The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Swindon increased by 27 over the last 24 hours, official figures show. 

Public Health England figures show that 1,615 people were confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Saturday in Swindon

This is up from 1,588 at the same time on Friday. 

The health body is now including Pillar 2 tests – those carried out by commercial partners – alongside Pillar 1 tests, which are analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories and made up the first stage of the government’s mass testing programme.

The rate of infection now stands at 41 cases per 100,000, lower than England’s average of 95.

Across the UK there has been an increase of 16,171 cases over the period bringing the total to 705,428 since the start of the pandemic.