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.

An interactive map using data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has revealed hundreds of towns and villages which have avoided a single Covid-19 fatality during the pandemic.

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).

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.

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.

Researchers from Edinburgh and London say the approach, dubbed 'segmentation and shielding', is the only way to get the UK back to normal without overwhelming the NHS.

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.

The two party leaders clashed over the pandemic as they faced each other for the first time at Prime Minister's Question in the hushed surroundings of the mostly-empty House of Commons.

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 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.

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 2019 World Cup is just a week away and England will be confident going into the tournament. But who is going to win? SIR CLIVE WOODWARD predicts who could win the whole thing.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD - WORLD CUP WINNING COACH: The World Cup is up and running and my only concern about England against Tonga is evidence of discipline.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: We have often seen short-handed teams raise their game significantly, while those with a full complement can take their foot off the gas and struggle.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Rugby World Cup has been very unlucky, nature can completely take over sometimes, but were their contingency plans robust enough to deal with it this weekend?

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Everything is coming to the boil nicely and sometime soon this England side is going to produce a performance for the ages. This Saturday would be the perfect time.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Many wrote off Wales's World Cup chances after their narrow victory over France last week. But now I believe they will beat South Africa to reach their first final.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: When Bill Beaumont clocks back on Monday morning, it would be worth remembering that, although the official tally says 28-23, he actually won by only one vote.

Myriad Polos have come and gone over the years, with 12 million cars sold so far, including past World Car of the Year winners

From a design point of view, the shell (still) looks like a pregnant, stretched 911-shaped whale, which I (still) can’t believe anyone finds attractive – but I know they do

Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the A110 was a doyenne of its genre, taking the constructor’s title in the 1973 World Rally Championship. Original cars remain much-loved classics

Like the Royal Wedding a few weeks ago, Royal Ascot a few days ago, or William Shakespeare and Windsor Castle a few centuries ago, we Brits are unbeatable when we play to our strengths

For the entire time I had this car, my family knew where I was at every moment due to the bright yellow colour of the Suzuki Swift.

Well, look what we have here… If it isn’t another mid-size SUV crossover for us all to get excited about. Which isn’t difficult – from a styling point at least (after which don’t hold your breath)

Tash, myself and our boys, Noah and Eli, however, have been involuntarily thrust into the land of seven-seater giants in what is becoming an increasingly more urgent situation

The Kodiaq it doesn’t feel like an ungainly monster out on the road. You’re high up but not so high up you might encounter a bird strike or feel like you’re looking down your nose at the rest of the world

First off, though, let’s get the downside out of the way. Dear VW, why oh why didn’t you make your latest GTi incarnation more exciting to look at?

The Champions League returned with a bang this week as Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig took huge steps towards three big upsets.

Spurs have lost both Harry Kane (hamstring) and Son Heung-min (broken arm) to serious injury in recent months, leaving them without a senior centre forward for most of the final weeks of the season.

Jose Mourinho's extraordinary managerial career has contained many memorable moments on and off the pitch, with the highly-decorated Portuguese not afraid to speak his mind.

DANIEL MATTHEWS: It's easy, amid the meandering monologues of Jose Mourinho, to forget there was another team in town on Wednesday night. But over 90 minutes, RB Leipzig outplayed Spurs.

JAMIE REDKNAPP: If Mourinho needs a striker, then he could do worse than look at Troy Parrott. He's been training with the first team, learning from the master Kane and has been capped by Ireland.

Jose Mourinho ramped up the mind games for Tottenham's clash at Chelsea by suggesting he knows Frank Lampard's tactics for Saturday's Premier League match.

OLIVER HOLT AT STAMFORD BRIDGE: Any Spurs fans - or players - expecting a rallying cry after a significant setback like this would have been sorely disappointed.

Who'd have thought Jose Mourinho would have left a legacy at Old Trafford after all? Mourinho signings Nemanja Matic and Fred have been very important in their recent success.

JAMIE REDKNAPP: We look at VAR as if it's the oracle but in reality it's one man, sat behind a bank of screens at Stockley Park, offering his opinion. It's not matter of fact - it's subjective.

The Premier League once again treated spectators to twists and turns galore, and here are 10 things we learned from all the action this weekend.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Manchester City left empty handed on the dramatic night in 2012 after a sensational late 3-2 win for Real Madrid brought manager Jose Mourinho to his knees.

Luke Shaw believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has put a smile back on his face after a difficult time at Manchester United under the Norwegian's predecessor Jose Mourinho.

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.

THE NUMBERS GAME - JORDAN SEWARD: Dele Alli is statistically Tottenham's biggest goal threat right now with Kane and Son injured. Mourinho needs him firing ahead of important run of games.

Harry Winks has revealed Jose Mourinho told him he had to train harder to force his way into his Tottenham team and believes English football does not appreciate passing midfielders as they should.

SAMI MOKBEL AT THE TOTTENHAM HOTPSUR STADIUM: Harry Winks, under-appreciated? Maybe, but certainly not by the people that matter.

IAN LADYMAN: Common sense gives Lampard at least one more season. Common sense says a young, bright manager is given opportunity to plan properly in a way that few of his predecessors were.

Jose Mourinho is set to make a summer bid for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, according to reports in Italy, as Roma haggle with United over a permanent deal for the defender.

Victor Wanyama's brother has revealed that the Tottenham midfielder will announce details of his future at the club this week. Wanyama has fallen down the pecking order at Tottenham.

Toby Alderweireld has described the 'strange' time around the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham and Jose Mourinho's ensuing arrival as manager. 

Eric Dier believes his Tottenham future is at centre-half after Jose Mourinho started him in the position for the first time in his side's defeat to Wolves on Sunday.