Coronavirus live blog as it happened: all UK schools closed from Friday and positive cases in UK rise by over 600

By Finlay Greig

Published 18th Mar 2020, 08:01 BST

Updated 18th Mar 2020, 18:05 BST

Follow the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak in our live blog below

Scroll down and read our coronavirus live blog as it happened.

Before you do that here are some articles offering practical advice

These are the signs and symptoms of the Covid-19 coronavirus strain

Few commuters wait on the platform during the rush hour at Clapham Common in London (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) — Few commuters wait on the platform during the rush hour at Clapham Common in London (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) | Getty Images

Few commuters wait on the platform during the rush hour at Clapham Common in London (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) — Few commuters wait on the platform during the rush hour at Clapham Common in London (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) | Getty Images

This is how to help your elderly relatives and friends during the coronavirus outbreak

What's the difference between coronavirus and flu? Here's how they compare

This is how to safely disinfect your phone

How is the coronavirus affecting children? Here's what you should know

Everything you need to know about statutory sick pay amid coronavirus outbreak

We will be providing live updates until 5pm.