Coronavirus news – live: England and Wales death toll passes 40,000 as WHO warns countries lifting lockdowns risk ‘immediate second peak’

All the latest developments on coronavirus pandemic as they happened.

Coronavirus in numbers

The number of deaths linked to coronavirus in England and Wales has passed 40,000, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The death toll was announced after the World Health Organisation warned countries which lift their coronavirus lockdowns too early risk facing an “immediate second peak” of infections. Dr Mike Ryan, the WHO’s emergencies head, said the virus could “jump up at any time” even in countries where infections have been falling.

Meanwhile, the a clinical trial into a malaria drug touted by Donald Trump as a Covid-19 preventative has been halted over safety fears. The WHO said testings involving hydroxychloroquine had been suspended while “data is reviewed by the data safety monitoring board”.

Key Points

• Global Covid-19 cases pass 5.5 million
• Deaths in England and Wales pass 40,000
• Minister resigns in protest over Dominic Cummings lockdown breach
• Malaria drug trial halted over safety concerns
• Countries lifting lockdowns could face 'immediate second peak' in infections

[26 May 2020 18:04 · Samuel Osborne]

Government 'looking into' letting people visit another household

Asked why people could not visit different households, such as where grandparents live, but non-essential shops and schools would reopen, Mr Hancock said: "One of the challenges is that it is very difficult to know where the virus has passed from and to.

"There is also a yearning to see people in another household, and we are looking at how we can make this happen in a safe way."

[26 May 2020 18:12 · Samuel Osborne]

[26 May 2020 18:25 · Samuel Osborne]

[26 May 2020 18:48 · Samuel Osborne]

Colosseum to receive visitors after three-month shutdown

Rome's Colosseum will start receiving visitors again after three months of shutdown during Covid-19 containment measures. 

To lower the risk of possible contagion at one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions, tourists must wear protective masks and have their temperatures taken before entering the ancient arena, which re-opens to tourism on 1 June. 

Entrance times will be staggered to discourage crowding and tickets must be bought online.

A reduced-price ticket will be available for afternoon visitors in an effort to encourage Romans to visit the monument at the end of their working day, especially while Italy awaits for tourism from overseas to resume. 

Tickets to the Colosseum also allow entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

But tourists to those two sites will no longer be able to wander at will through the sprawling ancient ruins. Instead, they will have to follow fixed paths. 

[26 May 2020 19:18 · Vincent Wood]

Germany to extend social distancing policy

Germany's government and its state premiers have agreed to extend until 29 June social distancing rules used to contain the coronavirus pandemic, a senior government official said.

Tuesday's deal follows a row over how fast to ease lockdown measures that have helped Europe's most populous country weather the outbreak with a relatively low number of deaths.

Chancellor Angela Merkel originally suggested extending social distancing rules of at least 1.50 metres until 5 July as the conservative leader is worried about a second wave of cases that could require another costly lockdown.

[26 May 2020 19:31 · Vincent Wood]

Americas overtake Europe as virus epicentre

The Americas have emerged as the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization said in a briefing as a US study forecast deaths surging in Brazil and other Latin American countries through August.

"Now is not the time for countries to ease restrictions," Carissa Etienne, WHO director for the Americas and head of the Pan American Health Organization, said via videoconference.

The Americas have registered more than 2.4 million cases of the new coronavirus and more than 143,000 deaths from the resulting COVID-19 respiratory disease. Latin America has passed Europe and the United States in daily infections, she said.

"Our region has become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic," Etienne said, as other PAHO directors warned there are "very tough" weeks ahead for the region and Brazil has a long way to go before it will see the pandemic end.

[26 May 2020 19:49 · Vincent Wood]

Trump press secretary criticises Biden for wearing mask at Memorial Day service

The White House criticised Joe Biden for wearing a mask at an outdoor Memorial Day ceremony but not while "in his basement" doing television appearances with wife Jill Biden.

Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany described administration guidelines for the coronavirus as donning a mask outdoors as "recommended but not required."

Because Mr Biden kept his distance from others at the wreath-laying event, Ms McEnany called his decision to cover his face "not data-driven."

More below:

[26 May 2020 20:30 · Vincent Wood]

Andrea Bocelli contracted virus, had recovered by march

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has said that he caught coronavirus but had fully recovered by March.

After attending hospital to donate blood to Covid-19 research, the singer posted on Facebook, writing: "The pandemic which has shaken the world has also affected - albeit mildly - me and certain members of my family.

"Out of respect for those for whom contracting the virus has had more serious consequences, I decided it would be best not to share the news. I certainly didn't want to unnecessarily alarm my fans and also wished to protect my family's privacy.

"We were fortunate enough to have a swift and full recovery by the end of March.

"Given the chance to donate blood to help find a cure for Covid, my response was an immediate 'yes'.

"A modest - but fundamental - gesture, through which I am playing my small part."

[26 May 2020 20:45 · Vincent Wood]

UK climate talks could be postponed to November 2021

The UK is proposing that key UN climate talks postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic will be held in November 2021, it has emerged.

In a letter to UN member states seen by the PA news agency, the UK has proposed the Cop26 talks, which were originally due to be held in Glasgow in November 2020, could be moved to November 1-12 2021.

At the beginning of April, an announcement from the UN's climate body, the UNFCCC, and the UK

Government said the summit would be pushed back to 2021 in light of the global pandemic, with dates to be decided.

It is understood the proposed dates, which come after wide-ranging consultation, will be decided on by the UNFCCC's Cop bureau, with discussions on the topic at the bureau's next meeting on May 28.

[26 May 2020 21:29 · Vincent Wood]

Johnson discusses virus response with UN and WHO chiefs

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke with the UN secretary-general and the head of the World Health Organisation regarding coronavirus, Downing Street said.

A Number 10 spokesman said: "The Prime Minister had calls this evening with the UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, and with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization.

"On both calls, the Prime Minister set out the UK's support for the international effort to defeat coronavirus and for the work of the UN and WHO in helping to co-ordinate the global response.

"The Prime Minister and Dr Tedros agreed on the importance of an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus outbreak, so we can learn lessons to prevent future pandemics.

"The Prime Minister also confirmed he will participate via video message in the UN's upcoming Financing For Development In The Era Of Covid-19 event to map out an equitable, green recovery from this crisis.

"Both Dr Tedros and Secretary-General Guterres reiterated their support for the UK-hosted Global Vaccine Summit on June 4, which will raise vital funds to save the lives of millions of children worldwide."