There have been seven further cases of coronavirus recorded in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in the past 24 hours, according to figures released by Public Health England today (July 18).

Across the UK, 294,066 people have tested positive for Covid-19 and the death toll now stands at 45,273.

This represents an increase of 827 and 40 respectively over the same time period.

The figures, accurate to around 4pm on Saturday, July 18, show that two new cases have been registered in Nottingham city, with the total rising to 1,189.

During the same period, a further five cases have been recorded across the Nottinghamshire county – rising to 3,002.

The six new cases across Nottinghamshire have been recorded in Newark and Sherwood (2), Broxtowe (1), and Bassetlaw (2).

There were no new cases reported in Gedling, Rushcliffe, Ashfield and Mansfield.

This is the breakdown for each region of Nottinghamshire:

• Gedling – 377 (no change)
• Rushcliffe – 388 (no change)
• Mansfield  – 343 (no change)
• Newark and Sherwood – 320 (+2)
• Ashfield – 572 (no change)
• Broxtowe – 430 (+1)
• Bassetlaw – 572 (+2)

The number of deaths in Nottinghamshire hospital trusts is as follows:

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust – 272 (no change)

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – 13 (no change)

Ramsay Health UK – Nottingham Woodthorpe – 1 (no change)

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust – 124 (no change)

It is possible to deliver a return to normality by Christmas, but it depends on how people respond and how “alert” they are, a minister has said.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told BBC Breakfast on Saturday that further plans to lift lockdown restrictions gave people a sense of direction and hope.

His comments come after leading scientists warned that Prime Minister Boris Johnson may struggle to deliver his vision of a “significant return to normality” in time for Christmas.

The Prime Minister signalled another significant easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England on Friday, relaxing work-from-home guidance and paving the way for theatres and sports stadiums to reopen.