Number of Covid-19 cases closing in on 350 in Northamptonshire

The number of known Covid-19 cases in Northamptonshire continues to rise at an alarming rate.

Public Health England last night revealed 41 more people in the county had tested positive for the novel coronavirus in a 24-hour period, taking the total to 343 as at 9am yesterday (Sunday April 5).

Emergency coordinators revealed on Wednesday that 386 hospital beds in Northampton and Kettering had been freed up ahead of the expected surge in Covid-19 patients, since when 146 more positive tests had been added to the official figures.

NHS officials have so far confirmed 38 deaths in Northampton and Kettering hospitals, as at 5pm on Saturday (April 4).

But experts admit the true number of coronavirus-related fatalities in the county is much higher since the figures only includes hospital patients, not those in care homes or at home.

The UK epidemic is still not predicted to peak for another week or two.

Northamptonshire Police issued a "thank you" to everyone who stayed at home over the weekend and continued to follow Government instructions.

A spokesman for the force said: "Our officers will continue to be out and about and will work alongside you to help protect the NHS. Let's all play ou part and get through this together."

The Queen said the UK "will succeed" in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic, in a rallying message to the nation last night.

Daventry MP Chris Heaton-Harris called it: "A remarkable message from a remarkable lady."

The number of deaths in the UK will top 5,500 today while the number known cases nationwide is set to go past 50,000.

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