Yesterday in the daily coronavirus government briefing the communities secretary Robert Jenrick announced that victims of domestic violence will get priority access to local housing.

In other news:

  • A potential treatment for Covid-19 using plasma from recovered patients is to be trialled by doctors at London's Guy's and St Thomas' hospital.
  • The National Trust is set to lose up to £200 million this year due to the coronavirus crisis, the charity says.
  • Campaigners in England are calling on the Government to match a £500 bonus that the Welsh Government is to give front line care staff for fighting coronavirus.
  • Joe Wicks has received hospital treatment for inflamed hand. The man who has helped to keep the nation fit during the coronavirus crisis has been in hospital, himself, after injuring his hand.
  • Commuters could be asked to check their temperature at home before travelling under plans to ease the coronavirus lockdown being considered by the Government.
  • Foodbanks across the North-East are seeing a huge increase in demand due to job losses and delays in benefit or grant payments. The Trussell Trust, which oversees a network of foodbanks across the country, reported an 81-per cent increase in the need for emergency food parcels in the last two weeks of March, compared to the same fortnight last year.
  • A woman who proved a more than willing helping hand for villagers during the coronavirus crisis has earned recognition from her MP. Donna Hopper, of Toft Hill, near Bishop Auckland, has been named the second winner in the Our Unsung Heroes award scheme, launched by Dehenna Davison last month.
  • Harry Potter author JK Rowling has said she will donate £1 million to be split between charities Refuge and Crisis.
  • Professor John Newton, the Government's national testing co-ordinator, has insisted the 100,000 daily testing target was met despite home test kits being counted as they are dispatched rather than when they are returned.
  • Members of Hartlepool and District Indoor Bowls Club lined the streets this morning to pay their respects to Alan Hartley, a much loved member of the club. Since the coronavirus outbreak four people have died who were members of the club, including Mr Hartley, who was 69.
  • A Further 621 deaths were recorded yesterday from the virus since Friday.