NEARLY 700 cases of the Delta variant – first identified in India – were recorded in Oxfordshire by June 23.

In addition, official figures show that as of 4pm on Friday a total of 98 new coronavirus cases were registered in the county.

These come to 72 more than those recorded on Thursday.

The rate of infection in Oxfordshire now stands at 5,152 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 7,271.

These are the daily cases separated by local authorities:

Oxford – 42

South Oxfordshire – 14

Cherwell – 18

West Oxfordshire – 16

Vale of White Horse – 8

The total number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic started are:

Oxford – 10,071

Oxfordshire – 35,636

Oxford University Hospitals Trust was caring for three coronavirus patients in hospital as of Tuesday, figures show.

The UK has recorded a further 18 Covid-related deaths and 15,810 new cases with 224 patients in hospital, Public Health England confirmed.