32 new Covid cases in Milton Keynes in past 24 hours

This makes a total of 1,695 cases in Milton Keynes since the pandemic began. Over the past six days alone, there has been a total of 180 new infections.

MK Council leader Pete Marland has warned the rising figures could lead to the city entering a higher alert level with much tighter restrictions,.

He said: "If this rate of increase in our numbers continues unchecked, it's inevitable we will enter a higher alert level and further restrictions will be imposed."

He is due to make a further announcement tomorrow (Friday).

Nationally, there were 21,242 new Covid cases over the past 24 hours. During that time, 189 people have died from the virus.

Currently 7,433 patients are in hospitals throughout the UK with Covid and 711 of them are in ventilator beds. Over the past 24 hours 1,058 patients have been admitted.