How coronavirus numbers have risen since first diagnosis as confirmed Sheffield cases reach 40

The figure rose from 36 to 40 yesterday, and remains the highest in the north or anywhere outside London and the south except for Derbyshire where there have also been 40 cases.

The first case in the city was only confirmed last Wednesday, March 11, and the number has risen sharply since then.

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Here is how the number of confirmed cases in Sheffield has progressed, based on the daily statistics published by Public Health England.

Wednesday, March 11 – 1

Thursday, March 12 – 3

Friday, March 13 – 3

Saturday, March 14 – 13

Sunday, March 15 – 12

Monday, March 16 – 15

Tuesday, March 17 – 1

Wednesday, March 18 – 36

Thursday, March 19 – 40

Friday, March 20 – TBA

Public Health England explained that the sharp drop between Monday and Tuesday was due to what it called ‘data cleansing’ and that the figures should only be treated ‘as a guide’. The true number of people with COVID-19 is expected to be significantly higher since suspected cases in the community are no longer being tested.

As of yesterday, Thursday, March 19, one person in Sheffield had died after contracting coronavirus, with 144 deaths across the UK and 79 patients having recovered.

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There were 643 new cases confirmed nationally yesterday, bringing the UK total to 3,269.

Hampshire has the most confirmed cases, with 87, followed by the London borough of Southwark, where there are 82.

Sheffield has far fewer cases than London but more than anywhere else in the north or the midlands.

Here is how it compares to other cities, according to the latest figures:

Sheffield: 40

Birmingham: 34

Wolverhampton: 28

Manchester: 21

Newcastle upon Tyne: 19

Leeds: 15

Nottingham: 14

Liverpool: 13

Bristol: 12

Derby: 9

Sheffield Council leader Julie Dore yesterday issued a statement saying the council would keep its vital services running during the pandemic, even if they have to be delivered in different ways, as it seeks to ‘support and mobilise the community spirit of Sheffield to support each other through the crisis’.