this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. mass burials in new york signal the toll the coronavirus outbreak has taken, even as signs emerge that infections are levelling off. the uk records its highest daily death toll so far. almost 1,000 more people have lost their lives. queuing for food in calais with no hope of social distancing. we report on the migrants still searching for a better life. how worshippers around the world have been marking good friday amid the coronavirus pandemic. hello and welcome to audiences

in the uk and around the world. we're covering all the latest coronavirus developments here in britain and globally. we are going to go what's happened in new york because the total number of confirmed deaths from the pandemic around the world has now passed 100,000. figures collated by johns hopkins university in the united states show that globally, there are now almost 1.7 million registered cases of covid—19. the united states now has the highest number of cases at nearly half a million. new york state alone now has more coronavirus cases than any single country in the world. pictures have emerged of a mass grave being used in new york city as the death toll there continues to rise. hart island has long been used for people with no next of kin or by families who cannot afford a funeral. 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're 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 8,000 people have died in this state alone, and they're 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. and so many new york hospitals have had to bring these refrigerated lorries in to act as makeshift morgues. the whole health care system is creaking. there is an important glimmer of good news, though, and that is the number of people being admitted to hospital is falling sharply. and donald trump, at his briefing today, says he thinks america may be over the worst.

the number of beds being used, we were just saying, are substantially reduced. that's usually the sign that it's heading in the downward curve. and he wants to reopen the country for business as soon as possible. i want to get it open as soon as we can, we have to get our country open, jeff. can you say, sir, what metrics you will use to make that decision? the metrics right here. that's my metrics, that's all i can do. on a normal weekend, a tourist venue like the lincoln memorial would be packed with visitors. but america is closed. donald trump hopes to reopen the country on may 1st, but his medical experts are saying be very cautious. the virus kind of decides whether or not it's going to be appropriate to open or not, so even though we're 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're going in the right direction.

let's keep in that direction. lord, let us come out with a thriving economy... the president had originally wanted america to reopen for this weekend, with churches packed. but in the oval office today this was the reality — no crowded pews, just a blessing from a bishop. we bless them and america, injesus' name. and for nearly all other christians, this unique easter will be online, virtual and socially distanced. but one church that will be open is the biggest anglican this new york landmark isn't going to be available cathedral in the us. this new york landmark isn't going to be available for worshippers, though. it's being readied as an additional field hospital. jon sopel, bbc news, washington. a little earlier, i spoke to daniel dromm, a member of the new york city council. he described what it was like to see mass burials of new yorkers with no next of kin. there are so many people who do not have next of kin and family

in the biggest city, i would say, one of the greatest cities in the world, it's too hard to think about. how are hospitals coping in your area? i represent jackson heights and elmhurst in queens, and we have elmhurst hospital. elmhurst hospital has 545 beds, all taken. now they are going to be moving people over to the billiejean king tennis center about a mile or so away from the hospital because we can no longer fit covid—i9 patients in. so it has been tragic. my area is 68% immigrants, and the immigrant community really does not have many alternatives other than to go to elmhurst hospital, especially those who are undocumented, so it's a real tragedy in my community. how are neighbourhoods coping in general? well, it's been difficult. the next issue i am dealing is the food.

we are running out of food. and there are many grocery stores who do not have food or are not open. there are long lines in front of the supermarkets. people have to space themselves six feet apart from each other, so finding food in this particular area of the borough of queens has been difficult. we are handing out meals on a daily basis at the public school system, and those public schools — i have three of them in my district — are giving out over a thousand meals a day. new york went through a different trauma almost two decades ago with 9/11. how does this trauma compare? we have never seen anything like this before. 9/11, we lost about 3,000 people. i think new york state now, we are at over 8000 deaths now. so that is a huge difference from what happened on 9/11.

of course, we had many more hospitalisations, and this is hitting people in a very personal way. i think that, when we get to the end of this, every new yorker will know somebody who died from coronavirus. daniel dromm there. the uk has recorded its highest number of daily deaths from the coronavirus. the total number of deaths in the uk is almost 9000. the prime minister, boris johnson, is now out of intensive care and downing street says he continues to improve in hospital, where it is said he has staked the whole clinical team for treating him, for the treatment he is receiving. downing street says his thoughts are with all of those who have been affected by this terrible disease. here's our health editor, hugh pym. he warned about the lack of protective equipment for nhs staff. soon after that, dr abdul mabud chowdhury contracted coronavirus.

he died on wednesday. the warning came in a social media message to the prime minister, saying health workers had to protect themselves and their families. his son spoke to the bbc today. he was a courageous, brave man, and that is something that he's passed on to us. he saw that nhs workers didn't have enough ppe, and he made a call for that, he made an effort for that, and maybe at the time it didn't get the attention it deserved, but now, for sure, we're giving it the attention it deserves, and we are not going to stop. we are getting this everywhere, we are making sure we're heard, that my father's voice is heard, and that my father's passing is not in vain. problems getting hold of the right masks, gowns and visors have been reported for several weeks. the government said there were enough supplies and distribution would be improved, but still, some feel anxious they can't obtain appropriate personal protective equipment, known as ppe. 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. that people are feeling unprotected, that they feel scared when they're at work. they feel unable, in some places, to use the kit that they're able to bring in from home because other members of the team haven't got it and that they don't feel confident in what's been provided. staff that one trust say they've had conflicting messages, with guidelines on whether to use an apron or gown changing twice in two hours. a doctor told us... in a statement, the newcastle upon tyne hospital's trust said requirements from public health england had changed numerous times over recent weeks, that current advice was fully in line with those and staff could be assured there were sufficient supplies of protective equipment. today, the government announced a new plan to boost ppe supplies, including a plea to businesses to produce more.

if you've got production facilities and you can meet our published technical specifications, we want to hear from you. so that we can make this kit here in britain that'll keep people safe. there will be a lot of scepticism, won't there, still, about another plan being published ? what guarantees can you give that people will be made to feel safe with the right equipment? what i'd say is it is a constant effort to get the ppe to the front line, a huge logistical effort. we acknowledge the challenges, of course we do, we face them every day, and we are doing everything in power to get that ppe to the front line. and there was a sobering assessment of the latest data on the spread of the virus. we are in a dangerous phase still and i need to reinforce that again to you — that this is not over. scotland's first minister, who toured the new temporary hospital for coronavirus

patients in glasgow, 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. 0rdinarily, that is a time to see friends and family, it's a time to get out and about or 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. let's look in brief and what's happening elsewhere. france has also recorded almost 1,000 deaths in the past 2a hours. it brings the total death toll there to more than 13,000. the authorities say almost a third of those who've died were in nursing homes and other care facilities. in italy, 570 people have died

from covid—19 in the past 2a hours, a0 fewer than the day before. the number of confirmed cases also slowed, from just over 4,200 to 3,951. italy has been one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, with over 18,000 confirmed deaths. in ireland, the taoiseach leo varadkar, has said that current restrictions on movement will remain in place for at least another three weeks. but he said it was his "fervent hope" to ease them gradually after that point. the british red cross says there are thousands of refugees and asylum seekers living in poverty in the uk. and 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. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: the charities helping

vulnerable people connect with nature while stuck inside.

this is bbc news. the latest headlines... mass burials have begun in new york. there are signs that infections are levelling off. the uk records its highest daily death toll so far. almost 1,000 more people have lost their lives. worshippers around the world have found ways to celebrate good friday amid the coronavirus pandemic. while some church services have been broadcast or streamed online, there have also been some more unusual methods. reged ahmad reports. in unprecedented times... this is an drive—through church

service in germany. strict social distancing means worshipers have to avoid gathering for good friday church services. that hasn't stopped religious leaders from finding alternative options. translation: we read about it and we're excited, because right now, we can only meet online as a parish on sundays. to be able to get together as brothers and sisters under an open sky is a very good idea. in paris, a more formal affair. this is only the second service to be held at the iconic notre dame cathedral since it was ravaged by fire. just a handful participated, but many more watched on their televisions at home. # ave maria... # all around the world, worshipers are adapting to a new way of life.

these good friday scenes of pope francis lying prostrate are normally witnessed by 10,000 faithful who fill saint peter's basilica. but it was a much scaled—down version this time, as the pope prayed for health workers and the sick. later, pope francis lead more services in front of a virtually empty st peter's square. this procession normally takes place at rome's beautifully—lit colosseum and is filled with the sound of singing, but the coronavirus lock—out has made it a much more muted affair. good friday processions in the christian quarter of jerusalem. a holy place for many, but this too looks different. in normal times, pilgrims pack this route. now, there are friars with masks and israeli police trying to enforce social distancing.

despite the pandemic, believers are finding a way to celebrate. in spain, a country with one of the highest death tolls, a traditional easter drum concert still took place from the safety of front doors and balconies. thejoyful drumming eerily juxtaposed with the piercing sound of sirens. reged ahmad, bbc news. let's have a quick look at some of the british papers. the guardian leads, saying, lives cut short and looking at just 40 of the 900 or so people who have been reported that every day. the mirror, in its headline, protect us, a plea for more predictive of clement from the government. the daily mail has a briefing from unnamed government officials on

the uk not back to normalfor year. the possibility there from unnamed officials. the daily express, desperate nurses easter plea to britain, and that plea is stay home. the daily telegraph, which is a paper close to boris johnson, since social distancing could be indefinite for some it also says be indefinite for some it also sastohnson be indefinite for some it also says johnson takes steps to recovery. finally, the sun newspaper has a message to the prime ministerfrom his partner, get well soon, babe. nature can have a positive impact on well—being. the lock—out is making harderfor all of us to get out. charities are finding ways to help vulnerable people get in touch with nature ball staying indoors. claire marshall reports. if we just close our eyes and take in some shallow breaths. imagine we're 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're 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're lucky enough to have a garden. what about people who don't? i was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. 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? yeah, so itjust felt like 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 main story. a number of confirmed deaths from coronavirus around the world is 110w coronavirus around the world is now passed 100,000. italy has suffered the most debts, followed by the united states. lockdowns imposed limit the spread of the virus have crippled economic activities many governments are facing a dilemma on what you start using restrictions. president trump says it's the biggest decision needs to make. do stay with bbc

news. hello there. good friday brought temperatures of 25 degrees in parts of cornwall and injersey, the warmest day of the year so far. i think saturday will be every bit as warm. high pressure not too far away from the british isles, but also areas of low pressure and frontal systems encroaching from the northwest. and as these fronts work in, well, they will bring areas of cloud and some splashes of rain. so, rather a cloudy start for much of scotland and northern ireland. some showers here and there. you see this band of cloud getting down into north england through the day, so for parts of scotland, for northern ireland, it should brighten up with some sunshine. far north of scotland, likely to see cloud and patchy rain returning with a brisk breeze as well. the further south you are across england and wales, long spells of sunshine lifting those temperatures

in one or two places, up to 25 or 26 degrees. and with that warmth, i think we will see some quite isolated but potentially quite heavy downpours and thunderstorms breaking out as we go through saturday evening and into the early hours of sunday. another frontal system will bring cloud and patchy rain back in across scotland and northern ireland on what will be, well, not a particularly cold night. temperatures typically between six and 10 degrees. so, for easter sunday, its northern and western parts of the uk that have the greatest chance of seeing some outbreaks of rain. this frontal system here making quite erratic progress in from the northwest. the further south and east you are across england and wales, still some sunshine. one or two showers again, some warmth to be had here, with temperatures up to around 23 degrees. but with a northerly wind developing across the northern half of the british isles, well, here, feeling much, much cooler. and that cooler trend takes us into easter monday. as this area of low—pressure slides away southwards, high—pressure builds in from the north. well, the wind flow around

high—pressure is in a clockwise direction, and that will pull this much colder air down across the uk. with that, a fair amount of cloud feeding into northern and eastern parts of scotland, down the eastern side of england. the best of the sunshine where you get some shelter from the winds, towards the southwest of england, wales, perhaps parts of northern ireland as well. but that wind will be noticeable, especially for northern and eastern coasts. that's going to make it feel really chilly. 7 degrees at best in newcastle, and even for cardiff and plymouth, the top temperatures of just 13 degrees.

the headlines... new york starts to bury some of the dead in a mass grave as the city tries to deal with the rapidly growing number of deceased. the state now has more coronavirus cases than any single country. latest figures record that over 7000 have died from the coronavirus. the uk records its highest daily death toll so far almost a thousand more people have died. it comes as the british government has asked the public to stay home amid fears that the easter weekend, combined with warm weather will see some ignore the stay home policy. 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. in calais in france,

many migrants remain in makeshift