Coronavirus news you may have missed overnight: Boris Johnson leaves intensive care as Dominic Raab says too early to lift lockdown measures

Prime minister is in 'extremely good spirits'

Here is your morning briefing of news you may have missed overnight as the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop across the world.

Boris Johnson leaves intensive care

The Prime Minister has been moved out of intensive care and back into a hospital ward where he will be closely monitored by doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

He is said to be in “extremely good spirits” as he continues his recovery, after he was admitted to hospital on Sunday with persistent symptoms of coronavirus.

Mr Johnson then spent three nights in intensive care after his condition deteriorated on Monday.

A No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister has been moved this evening from intensive care back to the ward, where he will receive close monitoring during the early phase of his recovery.

“He is in extremely good spirits.”

Dominic Raab says too early to lift coronavirus lockdown measures

The foreign secretary has said it is too early to lift the lockdown restrictions in place to fight coronavirus and told the public: “We must keep going.”

Dominic Raab confirmed that the three-week lockdown would most likely be extended next week as the UK has not yet reached the peak of the outbreak.

He also urged the public to continue observing the strict measures over the Easter bank holiday amid fears people would be tempted to go out by warm weather.

Deputising for Boris Johnson, he said at the daily press conference on Downing Street: “It’s been almost three weeks and we’re starting to see the impact of the sacrifices we’ve all made.

“But the deaths are still rising and we haven’t yet reached the peak of the virus. So it’s still too early to lift the measures that we put in place.

“We must stick to the plan and we must continue to be guided by the science.”

Doctor who warned Boris Johnson about lack of PPE dies from Covid-19

A doctor who warned Boris Johnson about the need for more personal protective equipment (PPE) to support NHS staff has died from the virus.

Abdul Mabud Chowdury, 53, pleaded with the prime minister in a Facebook post last month when he asked Mr Johnson to “ensure urgently personal protective equipment (PPE) for each and every NHS worker”.

Mr Chowdhury died on Wednesday after contracting coronavirus. He worked as a consultant urologist at Homerton Hospital in east London and was described by his friend and fellow doctor Golam Rahat Khan as a “life-loving person”.

Dr Khan said: “He liked singing and liked our own Bengali culture and loved English heritage. He was so caring, he would call us very often to come to his house. I last saw him on February 1 at my house for my son’s eight birthday.”

Oil producing nations agree historic cut to deal with reduced demand

The world’s largest oil producing countries have agreed on a historic deal to potentially cut production by 10 million barrels a day as demand for oil continues to plunge drastically amid the coronavirus crisis.

The agreement was made during a meeting of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and is the largest cut ever put forward by the organisation.

It is designed to preserve the value of oil, but has done little to quell concern in the markets and prices continue to fall due to dwindling business in aerospace and heavy industry triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Demand for oil worldwide has dropped by around 30 percent, or about 30 million barrels per day, since the pandemic began steadily tightening its grip on the world.

The proposed measure also signals a truce of sorts between the two major players in the oil industry, Saudi Arabia and Russia, who have been locked in a price war since early March.

Housing secretary defends visit to parents’ home during coronavirus lockdown

Robert Jenrick has defended his decision to visit his elderly parents at their home in Shropshire despite social distancing guidelines.

The housing secretary claimed he went to deliver medicine and obeyed government rules during his visit.

According to The Guardian, a witness said he saw Mr Jenrick, who has represented the government multiple times to urge the British public to stay at home, visiting the property more than 40 miles from his own home over the weekend.

Mr Jenrick said he obeyed social distancing guidelines and was asked by his elderly parents to deliver “some essentials – including medicines”.

“They are both self-isolating due to age and my father’s medical condition and I respected social distancing rules.”

Government guidelines state you are allowed to leave your home to help elderly relatives, “by dropping shopping or medication at their door”, but visiting anyone who lives outside your own home is not advisable.

Girl who inspired medical marijuana reform dies from virus potentially related to Covid-19

A 13-year-old from Colorado died on Tuesday after she was hospitalised for pneumonia, breathing problems and seizures.

Charlotte Figi, who was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome, was treated as a likely coronavirus positive case although she had tested negative for it.

According to a Facebook post on 26 March by her mother, Paige Figi, all five members of the family were ill last month with “fevers, pains, coughs” and some were “struggling to breathe”.

Most of the family soon recovered, but Charlotte’s condition did not improve.

Mrs Figi wrote: “It is with a heavy heart to let you know that Charlotte Fiji passed away yesterday. Charlotte’s story directly impacted thousands of families across the globe and has changed the face of cannabis in many ways.”

Charlotte’s epilepsy is unable to be controlled with medication, but she improved after taking CBD oil. Her recovery led to her family pushing for reform and more research into the benefits of medical marijuana.