THE number of recorded coronavirus cases in Reading jumped by more than 10 during the weekend, making the total reach close to 1,000 in the town since the start of the year.

Cases increased by 13 during the two days (September 26 and 27), official figures show.

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Public Health England stats show that 961 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Monday (September 28) in Reading, up from 948 the same time on Friday.

The health body is now including Pillar 2 tests – those carried out by commercial partners – alongside Pillar 1 tests, which are analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories and which made up the first stage of the Government's mass testing programme.

The rate of infection in Reading now stands at 594 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 670.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 15,777 over the period, to 439,013.

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Reading's cases were among the 42,745 recorded across the South East, a figure which rose by 599 over the period.

Cumulative case counts include patients who are currently unwell, have recovered and those that have died.