Total of 20 people diagnosed with coronavirus in Bedford and 42 in Central Beds

Today (March 27) Bedford has had a total of 20 diagnosed cases of the deadly virus - a rise of 10.

Neighbouring Central Bedfordshire has 42 cases, from 28 and Luton has 47, up from 30.

These numbers are lower than Hertfordshire (206) and Buckinghamshire (106) and Milton Keynes (58) but members of the public are urged to remain indoors as much as possible to halt the spread of coronavirus.

The new figures were recorded between 5pm on Wednesday and 5pm Thursday. Due to this time frame used to measure cases by NHS England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and health secretary Matt Hancock will not have been included.

On Monday, the government announced tougher social distancing measures, with all outdoor activities prohibited except for food shopping, one daily exercise, treatment of a condition and any essential travel for work.