Coronavirus latest: Spike of 13 confirmed new cases in Luton brings total to 683

The number of coronavirus cases diagnosed in Luton shot up by 13 in the past 24 hours - its highest daily increase in May.
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That brings the total number of officially diagnosed cases in the borough to 683.

Luton had been experiencing a steady period of decline, with just two new cases diagnosed last week.

Elsewhere in the county, Central Bedfordshire has 595 (+2) cases, while Bedford has 584 (+1). It was a return to the norm after the boroughs experienced spikes of 15 and 31 new cases respectively yesterday.

Coronavirus     (stock image)Coronavirus     (stock image)
Coronavirus (stock image)

Across the UK, a total of 250,908 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, increasing by 2,615.

A further 338 people with coronavirus have died in hospital in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 36,042.

At today's coronavirus daily briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that trials of a new 20-minute coronavirus test are due to begin in Hampshire.

The chief executive of the NHS Confederation has warned of "severe" consequences if the right system is not established quickly, with the possibility of a second wave of infection.

Security minister James Brokenshire said he remains “confident” that contact tracing will be in place by June 1 – the date some children are pledged to return to primary school.

The number of confirmed cases worldwide since the outbreak began has now passed five million