WORCESTERSHIRE now has more confirmed cases of coronavirus cases than neighbouring Dudley after 17 people tested positive in one day.

There are now 55 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the county, according to Public Health England figures, which were accurate as of 9am on Wednesday, March 25.

The increase marks the steepest daily rise in Worcestershire for the fourth day running. 10 cases were confirmed the previous day and nine 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 more confirmed cases than Dudley borough, which has 51. Hampshire remains at the top of the Government table of local authorities with 251 confirmed cases, followed by Birmingham which has 228.

As of yesterday, there were 9,529 confirmed cases of the virus in total across the UK, including 463 deaths. This includes one death at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, announced on Tuesday, and another at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, confirmed the day before.

135 patients have recovered from the virus.

1,452 cases were confirmed across the UK 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.