German death toll reaches 8,250

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 289 to 178,570, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed today.

The reported death toll rose by 10 to 8,257, the data showed.

45% of Britons receiving more deliveries during lockdown

Some 45 per cent of adults in the UK have been receiving more deliveries since lockdown measures began, research has suggested.

Home and garden items have made up the majority of orders since 23 March, a Royal Mail survey found.

Products such as home decor, garden supplies and DIY equipment were among the most ordered.

Home entertainment, fashion, and health and beauty items were also popular, while more unusual items included hot tubs, casino kits, unicorn pinatas, wrestling boots, Venus flytraps and a full replica model of Flying Scotsman, the train.

One in five of those polled ordered arts and crafts items to fill their days during lockdown, while more than one in 10 ordered a paid subscription box such as food, drink or make-up.

Most UK adults agreed having their online shopping delivered was a “boost” for them or their family, with 36% describing it as the highlight of their day.

Australia’s most populous state has urged people to continue working from home despite schools reopening as the number of coronavirus cases slows.

Australia has reported just over 7,100 Covid-19 infections, including 102 deaths, well below figures reported by other developed countries.

With fewer than 20 new COVID-19 cases most days, Australian states are pressing ahead with a three-stage plan to remove most social restrictions imposed by July.

In New South Wales (NSW), which includes the city of Sydney, children returned to full-time face-to-face learning on Monday, allowing many parents to return to offices – although politicians urged those who could to stay home to avoid putting pressure on the transport network.

Greece restarts ferry services and reopens cafes and restaurants

Greece has restarted regular ferry services to its islands while restaurants and bars have reopened as the country attempts to salvage its summer tourism season from the impact of coronavirus.

Travel to the islands has mostly been off-limits since a lockdown was imposed in late March, but the country’s low infection rate has prompted the government to start the holiday season earlier than expected.

The government started the holiday season three weeks earlier than the expected June 15 date, as other Mediterranean countries – including Italy, Spain and Turkey – grapple with deadlier outbreaks.

Greece has had nearly 2,900 infections and 171 deaths from the virus, but Italy has seen nearly 33,000 deaths, Spain 29,000 and Turkey 4,340, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

Social distancing regulations and passenger limits have been imposed on ferries and at restaurants to ward off new infections.

State-run health services to combat coronavirus are being expanded to the islands, with intensive care units being placed on five islands – Lesbos, Samos, Rhodes, Zakynthos and Corfu – along with existing facilities on the island of Crete.