- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is self-isolating after coming into contact with an MP who later tested positive for coronavirus
- He says he feels "great" and thinks vaccines could be distributed to those most in need "perhaps before Christmas"
- Mr Johnson will remotely chair Covid-19 meetings and work with Chancellor Rishi Sunak on the upcoming spending review
- Meanwhile, a major trial of a vaccine to protect against Covid has launched in the UK - the third such trial in the country
- The states of Michigan and Washington bring in strict measures as cases in the US top 11 million
- South Australian authorities say they are facing a "dangerous situation" after reporting 18 coronavirus cases in the state's first outbreak since April
- There have been more than 54 million coronavirus cases and 1.3 million deaths across the world, according to Johns Hopkins University data
Good morning from London and welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
Here are some of the stories making headlines in the UK:
- Boris Johnson is beginning his first working day in self-isolation in Downing Street after meeting an MP who later tested positive for Covid-19
- The PM says he’s “bursting with antibodies” and “fit as a butcher’s dog” – but will be following self-isolation rules nevertheless
- A major trial of a vaccine to protect against Covid-19 has launched - the third such trial in the UK. It uses a genetically modified common cold virus to train the immune system
- Two new Covid testing "mega labs" will open in early 2021, at Leamington Spa in the Midlands and at an unconfirmed site in Scotland, to try to double the UK's daily coronavirus testing capacity, the government has said
- And a new report has warned that widespread working from home could lead to an increase in racism and prejudice
- On Sunday, the government announced a further 24,962 confirmed cases in the UK and 168 new deaths
Johnson feels 'fit as a butcher's dog'
Following the news that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in self-isolation, the PM has tweeted a video to say he's "in good health" with "no symptoms".He says the "good news" is that England's contact-tracing programme "is working ever-more efficiently", but the bad news is "they've pinged me".
"It doesn't matter that we were all doing social distancing, it doesn't matter that I'm fit as a butcher's dog, feel great - so many people do in my circumstances. And actually it doesn't matter that I've had the disease and I'm bursting with antibodies," he says.
In April, Johnson spent three nights in intensive care after falling ill with coronavirus.
Johnson adds in his Twitter video that he's self-isolating with a "high heart" that the UK is getting on top of the virus, and hopes "those who really need it" can get a vaccine before Christmas.
Why does Johnson have to isolate?
Latest developments around the world
On the international side of things, here are the latest developments related to the epidemic.- New curbs are being imposed in some US states as the number of cases in the country passes 11 million and hospital admissions hit record levels
- South Australia goes on high alert after the authorities there say they are facing a "dangerous situation" as 18 coronavirus cases have been reported in the state's first outbreak since April
- In Germany, the federal government and regional leaders are to discuss tightening restrictions, bringing the country closer to a full lockdown
- But in some good news, French Health Minister Olivier Véran has said in an interview that France may "have passed an epidemic peak", noting that the number of diagnosed cases has been dropping for 10 consecutive days after a new lockdown was imposed
- India has announced a new 12-point plan in the capital Delhi, including more ICU beds and doubling the amount of testing, to tackle a growing number of cases
What's the major new vaccine trial starting today?
James Gallagher - Health and science correspondent, BBC NewsA major trial of a Covid vaccine has launched in the UK - the third such trial in the country.
Designed by the Belgian company, Janssen, it uses a genetically modified common cold virus to train the immune system.
The research team is trying to recruit 6,000 people in the UK. Other countries will join the effort to bring the total up to 30,000.
Half of the volunteers will be given two doses of the vaccine around two months apart.
Janssen already has one large-scale trial of its vaccine in which volunteers get one dose. This trial will see if two gives a stronger and longer-lasting immunity.
It could take six to nine months before the results are available.
The Janssen trial begins after a vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech caused global excitement last week, when preliminary results showed it offered 90% protection.
- How close are we to a coronavirus vaccine?
- Who will get the Pfizer vaccine first and when can you have it?
The Pfizer vaccine has not yet been approved for use and Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the "vast bulk" of it will be distributed in the new year.
He told BBC Breakfast the NHS was getting ready to distribute some doses from 1 December but that was "the earliest it could possibly come" and "everything would have to go right" for the process to begin that early.
Some US states bring in new Covid curbs
As we mentioned earlier, some US states are bringing in strict measures to try and curb the spread of Covid-19.In Michigan, high schools and colleges are to halt on-site teaching and restaurants are prohibited from offering indoor dining from Wednesday.
In Washington state, indoor restaurant dining is also banned, and gyms, cinemas, theatres and museums will close.
Covid cases have now topped 11 million in the US, with hospital admissions at record levels.
On average, more than 1,000 people a day are dying with the virus, and the overall death toll is close to 250,000.
Read more here.