THE number of recorded coronavirus cases in Reading had increased by eight by last Friday, official figures show.

Public Health England figures show that 948 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Friday (September 25) in Reading, up from 940 the same time on Thursday.

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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 586 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 647.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 6,873 over the period, to 423,236.

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Reading's cases were among the 42,146 recorded across the South East, a figure which rose by 299 over the period.

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