THE number of coronavirus cases in Cornwall continues to slowly rise, but deaths remain static.

Monday's NHS England figures showed that the number of deaths in hospitals due to coronavirus remains at 91, a figure that has not risen since July 2.

Prior to that rise, of one death, the total had not increased since June 2.

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly now stands at 902, an increase of three since Friday.

The rate of infection in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly stands at 158 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 450.

Monday's NHS England figures show that across England a further six people who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,187.

Patients were aged between 74 and 98 years old. All patients had known underlying health conditions.

Their families have been informed.

There were no further deaths reported in the south west as a whole.

In today's coronavirus news:

The Covid-19 vaccine being developed at the University of Oxford is 'safe and induces an immune reaction' - findings of the first phases of the study suggest.

Professor Sarah Gilbert, of the University of Oxford, said: “There is still much work to be done before we can confirm if our vaccine will help manage the Covid-19 pandemic, but these early results hold promise.

Read the full story here.

More than a third of eligible jobs in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been covered by the Government furlough scheme, new figures show.

The Trades Union Congress has called on leaders to provide more support for businesses to "stem the tide of redundancies” when the scheme ends in October.

Read the full story here.

The Department for Transport has announced that MOT tests will be recommencing across England, Scotland and Wales on August 1, bringing an end to the period of automatic exemption brought in to keep key workers on the move during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read the full story here.

Marks & Spencer have confirmed that about 950 jobs are at risk as part of plans to reduce store management and head office roles.

The high street retailer said the proposals will help move the company to 'a leaner, faster retail management structure' as it accelerates its transformation plan after being disrupted by the coronavirus lockdown.

Read the full story here.