Coronavirus updates: Schools preparing to shut down as death toll rises
See the latest coronavirus pandemic updates as schools prepare to shut down across the country.
Emergency legislation to tackle the coronavirus outbreak will be published in Parliament after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the closure and cancellation of exams.
It comes as the Government is to launch a voucher scheme to ensure children eligible for free school meals will continue to have access to hot food while schools shut down for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, people are being urged not to stockpile medicines and not to visit pharmacies if they have symptoms of infection, as pressure on the sector increases amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Locally, six more coronavirus patient deaths have been confirmed - including the first in Sandwell - and councils are reviewing whether their leisure centres should be open.
Meanwhile a man has been arrested after allegedly deliberately coughing at shop workers in Dudley.
Key developments:
Six coronavirus patient deaths confirmed in Black Country - including first in Sandwell
Schools are preparing to shut down indefinitely until Friday
Man arrested after allegedly deliberately coughing at people in Dudley
Confirmed cases worldwide have now passed 200,000 and more than 8,000 people have died
In a major milestone, China has reported no new domestic cases
Australia and New Zealand have closed their borders to non-residents
Live updates:
These updates are no longer being added to.
