Thanks for joining us for our ongoing coverage of how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the East of England.

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Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

If you take advantage of empty roads during the UK lockdown, you will be found out, police are warning.

Calculations by roads police in Cambridgeshire from footage taken by the National Police Air Service (NPAS) showed this vehicle was travelling at more than 150mph on the A11 through Cambridgeshire.

Police said the driver was "reported for dangerous driving and excess speed".

"The world may have changed, but the speed limit and traffic laws remain the same," a spokesman said.

Sarah Ward
Local Democracy Reporting Service

A new coronavirus clinic will be opening at Corby’s Urgent Care Centre next week.

It will be the second in the county, joining the facility opened earlier this month at the Waterside Campus in Northampton.

The clinic is not a walk-in centre and will only be open to those referred by their GP.

Places in Kettering, Wellingborough, Daventry and Brackley have also been earmarked as coronavirus clinics, but the Local Resilence Forum – which is coordinating coronavirus efforts in Northamptonshire – said these additional clinics would only be opened if needed.

Dr Naomi Caldwell, GP cinical lead for NHS Northamptonshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: "The new clinic will run side-by-side with the urgent care service and will be accessed separately so all patients can get the health care they need safely."

As the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is marked around the world from today, Luton Council has reminded all those observing it to stay at home and following government instructions on social distancing.

Image source, Getty Images

The month-long fasting, prayers and observations of spiritual reflection is due to end on 23 May, followed by Eid, the festival of fast-breaking where family and friends unite to attend special prayers.

Khtija Malik, councillor with responsibility for public health in the town, said: "Ramadan is an important time for the Muslim faith where we would traditionally come together with family and friends to worship, pray and break the fast at the end of the day.

"However, we are urging communities to observe this holy month differently, by staying at home to pray, keep iftars limited to those you live with and to only shop for essential basic items as infrequently as possible.

"Even with these restrictions, Muslims can still enjoy the community spirit that Ramadan provides by connecting with others by phone or online. It’s important we all pull together during this crisis so that we can reduce the spread of the virus, protect the vulnerable and save lives. Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims in the town."

More advice about how to cope during Ramadan can be found on the council's website, external.

Earlier we were telling you about Rebecca Johnson, of Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, one of 80 riders "cycling around the world" from their homes to support frontline healthcare workers.

Starting at 04:00, she rode for 12 hours and was encouraged by friends watching and supporting her online.

This was how she looked when she finished her epic ride.

Image source, Rebecca Johnson

“It was actually really humbling having so many people join me on Zoom and ride with me," said Miss Johnson, 29.

"Two friends both did over 100 miles. I think I got round on ‘happiness watts’ as I spent the whole time chatting to amazing people."

Pete Cooper
BBC News

The chairman of Kettering Town said the football club was "not in bad shape", despite the fact there will be no further games this season because of coronavirus.

David Mahony said after an appeal from the club's presidents, fans had donated more than £12,500 to help the club.

National League clubs, including Kettering and Brackley, have voted to end the regular season at its current point, with promotion and relegation outcomes "under careful consideration".

It means that Kettering will finish 20th in National League North, and remain in the league.

Mr Mahony said he was "pleased" as the club had "heavily at retaining our spot" in the division.

But he said "we do have some sympathy with those at the top of the league" as there is still uncertainty over promotion or whether the league will be voided.

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue has welcomed the return of garden waste collections in the county as "fantastic news".

Image source, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Bedford, Luton and Central Bedfordshire councils are all resuming collections from next Monday, after cutting back due to staff shortages caused by the virus.

The fire service said it hopes it would mean less irresponsible burning.

Bedford's elected mayor, Dave Hodgson, said: "We know how much the garden waste collections are valued, and I am very happy to announce that we are able to bring back this service, although in a limited way to begin with.

"We know that people may have accumulated green waste during this brief pause, so would ask that you keep composting where you can."

A couple have painted a rainbow on the side of a village house in tribute to their children who work as NHS nurses.

Former art teacher Ron Nix and his wife Jo painted it on their whitewashed home in Milton, near Cambridge, on Tuesday.

"It took most of the day, but luckily I had all the acrylic colours," said Mr Nix.

Image source, Jo Nix

He taught art at Bottisham Village College for 32 years before retiring, and said the rainbow - which has attracted a lot of attention on social media and hoots and waves from passing drivers - was done as a tribute to those working in the NHS.

They include his daughter, an ICU nurse in Wakefield, and his son, a theatre nurse at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

The couple's son-in-law and daughter-in-law are also GPs.

Mr Nix said the rainbow would stay on the house "as long as we are all going through this".

A new clinical trial to find alternatives to ventilators in the treatment of coronavirus patients will take place at Norfolk's James Paget University Hospital, external (JPUH) – the only hospital in the East to take part.

It will compare the standard care for critically ill patients, which includes intubation and ventilation, with two non-invasive techniques.

If the two alternatives - continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks driven by oxygen or high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) through the nose - prove as effective, it could reduce the pressure on the NHS to find ventilators and the staff to operate them, both of which are in short supply.

All three treatments are already commonly used in hospitals, but it was not yet known which is more effective in treating critically ill Covid-19 patients, said the JPUH.

Dr Venkat Mahadevan, a consultant leading the trial, said it would be “a tremendous boost to find effective, alternative ways to treat patients with Covid-19”.

The study is being led nationally by a team at Warwick Medical School, supported by the National Institute for Health Research, external.

Here's how local newspapers in Beds, Herts and Bucks are reporting the coronavirus pandemic:

• The Herts Advertiser, external is reporting that a Hertfordshire GP is keen to emphasise that essential NHS services remain, including dental appointments, remain available to everyone who needs them during the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Bucks Free Press, external reports that Buckinghamshire's main NHS body has had more than £100m of debt written off in a bid to help health bosses battle coronavirus.
• England cricket captain and Yorkshire first team player Joe Root MBE called war veteran and fundraiser Captain Tom Moore to thank him for his inspirational efforts to help raise millions for the NHS, Bedford Today, external says.

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

This is a sight you don't see very often: an empty Stansted Airport.

Essex Police said it was great to see everyone supporting the NHS by "staying at home and saving lives".

Here's how local newspapers in Northamptonshire are reporting the coronavirus pandemic:

• The Northants police chief constable has written a letter to thank colleagues’ children for "sharing their parents", the Northants Telegraph, external reports.
• The Northampton Chronicle and Echo reports that the county's "chef of the year" is making 250 meals a day for Northampton General Hospital from Althorp House.

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

What do you do when you've got some time on your hands at home during the coronavirus pandemic? Well, you build an obstacle course for squirrels, of course.

YouTuber Steve Barley regularly builds courses for our furry rodent friends in his back garden in Hitchin and says his latest NHS-themed construction, external is dedicated to our "truly heroic medical services".

As squrrels Dr Drey who specialises in aNUTomy, and NUTritionist Dr Dana Scurry negotiate the "bonkers, medical-themed, washing-line" obstacle course, Mr Barley says their biggest threat is a global pundemic!

Image source, YouTube

Pete Cooper
BBC News

More than 50 companies based in and around Silverstone are coming together to source and manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line NHS workers in Northamptonshire.

NHS managers have highlighted the need for more PPE, including gloves, goggles face shields and scrubs, during the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, Silverstone Park

Roz Bird, commercial director at Silverstone Park, said: "The high-tech engineering and manufacturing capability amongst businesses in the region is world class and we really wanted to do our bit during this crisis.

"Also, this activity can support businesses with work and jobs by getting them to re-purpose their equipment and so become part of the medical sector’s supply chain in the longer term."

Sarah Jenkins
BBC News

The British Army has congratulated fundraiser Captain Tom Moore on his Pride of Britain Award.

A spokesman for the Yorkshire Regiment said the 99-year-old's award was an "immense achievement" and that officers based from Keighley to Kabul were all "really proud" of him.

Capt Tom has raised more than £28m for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

A theatre school in St Abans has refused to be beaten by lockdown restrictions and put on a cyber show instead.

Image source, Best Theatre Arts

When it was forced to cancel its Easter holiday camp, Best Theatre Arts , externalran an online academy in which 35 students aged from six to 16, spent the week devising a "strange tale of games, aliens and escape through toilet rolls" complete with song and dance routines, all arranged and performed via video chat app Zoom and appropriately called Zoomania, external.

Image source, Best Theatre Arts

David Bevan, from Best, said the academy had been aimed at providing "a genuinely creative outlet for children during the lockdown - one that required full participation, co-operation and team communication."

Sarah Jenkins
BBC News

A school in Essex is celebrating its nurses who have volunteered on the front line.

Felsted School has tweeted about two nurses, Maria and Karen, who are working at Lister Hospital, Stevenage, and Colchester Hospital.

Here's how local newspapers in Cambridgeshire are reporting the coronavirus pandemic:

• The Cambridge News, external reports that a new drive-through coronavirus testing site will be set up at the East of England Arena & Events Centre in Peterborough to test NHS staff and other key workers.
• A young girl who dreams of being a nurse has lifted the spirits of NHS frontline staff with a heartwarming letter and gifts, the Peterborough Telegraph, external says.

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

Captain Tom Moore has won a special Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award, external for his fundraising walk that has so far raised more than £28m for NHS charities.

The 99-year-old walked 100 laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, to raise money for NHS Charities Together

He was told about his honour by Carol Vorderman, in a live TV surprise on ITV's Good Morning Britain, who said his "kindness, modesty, utter determination and selflessness embodies all that it is to be a Pride of Britain winner".

Capt Tom said: "That is absolutely amazing. It’s very difficult for me to believe things like this... I thank you very much because I am very, very humbled at receiving this magnificent award. Thank you all very, very much."

A Suffolk cyclist is one of 80 riders "cycling around the world" from their homes to support frontline healthcare workers.

Rebecca Johnson, 29, of Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, is taking part in world record-holder Mark Beaumont's World in a Day, external in aid of The Sun's Who Cares Wins , externalappeal for the NHS Charities.

The core team of 80 riders, including Beaumont and paralympians Steve Bate and Mel Nicholls, are all around the globe

Each rider is completing 240 miles (386km) in a day on their home cycle trainers.

Miss Johnson, who started at 04:00, said she's had a "constant stream of happy faces" joining her virtually as she takes part in the event, including friends from New Zealand, Switzerland and Scotland as well as those from her home county.

Some also joined her while on their indoor trainers to keep her company while she pedalled.

It is expected the riders will finish in time for tonight's Clap for Carers at 20:00.