THERE have been 55 people in Berkshire who have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the latest figures show.

Public Health England has recorded the 55 new lab-confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, in areas including Reading, Bracknell, Wokingham, West Berkshire, Slough and Windsor and Maidenhead.

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These figures, correct as of Saturday, May 1, bring the latest total for the county to 56,683 coronavirus cases.

The local breakdown for the past 24 hours as follows:

  • Reading - 8 cases, 10,927 total
  • Bracknell Forest - 8 cases, 7,094 total
  • Wokingham - 7 cases, 8,248 total
  • West Berkshire - 6 cases, 6,381 total
  • Slough - 16 cases, 15,530 total 
  • Windsor and Maidenhead - 10 cases, 8,503 total

There have now been 4,418,530 people across the UK who have tested positive for Covid-19 - a daily increase of 1,907.

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The government said a further 7 people have died having tested positive for Covid-19. The total number of deaths in England is 127,524.

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

  • Reading - 26
  • Bracknell Forest - 17.1
  • Wokingham - 25.1
  • West Berkshire - 14.5
  • Windsor and Maidenhead - 30.4
  • Slough - 49.5

In today's national Covid news: 

Care home residents will be able to spend time with loved ones in “low risk” visits without having to self-isolate on their return, the Government has said after being threatened with legal action.

From Tuesday, residents leaving their home for a walk or to visit a loved one’s garden will no longer have to isolate for two weeks on their return.

But those leaving for medical appointments and for overnight visits will still be required to self-isolate for 14 days, the PA news agency understands.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) removed the requirement for outdoor, “low risk” visits after being threatened with legal action by the charity John’s Campaign.

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Campaigners said the rule encourages care homes to act unlawfully by “falsely imprisoning” residents, with family members calling it “barbaric”.

Under the changes, residents on visits out must be accompanied by either a member of staff or one of their two nominated visitors, and follow social distancing throughout.

They cannot meet in groups or go indoors – except for the use of toilets – and public transport should be avoided where possible.