Michael Gove described the conspiracy theory linking new 5G masts to the coronavirus pandemic as “dangerous nonsense” as the UK death toll rose by more than 700 to 4,313.
The cabinet secretary spoke out at the government’s daily Covid-19 briefing after NHS England confirmed that a five-year-old child with underlying health conditions had become the youngest victim of the outbreak.
Mr Gove also paid tribute to the seven healthcare workers who have so far fallen victim to the outbreak as he urged the British public to stay at home this weekend despite the warm weather.
It comes as Donald Trump, the US president, announced new federal guidelines recommending Americans wear face coverings when in public to help fight the spread of Covid-19, but immediately said he had no intention of following the advice himself, saying: “I’m choosing not to do it.”
Meanwhile, the global number of deaths surged passed 60,000 and confirmed cases passed 1.1 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Follow the latest updates
Britons urged to stay home despite warm weather
People have been urged to stay at home this weekend despite the warm weather, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Boris Johnson, the prime minister, and his health secretary, Matt Hancock, said the public should stick with the social distancing rules and resist the temptation to enjoy the sunshine forecast for swathes of the UK on Saturday and Sunday.
Mr Johnson urged people not to break social distancing rules as the weather warms up, even if they were going "a bit stir crazy".
In a video on social media, he said: "I reckon a lot of people will be starting to think that this is all going on for quite a long time and would rather be getting out there, particularly if you've got kids in the household, everybody may be getting a bit stir crazy, and there may be just a temptation to get out there, hang out and start to break the regulations.
"I just urge you not to do that. Please, please stick with the guidance now."
Prime minister advised to reconsider lockdown strategy by coronavirus adviser
Boris Johnson’s key adviser on the coronavirus pandemic has urged the prime minister to find a way of ending the nationwide lockdown, Peter Stubley writes.
Graham Medley, an expert in the spread of infectious diseases, suggested the government had “painted itself into a corner” by imposing widespread restrictions on movement that he claims may cause more damage than the epidemic itself.
Boris Johnson urged to reconsider lockdown strategy by coronavirus adviser
Expert claims government has ‘painted itself into a corner’ and should reconsider herd immunitySome other key UK updates:
- The Department of Health confirmed 684 more people died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total deaths in the UK to 3,605 as of 5pm on Thursday.
- Boris Johnson, who remains in self-isolation inside Downing Street as his coronavirus symptoms persist, said he is "feeling better".
- The Queen will make an address to the nation about the coronavirus crisis on Sunday.
- The first of the government's emergency field hospitals to treat coronavirus patients opened in east London's ExCel centre.
Coronavirus confirmed on Falkland Islands
A case of coronavirus has been confirmed on the Falkland Islands.
The British overseas territory's government said: "An inpatient in the hospital who is in isolation has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.
"The patient was admitted from the Mount Pleasant Complex on 31 March as they became unwell and medical staff observed a range of Covid-19 like symptoms.
"They have been cared for with all necessary isolation precautions and continue to be so.
"The patient, who is not on a ventilator, is in a stable condition and being carefully looked after by the hospital staff."
In this article, Bel Trew shows us inside the Lebanon refugee camps bracing for coronavirus.
Inside the Lebanon refugee camps bracing for coronavirus
One in four people in Lebanon is a refugee, they are now among the most vulnerable to Covid-19'Time to put others before self', chief constable says
Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, from Devon and Cornwall Police, has encouraged people to stay home during the good weather this weekend.
He told BBC Breakfast: "This is a national endeavour, everyone plays their part, it's the time to put others before self and we're seeing so many people across local government doing their part, the NHS of course.
"But it's actually the public, the millions of people, to put others before self to be selfless, not selfish."
Chief Constable Sawyer said his officers would in the first instance "explain" and "encourage" people to abide by the government guidelines on essential travel.
He explained: "When we come to enforcement, that really is a last resort because, in a way, if we come to enforcement then everybody has failed to understand the significance of this endeavour.
"It's not just visitors, even within my 4,000 square miles I've got my own population that really just want to jump in the car and travel.
"They want to go to the moors they want to go to the beaches."
He described this weekend as "a time to remember the importance of stay at home and save lives".
Chief constable says 'enforcement is a last resort'
Chief Constable Sawyer added: "Where we are seeing gatherings on the beach we will first enquire because that gathering might be a family.
"We mustn't assume and jump to policing by judgment, we have to have a conversation.
"We'll encourage people to go home, to separate, to isolate.
"But, equally, if groups really will not listen, then enforcement is a last resort."
Chief Constable Sawyer said Devon and Cornwall's 700 miles of coastline is "unpoliceable other than by the public themselves".
He added: "Of course, we'll focus on core areas, we're certainly looking at the arterial roads into the South West - the M4, M5, A303 and then, within the peninsular, the A30.
"But that is a very small workforce.
"Devon and Cornwall police requires the public both within and outside our geography to play their part.
"When they do gather ... we will talk, we'll converse, and, if needs be, as a last resort we'll enforce."
‘More and more’ young people experiencing severe disease, WHO warns
Increasing numbers of younger people are falling seriously ill or dying with coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned, Peter Stubley reports.
Officials said they were trying to “better understand” why apparently healthy patients aged under 60 ended up in intensive care units (ICU) with the disease.
Coronavirus hitting 'more and more' young people, WHO warns
‘There are still many unknowns at this time,’ says expert Dr Maria Van KerkhoveCoronavirus news you may have missed overnight
The coronavirus pandemic continues to cause chaos across the UK and around the world.
Here’s your morning briefing of everything you may have missed overnight, from Conrad Duncan.
Coronavirus news you may have missed overnight – more young people dying, says WHO
But one government advisor says restrictions should be lifted - because they will cause more harm than pandemic itselfHigh level of infections could last 'weeks' if people break social distancing this weekend
Professor Neil Ferguson, from Imperial College London and author of a report which warned of mass deaths if the UK did not introduce strict controls, said a high level of coronavirus infections could last for "weeks" if people break the social distancing rules this weekend.
He told BBC Radio 4 that the epidemic was expected to plateau in the next week to 10 days, but said people's behaviour was critical to determining what happens next.
Asked what would happen if people flout the social distancing rules this weekend, he said: "That moves us to a slightly more pessimistic scenario.
"We still think things will plateau but we'll be at quite high levels of infection for weeks and weeks rather than seeing quite a rapid decline as the type seen in China."
Intense social distancing measures could be substituted for rapid access to testing
Prof Ferguson said he was "hopeful" that some of the intense social distancing measures could be substituted with rapid access to testing and contact tracing in a few weeks' time - once case numbers are lower.
"The critical thing first is to get case numbers down, and then I'm hopeful ... in a few weeks' time we will be able to move to a regime which will not be normal life, let me emphasise that, but will be somewhat more relaxed in terms of social distancing and the economy, but relying more on testing."
Prof Ferguson added: "We want to move to a situation where at least by the end of May that we're able to substitute some less intensive measures, more based on technology and testing, for the complete lockdown we have now."
He said if there was a rapid decline in cases, the government would consider whether it could relax certain measures in "a way which is safe and still ensures the epidemic goes down".
Prime minister invites opposition leaders to coronavirus briefing
Boris Johnson has written to opposition party leaders inviting them to a briefing next week and insisting "we have a duty to work together at this moment of national emergency".
The letter read: "Coronavirus is the biggest threat this county has faced in decades - and we are not alone. All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this invisible killer.
"We are working to a scientifically-led, step-by-step action plan - taking the right measures at the right time. We know this will not be a short battle - beating coronavirus will take months, not weeks.
"But the government is keeping all the current restrictions, and any further action that might be required, under constant review and they will be relaxed if and when the evidence shows we are able to.
"Our message to the British public is clear: stay at home, in order to protect the NHS and save lives.
"As party leaders, we have a duty to work together at this moment of national emergency.
"Therefore, I would like to invite all leaders of opposition parties in Parliament to a briefing with myself, the chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser next week. I want to listen to your views and update you on the measures we have taken so far, such as rapidly expanding testing and providing economic support to businesses and individuals across the country.
"The government I lead will act in the national interest at all times and be guided by the best scientific evidence, and of course we will continue to engage constructively with all political parties on the national effort to defeat this pandemic. I have no doubt that - as we have so many times in the past - the people of the United Kingdom will rise to this current challenge, and we will beat coronavirus together."
Testing 'key' for UK to exit lockdown
Jeremy Hunt, chairman of the Commons Health and Social Care Committee, said testing was the "key" for the UK to exit the coronavirus lockdown.
The former health secretary told BBC Radio 4: "It's not the test in itself, it's what the test then allows you to do: to quarantine the person who has virus and to track down the people that they've been in touch with, to test them, to see who they've been in touch with, to quarantine them if necessary.
"That approach, we can now see, is by far the most effective at suppressing the virus.
"If we can ramp up the testing in line with the ambitions laid out by the health secretary, then that is the key for our exit route."
Georgia records first coronavirus death
A 79-year-old woman who tested positive for the coronavirus died in Georgia today, the presiding doctor at the clinic where she was treated said, reporting the country's first death related to the pandemic.
The patient had other illnesses and underlying conditions.
Georgia, a South Caucasus country of 3.7 million people, had reported 157 coronavirus infections as of today.
China mourns thousands of coronavirus 'martyrs'
China has mourned the thousands of "martyrs" who have died in the new coronavirus outbreak, flying the national flag at half mast throughout the country and suspending all forms of entertainment.
Today's day of mourning coincided with the start of the annual Qingming tomb-sweeping festival, when millions of Chinese families pay respects to their ancestors.
Katie Garraway: TV host's husband in intensive care with coronavirus
Kate Garraway has confirmed that her husband, Derek Draper, has been hospitalised after contracting coronavirus, Sarah Young reports.
On Friday, a spokesperson for the Good Morning Britain presenter revealed that Draper is currently in intensive care and has tested positive for Covid-19. They added that while Garraway has not yet been tested, she is displaying symptoms of the virus.
Kate Garraway's husband is in intensive care with coronavirus
TV host is self-isolating at home with children after displaying symptomsPrisoners within two months of release to be temporarily allowed out of jail
Risk-assessed prisoners within two months of their release date are to be temporarily released from jail as part of the national plan to protect the NHS and save lives, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has announced.
Mr Buckland said: "This government is committed to ensuring that justice is served to those who break the law.
"But this is an unprecedented situation because if coronavirus takes hold in our prisons, the NHS could be overwhelmed and more lives put at risk.
"All prisoners will face a tough risk assessment and must comply with strict conditions, including an electronic tag, while they are closely monitored. Those that do not will be recalled to prison."
Prisoners to be temporarily released to try to halt spread of coronavirus
Move comes as Ministry of Justice reveals 88 inmates and 15 staff have been diagnosed with infectionSpain's death toll falls for second day
Spain's death toll from the coronavirus rose to 11,744 yofsy from 10,935 yesterday, the Health Ministry said, though it was the second straight second day in which the daily number of new deaths had fallen.
A total of 809 people died from the disease over the past 24 hours, down from 932 in the previous period, the figures showed.
The total number of registered infections rose to 124,736 today from 117,710 yesterday, the ministry said.
Iran death toll nears 3,500
Iran's death toll from the coronavirus outbreak climbed to 3,452 today, with 158 more fatalities recorded over the past 24 hours, Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpur said.
The total number of cases diagnosed with the disease reached 55,743, of whom 4,103 are in critical condition, he said on state TV.
Iran is the country worst affected by the pandemic in the Middle East.
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