ALMOST 300 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Berkshire in the past 24 hours, according to the latest figures.

Public Health England has recorded 295 lab-confirmed cases in areas including Reading, Bracknell, Wokingham, West Berkshire, Slough, and Windsor and Maidenhead.

These figures, correct as of 4pm on Friday, February 5, bring the county's lab-confirmed positive Covid-19 tests total to 50,639.

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The local breakdown for the past 24 hours as follows:

  • Reading - 48 cases, 9,932 total
  • Bracknell - 53 cases, 6,437 total
  • Wokingham - 35 cases, 7,468 total
  • West Berkshire - 37 cases, 5,588 total
  • Slough - 87 cases, 13,601 total
  • Windsor and Maidenhead - 35 cases, 7,613 total 

Slough Observer:

Stock image of a Covid test centre

The latest seven-day rate per 100,000 people locally are as follows:

  • Reading - 364.1 (Compared to 717.6 on January 9)
  • Bracknell - 240.7 (Compared to 819.3 on January 9)
  • Wokingham - 196.4 (Compared to 602.5 on January 9)
  • West Berkshire - 176.7 (Compared to 421 on January 9)
  • Slough - 470.8 (Compared to 1,174.3 on January 9)
  • Windsor and Maidenhead - 182.3 (Compared to 727.8 on January 9)

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There have now been 3,911,573 cases of Covid-19 across the UK as of Friday, February 5, at 4pm - a daily increase of 19,114 cases.

In today's national coronavirus news:

More than half of all UK adults should receive a coronavirus vaccine by May, the Government has announced, as the jabs rollout was buoyed by studies suggesting they are safe and effective against a new strain.

Downing Street confirmed that the vaccine programme planned to reach all those aged 50 and over, as well as adults aged 16-65 in an at-risk group, by May - having previously said it aimed to do so "by the spring".

Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that "lots of things have got to go right" to hit the goal, including supply, but he said he was "sure" it was achievable. More than 10.9 million first doses have already been given.

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According to the Government's vaccines delivery plan, some 32 million people across the UK are estimated to fall into the first nine groups. There are 52.7 million people aged 18 and over in the UK.

The target was disclosed as the Cabinet Office announced that local elections in England and Wales would go ahead as planned on May 6 - though voters will have to wear face coverings and will be asked to take their own pen or pencil to mark their ballot.

It will be seen as indicative of lockdown restrictions easing in the spring, with reports that outdoor team and individual sports, as well as outdoor gatherings, could be possible within weeks of a planned return of schools from March 8.