MORE than 44,000 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Berkshire.

In the past 24 hours, Public Health England has recorded 784 lab-confirmed cases in areas including Reading, Bracknell, Wokingham, West Berkshire, Slough and Windsor and Maidenhead.

These figures, correct as of Friday, January 22 at 4pm, bring the county's lab-confirmed positive Covid-19 tests total to 45,512, according to Public Health England.

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The local breakdown for the past 24 hours as follows:

Bracknell - 73

Wokingham - 75

West Berkshire - 94

Slough - 211

Windsor and Maidenhead - 102

Reading - 229

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The latest seven-day rate per 100,000 people locally are as follows:

Bracknell - 5,804

Wokingham - 6,807

West Berkshire - 4,993

Slough - 12,129

Windsor and Maidenhead - 7,003

Reading - 8,776

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In today's national coronavirus news:

Everyone in England who has Covid-19 could be paid £500 under Government plans to boost lockdown compliance.

The 16-page document reveals plans to expand eligibility for a £500 Test and Trace support payment as one of four options being considered.

Other options being considered include making payments available to those with Covid who cannot work with fears that the current scheme means low paid workers cannot afford to self-isolate.

Government officials are also debating whether to restrict payments to people on benefits or with annual incomes below £26,495.

The £500 handout scheme would cost up to £453 million per week – 12 times the cost of the current system.