City and county record low cases

HEALTH officials diagnosed 88 new coronavirus cases in the city and county in 24 hours from Saturday afternoon to Sunday - with most areas reporting single figure rises, according to the latest data released yesterday.

There were 41 new cases diagnosed in the city and 47 in the wider county, the Department of Health and Social Care reported.

There were just three new infections in Melton and North West Leicestershire - which includes the towns of Coalville and Ashby recorded three as well. Harborough was also low, with four new cases.

Charnwood, including Loughborough and Shepshed, saw 16 new infections confirmed for the second day in a row. Hinckley and Bosworth’s total rose by nine, while Blaby saw five new infections.

The total number of confirmed infections across the city and county since the pandemic began a little over a year ago now stands at 79,956.

In other coronavirus news, Boris Johnson is set to make an announcement today.

He is expected to outline the next steps out of England’s lockdown including issues such as foreign travel and Covid passports.

His briefing will come one week before a string of restrictions will be lifted in the nation.

As of next Monday, April 12, non-essential stores should be able to re-open. Mr Johnson is also expected to confirm if pub beer gardens and hairdressers will also re-open on this date.

The latest weekly infection rates, area by area, are:

Leicester: 102.5 cases per 100,000 Blaby: 60.1 cases

Charnwood: 70.5 cases Harborough: 23.5 cases

Hinckley and Bosworth: 97.2 cases Melton: 80.1 cases

NW Leics: 68.5

Oadby and Wigston: 52.6 cases