More than 80,000 infections since start

A TOTAL of new 151 coronavirus cases were diagnosed by health officials in the city and county in the 48 hours up to Tuesday, according to the latest data released.

There were 84 new cases diagnosed in the city and 67 in the wider county, the Department of Health and Social Care reported.

The total number of confirmed infections locally since the pandemic began now stands at 80,107.

Harborough reported four cases over the two days – recording zero for Monday. There were just four in North West Leicestershire, which includes the towns of Coalville and Ashby. Charnwood, including Loughborough and Shepshed, saw 26 new infections over the 48 hours.

Hinckley and Bosworth’s total rose by eight. Blaby recorded 15 cases, while Melton saw four cases.

The new cases, updated Tuesday at 4pm, mean that the total number of cases across the city and county since the start of the pandemic area by area are:

Leicester: 36,020

Blaby: 6,985

Charnwood: 12,370 Harborough: 5,063

Hinckley and Bosworth: 6,075 Melton: 2,645

North West Leicestershire: 6,031 Oadby and Wigston: 4,914

The government has said rapid Covid-19 tests will be available to everyone in England later this week, insisting the move will help the country to reclaim “our lost freedoms”. Twice-weekly checks will be available from Friday with Charnwood MP Edward Argar indicating those returning to work in the coming weeks will be among the first to use them.