There has been a big increase in coronavirus cases and the number of hospital deaths recorded today (5/1) in Milton Keynes.
There were 494 new coronavirus cases reported in Milton Keynes today, according to the latest Public Health England data.
This is a big increase compared to yesterday's figure of 312, and takes the total number of cases to 12,009 since the pandemic began.
The 7-day case rate in Milton Keynes has risen from 874.4 cases per 100,000 people yesterday to 893.3 cases per 100,000 people today.
Sadly, fifteen deaths were recorded today at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
One death took place on New Year's Eve, six on New Year's Day, two on 2nd January, and six on 3rd January.
Earlier today it was announced that MKUH has seen a 10% increase in inpatients with COVID-19 over the past 24 hours.
CEO Joe Harrison said there were now more than 220 patients with COVID-19 at the Hospital.
He added that the intensive care unit at the Hospital remains "near to capacity".
Today has also seen another large increase in covid cases nationally. The number of people testing positive for coronavirus in the UK has increased by 60,916 - and another 830 people have died, government figures show.
Both sets of numbers are up on yesterday, when the official figures showed an increase of 58,784 cases, and 407 deaths.
