No new cases of coronavirus reported in Luton in past 24 hours

Yesterday's small increase of two cases followed a similar pattern over the weekend, which saw just two cases diagnosed over a 48 hour period.

Luton's 628 confirmed diagnoses represent a ratio of 293 cases per 100,000 of the town's population.

Central Bedfordshire currently has 513 (+1) confirmed cases and Bedford's figure is at 471 (+15).

But the true number of cases is thought to be far higher with many people still not being tested.

Nationally, the number of coronavirus cases now stands at 194,990 (includes tests carried out by commercial parties), rising by 4,406 since yesterday.

The number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths has been recorded as 29,427, with 693 deaths reported today.

The figures for the number of patients recovered from the virus have not been released by Public Health England.

The true extent of infection among the wider public, who have no access to testing kits, is as yet unknown.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do

- Stay at home

- Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)

- If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times

- Wash your hands as soon as you get home

- Do not meet others, even friends or family.

- You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.