There were 302 new confirmed cases of coronavirus announced on Friday evening, taking the total in Ireland to 2,121.

The latest victims were described as a person in the north-west of the country and two females in the east.

A further three people with coronavirus have died in Ireland, taking the country’s death toll to 22, the National Public Health Emergency Team has announced.

This is Nicola Slawson , taking over from my colleague Simon Murphy . I’ll be keeping you up to date this evening on the situation around the world. You can get in touch with me via Twitter or by email nicola.slawson@theguardian.com. I might not have time to reply but I will certainly give emails and messages a read.

Summary

Biggest daily rise in UK coronavirus deaths

The UK has again recorded its biggest daily rise in coronavirus deaths. In the last 24 hours, 181 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19. It comes after 115 deaths were recorded the day before. The UK death toll stands at 759, with 14,579 confirmed cases.

Matt Hancock, the UK’s health secretary, tests positive

Following the news that the prime minister, Boris Johnson, had tested positive for Covid-19, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, confirmed that he too has coronavirus. Both are experiencing mild symptoms and are in self-isolation.

Italy records highest daily rise in deaths and has not yet reached peak, experts say

Italy also recorded its highest daily rise in Covid-19 deaths, with 919 new fatalities, taking the total to 9,134. The update follows a warning from the head of the country’s national health institute that infections have not yet reached their peak and that lockdown measures will have to be extended.

France extends lockdown by a fortnight

France – which has recorded 299 Covid-19 deaths in the last 24 hours – has extended its lockdown until 15 April, the prime minister announced in a speech. Edouard Philippe said it was clear that the country was “just at the beginning of this epidemic wave”.

Four dead on cruise ship after outbreak

Four people have died on a cruise ship stranded off the coast of Panama after a Covid-19 outbreak on board, the boat’s owners have confirmed.

US approves $2.2tn economic stimulus package

Congress has given final approval for a $2.2tn financial package designed to rush federal aid to workers, businesses and a healthcare system ravaged by the virus, after politicians united to overcome a last-minute attempt to delay its passage.

Updated at 18.01 BST