Summary

  • The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the US has now surpassed 41,000

  • The New York governor said the outbreak was "slowing, not growing" in his state

  • Earlier, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson delivered the UK government's daily update

  • He said there were currently no plans for English schools to open over the summer period

  • UK minister Michael Gove said it was too early to lift restrictions on movement

  • Meanwhile, Spain said it was about to relax rules that have seen children kept at home since 14 March

  1. We're pausing our live coveragepublished at 00:59 British Summer Time 20 April 2020

    Women and children cover their faces from a fumigation drive in Mumbai (Bombay), IndiaImage source, Reuters

    We're wrapping things up now - thanks for for joining us for our live coverage.

    But before we go, here's a quick recap of the main developments in the past 24 hours:

    • The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the US has now surpassed 41,000 - by far the highest toll anywhere in the world
    • The governor of New York state - the worst-hit area in America - said the outbreak was "slowing, not growing"

    Our live coverage was brought to you by BBC reporters in London and Washington DC: Henri Astier, Deirdre Finnerty, Robert Greenall, Patrick Jackson, Vicky Bisset, Gareth Evans, Boer Deng, Holly Honderich and Yaroslav Lukov.

    You can get all the latest updates on the biggest world news stories on the BBC News website.

  2. Trump says US should not rely on imports, discusses Iranpublished at 00:42 British Summer Time 20 April 2020

    At the briefing, Trump also stressed that the coronavirus outbreak had shown that it was vital to bring "supply chains" and production back to the US - and not rely on imports in times of crisis.

    On Iran, the US president said he was willing to provide aid to Tehran to tackle the coronavirus, if the government of the Middle Eastern nation asked for it.

    In 2018, Trump pulled out of a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and later reinstated American sanctions on Iran's oil industry and other key sectors of the country's economy.

  3. Trump praises Democratic governorspublished at 23:55 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    President Trump thanks New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for his work amid the virus outbreak.

    "We’re building hospitals," Trump, a Republican, says. "He’s worked very well with us."

    "Frankly, the governor of Michigan was very good with us on beds," Trump says of Governor Gretchen Whitmer in regards to supplying hospital beds for patients.

    The remarks mark a change in tone for the president who has traded barbs with governors over their virus response.

    Trump plays a video clip of Cuomo praising the White House.

    "I just think it's so good because it's bipartisan," he says.

  4. Trump: '4.18 million Americans have been tested'published at 23:43 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    US President Donald Trump holds up swabs as he speaks during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 19, 2020Image source, Getty Images

    Trump says that 4.18 million Americans have been tested for the coronavirus, adding that testing is expanding "rapidly" and by "millions and millions of people".

    "No country is close to us," in testing, he claims.

    The president holds up a swab that he says can be used for testing, comparing it to a Q-tip.

    "We have ordered a lot of them," the president says, announcing he will evoke the US defence production act to make sure more swabs are available.

    "Swabs are easy, ventilators are hard," he adds, before calling the US "the king of ventilators".

  5. Trump takes the stagepublished at 23:34 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Donald Trump begins his daily coronavirus briefing by announcing continued negotiations with Democrats on an additional stimulus package.

    "We're getting close to a deal," Trump says. "We're going to see what exactly does take place," suggesting more details could be announced tomorrow.

    Trump says his administration is looking to provide more aid for rural hospitals.

    "A lot of good things are happening," he says.

  6. Coming up: Trump begins daily presserpublished at 22:40 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Donald Trump at White House coronavirus task force briefingImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    President Trump will soon address the nation for his daily press briefing

    US President Donald Trump will take the podium shortly for his daily coronavirus briefing.

    The president in recent days has been engaged in tug-of-war with governors over who has the authority to reopen states after virus shut downs.

    Yesterday, he said that a number of states have announced "concrete steps to begin a safe, gradual and phased opening", though some governors have warned against the lifting of restrictions until more testing is available.

  7. UK plans plasma trialpublished at 22:14 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Rebecca Morelle
    Science correspondent, BBC News

    A blood donor. File photoImage source, Getty Images

    The UK is gearing up to use the blood of coronavirus survivors to treat people who are ill in hospital with the disease.

    NHS Blood and Transplant has started approaching some people who have recovered from Covid-19 to donate their blood so they can begin a trial to assess the treatment.

    The hope is that the antibodies they have built up will help to clear the virus in others.

    Scientists have welcomed the plan - and University Hospital of Wales has already announced a trial.

    But some researchers have warned the UK has moved too slowly compared with other countries.

    In the US, a national plasma project - involving 1,500 hospitals - has already started. Scientists still need to assess how effective the therapy is.

    But with no current treatments for Covid-19, the hope is it could help until a vaccine is found.

  8. Police halt 'Guinness-on-wheels' servicepublished at 21:58 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Pints of GuinnessImage source, Getty Images

    It's been a difficult time for the hospitality sector, including pubs and bars.

    Belfast establishment Hatfield House thought it had shown some initiative with a Guinness-on-wheels service, which was proving popular. Mobile bar staff had been pouring drinks out of refitted vans into plastic glasses while wearing latex gloves. The drinks were then left on the doorstep with no contact with customers.

    But in a Facebook post a spokesperson for the pub said police want them to shut down the venture because it breaches licensing legislation.

    Belfast District Commander Chief Superintendent Jonathan Roberts said: "PSNI is aware of employees from licensed premises dispensing alcohol at various locations in Belfast from an adapted vehicle.

    "Yesterday [Saturday] officers on patrol in south Belfast spoke with a number of individuals and files are now being prepared for submission to the Public Prosecution Service in relation to potential breaches of the Licensing (NI) Order 1996."

  9. What's the latest in the US and Canada?published at 21:50 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Canada's capital city looks empty amid coronavirus lockdown measuresImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Canada's capital city appears empty amid coronavirus lockdown measures

    Coronavirus deaths have topped 41,000 in the US as governors face mounting pressure to reopen their states.

    What else is happening in the US and Canada?

    • As the state's rate of infection slows, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says his state will begin "aggressive" antibody testing to give "the first true snapshot of what we're really dealing with"
    • Protests against strict statewide stay-home orders are expected in Arizona, Colorado, Montana and Washington state on Sunday, following earlier protests in half a dozen states
    • President Donald Trump tweets that the US is now the "King of Ventilators" as some state leaders plea for more federal support
    • In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the number of coronavirus cases "is trending in the right direction", but urged caution in lifting social distancing measures as total infections near 35,000 nationwide
    • Trudeau's Liberal party is working to establish terms for the re-opening of Parliament this week, after the government's tentative proposal was rejected by Canada's opposition party

  10. US death toll surpasses 41,000published at 21:48 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the US has now surpassed 41,000, according to Johns Hopkins.

    The US university - which has been tracking the outbreak since shortly after it erupted in China late last year - says there are now more than 746,000 confirmed infections across America, with the New York state being the worst-hit.

    On Sunday, protesters took to the streets in states across the US, demanding that governors reopen economies shut by the pandemic.

  11. Surgeon writes ballad paying tribute to frontline workerspublished at 21:38 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    A surgeon at London's Barts Health NHS Trust has written a touching ballad, external in memory of NHS and other key workers who have lost their lives fighting Covid-19.

    Charlie Knowles, 52, hopes the song raises money for families of people who have died or been incapacitated by coronavirus.

    He said: "This is close to home for me. People are dying, and it’s a reality that I don’t think even we as doctors are used to.

    "We face death - when I go and see people who have been stabbed and things like that - but you're not the person at risk normally.

    "And now we are at risk and that’s a different feeling to what we’ve had before."

    The music video shows the faces and names of healthcare workers who lost their lives.

    Charlie KnowlesImage source, PA Media
  12. What are social distancing and self-isolation rules?published at 21:32 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    The UK has been largely blessed with good weather during the past few days but the government has asked the public to adhere to the coronavirus restrictions for "at least" another three weeks from 16 April.

    The measures in place say people should go out as little as possible , externaland only leave home if they have a "reasonable excuse". This includes:

    • Exercise - alone, or with members of your household
    • Shopping for basic necessities
    • Any medical need, or providing care for a vulnerable person
    • Travel to or from work, but only when you cannot work from home

    Police also have wide-ranging powers to help fight coronavirus by enforcing the social distancing measures.

    Read more about the guidance here.

    A man exercising alone in LondonImage source, Getty Images
  13. Facebook to launch gaming app - reportpublished at 21:31 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Facebook logoImage source, Getty Images

    Facebook is looking to capitalise on the increase in consumption of home entertainment during Covid-19 by launching a gaming app on Monday, reports the New York Times., external

    "Investing in gaming in general has become a priority for us because we see gaming as a form of entertainment that really connects people," said Fidji Simo, head of the Facebook app.

    "We’re seeing a big rise in gaming during quarantine."

    NYT says that the social media organisation had planned to launch the app in June.

  14. 'Goodfellas' mob boss released from prison over virus fearspublished at 20:49 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Alleged Bonanno crime family captain Vincent Asaro walks with his lawyers outside of a Brooklyn court house after a jury found him not guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy and two extortion-related counts on November 12, 2015 in New York CityImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Vincent Asaro celebrates after a judge found him not-guilty in the 1978 Lufthansa heist at JFK International Airport

    The Bonanno family crime boss who inspired Martin Scorsese's film Goodfellas has won an early release from a Missouri prison over concerns about coronavirus.

    Vincent Asaro, 85, was serving an eight year sentence after pleading guilty in 2017 to ordering associates to torch the car of a person who cut him off at a traffic stop.

    A federal judge ordered Asaro’s early release this week saying that the mobster - who suffered a stroke last year - said in her ruling that if Asaro were to contract the virus “given his age and current state, it is not unlikely that the consequences would be dire”.

    Asaro was found not guilty in the 2015 trial over the infamous 1978 Lufthansa heist at JFK Airport in New York, where masked robbers made off with more than $5m in cash and $1m in jewelry - depicted in Scorsese’s film.

  15. Sir Tom Jones joins UK version of Together At Home concertpublished at 20:37 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Sir Tom Jones and Little Mix are among the UK artists featuring in a British version of the star-studded One World: Together At Home concert.

    The event, which has already been shown online and on US TV, celebrates the dedication of front-line healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, the Rolling Stones and Coldplay's Chris Martin, who appeared in the main concert on US TV, are also in the UK version - which is being shown on BBC One on Sunday evening.

    Fronted by Dermot O'Leary, Clara Amfo and Claudia Winkleman, the BBC concert also includes performances from Rag 'N' Bone Man, George the Poet and The Kingdom Choir.

    Sir Paul called healthcare workers "the true heroes" of the pandemic.

    "Let's tell our leaders that we need them to strengthen the healthcare systems all round the world so that a crisis like this never happens again," he said.

    Although not a charity concert, Global Citizen, the organisation that put the show together with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Lady Gaga, said "world leaders, corporate partners and philanthropists" had pledged $127m (£100m) during the event to support health workers.

    The Rolling Stones/Together At HomeImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Rolling Stones performed together - from their separate homes - for the concert

  16. Broadway actor loses leg after Covid-19 complicationspublished at 20:30 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Tony-nominated Broadway actor Nick Cordero has undergone surgery to amputate his right leg after suffering complications from Covid-19, his wife has said.

    Cordero had been given blood thinners to help with clotting in his leg, but the treatment was stopped after it caused internal bleeding, AP news agency quoted his wife Amanda Koots as saying.

    Koots has been posting regular updates about Cordero's condition on Instagram since he was placed on life support at a hospital in Los Angeles, and said the operation had gone well.

    On Sunday, she posted a video from the couple's wedding, together with the words "we WILL dance again!)

    A fundraiser set up to support the couple and their 10-month-old son has already raised more than $285,000 (£228,000).

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  17. How many confirmed cases are there in your area?published at 20:22 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    There have sadly been more than 16,000 deaths in total in the UK of those confirmed to have coronavirus, while the number of confirmed cases is more than 120,000.

    The increase in deaths on Sunday - 596 - is lower than the 888 announced yesterday and the UK's lowest daily toll since 6 April - although generally figures have been observed to be lower at weekends.

    You can find out how many people have confirmed cases in your area by clicking here.

    Pedestrians in London wearing masksImage source, Getty Images
  18. Roma players to forgo salary - sports round-uppublished at 20:19 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Wuhan Zall fansImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Fans greeted the Wuhan Zall team as they arrived in the city via train

  19. Duke of Sussex 'incredibly proud' of British publicpublished at 20:10 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    The Duke of SussexImage source, Getty Images

    The Duke of Sussex has said he is "incredibly proud" of the many members of the British public who are volunteering during the coronavirus crisis.

    "It's such a wonderfully British thing that we all come to help when we need it," Prince Harry, who is currently living in California, said in an interview with the Declassifed podcast.

    "I want to say a huge thank you, as we all do, to all of the NHS workers and everybody that's volunteering," the duke said.

    "I'm just so incredibly proud to see what these individuals up and down the country and across the world are doing on a day-to-day basis."

    The prince also sent his congratulations to Captain Tom Moore, the 99-year-old veteran who has raised more than £23m for the NHS by lapping his garden 100 times.

    "I think what he's done is utterly amazing."

  20. Easy-to-follow 10-minute home workoutspublished at 19:50 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Media caption,

    Short routines to get you stretching and moving - specifically designed for older people.

    Demos and Sport England have produced a series of workout videos for older people which may help during this lockdown period.

    You can watch the latest routine here - check out the other workouts at the BBC Sport website.