Former Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas has raised £300,000 for the NHS after completing three 12-hour rides in his garage.

Thomas rode on a turbo trainer bike at home in Cardiff for 36 hours over the course of three days, starting at 07:30 and finishing at 19:30, to generate funds for the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

He likened the challenge to doing eight or nine stages of the Tour de France.

"No exaggeration, the last two hours were the hardest I have ever had on the bike," said the 33-year-old Welshman. "I could barely sit down."

Faisal Islam
BBC Economics Editor

Image source, AFP

How do you co-ordinate economic policy across the globe, when an invisible enemy that behaves in unknown ways systematically erodes the very way economies function?

That is the tricky challenge facing the relatively new managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva.

The IMF is now a fire-fighting service battling multiple infernos, almost everywhere.

Just three months ago, the IMF's January economic forecast update projected that the base unit of living standards - the per person size of the economy or GDP per capita - would be going up in 160 countries. That would have meant 82% of nations becoming better off in 2020.

Now, in April, because of Covid-19, she says: "We are projecting 170 countries to see income per capita shrinking during 2020" - 87% of the atlas of the world.

And yet this detail - which is part of a broader forecast that sees world GDP dive 3% in 2020, creating "a global recession we have not seen in our lifetimes" - may not be the end of it.

"I want to stress this may be actually a more optimistic picture than reality produces," Ms Georgieva told the BBC.

Read the full story here.

The Duchess of Cornwall has sent a message of support to those involved in the construction of Nightingale Hospital North West, in Manchester, which opened earlier today.

The hospital is located in Manchester Central Convention Complex and has capacity for 750 beds. It will accommodate those who no longer need to be in a critical care environment.

"In creating this hospital, you have truly brought light at a dark time," the duchess said.

"It's almost impossible to express the pride that our country feels in all the people who have been involved in this vast project."

NHS Nightingale hospitals in London and Birmingham have already opened. Other hospitals are being built in Glasgow, Bristol and Harrogate.

Image source, Reuters

We've been busy bringing you the latest news as the spread of the coronavirus continues around the world. Here are some of the main things you need to know today:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned countries against investing too much in antibody tests. A number of nations intend to purchase them in the hope of identifying who can return to work. However, the WHO says there is "no evidence" that having had the virus would guarantee immunity
• The UK has announced a vaccine taskforce. It will bring together experts in government, industry and academia to speed up the search for a vaccine
• The UK government pay scheme for workers who have downed tools but remain employed has been extended

• US President Donald Trump has called for the "liberation" of US states with anti-lockdown protests. It comes a day after he announced his plan for reopening the US

• Germany says its outbreak is "under control" following a month-long lockdown. Some smaller shops there will open next week and schools with start reopening in early May
• France has distanced itself from US claims that Covid-19 originated in a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan. President Macron's office said there was no evidence that this was true

• Malawi's High Court has temporarily barred the government from issuing a 21-day lockdown after a petition by a human rights group. It argued that the government had not implemented measures to help the poor during the measures

Washing your hands is still one of the most effective ways to prevent yourself catching the virus. In case you need a refresher on how to do it right, here’s our 20-second explainer on the right technique.

James Gallagher
Health and science correspondent, BBC News

The World Health Organization has just cautioned against placing too much stock in antibody tests - they're the tests to see if someone has already had the virus.

The first problem with antibody tests is there aren’t any that work, but even if they did, there are potential issues.

There are no guarantees that if you have antibodies against the coronavirus that you are completely immune.

And even if your antibodies do protect you from becoming sick, then you may be able to harbour the virus in your body and pass it to others.

There will be many challenges before immunity passports, allowing you to resume life as normal if you pass an antibody test, will be practical.

This is the problem with a virus that has only been around for a couple of months – there is still too much we do not understand.

However, the main appeal of antibody testing is to find out how many people have really been infected.

Image source, @NewboldRFC

This is not quite at Captain Tom Moore proportions but Newbold RFC, an amateur rugby club in the English town of Rugby, have been doing their bit to raise money for NHS Charities Together.

A "braving the shave, external" fundraiser, began as fun between teammates to raise £100 and has gathered momentum, reaching over £55,000.

Current and former rugby greats, including World Cup winner Will Greenwood, ex-Newbold, Leicester and England hooker, Richard Cockerill and Wasps and England scrum-half Dan Robson are supporting the campaign.

“It’s not just male rugby players taking part, we have had women and children as young as four shaving their heads or even eyebrows off,” said Stuart Houghton, who started the initiative.

“Just over two weeks ago we hoped to raise £100. Before we knew it, we were at £10,000 and then £50,000 and it’s progressing nicely."

Working from home and often frustrated by a poor wifi connection? If you're nodding in agreement, you may feel some sympathy for former darts world champion Gary Anderson.

The Scottish arrowsman was hoping to take part in the PDC Home Series, which started tonight and features the world's best players competing from home.

But Anderson was ruled out... because of a slow internet connection. Insisting it was not an excuse, he even tweeted out a picture of a wifi speed test to prove it...

And that wasn't the only technical problem to hit the tournament.

Viewers complained they could not see the first match of the tournament between world champion Peter Wright and Peter Jacques through the PDC website, forcing the governing body into a short delay before the second match featuring Jamie Lewis and Niels Zonneveld in order to resolve "technical issues".

Texas has become the first US state to release a plan to begin lifting lockdown orders and reopen its economy.

"Because of the efforts by everyone to slow the spread, we're now beginning to see glimmers that the worst of Covid-19 may soon be behind us," Republican Governor Greg Abbott said in a news conference on Friday.

Abbott issued an executive order to create a group called the Strike Force to Open Texas to determine which businesses can reopen and when. But he added that schools would have to remain shut for the remainder of the school year.

Here are some of the key dates he announced

• 20 April - State parks may reopen but visitors must wear masks and maintain social distancing
• 22 April - Elective surgeries can resume
• 24 April - Retail businesses can reopen as long as their products are available "to go" and require little interaction with staff

Texas has so far reported more than 17,000 cases and 428 deaths from the coronavirus. The state has tested 169,536 people out of a population of 29 million.

Jessica Lussenhop
BBC News

On 26 March, a coronavirus case was confirmed at the Smithfield Foods pork-processing plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The plant did not shut down and the virus ripped through employee ranks like wildfire.

By 15 April, 644 cases were connected to the Smithfield plant, making it the largest coronavirus hotspot in the US. This week also saw the first confirmed death of a factory worker.

The BBC spoke to a half dozen Smithfield workers and their families. They say that early requests for personal protective equipment (PPE) were ignored, that sick workers were incentivised to continue working, and that information regarding the spread of the virus was kept from them, even when they were at risk of exposing family and the broader public.

The company told the BBC the safety of its employees was a priority and, from February, it had followed protocols and processes in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.

Read the whole story here:

The Smithfield pork plant: The untold story of America's biggest outbreak

Image source, AFP

The World Health Organization has cast doubt on the usefulness of antibody tests for Covid-19.

Many countries have indicated an intention to purchase millions of antibody tests, suggesting that people who are proven to have had the virus could be given "immunity passports" and would be able to return to work.

The UK government has bought 3.5 million antibody tests, but has not yet found one that is reliable enough to use.

But the WHO cautioned against investing too much in these tests.

Speaking in Geneva, the WHO's Dr Maria van Kerkhove said there was "no evidence" that having had the virus would guarantee immunity.

She said initial evidence did not suggest large numbers of people were developing antibodies after having the virus, meaning the chances of creating "herd immunity" were not high.

Her colleague Dr Michael Ryan downplayed expectations that "herd immunity" may have been achieved and that the majority of people in society may already have developed antibodies. He said: “I think the general evidence is pointing against that and pointing towards a much lower seroprevalence so it may not solve the problem that governments are trying to solve.”

We'll hear more over the weekend as the WHO issues guidance about the use of antibody tests.

Correction 29 November 2022: This article was edited to reflect that Dr Michael Ryan commented on the issue of potential ‘herd immunity’ and not Dr Maria Van Kerhove.

Image source, Reuters

An outbreak of Covid-19 on board French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has infected 1,081 people, Defence Minister Florence Parly has told the National Assembly. Twenty-four of the 2,300 on board are in hospital and one is in intensive care.

France has today reported 761 more deaths with coronavirus, taking the total toll to 18,681. Italy and Spain are the only European countries to have recorded more. Elsewhere in Europe:

• In Germany Health Minister Jens Spahn says the outbreak there is "under control and manageable", with officials saying the transmission rate between people has dropped to 0.7. Germany has tested far more people for coronavirus than other European countries and has seen 3,868 deaths - a relatively low figure for its population of 83 million
• Controversy surrounds the latest figures on infections and deaths in Spain, where the official death toll is 19,478. The worst-hit regions of Madrid and Catalonia object to the government's new approach of not counting deaths where a test for Covid-19 has not been carried out.
• Italy has reported another 575 deaths in the past 24 hours, but significantly the number of people in intensive care continues to fall, down 124 on Thursday to 2,812
• Denmark is to allow dentists, opticians, tattoo and piercing studios and several other professions to return to work from Monday, provided they follow guidelines on hygiene and protection. Cafes and restaurants must remain shut
• Albania has beefed up jail terms for people who break quarantine measures, with up to eight years for someone who infects another person causing death
• Meanwhile, Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia have begun three-day lockdowns timed to coincide with the Orthodox Easter holiday

A UK care home provider has told the BBC that 377 of its residents have sadly died with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.

HC-One says nearly 3,000 are now suspected or confirmed as having the virus. One member of staff has also died.

The provider, whose headquarters are in Darlington in north-east England, operates 328 care homes with 17,000 residents.

Earlier this week HC-One said there had been outbreaks in two thirds of its homes.

On Wednesday, the government promised to step up testing for coronavirus in care homes where symptoms of the virus have been found.

The pledge followed complaints from charities that older people were being "airbrushed" out of coronavirus death figures.

A spokesperson from HC-One said their thoughts and sympathies were with all those who had lost a loved one, adding: "We are proud of our colleagues and how they have risen to the challenge of the coronavirus outbreak by showing huge dedication and commitment to our residents."

• Read more: How big is the problem in care homes?

Canada is sending 125 members of the military to help with the coronavirus crisis in Quebec’s long-term care homes.

Last weekend, 31 people died in one home, amid reports that staff had walked out leaving many patients unattended. The events prompted a public outcry and several official inquiries.

Justin Trudeau said on Monday this use of the military was “unprecedented” but necessary.

He also announced long-awaited support for the country’s energy sector, external, which has been hit by a double whammy of coronavirus and a Saudi-Russian oil price war.

Elsie Kubie, a Kenyan woman living in London, was shocked to find her photo was being used in a Whatsapp post about Uganda's fourth coronavirus victim.

She was forced to post messages on Twitter and Facebook to debunk the post.

Kubie has urged those posting fake news on Whatsapp to "stop and think about what you're putting out there."

The World Health Organization has labelled the spread of fake news about the outbreak an "infodemic".

Danny Shaw
BBC Home Affairs Correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The Justice Secretary, Robert Buckland, is facing legal action over his alleged “failure” to deal with the coronavirus outbreak in prisons across England and Wales.

Two charities claim measures Mr Buckland is taking to limit the spread of infection are “unlawful” because they won’t lead to a sufficient reduction in the prison population.

The Howard League for Penal Reform and the Prison Reform Trust have joined forces to issue a formal legal letter, the first step in judicial review proceedings.

The government says up to 4,000 prisoners could be let out up to two months early to create more space in jails, but by Tuesday only 18 had been released.

The campaigners say the justice secretary must take more drastic steps to prevent a “public health catastrophe” in prisons.

By Wednesday, 232 prisoners had tested positive for Covid-19 across 60 jails, over half the total, with 96 staff infected.

UK Labour’s shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds has written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging him to do more to support businesses during the coronavirus emergency.

Earlier on Friday, the government announced it was extending its salary subsidy scheme for workers who have downed tools but remain employed.

More than nine million workers are expected to be furloughed, or put on state-paid leave, under the government's job retention scheme.

However, Ms Dodds says there are still “many gaps and inconsistencies” in government policy in this area and called on the chancellor to “be clear that firms must avoid making redundancies wherever feasible”.

Tara McKelvey
BBC News, Washington

The US government is hiring tens of thousands of people to become contact tracers, workers who track the movements of patients infected with the virus.

The campaign has been compared to a Depression-era programme, Works Progress Administration (WPA), which created jobs for people in fields from dam-building to mural-painting in the 1930s.

The contact-tracing programme of today is designed to slow the spread of the virus. “We call it shoe-leather epidemiology,” says Daniel Daltry, a progamme chief with the health department for the US state of Vermont.

More than 20 contact tracers have been speaking to Vermont patients to find out whom they recently spent time with. Individuals who have been exposed to the virus are warned about a possible infection so they self-isolate.

Says Daltry: “It’s humans responding to humans, trying to work directly with each other to flatten the curve.”

The US recorded its highest daily death toll on Thursday, reporting 4,591 deaths in 24 hours.

It has the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the world, with more than 672,200 confirmed. There have been more than 33,000 deaths.

Our map shows the states with the highest number of cases.

President Trump has unveiled his plan to re-open the US and has called on states to follow his plan.

He has clashed with New York governor Andrew Cuomo who said reopening is up to the states as "everyone is in a different position".

Cuomo said states needed better support to enable them to reopen.

There have been protests in Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Minnesota, Utah, Virginia and Kentucky, calling on authorities to end their shutdowns. On Friday, Trump tweeted messages of support to the protesters.

For more graphs on the coronavirus outbreak click here.

Image source, AFP

France has distanced itself from US allegations that coronavirus originated in a Chinese research laboratory.

President Emmanuel Macron's office said there was no evidence so far that this is the case.

A spokesperson said: "We would like to make it clear that there is to this day no factual evidence corroborating the information recently circulating in the United States press that establishes a link between the origins of Covid19 and the work of the P4 laboratory of Wuhan, China."

President Trump said his government was trying to determine if Covid-19 came from a Chinese lab.

China says the claims have no scientific basis.

Read more: Is there any evidence for lab release theory?

The virus is thought to have been passed on to humans at a wet market in Wuhan.

Earlier Macron had questioned China's handling of the outbreak, saying it was "naive" to suggest Beijing had dealt better with the crisis than Western democracies.