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. Germany and UK 'at different phases'published at 16:53 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Responding to criticism of the UK's lack of testing, Dr Jenny Harries says the focus is currently on managing the condition of people who are sick.

    On comparisons with Germany - which has far greater testing and far fewer deaths - she says it is "very important that we learn from other countries" but stresses that the UK and Germany are "still at different phases".

  2. Joining forces to help poor children 'to really succeed'published at 16:50 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Up to 40% of students have no computer at home or have a difficult environment to work in. How can the government prevent them falling behind while schools are closed?

    Mr Williamson says the government is helping disadvantaged children "to really succeed" and will do "absolutely everything" to stop them falling behind during the coronavirus crisis.

  3. Williamson: National effort on protective equipmentpublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Asked about the gap in survival rates at hospitals across countries and the best practice for the National Health Service, Dr Jenny Harries says professional groups are looking for the most effective ways to treat patients.

    "At this stage it is quite difficult to tease out practices," she says. "But as we go forward in coming months and years... there will be a whole number of research papers looking at and comparing to see what elements of practice have worked."

    There is then another question on PPE - asking whether those going into work will get the equipment they need to stay safe.

    Gavin Williamson says earlier in the outbreak, the debate was about ventilators, but there was a "national effort" to find more.

    "What you are seeing in terms of PPE is also a national effort," he adds.

  4. Williamson: Response is a whole government effortpublished at 16:42 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Responding to criticism that Prime Minister Boris Johnson missed five emergency cabinet meetings, Williamson says Johnson has been leading from the front since the scope of the challenge became clear.

    "This is a whole government effort. We are doing everything that is required, everything that is needed."

  5. Harries: Not all PPE equipment is single usepublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Dan Hewitt from ITV asks about the shortage of personal protective equipment, which means some doctors and nurses are having to re-use PPE.

    Dr Harries says some PPE is single use "but not all". Detailed guidance is available for clinicians, she says.

    She calls the situation "complex" and acknowledges the shortage globally.

    The deputy chief medical officer says each group requiring PPE is being prioritised according to their need but it is not always possible to predict accurately who will need what when.

  6. Global deaths datapublished at 16:33 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Global deathsImage source, UK government

    The deputy chief medical officer acknowledges the differences in collecting data around the world.

    She calls the UK hospital data "very robust". She adds that deaths in the community are now being recorded, as well as people who die with coronavirus in hospital.

  7. Harries: Adult conversation needed on PPEpublished at 16:26 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    The press are now asking questions.

    The BBC's Hugh Pym asks about reports that stocks of PPE - such as gowns and masks - were run down ahead of the outbreak of coronavrius.

    Gavin Williamson says there has been an "enormous effort" to find PPE "right around the globe" - and they have been working hard "from the first moment".

    Dr Jenny Harries says there needs to be "an adult conversation" about PPE.

    "The UK has been an intentional exemplar in preparedness," she adds.

    Dr Harries says there has been a "huge demand on our supply".

    But she adds: "Rather than lumping all of the PPE together, we just need to think carefully through what has been achieved and the challenges."

  8. Hospital datapublished at 16:20 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    People in hospitalImage source, UK government

    Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries praises the downward trend in Covid-19 hospital cases, particularly in London.

  9. Williamson: Young people important part of the fightpublished at 16:18 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    The education secretary praises all those making resources available to teach at home, including the Oak Academy and the BBC.

    Gavin Williamson says he recognises "all the challenges that families will be facing at the moment", saying the government is "determined to help parents helping their children learn from home".

    He says the government is ordering laptops to help children sitting key exams, as well as for those who need to keep in touch with social workers and care givers.

    And he promises free 4G routers for disadvantaged secondary school pupils and care leavers who are preparing for exams.

    "We are also working with major telecommunications providers to exempt certain resources from data charges," he adds.

    Williamson applauds "the remarkable way our education community has responded to this outbreak".

    And he gives special thanks to young people watching.

    "I know you will be missing your friends, teacher and lessons, but you are such an important part of this fight too," he says.

  10. Travel decline 'good news'published at 16:15 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries says people should congratulate ourselves on maintaining social distancing measures by not using public transport in the UK.

    Tube travel is down by 95%

    She acknowledged a "little blip" over Easter but said the country was now back to "normal pandemic level".

    TravelImage source, UK government
  11. Williamson: Cannot give you a date for schools to re-openpublished at 16:10 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Gavin Williamson says "everyone has their part to play" in tackling the outbreak, and flags the "heroic" work of the NHS.

    But he also wants to thank nurseries, schools, colleges and children's services for their "vital role".

    The education secretary says: "I know you are anxious to know when we are going to relax restrictions.

    "Of course I want nothing more than to see schools back, to get them back to normal, to make sure children are sat around learning and experiencing the joy of learning at school.

    "But I can't give you a date."

    He repeats the five tests set out by the government before they can relax the restrictions.

    They include death and infection rates going down, to be sure testing and PPE is being managed, and to make sure any changes will not risk a second peak.

    Williamson says they will work with the sector on how to re-open schools "when the time is right".

    But the "first priority has always been protecting the children and young people, but particularly vulnerable people".

    He confirms no one will have to leave care "during this difficult time", and is working with Childline and NSPCC for help.

  12. Williamson: These are not normal timespublished at 16:04 British Summer Time 19 April 2020
    Breaking

    Gavin Williamson begins the briefing by saying: "On any normal Sunday afternoon, many of you would have been out with family and friends enjoying the sunshine.

    "And tomorrow, many children would be going to school after a two week break."

    "But these are not normal times and we are asking you to stay at home.

    The education secretary thanks people for "all the sacrifices you have made and continued to make", saying it is the "surest way to protect the NHS and save lives".

    He confirms the total number of deaths of those in the UK hospitalised with coronavirus has reached 16,060.

    "We musn't forget behind every single statistic there is a heartbreaking story," he adds.

  13. The internet’s take on BBC News theme tunepublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    We should be hearing from the UK government in the next few minutes.

    But that gives you time to watch this array of viral videos having fun with the BBC News theme tune.

    Media caption,

    The internet has fun with the BBC News theme tune

  14. One World: Together at Home event raises almost $128mpublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Lisa MishraImage source, Global Citizen
    Image caption,

    Indian-American artist Lisa Mishra performed during the broadcast

    The eight-hour One World: Together at Home music event - broadcast on TV and streamed across the world - raised almost $128m (£102m).

    More than 100 musicians took part including Lady Gaga, who helped organise the event, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Common and Taylor Swift.

    A statement by organisers Global Citizen said: "World leaders, corporate partners and philanthropists announced their support for the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organisation during the event."

    The money raised will be used to help fund vaccine development and local and regional charities, it added.

  15. The UK picturepublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    PPE
    Image caption,

    A shipment of PPE from Turkey to the UK has been delayed

    We should be hearing from the UK government in the next 30 minutes, but let’s take a look at the latest from the country first:

  16. Equipment delay is a 'real worry'published at 15:16 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Nick Triggle
    Health Correspondent

    The delay to a consignment of personal protective equipment (PPE) from Turkey to the UK is a real worry both in the short-term and long-term.

    It is clear the pandemic stocks we have been largely relying on to date are running out, at least in terms of gowns and visors.

    It has left the country relying on international supply – certainly for gowns.

    Given the international demand for them, this threatens to be an ongoing issue that could cause problems for months to come.

    Staff are understandably worried – they are putting their lives at risk.

    Ministers and their officials are clearly working hard to do what they can.

    But in the future serious questions will need to be asked why this situation has arisen in the first place.

  17. UK government briefing at 16:00published at 15:02 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Gavin WilliamsonImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Gavin Williamson will lead today's press briefing

    We have just had it confirmed that the UK government will give its daily briefing at 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT).

    The briefing will be led by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, while Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues to recover from coronavirus.

    He will be joined by deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries.

  18. Why we touch our faces and how to stop doing itpublished at 14:52 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Why we touch our faces and how to stop it

    Medical officials across the world have warned people to avoid touching their face as a key way to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

    Often when issuing the warning, they've gone on to - you guessed it - put their hands on their face.

    But why do we touch our faces in the first place? And is it that easy to just stop doing it all of a sudden?

    We spoke to psychologist Natasha Tiwari.

  19. Rise of the robots?published at 14:39 British Summer Time 19 April 2020

    Search and you will find many sci-fi books and films that predict a future world awash with robot workers replacing humans.

    As advances in such technology accelerate, the question is whether fiction is gradually turning into fact?

    BBC technology reporter Zoe Thomas investigates whether the current pandemic is speeding up the process.

    Read more here.

    Robot hand typing on a keyboardImage source, Getty Images