LESS than 50 coronavirus cases have been recorded in Berkshire in the past 24 hours.

Public Health England has reported 49 lab-confirmed cases across Reading, Bracknell, Wokingham, West Berkshire, Slough, and Windsor and Maidenhead.

These figures, correct as of Saturday, March 3, at 4pm, bring the county's lab-confirmed positive Covid-19 tests total to 54,997 according to Public Health England.

CLICK HERE for the latest news in Reading

The local breakdown for the past 24 hours as follows:

  • Reading - 12 cases, 10,670 total
  • Bracknell - 4 cases, 6,927 total
  • Wokingham - 10 cases, 8,038 total
  • West Berkshire - 6 cases, 6,218 total
  • Slough - 8 cases, 14,941 total
  • Windsor and Maidenhead - 9 cases, 8,203 total

There have now been 4,291,271 people across the UK who have tested positive for Covid-19 - a daily increase of 5,587 cases across the country.

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

  • Reading - 40.8 (Compared to 93.3 on Feb 22)
  • Bracknell - 29.4 (Compared to 95.5 on Feb 22)
  • Wokingham - 45 (Compared to 53.8 on Feb 22)
  • West Berkshire - 29.7 (Compared to 101 on Feb 22)
  • Slough - 88.9 (Compared to 211.3 on Feb 22)
  • Windsor and Maidenhead - 40.3 (Compared to 71.3 on Feb 22)

CLICK HERE for the latest news in Bracknell

In today's national coronavirus news:

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has hailed the vaccination of more than half the UK's adult population against Covid-19 as a "phenomenal achievement".

Government data up to March 19 suggests that 26,853,407 people aged 18 and over have now received a first dose of the jab - around 51% of the population.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it remains "on track" to offer the vaccine to all over-50s by April 15.

It comes as countries across Europe have had to impose tougher restrictions amid a rise in Covid-19 cases, with UK scientists warning overseas holidays this summer will be "extremely unlikely".

Mr Hancock said: "Vaccinating over half of all adults is a phenomenal achievement and is testament to the mammoth efforts of the NHS, GPs, volunteers, local authorities and civil servants in every corner of the UK.

CLICK HERE for the latest news in Slough

"During April, we will continue to vaccinate those most at risk and around 12 million people will receive their second doses as well.

"It is absolutely crucial people come forward as soon as they are eligible. When you get the call, get the jab, because the more people who are vaccinated the safer we will all be."

Some 2,132,551 people in the UK - around 4per cent of all adults - have been given their second dose of the vaccine, while almost 95per cent of people aged 60 and over have received their first jab, the DHSC said.