Sir Patrick Vallance told MPs on the Health and Social Care Select Committee that masks could have a 'marginal but positive' impact on curbing transmission of the life-threatening infection.

Leading genetic scientists analysed the genomes of the killer virus in 260 infected patients from all corners of the UK. They say they have identified 12 unique mutations (shown).

In the new survey, from PR firm Bospar, researchers found those between ages 18 and 24 were the least likely to get vaccinated against the coronavirus with only 57.8% saying they'd get the jab.

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have discovered a mutation to the coronavirus's spike protein that may make it more infectious - and it has spread around the globe.

British researchers modelled how the virus would spread in three scenarios - if Italy stayed in quarantine or if movement returned to pre-lockdown levels by 20% and 40% (shown in red).

Researchers from the University of Sheffield and Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico found that a newer, faster-spreading version of the virus seems to edge out the older type.

The UK's death toll (29,427) surpassed Italy's (29,315) today, meaning it is the worst-hit nation on the continent. But, even now, Britain's borders remain open, making it a global outlier.

The president of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association said Britain's testing and tracing has been 'inadequate' and questions should be asked about the timing of lockdown.

Researchers from Germany and the US explained fat cells secrete ACE-2 receptors - known as the 'gateway' into the cells of the body.

Just yesterday University of Sheffield researchers claimed that a new, more infectious type of COVID-19 had been racing through Europe. But the finding was today dismissed as 'unfounded'.

Professor Lucy Yardley, from the University of Bristol, sounded the alarm today, saying evidence shows 'viral load' plays a big role in how sick someone will become.

The Scottish government has dealt a potential hammer blow to Matt Hancock's coronavirus contact tracing app as it said it will only commit to the technology if it is shown to work.

A new study from the Mount Sinai Health System found that patients on blood thinners died after about 21 days in the hospital compared to those not on the drugs who died after about 14 days.

Some institutions have said that if their coronavirus vaccine trials go well, its jab could be available as early as Fall 2020, but most people would not be able to get it until Fall 2021.

Health officials are introducing a voluntary healthy lifestyle and exercise program for the town of Huntington, Long Island, which includes free nutrition advice and fitness classes.

Scientists in Italy claim antibodies made against the virus in mice were able to kill the infection in human cells, but British researchers said the discovery was routine in vaccine development.

GPs and councils in England were promised the results from hundreds of thousands of swabs carried out at drive-through centres after the UK shifted to 'pillar two' of its testing scheme.

The UK drug watchdog said there'd been a surge in bogus cleansing oils and sprays appearing online. It warned these products 'pose a risk to health' and could make COVID-19 infection worse.

Scientists in Glasgow trawled over data for more than 428,000 people who were part of the UK Biobank. Some 340 of those had recently tested positive for COVID-19 in hospital.

Professor Susan Jebb, of Oxford University, urged Brits to stop buying junk food and only have healthy food in their house, and told them to exercise to avoid the temptation of the biscuit tin.

Experts say the vulnerability of health systems in Eastern Europe spurred leaders into decisive action while governments in the west felt a 'greater sense of complacency'.

A new study from San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy, found that 72% of 29 coronavirus patients given anakinra, an arthritis drug, had improved respiratory health and markers of inflammation.

Researchers from Australia compared 13 studies of numbers of people killed by the coronavirus and suggested a 0.75 per cent death rate, and a range of 0.45-1.01 was reasonable.

The forward flew back to his homeland last week for an operation in Seoul on his broken right arm, an injury Jose Mourinho fears could keep him out for the rest of the season.

EXCLUSIVE BY KIERAN GILL: Amazon Prime's cameras are continuing to film at the Tottenham Hotspur training ground amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he sent messages to his ex-Spurs players after the Premier League was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has put his free time to good use by delivering essential goods to the elderly in Enfield. Mourinho teamed up with Age UK to carry out the heartwarming gesture.

Harry Winks has revealed that Tottenham players have been given an individual fitness schedule in order to remain in shape while staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tottenham's recruitment team, led by chief scout Steve Hitchen have followed Newcastle by effectively shutting down their scouting department until further notice

A message from the Portuguese was posted on the club's official Twitter account on Thursday amid the coronavirus pandemic. Tottenham's £1billion stadium is acting as a distribution centre.

During the coronavirus pandemic Spurs have walked into one PR gaffe after another ranging from cutting non-playing staff pay, to multiple training sessions breaking social distancing rules.

Spurs have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons in relation to the coronaviurs in recent times but with the help of Jose Mourinho they are stepping up their aid in the fight against Covid-19.

The fast bowler returned from South Africa with the Australian team this week and was tested for the deadly virus before being put into quarantine.

The crew member of the cargo ship is suspected to have the virus, and had been on a flight with six other people who then boarded the MV Aidamira, which has now returned to Cape Town.

The country of 57million people began a three-week quarantine today as the government confirmed South Africa's first two deaths from the virus.

Dave King confirmed on Friday he had stepped down as Rangers chairman with the South African businessman being replaced by Douglas Park, who steps into the role on an interim basis.

Newlyweds Olivia, 27, and Raul De Freitas, 28, were only supposed to spend six days in paradise at the Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives before heading back to South Africa, where they are citizens.

Jabulani Zulu, 48, and his bride Nomthandazo Mkhize, 38, said 'I do' in KwaZulu Natal province shortly before South African army officers stormed their wedding brandishing guns.

The Lions, coached by Warren Gatland, tour South Africa next year with three Test matches against the Springboks in 2021. Gatland's Lions drew the series in New Zealand three years ago.

Two NHS medics stuck in South Africa are appealing for help getting back to the UK so they can join the NHS battle against coronavirus (pictured, Catriona Walker, left, and Holly Watts, right).

The two Tanzanians say they were cast adrift in the Indian Ocean after the crew discovered them hiding on the bulk carrier MV Top Grace.

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa was captured struggling to get his facemask on after delivering a speech on the importance of wearing them, in a blunder livestreamed yesterday.

Mark Hill, from Newcastle, and his Italian wife Chiara Maioni, who live in Dubai, left toddler Skye in the care of their trusted nanny while they jetted to Cape Town for a romantic nine-day break on March 11.

This summer's Copa America has been postponed 12 months to 2021 amid fears over the spread of the coronavirus. The tournament in Argentina and Colombia has been pushed back.

Borussia Dortmund will return to training on Monday amid the coronavirus outbreak but will only allow their players to train in twos.

More than 300 pangolins are poached from the wild every day and make it the most trafficked animal. But the genome sequence of coronavirus in pangolins was a 99 per cent match to that of infected patients.

Prince William, 37, has spoken out amid the coronavirus pandemic in a short clip shared to the Kensington Royal Twitter account.

The 2020 TV Week Logie Awards ceremony will not go ahead due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, have taken to the Sussex Royal Instagram account to break their silence on the coronavirus epidemic.

Duke of Cambridge may be required to provide a 'physical presence' of the monarchy if Queen and Prince Charles forced into isolation due to their age, royal author Nigel Cawthorne told FEMAIL.