Coronavirus diary, Friday 27 March

Today's headlines suggest a possible improvement in the situation, at least in some countries -  'German kits can diagnose the virus in less than three hours'; 'Test to show immunity is due within weeks' - but much of the news is still sombre. The government has suspended the buying and selling of houses. People have not only been confined in their homes but must live in them until the ban is lifted.

Again, I count myself fortunate. Had this happened a few months ago, I would be living here for just a few more months before my savings ran out. 

Cheering the NHS and carers

Millions of people clapped and cheered from the doorsteps and balconies last night in the nation's tribute to the NHS, an idea thought up only a few days ago by a teenager. Simple but, I think, a gimmick. A puzzling factor of the spread of the pandemic is why some countries, and even districts, are faring much worse than others. Gwent, especially Newport, is by far the most dangerous place in Wales with nearly half the deaths. The chief medical officer says it might be a blip or the nearness to England. People flouting the rules by driving to seaside and parks have been turned back by the police with the threat of a fine. 

Ventilators may be critical in treating people with the virus and Britain has been slower than other countries in producing or obtaining them. This is being tackled by firms like Dyson, the vacuum cleaner designer and manufacturer, but it will be weeks before there will be enough to meet the increasing demand. 

Tesco: managing the numbers nicely

Action taken by supermarkets has stopped panic buying. Robert has emailed me pictures of his local Tesco where customers after queueing two metres apart are allowed into the store one at a time. He said he found almost all he wanted. In Sunrise the deputy manager told me this morning that their supplies are coming in as normal.