On the eve of government's tier announcement, Covid cases in Milton Keynes show moderate increase

Since the second lockdown began on November 5, cases have been increasing almost every day in the city, with the highest numbers in the eighties and nineties. The number of Covid patients - and, sadly, deaths - at MK hospital has also increased significantly.

Over the weekend there were 164 new positive tests in MK and eight Covid-linked deaths recorded at the hospital.

On Monday there were 69 new cases, but yesterday (Tuesday) the figure dropped to 35.

Today's new case figure has risen again to 58, though sadly two more deaths of patients have been recorded at MK hospital over the past 24 hours.

This brings the hospital's total death toll up to 140 since the start of the pandemic, while the total number of MK cases is 3,447 .... over the same period.

Nationally there have been 18,213 new cases and 696 deaths recorded today. This compares to 11,299 cases and 608 deaths recorded yesterday.

Tomorow (Thursday) the government will announce whether Milton Keynes will face Tier 1, 2 or 3 restrictions when lockdown ends next week. Already, due to the recent escalation of new cases, experts are predicting the city will be in Tier 2, which is for areas classed as medium risk. See Citizen story herefrom earlier today.

Tier 2 would mean a ban on cross household mixing indoors, while outdoors the rule of six will apply.

Non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers, beauty parlours, and the wider leisure sector can reopen in all tiers, and collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports can resume. But, in tier 2, there will be more restrictions on pubs and hospitality venues.

For more details of Winter tier restrictions, see the Citizen story here .