almost 1000 more people have lost their lives. runners and cyclists banned from using a stretch of the thames, as we are all urged to stay at home this weekend to save more lives we all share a responsibility to tackle this virus, first and foremost tackle this virus, first and fore m ost by tackle this virus, first and foremost by staying at home. after weeks of criticism over a shortage of personal protection equipment for front—line staff, the government insists there is now enough. downing street says the prime minister's health

continues to improve and he has been taking short walks in hospital. in new york, a mass grave as the city tries to deal with the rapidly growing number of dead. queuing forfood in calais — we report on the migrants in camp there searching for supplies. and bringing the outdoors indoors, how charities are trying to connect people with nature using webcams to help mental health and in sport on bbc news, the head of the league managers association says professional football should not restart in england until all players have been tested for coronavirus. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. almost 9000 people in the uk have now lost their lives to coronavirus in the past five weeks. the latest daily death toll has risen by a record 980 people — that's higher than spain and italy's worst daily death tolls.

and that number does not include people who have died from coronavirus in care homes or in the community. it brings the total number of deaths in hospital to 8,958 at the end of another week of tragic news for thousands of families across the country. today has been the third day in a row in which the government has announced close to 1,000 deaths in a single day. the government's deputy chief medical officer has warned that the uk is still in a dangerous situation and lockdown measures are still needed to keep the situation under control. meanwhile, despite fresh claims from front—line staff about a lack of personal protecton equipement, the health secretary today insisted there is now enough for medical workers as long as it's used correctly. here's our health editor, hugh pym. work on birmingham's new temporary hospital has progressed so fast it is ready to take patients today. that was the message from local health leaders of the latest nightingale hospitalfor

coronavirus cases based at the national exhibition centre. it will be well—equipped, but it comes at a time when some health staff elsewhere are worried about their safety. they say they are still not able to get the right personal protective equipment and some feel anxious what they do get is not adequate. we're getting a lot of messages from doctors on the front line that the current situation is in many parts of the country inadequate. the people are feeling unprotected, that they feel scared when the artwork. they feel unable in some places to use the kit that they are able to bring in from home because other members of the team have not got it, and they do not feel confident in what is being provided. staff at newcastle's trust say they have had confusing messages. 0ne e—mail this week said due to the current national issues with supply and demand, an apron instead of down or a long—sleeved apron should be used for aerosol generating procedures, meaning release

of airborne particles. a few hours later, they were told that an apron instead of gown should be used in non—confirmed coronavirus patients. a doctor told us, i feel betrayed by those who are meant to be our leaders. it is likely are being sent to war without armour to protect ourselves, serving as cannon fodder. in a new statement the newcastle hospitals trust says requirements from public health in england had changed numerous times over recent weeks and current advice was fully in line with those and staff could be assured that there were sufficient supplies protective equipment. today the government announced a new plan to get more equipment, known as ppe, to health and care workers. there will be a lot of scepticism about another plan being published but what guarantees can you give that people will be made to feel safe at the right equipment? what i would say is it is a constant effort to get the ppe to the front line,

a huge logistical effort and we acknowledge the challenges, we face them every day. and we are doing everything in our power to get that ppe to the front line and those with concerns to ppe at the front line are making sure they have a place they can go in order to call for help. this doctor posted a message to the prime minister on social media, warning about the lack of protective equipment for nhs workers. that was five days before he was admitted to hospital after contracting coronavirus. he died on wednesday and his son spoke to the bbc today. he was a courageous, brave man. he saw that nhs workers did not have enough ppe and he made a call for that and maybe at the time it did not get the attention he deserved but we are not going to stop getting this everywhere.

we will make sure we are heard and my father's voice is heard. scotland's first minister meanwhile repeated the guidelines to the public on social distancing. the message remains exactly the same as it has been. people need to stay at home. i know how difficult that is, and i know how difficult that will be, particularly over this easter weekend. ordinarily, that is a time to see friends and family, and a time to get out and about and even take a short break, none of that will be possible this year. today some were enjoying the sunshine, keeping their distance and exercising in line with official advice, but there's still a long bank holiday weekend ahead. hugh pym, bbc news. temperatures are expected hit around 25 degrees in some parts of the uk this weekend. and the government has repeated again the need for people to stay at home, unless they go out for the following reasons. you can leave home to exercise once a day, alone or with members of your household. there is no set time limit on this,

but people are asked to stay near their homes. you can shop, but only for basic necessities and as infrequently as possible. and you can go out for any medical need or to provide care for a vulnerable person. you can also travel to or from work, but only if you can't work from home. fiona trott is in scarborough for us. this here, it looks as though people are sticking to those guidelines. this is the most popular holiday destination outside london during a normal easter weekend, there would be thousands of people here in scarborough, many of them packed into those amusement arcades behind me. but today visitors have stayed away. local people and emergency services are relieved. a picture postcard, and that is because the crowds are missing. what would have been unusual is now the norm. he wouldn't be able to move down here, honest to god, you wouldn't, it would be heaving,

beach, pathways, all the shops would beach, pathways, all the shops would be busy, everything. our town and every time, certainly on the seaside, we need people to stay at home, keep away, keep themselves aside, to keep us, the nhs safe, so we can say people's lives. other coaster results were also deserted — from southend—on—sea to southwold. —— postal resorts. and skegness, where on a normal easter weekend it would be impossible to park. no running! you can only walk on the river walk. in london, officials have been reminding people to keep a distance. so, can you dismount, please? thank you. sitting on the beach, walking around, staying stationary, are you from the same household? in birmingham, rangers have been patrolling the parks. stay

indoors because of covid—19. you are saying i am not allowed on my front garden? you are not allowed on your front garden. in rotherham, one house hold out thought police were taking things too far. south yorkshire police have since apologised and described the incident as well—intentioned but ill informed. messages like these in scotla nd informed. messages like these in scotland have been seen across the uk's tourist spots, and they appear to have made a difference. there was also a reminder today that people can die one month after being infected, so staying apart and staying at home is vital. right now, you have to remember there is still a lot of virus circulating, and if we keep ourselves away from other people, the only way you will get it is from an infected person, so staying apart from people is decayed to break in the transmission chain. it doesn't get more isolated than days, and it is hoped the easter weekend will look exactly the same.

fiona trott, bbc news. 0ur health editor hugh pym is with me. another shocking daily death toll, nearly 1000 people have lost their lives, the government gave details, is there anything that shows the situation could be easing? officials have talked in recent days about a possible green shoots and an easing of the situation, and there was one chart shown at the downing street media briefing today which might show some evidence of that in some parts of the country. this is the number of patients in critical care, thatis number of patients in critical care, that is intensive care. you can see it is easing off in london, flattening in the midlands, the north—east and yorkshire, it is still going up. now, the deputy chief medical officer still going up. now, the deputy chief medical 0fficerfor still going up. now, the deputy chief medical officer for england made clear that that was interesting, but we will still, quote, ina interesting, but we will still, quote, in a dangerous phase, it was not over, and it was absolutely premature to talk about reaching the peak. of course, we heard about personal protective equipment for nhs staff, matt hancock, the health

secretary, announcing a new plan to get supplies out there, but acknowledging that there had been problems, as we have heard many times from health staff, about them getting hold of the kit. we know that the prime minister is out of intensive care, we have had an update on his health today. better news for boris johnson, update on his health today. better news for borisjohnson, the number ten spokesman staying in a statement that the prime minister has been able to do short walks between periods of rest as part of the care he is receiving to aid his recovery. he has spoken to as dr xand thanks the whole clinical team for the incredible care he has received. —— he has spoken to his doctors. health editor hugh pym, thank you. pictures have emerged of a mass grave in new york as the death toll continues to rise. almost 800 more people have died in new york state alone. officials say burials are being ramped up at the site on hart island — off the bronx. it has long been used for people with no next—of—kin orfamilies who cannot afford a funeral. new york state alone now has more coronavirus cases than any single

country in the world. here's our north america editor, jon sopel. it is somehow unimaginable, unbelievable that in the most famous city of the richest country in the world they are digging mass graves for those who can't afford a funeral, and for those who died of coronavirus with no next of kin. this is hart island, just off the bronx in new york city. nearly 8000 people have died in this night alone, and they are struggling to deal with all the burials. we are in total control of our destiny here. what we do will affect literally life and death for hundreds of people. the glimmer of good news is that the number of people being admitted to hospital is falling sharply, and donald trump is starting to believe that the worst is now over. we are at the top of

the hill, we're pretty sure we are at the top of the hill, and now we are going downward in some cases we have already that process. on a normal weekend, a tourist venue like the lincoln memorial would be packed with visitors. donald trump is hoping to reopen the country on may the 1st, but his medical experts are saying be very cautious indeed. the virus kind of decides whether or not it is going to be appropriate to open or not, so it is going to be appropriate to open 01’ not, so even it is going to be appropriate to open or not, so even though we are ina open or not, so even though we are in a holiday season, now is no time to back off. as i say so often, now is the time to actually put your foot on the accelerator, because we are going in the right direction, let's keep in that direction. we wa nt let's keep in that direction. we want is plagued to pass over, we wa nt want is plagued to pass over, we want everyone in america to be safe... want everyone in america to be safe. . . the want everyone in america to be safe... the president had originally wa nted safe... the president had originally wanted america to reopen in time for easter with churches packed, but in the oval office today this was the reality, no crowded abuse, just a blessing from a bishop. and for

nearly all other christians is unique easter will be online, virtual and socially distance. jon sopel virtual and socially distance. jon sopel, bbc news, washington. doctors have expressed concern that sick children are not being seen early enough, because of the pandemic, and could become seriously ill. the royal college of paediatrics says parents may be reluctant to take a child to hospital, fearing they could be infected. daniela relph has been talking to medical staff. if you're worried about the health of your child, please, please, it's absolutely vital that you continue to seek health advice. some people are not seeking medical advice for their children when they normally would do. if you need medical help, you must seek it. they speak for many paediatricians who are seeing a fall in the number of children they are treating in accident and emergency across a range of common conditions. how have things been different in recent weeks? i am speaking to people both locally and nationally. it is really, really

obvious that we are seeing a huge decline in patient numbers attending. 0ur departments are really, really quiet. we are seeing very little footfall of any children presenting into the department at all. it is stunningly quiet at the moment. doctors believe a number of factors have led to parents avoiding a&e, including the risk of catching covid—19. others don't want to bother the already busy nhs. and then there is also the fear of being separated from their child. this is now an area of considerable concern for paediatricians. their worry is that the caution of parents and carers is delaying children getting vital treatment. such is the level of unease that the royal college of paediatrics and healthcare will tomorrow issue this set of new guidelines, advising and reminding parents when they should seek medical help for their children. the concerns are not

confined to paediatricians. numbers in general a&e have also dipped, and midwives, too, have noticed a worrying change. we are finding here that we have got ladies that are actually not coming they are either delaying coming in or stopping themselves from contacting the hospital, just in case... because they are worried about covid. it is really, really important that if they have any changes or reduced movements of baby, so if their pattern of movement changes, it is very important to come and get checked. the message from medics is clear. yes, stay home, but please get help if you have serious concerns about your child. doctors want to see you. daniela relph, bbc news. many charities have had to stop their work and reduce support for large numbers of vulnerable people. the british red cross says there are thousands of refugees

and asylum seekers living in poverty in the uk, although the government says it provides support for those who need it. in calais in france, many migrants remain in makeshift camps hoping to cross to the uk. the bbc‘s fergal keane reports on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting those who have fled persecution or poverty. they look like scenes from the world from before the coronavirus. but we filmed these crowds nearly three weeks into the french government's lockdown. no social distance for the migrants of calais. good morning! bonjour. bonjour, salut — coffee! try to wash your hands sometimes! no hot food either — a sandwich given by the state, the sole meal of the day for hundreds. this camp is on the edge of an industrial estate about a mile from calais.

it might as well be on another planet. and how difficult is it for you here? french volunteers help here every day. have some pity, have some... you wouldn't do this to a dog, would you? so you're doing it to human beings who are fleeing the war. iam ashamed. i can't sleep at night. i'm... i'm sick of it, you see? these are people, and they've suffered. they're not criminals — they're the opposite. they've been raped, they've been assaulted, they've been ra nsomed, they've been tortured. everybody here wants to get to britain. even under lockdown,

it seems a better prospect. i'm on a journey through migrant experiences in calais and in london, and for people who are already living on the margins, the arrival of the coronavirus has been nothing short of catastrophic. but suppose they do make it here — migrants will find an asylum system already backlogged and struggling with the the impact of the virus. 0ne undocumented migrant from africa told us she'd survived on odd jobs and help from friends. we've voiced her words to protect their identity. we're desperate, we have no way of paying rent, can't get anywhere. there are no places offering accommodation, no—one giving you money to buy groceries. foodbanks are closed. in calais now, there are many migrants — a lot of them from africa — who want to get here. what would you say to them? i would tell the migrants in calais

not to think it gets easier, not to have that much hope. just because you're not in the camp doesn't mean that you're going to be treated human, or it's just the same circumstances, different setting. even if they can start the asylum process, new arrivals won't get more than about £5.40 a day to buy necessities. is there anything in there that you think they'd like more of that? a few foodbanks still operate. this british red cross centre in north london opens twice a week for all who are hungry. abdul is an asylum seeker from north africa. i have a daughter and i have a wife, once worked for restaurant. i'm struggling, that's why i'm coming here, you know? my family doesn't have food at home, that's the thing. this centre is a lifeline for those who are surviving with very few resources. and while this is a charity, the workers here do their level best

to make it feel about sharing — living up to the larger rhetoric of unity, of compassion in these desperate times. the world is consumed with fear of sickness and economic crisis. hard times on the margins getting much harder. fergal keane, bbc news. let's take a look at some of today's other news. in ireland the taoiseach leo varadkar has said the current restrictions on movement, which were due to expire on sunday will remain in place for at least another three weeks. but another three weeks. he said it was his fervent ho; to but he said it was his fervent hope to gradually ease them afterwards. in spain, the number of daily deaths attributed to coronavirus has fallen tojust over 600, the lowest for more than a fortnight. almost 16,000 people have died since the outbreak began. authorities are preparing to ease some restrictions. in italy, 570 people were confirmed to have died

from covid—19 in the past 2a hours, 40 from covid—19 in the past 2a hours, a0 fewer than the day before. the number of confirmed cases also slowed from just over a200, to 3951. italy is one of the countries ha rd est italy is one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, with over 18,000 confirmed deaths. eu finance ministers have agreed a eur500 billion rescue package for member states hit by the coronavirus pandemic , but the measures do not go as far as italy and france had demanded. good friday is one of the most signficant days in the christian calendar. but of course, like everything else, religious services have had to adapt as our religion editor martin bashir reports. # ave maria...# almost a year since notre dame was devastated by fire, choristers are now hidden beneath personal protection equipment during a short good friday service. just seven contributors,

no congregation, and the crown of thorns that survived the inferno. christians in the german town of dusseldorf chose another way to worship, organising a drive—in service at a massive car park. the prayers and sermon transmitted to their car radios in order to obey social distancing rules. while the majority of clergy led worship and isolation, worship in isolation, the reverend mia hilborn spent good friday close to the seriously ill. she is a chaplain at st thomas's hospital in london where the prime minister is being treated and where florence nightingale established the first international school of nursing in the 19th century. one of the things that she said, florence nightingale, she said, outside are princes and paupers, but in her

hospital, she wants her nurses to treat every patient as if they were a prince. i would hope that that is true, that everyone gets treated with the same level of decency, respect, honour and care. and so they should do, it does not matter who it is. prime minister or pauper? it doesn't matter. easter services are the best attended liturgies of the christian calendar but today, pope francis led worship in isolation. 0ffering words of consolation, he said the crucifixion of christ proved that god sympathised with our suffering because on the cross and in front of the world, he drank the cup of pain down to its dregs. martin bashir, bbc news.

nature can have a positive impact on mental welfare, as a number of scientific studies have found. but of course the lockdown is making it harder for all of us to get much. so now charities are finding ways to help vulnerable people connect with nature while stuck indoors. 0ur environment correspondent claire marshall reports. if we just close our eyes and take in some shallow breaths. imagine we are walking at the edge of a field. this is a visualisation, a virtual walk in the countryside, guided by a mental health charity volunteer. there are so many different plants and bushes and trees that come together. and then here... being out in nature can have a powerful impact. and it became a kind of lifeline, really. to feel like there was something i could do, and there was something valuable and beautiful to notice when i didn't feel

there was anything. there are many scientific studies that show the health benefits of being in the natural world. so when we are outside, our blood pressure comes down. 0ur heart rate variability goes up, that's a good thing, our heart rate comes down, and our cortisol levels are reduced and these are all indicators of reductions in stress. so how to get this on lockdown? some of us don't have gardens. ironically, the therapy now involves embracing screen time. live online, they share fragments of the natural world they can see from their balconies or gardens. my family and i have been in self—isolation for almost two weeks because i've got a nasty cough, and it is tough but we are lucky enough to have a garden. what about people who don't? i was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. and i work for the nhs in east london. and then, day by day, we started seeing the kind of reality of that, so you know,

day by day, staff calling and saying they couldn't make it. vivienne is a nature lover. to cope, she'd normally go to the countryside but now, even the local parks are packed. and what else am i supposed to do to try and pick myself up? yes, so i just felt there's just no point in trying. but people like emily are trying to help by giving us an intimate glimpse of the private lives of some of our most loved animals. the wildlife trust has set up around 20 webcams across the country. nationally, we've seen a 275% increase in the number of visitors who are watching it compared to this time last year. huge people are tuning in and it's so important right now that people are getting that connection with nature, so they're doing it through digital platforms and online wildlife webcams. it may be some comfort to have a look and see that, as human society struggles to cope with the virus, the natural world carries on uninterrupted.

claire marshall, bbc news. a reminder of our top story... the uk has registered its highest daily coronavirus death toll so far, almost 1000 more people have lost their lives. with temperatures soaring over the easter weekend, the government has repeated the need for people to stay at home where possible. that's all from the bbc news at six, so it's goodbye from me, and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc‘s news teams where you are.

click explore is how religion have gone online during the pandemic and the telecom provider shows how the government is monitoring how the population is social distancing. this week... following phones to track the coronavirus. how to come together whilst staying apart. and now that's what a! calls music.

hello. we are still here. and so are you? so welcome. i hope you are well. we are, and we have been working hard on a new look click that will work when we can't get out and about as much, so my living room is now also my studio, and welcome to my sofa. the good news is, though, you don't getjust to look inside my house, we get to look inside lara's, as well, so let's go to chez lara now. hello, mate, how have you been? i'm 0k.