Surge in new Covid cases as more than 900 people in Notts test positive in 24 hours

There has been an increase of 938 coronavirus cases recorded across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire over the past 24 hours as the vaccine roll-out continues at local centres.

This is a significant rise on yesterday's figure of 711 cases.

The Government said a further 1,041 people had died nationally within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday – the highest daily reported total since April 21.

It brings the UK total to 77,346.

The Government’s death figures continue to be affected by a lag in the publication of recent data and will contain some deaths that took place over the Christmas and New Year period that have only just been reported.

The Government also said that, as of 9am on Wednesday, there had been a further 62,322 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.

It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 2,836,801.

In Nottingham city, there has been a rise of 273 cases, bringing the total number to 21,237.

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Elsewhere, there have been large increases in Ashfield, where 134 new cases were confirmed and Mansfield, which had a further 123 cases.

In Gedling there was an increase of 106 new cases.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced today the country’s emergence from the current national lockdown, which started yesterday, will be “gradual”.

Speaking in the House of Commons he said: “As was the case last spring, our emergence from the lockdown cocoon will not be a big bang but a gradual unwrapping."

On a more positive note, Covid-19 vaccine hubs have started opening and preparing to open in Nottinghamshire in a bid to get the most vulnerable protected from the virus this winter.

A vaccine centre in Carlton began its roll-out of jabs for residents today, Wednesday, January 6, with an expectation to get 500 to 600 Covid-19 vaccinations done every day.

Here is the latest daily breakdown area-by-area:

Ashfield - 5,552 (increase of 134)

Bassetlaw - 5,238 (increase of 72)

Broxtowe - 4,533 (increase of 60)

Gedling - 5,206 (increase of 106)

Mansfield - 4,476 (increase of 123)

Newark and Sherwood - 4,431 (increase of 92)

Nottingham - 21,237 (increase of 273)

Rushcliffe - 4,581 (increase of 78)

Total: 938