More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Another 563 people have died as of 9am this morning, according to the department for health and social care.
The vast majority of those who have died have had pre-existing health conditions but yesterday's figure included a previously healthy 19-year-old and 13-year-old.
There are currently 10,767 people in hospital with Covid-19, Michael Gove told a Downing Street press briefing last night.
Of those almost 4,000 are in London while the Midlands has 1,918 people hospitalised - a number which is "accelerating upwards".
Thousands of new ventilators will be with the NHS by next week, he added, while the UK needs to go "further, faster" to up testing.
National medical director Stephen Powis said he's "pleased to say the Great British public" are heeding social distancing advice.
There has recently been a "bit of a plateau" in new cases but we are "not out of the woods we are very much in the woods" and while there are "green shoots" we should not be complacent.
Follow our live blog for today's coronavirus updates:
8.30pm - Tesco's £30 million boost
Tesco will provide an additional £30 million of funding to foodbanks, community groups and the British Red Cross.
Meanwhile, the University of Kent’s Forensic Science team has donated a range of personal protective equipment to the Infection Prevention and Control Team at the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
Oversuits, goggles, face masks and shoe covers, which is utilised by Kent forensic science students during crime scene assessments, has been provided to protect NHS staff and patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.
5.03pm - Daily briefing
Business secretary Alok Sharma heads up today's briefing.
He says 152,979 people have now been tested of which 29,474 were positive.
There are 10,767 in hospital, 3,915 of which are in London and 1,918 in the Midlands. To date 2,352 have died with the youngest victim just 13.
"Coronavirus is the biggest threat we have faced in decades," he adds.
He conveys his "heartfelt thanks" to all businesses which are keeping the economy going and ensuring when the crisis passes "which it will" we can bounce back.
From today businesses will benefit from £22 billion business rates relief and local authorities now have more than £12 bn to help businesses, he says.
"We will work with the banks so they can repay the favour of us stepping in to help them in 2008," he adds.
He concludes: "We have harder times ahead of us but together we will pull through."
Dr Yvonne Doyle from Public Health England says there has been a concerning rise in vehicle traffic.
There has also been a concerning three-day rise in new cases.
Mr Sharma says we are at 10,000 tests a day against a target of 25,000 while efforts are also being stepped up to increase PPE supplies.
He stresses in the face of mounting criticism that testing is the government's "number one priority".
It's feared without a huge increase in tests frontline care workers won't know if they're fit to work and the NHS will struggle to cope with an expected surge in cases.
Dr Doyle says the 25,000 test target is achievable.
4.35pm - In case you missed them
Ahead of today's press briefing here are a few stories from around lockdown Kent.
Craft fans across Kent are being called on to sew scrubs for the NHS.
Police in the county have been urged to explain the need for the new rules to people before sending them home.
The question on everyone's lips - can you swim in the sea during lockdown? We've got the answer.
Kent's gurkhas are helping build the 4,000-bed NHS Nightingale hospital in London.
Meanwhile in Folkestone support is being offered to independent businesses which are facing difficulties during the crisis.
The programme has been set up and funded by the council to aid retail and hospitality businesses in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh.
This will include speaking to an expert who can offer advice, such as how to trade successfully through social media channels, as well as a business skills needs assessment and a business plan review to help owners plan for the next six to 12 months.
Business owners interested in taking part should email economy@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk
The council has also part-funded a dedicated business support helpline which will be run through Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.
Any businesses requiring help and guidance in these difficult times can contact an adviser who will be at the end of the phone to help.
The helpline is 0333 3602300 and will be open 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
4.08pm - Wimbledon
It's been cancelled. It was only a matter of time.
3.35pm - Wine demand
It looks like people are drinking more wine because of lockdown.
Tenterden-based Chapel Down says it's seen a dramatic rise in sales since pubs were shut.
3.20pm - New stats
In the 24 hours to 5pm last night hospitals in England reported 486 coronavirus deaths from various points in the past few days. Trusts in Kent recorded eight, five at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells and three at Darent Valley.
3.15pm - "Crisis within a crisis"
The heads of health and social care unions says the lack of protective equipment in the NHS is a "crisis within a crisis".
In sport news all international football matches set to be played in June have been postponed until further notice. The Euros have already been postponed until next year.
2.54pm - Police asked to explain rules to public
Officers across Kent have been told to "engage" with members of the public by explaining new government social distancing laws before encouraging them to go home or disperse.
Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, said "enforcement" of coronavirus emergency powers will only be used as a last resort following discussions with the local chief constable, Alan Pughsley. Read more here.
2.43pm - Get arty in lockdown
A Kent-based art organisation has come up with an egg-cellent way to keep people connected while in lock down.
As Covid-19 keeps people apart, the team from the East Cliff Creatives (ECC), based in Folkestone, have launched the Collaboreggs project for the second year with the hope of bringing a smile to people's faces. Read more here.
2.12pm - Latest stats
563 more people have died from coronavirus. The total is now 2,352 as of 9am this morning.
12.58pm - Colouring time!
A Deal illustrator has put pen to paper to help families pass the time during lockdown.
Steve Turner has created two quirky colouring in sheets ideal for children being homeschooled - and bored adults too. Read more here.
12pm - Police called back
A call has gone out to retired police officers, staff and volunteers to return to the frontline in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Kent Police has today appealed for people to come forward to bolster the force in the county as it looks to strengthen its resources in these uniquely challenging times. Read more here.
11.48am - Bad hair day?
There's no doubt the coronavirus outbreak has caused major disruption to everyone in Kent.
We've all had to adapt - whether it be working from home, queueing up two metres apart outside supermarkets or getting by on limited supplies of loo roll.
But how are men across the county coping now they cannot visit the barber's for their regular trim? Read more here.
11.21am - New police measures
New guidance has been given to police forces on enforcing lockdown measures.
They've been told people shouldn't be punished for travelling a reasonable and to use common sense. Officers have been criticised for being heavy handed.
Kent Police RPU tweeted this:
Police forces have been given new guidance on enforcing coronavirus lockdown measures.
Officers have faced criticism for using heavy-handed tactics to enforce social distancing rules.
They've been told people shouldn't be punished for travelling a "reasonable distance" to exercise - and to use "common sense" in each case.
10.43am - Take on Paxman
A virtual pub quiz raising money for frontline NHS staff is to include a number of TV personalities including Jeremy Paxman.
The no-nonsense University Challenge host will be joined by the likes of Tanya Franks from EastEnders, the One Show's Helen Fospero and the Marlowe's panto dame, Ben Roddy. Read more here.
10.18am - Food for the animals
Animal parks struggling to fund their enormous £1.5m food bill amid the coronavirus crisis have been "overwhelmed" with donations.
Port Lympne and Howletts have been forced to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more here.
9.45am - Testing levels 'unacceptable'
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth has said it is "unacceptable" that the UK won't hit its target for testing people for coronavirus until the middle of the month.
The goal is 25,000 checks a day, but the government said it only has the capacity for half of its that.
9.12am - 2,700 jobs available in Kent
The government's job vacancy site currently lists more than 2,700 open roles in Kent, with more than 1,100 of those posted in the last two weeks. Read more here.
8.50am - Briton dies on cruise
A British national is among the four people to have died on a cruise ship off Florida following an outbreak of coronavirus, the company that owns the vessel has confirmed.
In all, nine people have contracted the illness, while 189 others have reported flu-like symptoms.
8.30am - Fuel sales fall
Fuel consumption has fallen by more than 70% across the UK as a result of the pandemic.
The new figures come after petrol prices had their biggest weekly fall since current records began.
This has prompted the Petrol Retailers Association to warn that many service stations will be forced to close.
8.15am - Boy, 13, youngest to die with virus
A 13-year-old boy has died after testing positive for coronavirus.
Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, from Brixton in south London, is thought to be the youngest person to die with the illness in the UK.
His relatives say he did not have any underlying health conditions before he was admitted to King's College Hospital.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to help cover the funeral costs.
8.05am - Staff needed at field hospital
Britain's first coronavirus field hospital is expected to require more than 16,000 members of staff.
The Nightingale hospital was built inside a week at the Excel Arena in London.
Patients are expected to begin arriving for treatment this week.
7.50am - Fake news crackdown
A public information campaign is to relaunch next week to combat phony facts about the pandemic.
The Rapid Response Unit, which operates from within the Cabinet Office and No10, says fake information online ranges from misinformation from purported "experts" to fraudsters running phishing scams.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "We’re working with social media companies, and I’ll be pressing them this week for further action to stem the spread of falsehoods and rumours which could cost lives."
One of the nonsense claims most commonly seen on social media is the assertion that being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds is an indicator of whether you have coronavirus.
7.35am - Telltale symptoms of virus
New research show a loss of smell and taste could be the most accurate way of telling if you have contracted the illness
Experts from King's College London studied the 400,000 people who signed up to free app Covid Symptom Tracker.
In 59% of cases, those who tested positive for coronavirus lost the ability to smell and taste.
7.25am - ICYMI: Wedding venue to become first 'care hotel'
A Victorian-built mansion is to become the UK's first "care hotel" - freeing up NHS hospital beds as the coronavirus crisis is set to worsen.
Salomons Estate Hotel in Tunbridge Wells has been identified by Hilton Nursing Partners as a suitable site for the new facility, which will "focus on the recovery of the frail and vulnerable".
It is hoped to be operational by Monday, April 6. Read the full story here.
7.10am - Contactless payment limit raised
Shoppers are set to be able to spend as much as £45 through contactless payments.
The change will come into place today in a bid to prevent customers from handling cash and, in turn, reducing the risk of them catching Covid-19.
