THE number of recorded coronavirus cases in Herefordshire increased by six over the last 24 hours, official figures show.

Public Health England figures show that 1,017 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday (September 29) in Herefordshire, up from 1,011 the same time on Monday.

The health body is now including Pillar 2 tests – those carried out by commercial partners – alongside Pillar 1 tests, which are analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories and which made up the first stage of the Government's mass testing programme.

The rate of infection in Herefordshire now stands at 528 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 680.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 7,143 over the period, to 446,156. Herefordshire's cases were among the 42,210 recorded across the West Midlands, a figure which rose by 614 over the period.

Cumulative case counts include patients who are currently unwell, have recovered and those that have died.