Coronavirus latest: Luton records 15 new cases of COVID-19 in past 24 hours

The past three days have seen the borough's daily numbers rise sharply, with 13 new cases reported on Thursday and 24 yesterday (Friday).

Luton had previously been experiencing a steady period of decline, with just two new cases diagnosed over the previous week.

In other parts of the county, Central Bedfordshire has 619 (+5) cases, while Bedford has 610 (+7).

Across the UK, a total of 257,154 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, increasing by 2,959.

A further 282 people with coronavirus have died in hospital in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 36,675.

Today's coronavirus daily briefing was dominated by news that senior advisor Dominic Cummings had travelled 260 miles from London to Durham with his wife and son to self-isolate with COVID-19 symptoms.

Durham Police chief Steve White has described the trip as "most unwise" and the Labour Party and other government critics have called for Cummings' resignation following the apparent breach of lockdown rules.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps defended Cummings during today's briefing, saying: "This wasn’t visiting a holiday home or to visit someone; this was to stay put for 14 days and to remain in isolation."

Government scientist Neil Ferguson and ex-Scottish chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood were previously forced to resign after breaking government guidelines.