The World Health Organisation has warned that the coronavirus pandemic is "not over" after Brazil reported a record number of daily deaths and cases surged in India, Mexico and South Africa.
As the official UK death toll passed 40,000, scientists halted a trial of the anti-malaria drug touted by Donald Trump after researchers at the University of Oxford found hydroxychloroquine was ineffective as a treatment for coronavirus.
Meanwhile the British government came under increasing pressure to drop its 14-day quarantine plan after the EU called for all border restrictions to be lifted by the end of June and British Airways began considering legal action to stop it coming into force.
Follow the latest developments in the liveblog below:
Health secretary acknowledges ‘challenge’ in North West and South West with Covid-19
Mr Hancock has said there is a “challenge” in both the North West and the South West of England regarding the spread of coronavirus.
“What they [official figures] do confirm across the board is that there is a challenge in the North West of England to address and to a lesser degree in the South West of England where the issue is slightly different," he told the No 10 briefing.
“In the South West, the overall incidence of the disease is much lower but the R is a little bit higher than in the rest of the UK.”
Mr Hancock has encouraged people who have recovered from coronavirus to donate their blood plasma and revealed he has made his own donation.
“If you have had the virus, then you can help make a difference,” he said.
“Because by donating your plasma from your blood that has your antibodies in it, then you can help somebody who is currently suffering in hospital with coronavirus.
“I did this earlier today, I gave my antibodies, and the process is simple, it's straightforward.”
The health secretary added: “If you have had coronavirus, if you go to the NHS blood and transplant website... then you too can donate your antibodies and help protect somebody who is currently in hospital with coronavirus.
“And I'd encourage anybody who can do that to step forward.”
More on the health secretary’s announcement today on face coverings in hospitals
Earlier, Mr Hancock said hospital visitors and outpatients would need to wear face coverings and all hospital staff would need to wear surgical masks in England from 15 June.
“As the NHS reopens right across the country, it's critically important to stop the spread amongst staff, patients and visitors too,” the health secretary said.
“So today we're setting out that all hospital visitors and outpatients will need to wear face coverings.”
He added: “One of the things that we've learnt is that those in hospital, those who are working in hospital, are more likely to catch coronavirus whether they work in a clinical setting or not.
“And so to offer even greater protection we're also providing new guidance for NHS staff in England which will come into force again on 15 June and all hospital staff will be required to wear type one or two surgical masks.
“And this will cover all staff working in hospital, it will apply at all times - not just when they are doing life-saving work on the frontline - and it will apply in all areas, except those areas designated as Covid-secure workplaces.”
Death toll rising to more than 40,000 is ‘time of sorrow’, Hancock says
Mr Hancock has said the news that the UK’s Covid-19 death toll has risen to more than 40,000 will make him “redouble” his determination to deal with the virus.
“I think the day that the number of deaths from coronavirus has gone over 40,000 is a time of sorrow for us all,” the health secretary told the Downing Street briefing.
“We've got to remember that each one of these is an impact on a family that will never be the same again and my heart goes out to them all.
“And it makes me redouble my determination to deal with this virus and to get that incidence right down and the way you get the incidence down is... to keep the R below one.”
Halt on evictions extended by two-months, housing secretary says
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has announced a two-month extension to the government's halt on evictions from social and private rented properties.
“We are suspending evictions from social & private rented accommodation by a further two months,” Mr Jenrick wrote on Twitter.
“Eviction hearings will not be heard in courts until the end of August and no-one will be evicted from their home this summer due to coronavirus.”
Health secretary urges people not to attend George Floyd protests
The health secretary has warned people against attending George Floyd protests over concerns about the spread of Covid-19.
Mr Hancock said:
“Ahead of this weekend, when I know there are plans for further protests, I want to say something to you as the health secretary.
“Like so many, I’m appalled by the death of George Floyd and I understand why people are deeply upset, but we are still facing a health crisis and coronavirus remains a real threat.
“The reason it is vital that people stick to the rules this weekend is to protect themselves and their family from this horrific disease, so please for the safety of your loved ones do not attend large gatherings, including demonstrations, of more than six people.”
Mr Hancock has said all hospital visitors and outpatients will need to wear face coverings to slow the spread of Covid-19 within hospitals from 15 June.
The health secretary has also updated guidance to say all hospital staff will need to wear masks at all times to protect against the virus.
"As we get this virus under control, it is so important that we stamp out new infections and outbreaks," Mr Hancock said.
Health secretary Matt Hancock has begun the daily coronavirus briefing, citing an Office for National Statistics (ONS) study which suggested the number of new infections a day has fallen.
The ONS figures showed the number of people with Covid-19 in England had fallen to about 5,600 new infections a day from about 8,000 reported last week.
Mr Hancock said the figures were "encouraging".
The ONS figures showed the number of people with Covid-19 in England had fallen to about 5,600 new infections a day from about 8,000 reported last week.
Mr Hancock said the figures were "encouraging".
Elon Musk attacks Amazon over coronavirus book
Elon Musk has called out fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos over Amazon's decision to ban a controversial book about the coronavirus.
The SpaceX and Tesla boss tweeted in response to a screenshot posted by the author of the self-published e-book, titled 'Unreported truths about Covid-19 and lockdowns', which showed a message from Amazon's content review department.
Elon Musk breaks Twitter hiatus to tell Jeff Bezos that Amazon should be 'broken up'
SpaceX and Tesla boss breaks Twitter hiatus to tweet at Jeff BezosNew York City reports no new Covid-19 deaths for first day since mid-March
New York City may have seen its first day with no confirmed coronavirus deaths since fatalities started rising in mid-March.
According to preliminary data from the city’s health department, there were zero confirmed additional deaths from Covid-19 on Wednesday 3 June.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the development was “great news” for the city.
Our reporter, Louise Hall, has the full story below:
New York City reports no new coronavirus deaths for first day since mid-March
Governor announced outdoor dining to re-open in certain regions on Wednesday
WHO updates guidance to say everyone should wear face masks in public
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has updated its guidance to recommend governments ask everyone to wear face masks in public areas where there is a risk of transmission of Covid-19.
In its new guidance, which was prompted by evidence from studies conducted in recent weeks, WHO stressed that face masks were only one of a range of tools to reduce the risk of viral transmission, and should not give a false sense of protection.
“We are advising governments to encourage that the general public wear a mask. And we specify a fabric mask - that is, a non-medical mask,” Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's technical lead expert on Covid-19, told Reuters in an interview.
You can read more on this breaking story below:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has updated its guidance to recommend governments ask everyone to wear face masks in public areas where there is a risk of transmission of Covid-19.
In its new guidance, which was prompted by evidence from studies conducted in recent weeks, WHO stressed that face masks were only one of a range of tools to reduce the risk of viral transmission, and should not give a false sense of protection.
“We are advising governments to encourage that the general public wear a mask. And we specify a fabric mask - that is, a non-medical mask,” Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's technical lead expert on Covid-19, told Reuters in an interview.
You can read more on this breaking story below:
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Opinion: 'Disabled people are being ignored by the government'
Our columnist, James Moore, has written about the experiences of disabled people during the coronavirus pandemic.
James writes:
"Boris Johnson’s government seems more interested in disenfranchising Britain’s elderly and disabled MPs by demanding they attend the House of Commons to vote rather than doing it remotely when they are supposed to be shielding themselves and/or family members from the pandemic, than it is in paying attention to the plight of the nation’s disabled people."
You can read his full article below:
Our columnist, James Moore, has written about the experiences of disabled people during the coronavirus pandemic.
James writes:
"Boris Johnson’s government seems more interested in disenfranchising Britain’s elderly and disabled MPs by demanding they attend the House of Commons to vote rather than doing it remotely when they are supposed to be shielding themselves and/or family members from the pandemic, than it is in paying attention to the plight of the nation’s disabled people."
You can read his full article below:
An end to boxing as we know it?
A world champion, world title challenger, English champion, regional champion, rising star and promoter talk to Luke Brown about the significant impact the pandemic has had on their sport
A world champion, world title challenger, English champion, regional champion, rising star and promoter talk to Luke Brown about the significant impact the pandemic has had on their sport
Trump calls for shift in strategy to protecting ‘high-risk populations’ as part of push to reopen
Donald Trump has called for a shift in strategy against the coronavirus pandemic to focus resources on protecting “high-risk populations” as part of a push for a total end to stay-at-home orders in states throughout the US.
In remarks at the White House Rose Garden, Mr Trump said:
“The best strategy to ensure the health of our people moving forward is to focus our resources on protecting high-risk populations, like the elderly and those in nursing homes, while allowing younger and healthy Americans to get back to work immediately.”
More than 108,000 Americans have died and more than 1.8 million have been sickened in the country so far during the pandemic.
Isis and al-Qaeda set to profit from Covid-19
Lockdowns and aid shortages makes north African communities 'an easy target' for jihadis, reports Borzou Daragahi.
How Isis and al-Qaeda are set to profit from Covid-19
Violent instability in the Sahel means millions are reliant on international aid - but coronavirus lockdowns have stifled the efforts of relief workers. And an economic standstill creates opportunities for jihadis, as Borzou Daragahi reports
Iraq records more than 1,000 cases in a day
Iraq reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day for the first time today, bringing the total to 9,846.
At least 285 people have died of COVID-19 in Iraq, according to the health ministry.
Iraq reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day for the first time today, bringing the total to 9,846.
At least 285 people have died of COVID-19 in Iraq, according to the health ministry.
UK coronavirus death toll passes 40,000
The official UK death toll from coronavirus has passed 40,000, after the Department of Health confirmed a further 357 patients had died.
Confirmed cases also rose by 1,650 to more than 283,000 as of 9am today.
The official UK death toll from coronavirus has passed 40,000, after the Department of Health confirmed a further 357 patients had died.
Confirmed cases also rose by 1,650 to more than 283,000 as of 9am today.
UK coronavirus death toll passes 40,000
More than 40,000 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, the Department of Health has said. More follows
UK coronavirus death toll rises to 40,261
'This is not a treatment for Covid'
Researchers found a slightly larger proportion of patients died in the hydroxychloroquine trial group (25.7 per cent) compared to those receiving standard care (23.5 per cent), although the difference is regarded as "not significant".
There was also no evidence of beneficial effects on hospital stay duration or other outcomes.
Professor Martin Landray said: "This trial has moved at incredible speed, there was a huge upsurge in cases if you go back a month or so, we have to base our decisions on the latest data and that came through just last night."
He added: "We never say never, but I think this is not a treatment for Covid."
Professor Landray said 1,542 patients were on the hydroxychloroquine part of the trial and that the data was reviewed for the first time on Thursday evening.
Prof Landray said: "Our conclusion is that this treatment does not reduce the risk of dying from Covid among hospital patients, that clearly has a significant importance for the way that patients are treated, not only in the UK but all around the world.
"There are hundreds of thousands, potentially millions of patients around the world being treated with hydroxychloroquine," he added.
Researchers found a slightly larger proportion of patients died in the hydroxychloroquine trial group (25.7 per cent) compared to those receiving standard care (23.5 per cent), although the difference is regarded as "not significant".
There was also no evidence of beneficial effects on hospital stay duration or other outcomes.
Professor Martin Landray said: "This trial has moved at incredible speed, there was a huge upsurge in cases if you go back a month or so, we have to base our decisions on the latest data and that came through just last night."
He added: "We never say never, but I think this is not a treatment for Covid."
Professor Landray said 1,542 patients were on the hydroxychloroquine part of the trial and that the data was reviewed for the first time on Thursday evening.
Prof Landray said: "Our conclusion is that this treatment does not reduce the risk of dying from Covid among hospital patients, that clearly has a significant importance for the way that patients are treated, not only in the UK but all around the world.
"There are hundreds of thousands, potentially millions of patients around the world being treated with hydroxychloroquine," he added.
See the full statement here
Coronavirus pandemic 'not over', warns WHO
The Covid-19 pandemic is “not over”, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned after Brazil reported a daily record number of deaths on Thursday.
Stringent lockdown restrictions are being lifted across much of Europe and the west but a number of countries have seen an “uptick” in cases, according to the WHO.
