Morning Report

House sales could grind to a halt as a recession from the coronavirus outbreak edges closer.

Economists and real estate agents are predicting a drop in prices and sales over the next six months as social distancing makes transactions harder and banks become more risk averse with lending.

Eva Corlett reports.

Logan Park High School in Dunedin is closed today and tomorrow after a student tested positive for Covid-19 - the country's 12th case.

The teenager is one of two family members tested after his father, who had just returned from Germany, was confirmed with the disease.

RNZ reporter Tess Brunton is outside Logan Park High.

A brief update on the movements in the financial sector.

The Student Army is mobilising to help people who are staying in isolation due to the coronavirus or who are struggling with loneliness during social distancing.

The Welly Student Volunteer Army has launched the project and other branches around the country are set to copy their approach.

Wellington City Councillor Tamatha Paul is one of the co-ordinators.

Instead of scaremongering, people in Canada are 'caremongering' - spreading acts of kindness.

It started with one Facebook group and has grown like topsy.

Canada correspondent Laura McQuillan speaks to Corin Dann.

Schools and universities are figuring out how to teach students from home if they are shut down because of the Covid-19 virus.

They say it is not easy to set up an online course and one Wellington school is having a practice run on Friday.

The Education Ministry has been calling every school in the country to ask if they can teach over the internet amid calls by some experts to close all schools now.

Here's RNZ education correspondent, John Gerritsen.

Doctors will be able to test more people for Covid-19 and keep people safe at their clinics thanks to a boost from the government.

A cash injection of $500 million will mean those who need tests can be tested, and it won't interfere with clinics dealing with everyday medical issues.

The College of GPs president is Doctor Samantha Murton.

She speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Hospitals are planning to cancel operations and convert theatres to intensive care units if needed to keep people alive in a Covid-19 outbreak.

Some intensive care wards in countries like Italy have been overwhelmed by a sudden surge in cases and have said they may not be able to treat everyone.

Here there are just over 220 ventilators that can take over people's breathing in an emergency.

Health correspondent Rowan Quinn reports.

Sanzaar rugby officials have confirmed that they are looking at a regionalised version of Super Rugby.

Kicking a tennis ball around the living room, watching Netflix, wiping down the communal fridge door handle.

All things our reporter Max Towle is doing as he stays isolated after returning from Canada.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.