level off in two to three weeks' time
• The government is following instructions already set out by Mr Johnson. Any new decisions will be made under the principle of cabinet responsibility, but Mr Raab will deputise for Mr Johnson "as long as is necessary"
• Despite news that an antibody test, which can show if someone has had the virus, will not be ready in time, the government's aim to carry out 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month "still stands"

One reporter says his newspaper has seen a letter from Prof Chris Whitty's deputy saying some highly vulnerable people were not being shielded.

The chief medical officer says the government laid out plans asking all people to stay at home except for necessities, the higher risk groups to do it for their own protection, and the particularly vulnerable group of 1.5 million to have absolute minimum contact with others.

He says more letters are going out today to people who were identified after the first wave, perhaps not having made the original list of conditions.

But he also said some people, such as those who are near the end of their lives, have decided not to follow the advice as a "rational life decision".

He adds: "It was always something we expected to happen."

Mr Raab is asked if the target of 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month still stands after it was revealed antibody tests for people at home won't be ready by then.

The foreign secretary says the government has been "clear on the target and it is important we have made progress so far".

He adds: "We are striving every sinue to get both sets of tests to the highest levels we can.

"Of course, lots are on high demand, but we will do everything we can on every front. The target still stands."

The number of coronavirus hospital deaths in the UK has reached 6,159 - an increase of 786 in a single day.

The Department of Health and Social Care said 213,181 people had been tested as of 09:00 BST on Tuesday, of which 55,242 tested positive, external.

Overall, 266,694 tests have been concluded, with 14,006 tests carried out on Monday.

The daily figure for the number of people tested on Monday does not include data from Manchester and Leeds due to a "data processing delay", while the overall tests figure excludes Northern Ireland, the Department of Health added.

There's a question about the UK's target to carry out 100,000 tests per day before the end of this month.

Dominic Raab says there are signs of "progress" in the testing figures and nine drive-through centres will help further.

Asked about treatment for people care homes, Prof Chris Whitty says it is important to strike a balance between ensuring people are able to receive care and minimising unnecessary visits.

He admits though that guaranteeing care for people in care homes will be among the "most difficult" tasks during the pandemic.

Image source, Reuters

Asked whether it is time to "level with people" about how long lockdown measures will last, Dominic Raab says: "We have levelled with everyone from the outset and been as transparent as possible.

"But the critical thing is to take evidence-based decisions."

Professor Chris Whitty adds: "It is really important we get to the point that we are all confident we are beyond the peak.

"Then we can make clear the combination of things [we need to do to reduce measures] and what period of time is sensible."

But Mr Raab says: "We are not at that stage yet."

Dominic Raab is asked if Boris Johnson has expressed any preference for when the UK should exit its coronavirus lockdown.

Mr Raab replies that the existing measures will be reviewed soon, but the government is "not at that stage yet".

He adds it is important not to "take our foot off the pedal and risk losing the gains that have been made".

Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK's chief scientific adviser, says the UK is three to four weeks behind Italy in the outbreak, although the statistics from the two countries may not end up looking the same.

The government is asked how it has come to this - with several members of the cabinet having to isolate and the PM in hospital.

Mr Raab says: "Because you have a virus which is totally indiscriminate.

"We follow, all of us, the guidance as closely as possible.

"But it is a very dangerous virus, very contagious and it goes to show no-one is impervious."

Professor Chirs Whitty adds coronavirus is "extremely easy" to catch and pass on, and shows why the lockdown was necessary.

He adds: "It is a clear illustration of the fact this is why we are having to do this - to protect the NHS and the lives of other people."

Dominic Raab is asked whether he has the authority to make a "significant change" in direction to the UK's strategy.

The foreign secretary replies that PM Boris Johnson has asked him to deputise "as long as is necessary".

He adds, though, that the principle of cabinet responsibility still applies.

In response to a question about Germany, Prof Chris Whitty says the UK is "trying to learn the lessons" from the country's mass-testing regime.

The BBC's Laura Kuenssberg says if there is a disagreement in cabinet, who will make the decision?

Dominic Raab says decisions are made by "collective cabinet responsibility", i.e. the same as before the PM went into hospital.

He says they have a "clear direction" from the PM, and the cabinet is "focused with total unity and resolve" so when he is back in the role, the government will have "made the progress he would expect and the country would expect".

She also asks Sir Patrick Vallance if there will be enough critical care beds during the outbreak.

He says he "cannot guarantee" there will be enough, but the "tracking" is looking right and the NHS has done an "amazing job" in creating more capacity.

Image source, Downing Street

Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK's chief scientific adviser, says the use of public transport and cars has been falling "dramatically".

He says the "substantial" reduction in social contact should see a "substantial" reduction in new cases.

The UK, he adds, has not seen a "big upswing in growth", adding that things seem to be "moving in the right direction".

However he cautions that it will be important to stick to the social distancing advice before a more definitive trend emerges.

He says the number of new UK deaths should fall around two weeks after the number of people in intensive care starts to fall.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has taken his place inside No 10 Downing Street and gets today’s UK government press conference under way.

Dominic Raab starts with an update on the prime minister's health. He said the PM was "receiving standard oxygen treatment and breathing without any assistance".

The foreign secretary says Boris Johnson is "receiving the very best care from the excellent medical team" and remained stable overnight.

He also says he remains in "good spirits" and his progress continues to be monitored closely.

Mr Raab says there has "been a groundswell of messages of support" and everyone is wishing the prime minister a very speedy recovery.

He adds: "It comes as a shock to all of us. He is not just a prime minister, not just our boss, but also a colleague and also our friend."

He adds: "I'm confident he will pull through because if there is one thing that I know about this prime minister is he is a fighter and he will be back leading us through this crisis in short order."

And he says the cabinet will not "blink or flinch from the task at hand".

He confirms the total number of deaths in the UK has now reached 6,159, and pays tribute to those who have died.

The UK government press conference is due to start in the next few minutes.

But you have just enough time to watch this uplifting video of friends organising a virtual wedding party for two doctors missing out on their special day.

Danny Shaw
BBC Home Affairs Correspondent

Some 15,000 prisoners will have to be released from jails in England and Wales to protect other inmates and staff during the coronavirus outbreak, it has been claimed.

The reduction has allegedly been recommended by Public Health England and the Prison Service (HMPPS).

Details of the apparently official advice are contained in a submission from the Prison Governors’ Association (PGA) - seen by BBC News - to the Commons Justice Committee, which is meeting this afternoon.

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for a response.

At the weekend, it said up to 4,000 offenders could be freed early so more inmates can be held in single cells.

The PGA cast doubt on the 4,000 figure, saying after "stringent criteria and risk assessment" are applied, the numbers eligible for release could be "possibly as low as 2,000".

“This is woefully short of the alleged 15,000 required,” it said in its evidence.