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

Public Health England figures show that 806 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday (August 4) in Reading, up from 803 the same time on Monday.

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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 Reading now stands at 498 cases per 100,000 people, higher than the England average of 469.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 670 over the period, to 306,293.

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Reading's cases were among the 35,639 recorded across the South East, a figure which rose by 46 over the period.

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