Latest figures show 471 people confirmed to have had COVID-19 in Luton

Today (April 19), Luton has recorded 19 new cases with a total of 471 people diagnosed with COVID-19.

Central Bedfordshire has 360, up from 352, and Bedford has 289, up from 282.

But the true number of cases is thought to be far higher with many people not being tested.

In Bedfordshire, there have been 193 COVID-19 associated deaths, figures from NHS England show that 116 people, who tested for COVID-19, have died at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital and there have been 77 deaths at Bedford Hospital.

Nationally, the number of coronavirus cases now stands at 120,067. The number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths in hospital is has been recorded as 16,060, rising by 596 - according to Public Health England.

The figures for the number of patients recovered from COVID-19 have not been released by Public Health England.

All the figures refer only to people who have been tested in hospital. The true extent of infection among the wider public, who have no access to testing kits, is as yet unknown.

The new figures were recorded between 5pm on Friday and 5pm on Saturday.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do

- Stay at home

- Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)

- If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times

- Wash your hands as soon as you get home

- Do not meet others, even friends or family.

- You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.