Coronavirus latest: 56 new cases recorded in Luton today

There have been 56 new instances of coronavirus and five deaths reported in Luton today (Wednesday), according to figures from Public Health England.

The total number of cases in the borough now stands at 17,057 (+56).

Five deaths (within 28 days of a positive test) were reported in Luton today, with 419 in total since the pandemic began

The case rate in Luton is now 470.3 per 100,000.

There have been 68 new Covid cases in Central Bedfordshire, with a total of 13,934. There were seven deaths recorded in Central Bedfordshire, with 493 in total since the pandemic began.

Nationally, the number of coronavirus cases has risen by 19,202 and now stands at 3,871,825. The number of deaths has risen by 1,322 to 109,335.

As of February 2, in the UK, 10,021,471 people had received the first dose of the vaccination for COVID-19, and 498,962 had received their second dose.

Under the current lockdown, you must not leave or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave home to:

> Shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person

> Go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home

> Exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

> Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one

> Seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)

> Attend education or childcare - for those eligible.