East Lancashire's total number of coronavirus cases has risen dramatically, by 442 in the last 24 hours.

In the latest figures from the government's coronavirus dashboard, released on Wednesday afternoon, another 256 people are reported to have tested positive for the virus since Tuesday.

Blackburn with Darwen has recorded another 115 positive tests in the last 24 hours taking the total number to 10,972 since the pandemic began.

In Burnley a further 101 people tested positive for the virus, with the borough's total now standing at 5,647.

While in Pendle 5,707 people have tested positive since March, an increase of 101 since Tuesday.

Hyndburn registered 55 cases, with 4,414 people across the borough receiving a positive test result since March.

Rossendale has recorded 3,805 positive tests, an increase of 29 since Tuesday, and the Ribble Valley had another 41 positive results, taking their total to 2,457.

The total number of people to receive a positive test result across East Lancashire, since the beginning of the pandemic, is now 33,002.

Meanwhile, 19 more people have died with Covid-19 at hospitals across Lancashire since Tuesday.

Ten new Covid-related deaths were reported at facilities within East Lancashire Hospitals Trust in the last 24 hours, meaning the death toll there is now 578, while 480 people have died with Covid-19 at facilities within Lancashire Hospitals Foundation Trust following reports of three new deaths there.

The total number of people to die with Covid-19 at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals now stands at 507 after another one fatality was recorded.

Four new deaths was reported in the University of Morecambe Bay Hospitals Trust in the last 24 hours, meaning the number of people to die with the virus at facilities there is now 364. 

One new death was reported in Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals Trust, where 267 people have now lost their lives.

A total of 2,196 people have now died with Covid-19 in hospitals across Lancashire since the pandemic began.