Five new cases of coronavirus in Bedford while Central Beds records 18 more

Today (April 16), Bedford has recorded five new cases of COVID-19 bringing the total to 244.

Central Bedfordshire has 309 cases, up from 291 and Luton has 387, up from 367 cases.

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

Nationally, the number of coronavirus cases now stands at 103,093. The number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths in hospital is has been recorded as 13,729, rising by 861 - 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 Tuesday and 5pm on Wednesday.

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.