The NUMBER of recorded coronavirus cases in Hampshire increased by 26 over the last 24 hours, official figures show.

Public Health England (PHE) figures show that 6,054 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Friday (October 2) in Hampshire, up from 6,028 the same time on Thursday.

This included 2 new cases in Basingstoke and Deane, bringing the local authority total to 1,038.

The figures include both Pillar 1 tests (analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories) and Pillar 2 tests(carried out by commercial partners).

The rate of infection in Hampshire now stands at 438 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 708.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 6,968 over the same period, to 467,146.

Hampshire's cases were among the 43,823 recorded across the South East, a figure which rose by 272 over the period.

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