THERE are now 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Dudley and 11 in Sandwell, according to official figures.

Cases confirmed by Public Health England reached 18 in the Dudley borough and 11 across Sandwell as of 9am on Friday, March 20.

Many more people will have symptoms but they are not confirmed as they have not been tested.

It comes as the Prime Minister told all pubs, restaurants, bars, theatres, cafes and leisure facilities to close, saying the UK can "turn the tide" on COVID-19 within 12 weeks.

Dudley and Sandwell remain in the lower half of the table of local authorities, which is headed by Southwark with 110 cases.

Yesterday, the UK death toll hit 177 with 3,983 coronavirus cases confirmed.

So far seven people have died in Dudley and there has been one death in Sandwell.

All of the people who died had underlying health conditions.

As the Government is no longer testing people who are self-isolating with mild symptoms, many cases may not be detected.