Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

A former RAF base in Norfolk is offering shelter to needy people in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.

Image source, Geograph/DI Wyman

The old officers' mess at what was RAF Coltishal, near North Walsham, is being used as accommodation for homeless people and will also house some asylum-seekers who have nowhere else to go.

Fran Whymark,councillor in charge of housing at Broadland District Council, said: "We've been able to give people accommodation which they otherwise wouldn't have had."

She said it was a better outcome for people than housing them in bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

Nikki Fox
BBC Look East

Cancer patients are to receive treatment at a private centre to protect them from coronavirus and free up space in NHS hospitals.

The entire chemotherapy unit at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital has moved to the nearby Spire Hospital along with 60 NHS nurses.

It's part of a government deal to use private hospitals which will operate on a "not for profit basis".

This talented dog has joined the rest of the country in clapping to show his appreciation for NHS and care workers, animal shelter staff have said.

Jack Russell Smudge, six, lives at the RSPCA Eau Brink centre near King's Lynn in Norfolk, as his previous owners could no longer look after him.

Penny Skate, chairman of the Norfolk West branch trustees, said: "Every time he’s asked to clap for the carers it really looks like he is putting his heart and soul into it.

"It’s a lovely sight to see Smudge so happy and enjoying himself. We really want to share his video with the country and hopefully Smudge clapping can help to put a smile on people’s faces during these uncertain times."

The bags dissolve on a 60C wash, says manufacturer Aquapak which has donated 46,000 so far.

Westlife's summer stadium tour, which was scheduled to visit three venues in the East of England in June and July, has been called off.

The Irish pop group had been due to play Carrow Road in Norwich on 19 June, Peterborough's Weston Homes Stadium on 21 June and Castle Park in Colchester on 11 July.

The band say promoters will contact ticket holders to process refunds.

If you're one of the many people working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, this might help.

Verity Booth, an osteopath from Norwich, has put together this short workout aimed at easing tight shoulders and neck from working at a laptop, or PC.

Matt Precey
BBC Look East

The latest figures for the number of Covid-19 deaths in the East of England has been released by the government, external.

In the BBC East region, statistics for each NHS hospital trust show a rise of 100 deaths.

The total number of deaths at the region's hospitals is now 1,963.

• Basildon and Thurrock - 8
• Bedford -2
• Buckinghamshire Healthcare - 9
• Addenbrooke's, Cambridge - 12
• East and North Hertfordshire - 3
• Colchester and Ipswich - 5
• Hertfordshire Community - 1
• James Paget, Gorleston - 3
• Kettering General - 4
• Luton and Dunstable - 3
• Broomfield, Chelmsford - 12
• Milton Keynes - 3
• Norfolk and Norwich - 2
• Norfolk Community - 1
• North West Anglia, Peterborough and Hinchingbrooke - 1
• Northampton General - 4
• Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge - 1
• Princess Alexandra, Harlow - 10
• West Hertfordshire Hospitals - 16

The total number of coronavirus-related UK deaths in hospitals is 17,337.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Building waste dumped in a ditch has blocked a stream and leaked foam, leading to calls for council tips to be re-opened.

Leona Bursnell, who found the waste in Felthorpe in Norfolk, said: "It must be polluting the water."

She said the local council, Broadland, had been informed but a spokesman said because it was on private land neither it nor the Broads Authority, external could remove it.

Image source, PA Media

Dave Thomas, councillor for Horsford and Felthorpe, external, said: "I imagine there’s probably more fly-tipping than being reported. There’s more happening out there, in my view."

Reports of a lorry load of waste being illegally fly-tipped in Thetford woodlands has prompted calls for councils to reopen refuse centres closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But Breckland Council, external said the waste would not have been accepted at a tip.

Several district councils are experiencing significant falls in fly-tipping:

• Broadland down 27%
• North Norfolk down 33%
• South Norfolk down 45%
• Breckland down 50%
• West Norfolk fall of between 14-22% since January

Norwich City and Great Yarmouth councils did not respond with their data, and both saw an increase, according to Norfolk County Council.

Image source, Norwich Theatre Royal

A theatre has said it is still booking shows for the future, a month after it had to close.

The box office team at the Norwich Theatre Royal has had to deal with 60 shows being cancelled, which equates to 60,000 tickets, and 15,000 bookings.

Stephen Crocker, chief executive, said: "Over the next few weeks we will be putting some new shows on sale well into 2021.

"We are going to be back, we are working hard to be back, but it's a huge challenge for us."

Its workforce has gone from more than 400 staff and volunteers, to just 26.

• Norwich chefs Bradley Trent and Emily Holdcroft have teamed up to launch a new business delivering fresh and healthy food to front line workers and homes, the Eastern Daily Press, external reports
• An Attleborough garage, that stepped forward to repair NHS worker Marina Patchett’s Mini for free, found its engine needed replacing, the Norwich Evening News, external reports
• Almost 2,000 West Norfolk businesses have benefited from £23m in grants to tide them over the coronavirus epidemic, the local council has told the Lynn News, external

Matt Precey
BBC Look East

On Monday evening the government released, external its latest figures for coronavirus deaths in the UK in the past day.

In the BBC East region, statistics for each NHS hospital trust show a rise of 46 deaths, the lowest increase in 10 days.

The total number of deaths at the region's hospitals is now 1,863.

• Basildon and Thurrock - 9
• Bedford -1
• East and North Hertfordshire - 2
• Colchester and Ipswich - 7
• Hertfordshire Community - 1
• James Paget, Gorleston - 3
• Kettering General - 2
• Luton and Dunstable - 1
• Milton Keynes - 2
• Norfolk and Norwich - 3
• North West Anglia - 1
• Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge - 1
• Princess Alexandra, Harlow - 4
• Queen Elizabeth, King's Lynn - 5
• West Hertfordshire Hospitals - 3
• West Suffolk - 1

The total number of COVID-19 associated deaths at all UK hospitals stands at 16,509.

Kat Tate and her pet kookaburra can be seen taking walks in the UK countryside during lockdown.

Ava-May Littleboy suffered a fatal head injury when an inflatable trampoline exploded in Norfolk.

A woman with severe asthma describes the "heartbreaking" aftermath of catching coronavirus.

A figure of a masked angel has been created by a laser cutting company at Terrington St Clement in Norfolk to mark the courage and dedication of staff dealing with coronavirus patients at the Queen Elizabeth ll Hospital, external in King's Lynn.

The design, by managing director of Javik Laser Creations, external James Hodge, was inspired by his paramedic partner and an NHS worker neighbour "who go out to work every day and put everyone else first".

Image source, Javik Laser Creations

Mr Hodge said: "It was done on a new machine and to my own surprise I was successful.

"I have spoken to the hospital but I do not know where it is going to go yet. I didn't want to get in their way as it has been a fraught day for them losing one of their colleagues and several patients.

"I just want to say the staff there are a different breed, not seeing their families and knowing all the risks. They are all amazing."

The plaque on the figure says: "Dedicated to all the staff at the Queen Elizabeth ll Hospital for their tireless work during the coronavirus crisis 2020."

Siren the kookaburra is a familiar sight, walking with his owner in the Norfolk countryside.

The florist says she wants to honour those who work for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

A "valued" healthcare assistant died after testing positive for Covid-19, a hospital said.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, external (QEH) in King's Lynn, Norfolk, said its staff were "coming to terms" with the "devastating" news that Christine Emerson died over the weekend.

Image source, Queen Elizabeth Hospital

It said Mrs Emerson was a "much-loved" wife to Michael and a "cherished" mother and grandmother.

The hospital offered its condolences to her family.

In a joint statement, chief executive Caroline Shaw and and Professor Steve Barnett, QEH chairman, said: "The whole family at QEH is deeply saddened at losing Chrissie Emerson who was such a valued colleague."

Teachers at a primary school came together in a social media montage to send a message to home-schooling pupils to remind them that lessons should have begun again today after the Easter holiday.

Staff from Peterhouse Primary Academy, external in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, lined up with placards carrying this special message: "Children your teachers miss you so much so please take care, stay safe and remember we are here and always the Peterhouse family."

Image source, Pedterhouse Primary Academy

Parent Becky Louise Lumb posted a thank you on social media which said: "This is lovely and we miss all of you as well.

"We hope you're all keeping safe too and remember us parents are here for you as well and we appreciate everything you're doing for us too - especially all you key workers that are looking after our children."

Another parent, Louise Thompson wrote: "My girls are missing all their teachers and friends."

The youngsters star in a film made by a nurse to urge people to protect the NHS from coronavirus.