Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this Friday morning.

1. Protective equipment challenge

The health secretary has said that thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) will arrive in the UK on Friday as the government faces criticism over shortages. Matt Hancock said that 55,000 more gowns were due to arrive, but admitted there was "a huge challenge".

We earlier reported that a director of a large NHS trust had contacted the BBC with concerns about the provision of gowns for staff. The person concerned is not a director of a trust - the BBC has since been told he is currently part of a network of organisations helping to source PPE for some NHS trusts during the pandemic.

Image copyright Getty Images

2. Trump unveils 'Opening up America again' plan

President Donald Trump has given US governors guidelines for how they can open up their states following the coronavirus outbreak. As part of his "Opening up America again" plan, Mr Trump set out three phases - each of 14 days - that could be taken to ease movement restrictions and restart the US economy.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Coronavirus: Reopening US 'a beautiful puzzle'

3. Cambridges reflect on lockdown pressures

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have told the BBC that being locked down is "stressful" and can place a burden on people's mental health. It comes after the government confirmed the UK's lockdown was being extended by at least three weeks. Prince William also praised NHS workers and said they were making the nation proud with their "stoicism and determination" to get through the pandemic.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to the BBC via video link

4. Margaret, 90, steps up to mountain climb challenge - from home

After 99-year-old Capt Tom Moore's huge fundraising efforts, another nonagenarian has embarked on a challenge to benefit the NHS. Margaret Payne, 90, of Sutherland, aims to climb the equivalent of the Highland mountain Suilven - 731m (2,398ft) - with 282 trips upstairs at her home. So far she's raised £10,000 and believes it will take two months to complete her challenge.

Image copyright PA

5. Ken Bruce - helping put the worries of the world to one side

BBC Radio 2 mainstay Ken Bruce tells us how he sees his role as a DJ in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, saying his show provides "escapism" which helps keep people "feeling right during this" and offers "a chance to put the worries of the world to one side".

Correction 17 April 2020: An earlier version of this update reported that a director of a large NHS trust had contacted the BBC with concerns about the provision of gowns for staff. The person concerned is not a director of a trust - the BBC has since been told he is currently part of a network of organisations helping to source personal protective equipment for some NHS trusts during the pandemic.

Don't forget...

You can find more information, advice and guides on our coronavirus page.

And you can see how many confirmed cases there are in your area here.

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