ANOTHER 10 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Worcestershire, according to Public Health England.

Government figures say there was a total of 38 people in the county confirmed as having Covid-19 as of 9am on Tuesday, March 24.

The increase marks the steepest daily rise in Worcestershire for the third day running. Nine cases were confirmed the previous day and seven the day before that.

As the Government is no longer testing people who are self-isolating with mild symptoms, many cases may not be detected.

Worcestershire now has nearly as many confirmed cases as neighbouring Dudley, which has 40. Hampshire remains at the top of the Government table of local authorities with 207 confirmed cases.

As of yesterday, there were 8,077 confirmed cases of the virus in total across the UK, including 422 deaths. This includes one death at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, announced yesterday, and another at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, confirmed the day before.

135 patients have recovered from the virus.

1,427 cases were confirmed across the country yesterday alone after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a nationwide clampdown on non-essential movement.

This includes shopping only for basic goods and a ban on gatherings.

Police have also been given powers to enforce restrictions and the measures will remain in place for at least three weeks.