Bedford records 24 new cases of COVID-19 while Central Beds total increases by 26

Today (April 17), Bedford has recorded 24 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the total to 268.

Central Bedfordshire has 335, up from 309 and Luton has 428, up from 387.

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

In Bedfordshire, there have been 163 COVID-19 associated deaths, figures from NHS England show that 93 people, who tested for COVID-19, have died at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital and there have been 70 deaths at Bedford Hospital.

Nationally, the number of coronavirus cases now stands at 108,692. The number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths in hospital is has been recorded as 14,576, rising by 847 - according to Public Health England.

The figures for the number of patients recovered from COVID-19 have not been released by Public Health England.

All the figures refer only to people who have been tested in hospital. The true extent of infection among the wider public, who have no access to testing kits, is as yet unknown.

The new figures were recorded between 5pm on Wednesday and 5pm on Thursday.

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.