the uk home secretary responds to criticism that doctors are not getting ppe they need to help care for patients with coronavirus. i'm very sorry if people feel there have been failings. at the same time, we are in an unprecedented global health pandemic right now. the number of people who have died with coronavirus in the uk has gone up by 917 since yesterday. for the first time the queen has recorded an easter message in which she offers hope and says coronavirus will not overcome us. police in the uk say there has been a 21% drop in overall crime in the last four weeks,

but over 1000 fines have been issued to people breaching social distancing rules. in the us, coronavirus deaths top 19,600, the highest reported number in the world, exceeding italy. spain's daily coronavirus death toll falls for the third day in a row to 510. the who tells countries to be cautious about lifting restrictions too early. welcome to audiences in the uk and those around the world. the number of people who have died in the uk in a single day after contracting coronavirus has risen by more than 900 for the second day in a row. yesterday the uk recorded europe's

highest daily death toll yet. the uk british home secretary, priti patel, said she was sorry if anybody felt there had been failings over the supply of ppe for health workers in the fight against the pandemic. it comes as the british medical association issued a stark warning that many medics are unable to access the ppe they need to keep themselves safe while treating patients with coronavirus. earlier, the health secretary, matt hancock, said there was enough ppe to go around if it was used according to guidelines. and that doctors and nurses should treat it as a precious resource. priti patel announced the government would be giving £2 million to domestic abuse services, saying that for some home is not the safe haven it should be. the national domestic abuse helpline has seen a 25% increase in calls and online requests since the lockdown began. meanwhile, the coronavirus outbreak in the us has become the deadliest in the world. it has surpassed italy to record just under 20,000 deaths in total. andrew cuomo, the governor

of the worst affected state, new york, said the death rate there was stabilising but at a horrific level. spain has recorded its lowest number of daily deaths for nearly three weeks. officials say 510 people died yesterday, the third consecutive day in which the daily figure has fallen. more on those aspects soon, but first let's get the latest on the situation in the uk from our science editor, david shukman. a human cost on a scale unimaginable even a few short weeks ago, and the warning that we are not through it yet, that more families, like that of doreen hunt who was buried last week, will suddenly find themselves in the grip of covid—19. the risk is real. me and my mum were actually speaking about this three, four weeks ago. we didn't realise how hard it was going to hit our family, obviously. we all thought it would be somebody else. but we've been hit with it.

among the casualties are 19 nhs staff, who died after working on the front line, fuelling demands for more ppe. we spoke to a nursing practitioner in the west midlands who does not want us to use his name. we got a lot of ppe at the beginning. but now, because we are running out, they have changed the policy and are sending us in with covid patients with just a surgical mask only. before we used to wear a gown. now they are asking us to go just with an apron. we are scared. we have seen colleagues pass away every day. we are on the front line and we don't deserve it. we don't deserve it! we need more. the government says it is providing huge quantities of equipment. the health secretary, matt hancock, suggested staff might be wasting it. and he also questioned where the victims became infected. the work is going on to establish whether they caught coronavirus in the line of duty whilst at work

or whether, like so many other people in the rest of their lives, it's obviously quite difficult to work that out. but research by the british medical association shows more than half of doctors working in high—risk environments said they were short of face masks or had none available. around two thirds said they didn't have eye protection. and more than half said they were being pressured into working in a high—risk area despite not having the adequate gear to protect them. doctors are also human beings. they don't want to become ill. they don't want their lives to be at risk. and what is really worrying us is the numbers of health care workers who have tragically died. so, doctors are naturally afraid, but the one thing which is important is to give them the protection. and that is something the government owes us. at today's government briefing, ministers and officials were under pressure over ppe. it's absolutely critical that we get

ppe out to all those working at the front line so that they not only are protected but they feel safe. would it be possible to give a commitment to a date by when the right quantities will reach the right people? because everyday we hear from nhs front line staff that they don't have the equipment. there is a clear plan. we are working with suppliers and manufacturers really bolster and manufacturers to really bolster and boost the supply we need for ppe, which, quite frankly, is quite unprecedented during this crisis. this question is bound to keep coming up. as long as health workers and others feel they are not getting the support they need. david shukman — bbc news. the home secretary, priti patel, also responded to the call from health service workers for more protective equipment. i'm sorry if people feel there have been failings. i'll be very clear about that. but at the same time we are in an unprecedented global

health pandemic right now. it is inevitable that the demand and the pressures on ppe and the demand for ppe are going to be exponential. they are going to be incredibly high. we are trying to address that as a government. i watched that exchange of questions. the words, i'm sorry if people feel, isn't quite the apology she was asked for. she was asked by a journalist if she would apologise to people, families, who felt workers in the health service were being infected or even dying because ofan being infected or even dying because of an absence of ppe. it was a rather brief reply. she didn't like the question. it didn't seem to acknowledge the anxiety and upset this issue is necessarily causing amongst health workers in the nhs who are clearly very worried. and despite the government's assurances that the logistical operation is there, the kit is available, it'll

get to the right people, feel it isn't working well at the moment. i felt she struggled. she is not the health secretary, but she was on the spot again and again, when is this equipment going to get to where it is needed, will you apologise, she just repeated that the plans were set out by the health secretary yesterday. she went back to her own brief for much of the press conference and said many people were doing very well in terms of abiding by the government's social distancing restrictions, and this curtail of their liberties which is com pletely curtail of their liberties which is completely unprecedented. in terms of how it was working on the ground, she was alsojoined of how it was working on the ground, she was also joined at number ten by martin hewitt, the chief from the police chiefs council, and he gave some data on the fines they have given at the moment. we've had a small minority of people who despite our best efforts have refused to follow the instructions and offices have used their enforcement powers. next week we will publish full data on enforcement so far, which will

include this easter weekend. i can tell you now that using early data from 37 forces that 1084 fines have been issued in england and wales up to thursday the 8th of april. so, across all of those forces, that's an average of less than 84 a day. we will see how those numbers look next week. police said they would update them the other side of the bank holiday weekend to see how it has been playing out. in the sunshine, in the beaches, in the parks across the uk, priti patel urged people to play their part and listen to what police were saying. she said they would be unafraid to act otherwise. a slight warning to people that this softly approach, this consensual police and we are used to in this country, could get harder if it is felt people are flouting it to a dangerous degree. let's look at the structure of the government. the prime minister is out of intensive care, downing street have said he is

making good progress, but how might the government have to operate if he is away for several weeks? we know dominic raab is the de facto deputy at the moment. he will sit in the chairduring at the moment. he will sit in the chair during important cabinet committee meetings. he isn't the stand in prime minister, but he has a degree of authority that other people in the cabinet don't have. priti patel was asked about the prime minister's absence and how well he was doing, she said he needed time and space to rest, recuperate, and recover. that wasn't the home secretary saying he would be back at his desk within a few days. that was suggesting to me that he could be away for some time. that's not surprising. he'sjust beenin that's not surprising. he'sjust been in intensive care for a few days. this was a very serious disease he had. he was very unwell. i think number ten and whitehall are probably preparing themselves and have been for a number of days for quite an extended absence, i think, for borisjohnson.

thanks so much. for the first on the queen has recorded an easter message in which she insists easter isn't cancelled. we know that coronavirus won't overcome us. as dark as death can be, particularly for those suffering with grief, light and life are greater. may the living flame of the easter hope ba study guide as we face the future. —— be a steady guide. i wish all of those of all faiths and denominations a happy easter. 0ur royal correspondentjoins us 110w. 0ur royal correspondentjoins us now. we were sitting here six days ago when the queen delivered her special message, now there is an easter message. yes, for the first time. we are familiar with her christmas message but she's never before, as far as anybody can tell, issued a special easter message. and the fact it is fewer than seven days

since we have the televised broadcast to the nation from windsor. i think that underlines the gravity of the situation as she regards it, and easter, of course, isa time regards it, and easter, of course, is a time of hope. we know how important her christian faith is to her. so, this is a message around the symbolism of light overcoming the symbolism of light overcoming the darkness, around the symbolism of the easter candles being lit. unusually, this is a message which has not been issued for us as broadcasters to publish it it's on their social media channels, which is quite an innovation, as it were. but it's there, it is an audio message only, not a television message only, not a television message this time, but i think it serves two purposes. it underlines the public service message of safety, encouraging people to distance themselves, to remain apart, as the british government is advising them. and then there is this christian message of hope and reassurance. thanks very much. the

coronavirus outbreak in the us has become one of the deadliest in the world. it's recorded just under 20,000 deaths in total. more than 700 people have died in new york every day for five days running. 0ur north american editor has said the figures are extremely grim. if you look at them, it is fast approaching 20,000 deaths in the us, it has now overtaken italy as the country with the highest number of mortalities as a result of the coronavirus. and a briefing from new york, another 783 people have died overnight in new york state. you have donald trump weighing up when is the right time to open up the country. he would like it to start

happening at the beginning of may. new york city's mayor has said the schools won't reopen for this academic year if he has his way. it has been said that it is not the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning, and i think the americans are starting to think the curve is being flattened. although the statistics are horrible, they are turning the corner. the uk home secretary response to criticism that doctors are still not getting the ppe they need to care for coronavirus patients. the number of people who have died in the uk has gone up by 917 since yesterday. 90,600 deaths have been reported in the us, the highest number in the world, exceeding italy. —— 19,600 world, exceeding italy. ——19,600 deaths. now, all of the sports news. there's uncertainty surrounding the future of football leagues all over the world, and no—where more so than in

scotland where one club has called for the suspension of the leagues' chief executive. rangers claim they have evidence that raises serious concerns over a lack of fair play. the spfl have responded by asking rangers to back up their claims or withdraw them. it comes as another club, dundee have stalled their critical vote on whether the season should end now or when conditions allow play to continue. 0ur scotland news correspondent chris mclaughlin has more. claims that perhaps dundee were very much going to vote against this resolution, and then yesterday everybody taken by surprise when they essentially abstained for now, that does not mean they won't vote, but if they do vote no the resolution falls, if they vote yes it passes. but there is real uncertainty as to why they have suddenly switched from being no to potentially being yes. that appears to be the crux of the issue with this rangers statement.

they think that perhaps something has happened untoward behind—the—scenes to make dundee stall on their decision. with question marks over the date of the resumption of all football leagues, a second english premier league club has announced they will defer their players wages. west ham follow southampton, who've made a similar move. west ham say the savings will help retain the jobs of non—playing staff. their manager, david moyes and vice—chairperson karren brady will take a 30 per cent pay cut as part of the deal, which also sees the club's owners putting £30 million into the club. it should have been the masters this weekend, but the tournament has been moved to november. 0ne one of the legends of the sport, and a man who has won the green jacket more times than anybody else, jack nicklaus, who says augusta will present a different challenge at that time of year.

there is a lot of fans who will want to come to augusta, even in november, it's a pretty time of year. they won't have the flowers, but they have the gold. they won't have the flowers, but they have the golf. it'll be a good test to golf. i'm delighted to see augusta do that and i think it is great for the game of golf. with the olympics and paralympics being moved to next summer, there are now 500 days to go until the paras in tokyo. dame sarah storey, who has 14 para golds, says putting preperations back by 12 months will be a challenge for athletes, but that everyone is in the same boat. we are as sure as we can be about anything that the games will go ahead. it was the right decision. it is what i was expecting. but so much goes into making the games happen, so many different stakeholders, it isn't an easy decision to suddenly click your fingers and say these are the new dates. it's understandable we had to wait to hear it was

postponed, but it was obviously the right decision to make. cave had been placed in a medically induced coma after the operation the ice hockey star wayne gretzkey has paid tribute to canadian hockey player colby cave who's died after undergoing brain surgery. the 25—year—old who played for edmonton 0ilers passed away four days after having surgery to remove a cyst on his brain. nhl legend wayne gretzky wrote on twitter: "he was a wonderful hockey player with a bright future, but an even better person". now, many people are getting their shopping or take—aways delivered, but what about everything else? well, in these strange times, zenit st petersburg decided that their player of the month — the brazillian malcolm was going to get his award — no matter what it took. this is from the russian

club's twitter feed. zenit arranged to have a drone travel to malcolm's house with the award. it then presented it to the striker through a window in his apartment. player of the month — just wonder how often he actually played? hope he wiped it down afterwards. that's all the sport for now. every award counts. the current global health crisis has everybody spoke to, but one group faces additional risks and consequences as well as anxieties, people with chronic needs. here is one dad talking about his own family's experience. we have been in lockdown for three weeks. it started out with the flu. then it emerged into the covid—19 lockdown the flu. then it emerged into the covid—19lockdown in ohio. we wanted to share some of the challenges that we have. we have an autism family. all three of the boys are on the spectrum in different places. we can 110w spectrum in different places. we can now speak to the author of the blog

the autism dad. your three boys are on the autism spectrum. we know they love video games, they love going outside. how have you been able to copein outside. how have you been able to cope in this crisis with them? oh! it's very challenging. to be honest. we haven't really left the house in 37 days now. the boys are very, very anxious. angry. scared. and it's very difficult to even comfort them because you can't escape the news of this. it's everywhere. it'sjust sort of a day by day thing, and we arejust doing the sort of a day by day thing, and we are just doing the best we can. what kind of help are you getting? well, i'm on my own. my parents and my family, everybody has been very supportive, but everybody is in

their own state of lockdown, so there is no real assistance or anything like that. i have an online community of people that i reach out to, that i help, and communicate with, which is very helpful. it lets you know you are not alone. and just sort of keeps you connected with other adults. it's been 36 days since i've had a face—to—face conversation with a grown—up. i'm trying to find it where i can stop go ahead... i would imagine disruption for all of us is extremely hard to manage, but for people with autism, for teenagers with autism, that must be much, much harder? yeah... the change in routine has been drastic. i look at my kids lives as a snow globe, and we just my kids lives as a snow globe, and wejust shook it my kids lives as a snow globe, and we just shook it up and everything is in chaos for them. it takes them

a great deal of time to adapt. they are either not eating, or more sensitive to things they were sensitive to things they were sensitive to things they were sensitive to before. the kids fight because... like brothers do, really. my because... like brothers do, really. my eldest is immunocompromised, and thatis my eldest is immunocompromised, and that is a significant challenge, as well, because i feel a great deal of pressure to get everything right first time, because one mistake could result in him being infected. he would be considered a very high risk. i have to live with that every day and do everything i can to protect my kids. it's very, very overwhelming. i have no idea how long this is going to last. 0r overwhelming. i have no idea how long this is going to last. or what life is going to be light on the other side of this. and how long it's going to take for my kids to

recover. just from the emotional trauma. would you please pass our best to your boys. thank you very much. the british opposition labour party are calling on the government to urgently investigate why people from ethnic minority backgrounds appear to be more vulnerable to coronavirus after early research has suggested they are being disproportionately affected. it comes after the majority of front line doctors who died in britain have been of black, asian or ethnic minority origin. 0ur correspondent reports. when you can't even hug your mother two hours after your father has passed away, that pain affects you, it hurt you so much. amir's father died on wednesday. this is his message. so much. amir's father died on wednesday. this is his messagem you love your friends and your family. please stay at home. the grandfather of six was described as

a legend, the backbone of his community, a man who loved his city, and gave so much back to it. we said you are going to get through this and you are going to fight this. and we lost him within two days. he is one of thousands of people who lost their lives to coronavirus. —— early research suggests that people of black, asian or ethnic minority origin are at more risk.|j do have colleagues who have taken to buying their own goggles... this doctor works at ealing hospital, one of the worst hit areas of the country. whether there is a genetic component, we don't know, but we have seen certain underlying issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc, can impact the way you

experience the disease. places of worship can be sources of the spread because there are so many people in such a small space. there is clear evidence which shows those who come from a socio— background. if you cannot speak english, particularly in this environment when you cannot bring a family member with you because of concerns of coronavirus, that can have an impact. simply to say i'm in pain, i am short of breath. labour has called on the government to urgently investigate the data and said it was deeply disturbed by the number of ethnic minority doctors who have died. this doctor is working on the front line at kingston hospital, he has recently lost his father and collea g u es recently lost his father and colleagues to the virus, and says more data is needed. colleagues to the virus, and says more data is neededlj colleagues to the virus, and says more data is needed. i think it's really important we look at why people have died. look at the patterns. to see if there are any lessons we can learn for the future. that would be important. i'm hoping the department of health and public health england are collecting that data to support communities in the future. the department of health

said its current data on coronavirus did not track ethnicity, but these families hope this won't lead to them being overlooked. you are watching bbc news. quite a big change on the way through the second half of this easter weekend. after a couple of very warm days, temperatures are going to be dropping from the north through sunday, and particularly on into easter monday. a few heavy downpours in some places throughout sunday, as well. it's quite a complex weather setup. high pressure drifting away to the west, low— pressure drifting away to the west, low—pressure up to the north—east. all you really need to worry about is where the white lines are coming from. they are coming from a long way north, that is where our air will increasingly be coming from, with a brisk wind, as well. that cold air is spreading south as we go through sunday and into monday. a very different feel by the end of the weekend. back to the here and now, some hefty showers, the odd

thunderstorm in parts of england and wales through this evening and into tonight. they will fade. but it is looking dry with clear spells. patchy rain affecting areas of scotla nd patchy rain affecting areas of scotland and northern ireland. some areas could get down to 2 degrees. tomorrow, this band of cloud and rain is making erratic progress south—eastwards. we will see rain for a time south—eastwards. we will see rain fora time in south—eastwards. we will see rain for a time in southern scotland and northern ireland. that rain will fringe into the south—west of england and wales but generally for england and wales but generally for england and wales it a day of sunny spells and hefty showers into the afternoon. those showers could get really heavy with frequent lightning and thunder. 25 degrees again in london. further north, a much cooler feel as we introduce this northerly wind. as we go through sunday night, some of those showers for a time in england and wales. more of us feel the effects of that north, north—easterly wind. during monday, that will drag a lot of cloud into eastern scotland and eastern england. further west, away from the

wind, that is where we have the best of the sunshine. but they wind is particularly brisk for eastern and southern coasts. you could see gusts of up to 50 mph for the channel islands. newcastle, aberdeen, 12 degrees, for plymouth a high of 14 degrees. monday night, this area of high pressure really builds its way strongly across the british isles. notice the blue colours developing on the child. with light winds it'll get cold. quite a widespread frost for tuesday morning. quite a cool feeling day on tuesday but it does turn woman late in the week. watch out if you have been gardening this weekend.

hello. this is bbc news. the headlines: the uk home secretary responds to criticism, after doctors warn they're still not getting the protective equipment they need to treat patients with coronavirus. i'm sorry if people feel that there have been failings. i will be very, very clear about that. but at the same time, we are in an unprecedented global health pandemic right now. the number of people who've died with coronavirus in the uk has gone up by 917 since yesterday. for the first time, the queen has recorded an easter message, in which she offers hope and says

that coronavirus will not overcome us. police in the uk say there's been a 21% drop in overall crime in the past four weeks, but more than 1,000 fines have been issued to people breaching social—distancing rules. us coronavirus deaths top 19,600, the highest reported number in the world, exceeding italy. as spain's daily coronavirus death toll falls for the third day in a row — to 510 — the world health 0rganisation tells countries to be cautious about lifting restrictions too early. earlier, the home secretary priti patel led the government's daily press briefing and she said she was sorry if nhs staff felt there were failings in the supply of personal protective equipment. doctors and nurses had objected strongly to a suggestion by the health secretary matt hancock that some health workers had overuse the kit. good afternoon. welcome to downing

street for the government's daily press co nfe re nce street for the government's daily press conference on coronavirus. i am joined today by martin hewitt, chair of the national police chief counsel, and by professor stephen powis. i would like to update you on the government's plan to fight this pandemic. 0ur priority is to slow the spread of coronavirus so that fewer people are sick at any one time. and i brilliant nhs continues to remain able to cope. and to do this, we are following the expert scientific and medical advice and taking the right steps, at the right moment in time. and that is why we are instructing people to stay at home, to protect the nhs and save lives. i can report to the government's ongoing monitoring and testing programme that as of 9am today, there have been 300,034 plus

tests carried out across the uk excluding northern ireland. of these, 78,991 people have tested positive. 20,101 patients are currently hospitalised in great britain who have already tested positive. sadly, 9875 people have now died, an increase of 917 on yesterday. is this virus continues to devastate families across our nation, my thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with their friends, theirfamilies heartfelt condolences are with their friends, their families and their loved ones. to everybody suffering from this horrific virus, whether you are at home or receiving care from our brilliant nhs in hospital, you are in all our thoughts at this devastating time. and i am very pleased to say that the prime minister continues to make good

progress, but these figures highlight the gravity of this national emergency. the devastating impact of this virus and the unprecedented, but necessary, action we are taking to tackle it is affecting every aspect of our daily lives. this virus is also changing the nature of the threat we face from crime. martin and myself to date will update you on the emerging crime picture and the extra work that government along with law enforcement partners is undertaking to better protect victims. and martin will set out that total crime has dropped as people follow the necessary advice to stay at home. but while the guidelines are helping to keep the majority of us safe, they also amplify danger for us. leaving people feeling vulnerable, isolated and exposed. —— dangerfor other people. because criminality also continues to adapt. fraudsters

are exploiting coronavirus as a hook for new crimes with losses to victims already exceeding £1.8 million. and the perpetrators of sickening online child abuse are looking to exploit the fact that more and more young people and children are at home and online. and in the last week, the national domestic abuse helpline reported a 120% increase in the number of calls it received in 124—hour period. now, while we have not yet seen a sustained rise in reports of domestic abuse to the police, this increase in those looking for help for this hidden crime is extremely concerning. and be in no doubt there will be absolutely no let in our operational response. for the victims of these crimes, home is not the safe haven that it should be. and that is why i had been working with law enforcement, charities,

schools, businesses and local councils to address this changing threat picture. our incredible police officers and firefighters are out in their communities right now, yes, helping to fight crime, but also to protect the vulnerable and to protect victims. and i want to emphasise that anybody who is a victim of these crimes can still get help. anyone in immediate danger should call 999 and press 55 and a mobile if they are unable to talk. let me repeat that again. anyone in immediate danger should call 999 and press 55 on a mobile if you are unable to talk. 0ur outstanding police will absolutely be there for you. the national crime agency is also bearing down on offenders and raising awareness to protect victims of fraud, cybercrime and child abuse. but we all must do more to

protect our neighbours, friends, family members by sharing information about the support that is available. the chancellor this week announced a £750 million package, it was a boost for charities including those charities providing services for victims of domestic abuse and their families. and today, i can announce that we will go even further to provide support for those in danger of domestic abuse. and i am launching a new national communications campaign to reach out to those who are at risk from abuse. highlighting that they can still leave home to get the support that you need. it will signpost victims in terms of how they can access help, but also to reassure them and making sure that they can access the services that they can access the services that they need at this particular time. and importantly, it will tell them that they are not alone. coronavirus has opened britain's enormous heart and shown our love and compassion

for one another, as we come together to help those who are most in need. and i am now asking this nation to use that amazing compassion and community spirit to embrace those who are trapped in the horrific cycle of abuse. to help us all look out for those who need help, we have created a new campaign and we have created a new campaign and we have created a new campaign and we have created a symbol of hope, a handprint and bust with a heart, so that people can easily show that we will not tolerate abuse as a society. you and i urge everyone to share this on social media or in the windows of your homes, to demonstrate how much we care and how much our country cares. and also, we can show and take the time out to show the victims of domestic abuse that they are not on their own. i am also providing up to £2 million to enhance online support services and

the helplines for domestic abuse so that anybody who needs that help and support can access that support. these services will be boosted from new it provided by the business the company fidgets you to small domestic abuse charities and trained support workers to provide services remotely. we all know there are concerns about capacity in the system now and for refugees to provide enough refuges, accommodation during these challenging times. now, i am clear about this, it is the perpetrators that should be the ones that have to leave the family homes are not the supposed loved ones who they torment and abuse. 0ur priority is to get the abuses out. but sadly, this is not always possible. so where a victim and their children do need to leave, we will ensure they have a safe place to go to. that is why we are looking at alternative accommodation, to support those in

need at this difficult time. fighting coronavirus requires an extraordinary national effort and i would like to reiterate my personal thanks to everybody across all aspects of society and our country for playing their part. i am immensely grateful to everybody who is heeding the instruction to stay at home. this remains crucial over the bank holiday weekend, especially as the weather continues to improve. but we have given the police powers to enforce the necessary measures we have put in place, including the enforcement of fines. and i would like to thank them, our police officers and the staff who are working tirelessly to keep us safe, for engaging with the public so constructively, to encourage eve ryo ne constructively, to encourage everyone to do the right thing and avoid the need to use those powers. the overwhelming majority of the people are listening and making their own sacrifices to support our amazing police officers and staff as

they protect and safeguard the most vulnerable. but my message to anyone still refusing to do the right thing is clear. if you don't play your part, our selfless police who are out there will risking their own lives to save others will be unafraid to act. their work is helping our doctors, nurses, health professionals to fight this virus and to save lives. if you don't follow the guidance, you will be endangering the lives of your own friends, family and loved ones. to protect those that you care about and the capacity of our police and hospitals to protect is all, there is just hospitals to protect is all, there isjust one hospitals to protect is all, there is just one simple thing we ask you all to do. that is to stay at home, protect the nhs and save lives. i will now hand over to martin for an operational update. thank you, home secretary. in many ways, this feels a very different easter weekend for all of us, not travelling to see family and friends or out enjoying the glorious weather. it feels different for the

police officers and staff who are working this weekend, too. they have new responsibilities, they are tackling new risks. the streets are empty, businesses are closed, as we all adapt to a new way of life. but much does remain the same. officers are still out in their communities fighting crime, protecting victims and tackling anti—social behaviour. some example in recent days, a man arrested in the isle of wight in connection with a £10 million importation of cocaine. seven people arrested in london, including two at heathrow airport who were attempting to flee the country, as part of an ongoing investigation into serious violent crime. 400 domestic abuse suspects arrested in two weeks in the west midlands. and as criminals look to take advantage of the virus, a man has beenjailed for stealing personal protective equipment from a hospital here in the capital. and

the less visible policing continues, too. the work to trace child abusers, to track terrorists and to protect us from cyber attacks goes on as before. and we are taking preventive action as well. national crime agency are now taking down fraudulent websites and addresses and have launched an online safety at home campaign, giving parents information to keep their children safe while they are likely to be spending more time on their devices. initial figures from all forces show a 21% foran initial figures from all forces show a 21% for an overall crime across the last four weeks compared to the same period last year. that drop, combined with the commitment of our over 200,000 officers and staff across the uk and the fantastic response from our volunteer special constables who work more than 220,000 hours in march, it means that we are in a strong position. keep reporting crime to us. our teams are working round the clock to

keep you safe and respond to emergencies. i particularly want to reinforce the home secretary 's measures “— reinforce the home secretary 's measures “ message to reinforce the home secretary 's measures —— message to victims of domestic abuse or controlling behaviour, we will come when you call for help. and to abusers, do not think that this is a time where you can get away with this. we will still arrest, we will still bring people into custody and we will still prosecute. fighting the virus and protecting the nhs and saving lives is a national effort. and police have stepped up in their work alongside communities to support those hardest hit by the virus and to reduce the strain on the nhs and other care services. for example, two office rs other care services. for example, two officers in london responded to a call where a 90—year—old woman had collapsed in her home. they gave first aid and recommended she should go to hospital, but she was concerned because she didn't think she would get to the shop in time to get milk, so the officers were able to get that milk for her and even helped her fix a broken light bulb when she got back. two other

office rs when she got back. two other officers in manchester responded to a concern for welfare call and encountered an elderly man who had no electricity, heating or food. the neighbourhood policing team, working with the local housing department and businesses, were able to put money on his metre and get his fridge fully stocked for the next day and he now has a community contact in case you need to further support. and officers in cambridgeshire have been linking with the citizenship group to deliver tablet devices to vulnerable schoolchildren to ensure that they cannot continue to learn at home while the schools are closed. and of course, while the schools are closed. and of course , we while the schools are closed. and of course, we have new responsibilities given to us as part of the government response to the virus which we will use carefully. in the uk, police get their legitimacy and authority from the consent and support of our communities and the public. we are implementing the new regulations in that tradition of british policing. since new powers

we re british policing. since new powers were introduced, officers have engaged thousands of people and, in most cases, these people have quickly understood why it is important to follow the rules and no enforcement has been necessary. officers on the ground are telling me they are seeing a great amount of support from the public and indeed getting thanks for the role that they are playing. however, we have had a small minority of people who, despite our best efforts, have refused to follow the instruction and officers have needed to use their enforcement powers. next week, we will publish full data on enforcement so far, which will include this easter weekend, but i can tell you now that using early data on 37 forces that 1084 fines have been issued in england and where is up to thursday the 8th of april. so across all of those forces, that is an average of less than 84a forces, that is an average of less than 84 a day. this shows that the overwhelming majority of people are abiding by the rules and staying at

home to protect the nhs and to save lives. and i think it also shows that our approach, engage, lives. and i think it also shows that ourapproach, engage, explain and encourage, and only as a last result to enforce, is working. in those few cases where officers or police forces have made mistakes in interpreting the new regulations, they have quickly looked to correct them and provide the necessary clarity. we will continue to be guided by principles of fairness, proportionality and common sense. and i recognise that it is important that the public are able to judge and i recognise that it is important that the public are able tojudge us on whether we are keeping to those principles, so we will publish enforcement data every fortnight as we move through this crisis. this remainsa very we move through this crisis. this remains a very challenging situation for everybody, public and the police, as we all adapt to the changes the country has seen. thank you to all those officers and staff that are waking this weekend and throughout these testing times. on

top of the work that you do every day to keep your community safe, you are now also helping doctors, nurses and other health care workers to fight this virus and save lives. police chiefs will continue to work with government, with staff associations and others to give you the guidance, the protective equipment and testing so that you can do yourjob as safely as possible. thank you again to the public for your continued support. and my pt is simple. even in times of frustration and this good weather, work with us, stay home, protect the nhs and save lives. thank you, martin, i will now hand over to professor stephen powis. as we have heard, the instructions we have all been given to stay at home, avoid social contact and maintain social distancing are all designed to ensure that we stop the spread of

this virus, we reduce the number of cases and we save lives and reduce pressure on the nhs. and although i know that there is a lot of anger at the foolish view we think they can flout the rules, i would like to pay tribute to the vast majority as you have heard from martin of the british public who are clearly complying with the instructions that have been given. and we see that in many ways as the first chart shows. we continue to see the use of public has been very greatly reduced, and thatis has been very greatly reduced, and that is being maintained over the weeks of the lockdown. in the next chart, you will see that that is then translating from a stabilisation in the number of infections through to the number of new cases. so as we see here, there has been a levelling off of the numberof has been a levelling off of the number of new cases. it does vary from day to day but, by and large,

this is the sort of effect that we would expect to see from everybody following those instructions. and then in the next slide, you can see that that in turn is translating into a stabilisation. first signs of a plateauing of people who unfortunately need to be hospitalised or in hospital beds. as we have said before, there are more cases in london because a spread in london has come first. but early signs of stabilisation in the rest of the country, too. and then in the next chart, unfortunately, as i am others have said before, we are still seeing sadly high numbers of deaths. that will be the very final thing that will change and start to decrease. but we are confident that if everybody applies, follows the

instructions that we have all been given, then that will begin to translate in the next week's into a reduction in the daily deaths. the nhs strategy to all of this has been to ensure that we always have the capacity to deal with the surge in numbers of patients with coronavirus and that has been the case and my colleagues in the nhs are working night and day, around the clock, to ensure that that headroom, that capacity, whether it is for people in intensive care units, who need ventilators, to people in general wards, that headroom is there. that also means that the same time, the nhs is open for business for people who have other illnesses. this weekend, for example, it is a bank holiday weekend, general practices are open and pharmacies are open. so if you are unwell with a condition that is not coronavirus, if you have

symptoms of a heart attack you are worried about or symptoms of a stroke and if you have a sick child who is deteriorating, if you are a pregnant woman and you are worried about the movement of your baby, then you should be accessing services in exactly the same way that you always have done. through 111 , that you always have done. through 111, a gp, gp services or in emergencies through 999. the nhs is open for business and managing and capable of managing people with a wide range of illness. so, as i said at the start, the entire strategy is to ensure that by following the instructions, something that we must all instructions, something that we must a ll follow, instructions, something that we must all follow, we will see a reduction in deaths and we will protect the nhs. it is a bank holiday weekend, it isa nhs. it is a bank holiday weekend, it is a time of year when typically, we would be celebrating or getting together with relatives and close friends. but i am afraid this year, it has to be, for all of us, a stay

at home easter. thank you, professor powis. now, i think we are good to take our questions from journalists. the first question to david shipman from the bbc. a couple of questions about personal protective equipment. one isa personal protective equipment. one is a detailed one for stephen powis ifi is a detailed one for stephen powis if i may, we have big numbers for items of ppe being supplied, but it is very hard to compare them with items actually needed on the front line in hospitals. thinking in particular of ffp three face masks and gowns which i gather a single use, can you tell us how many are needed week by week and how many are actually being delivered ? needed week by week and how many are actually being delivered? and a question to the home secretary, day after day, questions come up about shortages of ppe, i wonder whether on behalf of the government, you could give a commitment to a date when what is needed on the front line is actually delivered? on ppe

as we have said many times, and the secretary of state for health and social care said yesterday, it is absolutely critical we get ppe out to all those working at the front line so that they not only are protected, but they feel safe. and there are three elements to that. the first is on the guidance, guidance for ppe, and just over a week ago, that guidance was updated. it was updated by public health england, but in collaboration and with input from a wide number of professional groups, including the royal college of nursing, so i am very confident we have a set of guidance that every professional, or professionals can sign up to. and they are confident it is based on they are confident it is based on the best scientific evidence that we have. the second strand is to ensure that the supply chain is working. this has been a huge increase in the

distribution, the number of organisations that need to be supplied with ppe, so we have been working with nhs england and the government to support the government to make sure we get that supply three. it is very difficult to give you a precise number because it varies from day to day and it varies from organisation to organisation, but i can assure you that we are increasing —— increasingly collecting that information as the supply chain is changed with the assistance of the military, so we do have that detailed information at organisational level, and at the same time, we are ensuring that we have a good line of sight to the equipment available and that which will be coming in through the third strand, which is procuring equipment. clearly, there is a global demand for personal protective equipment at the moment andl protective equipment at the moment and i know that government with our support is working night and day to ensure that we procure the ppe that we need to. so for instance, in ffp3 masks that you mentioned, i do have

confidence that we have supplies of ffp3 masks that are required. and on gowns, we are working very hard, as you speak macro we extended the use of gowns in the guidance last week so we knew there would be short—term challenges to the supply chain, but we are working very hard including with health and safety executive to ensure that we can use the widest range of gowns possible to ensure that that supply is there. and as i said, we are procuring from everywhere and including from the manufacturing base in the uk, you heard burberry and others are now manufacturing gowns in the uk to ensure that that supply is secure. thank you. david, in answer to your question, stephen has covered the main strategy and the plan that has been also outlined by the secretary of state for health yesterday here where he spoke very clearly about the measures and steps taking place around ppe. it is worth noticing —— noting for viewers at home that

absolutely, the government is working across every single agency that they would expect us to work with. health and safety executive, public health england, various groups and organisations within the supply chain, we are also working to do supply chain, we are also working to d o exa ctly supply chain, we are also working to do exactly that in terms of procuring ppe for other aspects of public services t. police, fire, something martin and i have been working on for the last four weeks, and ensuring we have notjust the distribution, but the supply chain and we also know from police and fire perspective, and this links over to prisons and other key public services, we have absolutely secured our supply chain. every single aspect of public service requires different guidance around ppe and different guidance around ppe and different types of guidance and that is exactly what we have all been working through. good evening. quite a big change on the way through the second half of this easter weekend. through the second half after a couple of very warm days, temperatures will drop

from the north on sunday and particularly into easter monday. a few hefty downpours in places throughout sunday as well. quite a complex weather setup — high pressure drifting to the west, low—pressure up to the north—east. but all you really need to worry about is where the white lines are coming from because they're from a long way north, where our air will increasingly come from, with a brisk wind as well, and the cold air spreads southwards on easter sunday and into easter monday. cetainly a very different feel by the end of the weekend. but back to the here and now, a few hefty showers and thunderstorms across england and wales this evening. they then fade, so clear spells for the most part. some cloud and patchy rain affecting scotland and northern ireland. not a cold night. parts of south—east england and northern scotland could get down to two or three degrees. into tomorrow, this band of cloud and rain making erratic progress south—eastwards, rain for a time across northern ireland and southern scotland.

that rain trying to fringe into west wales and the south—west of england but, generally, sunny spells and hefty showers. into the afternoon, those showers could get really heavy indeed, with frequent lightning and some thunder thrown in. 25 degrees once again in london. but further north, a much cooler feel, as we introduce this northerly wind. and through sunday night, still some showers for a time in england and wales, more of us feel the effects of that north or north—easterly wind and, on monday, that drags a lot of cloud into northern and eastern scotland and down the eastern side of england. further west, with shelter from that wind, we will have the best of the sunshine. but the wind particularly brisk for eastern and southern coasts. could see gusts of 50 mph for the channel islands. and look at the temperatures. aberdeen, newcastle, 7 degrees, that's your top temperature. cardiff and plymouth, a high of 14 degrees. through monday night, as this area of high pressure builds quite strongly across the british isles,

notice the blue colours developing on the chart. with light winds, it is going to get cold, quite a widespread frost for tuesday morning. worth bearing in mind if you've been gardening over the weekend. quite a cool feeling day on tuesday, but it does turn warmer later in the week.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the uk home secretary response to criticism after doctors warned there are still not getting the protective equipment they need to treat patients with coronavirus. i am sorry if people feel that there have been failed and i'll be very clear about that. at the same time, we are in an unprecedented global health pandemic right now. the number of people who have died with coronavirus in the uk is gone up by 917 since yesterday. the uk's is said that there is between 1% drop in overall crime in the past four weeks but more than a thousand vines been issued to people preaching social distancing laws. the first time, the queen is recorded in eastern