1.7 million people will start receiving letters soon, and some councils with areas of high deprivation will have a major task contacting them to check what support they need.— contacting them to check what support they need. already, we've not support they need. already, we've got 17.000 — support they need. already, we've got 17.000 people — support they need. already, we've got 17,000 people shielding, - support they need. already, we've got 17,000 people shielding, and| support they need. already, we've i got 17,000 people shielding, and the news today means that over the next two weeks. _ news today means that over the next two weeks, we will be shielding another— two weeks, we will be shielding another 12,000 people who are over 70, and _ another 12,000 people who are over 70, and another12,000 another 12,000 people who are over 70, and another 12,000 who are under 70. 70, and another 12,000 who are under 70 that, _ 70, and another 12,000 who are under 70 that, i_ 70, and another 12,000 who are under 70. that, ithink, shows in 70, and another 12,000 who are under 70. that, i think, shows in very graphic— 70. that, i think, shows in very graphic terms the health inequalities which exist in a borough _ inequalities which exist in a borough like brent. shielding will continue in _ borough like brent. shielding will continue in england _ borough like brent. shielding will continue in england until- borough like brent. shielding will continue in england untilthe i borough like brent. shielding will continue in england untilthe end| borough like brent. shielding will. continue in england untilthe end of continue in england until the end of march. 0fficials continue in england until the end of march. officials in scotland, wales and northern ireland have access to the modelling but none are currently planning to expand their lists of those being advised to shield. hugh pym, bbc news. let's have a look at the latest government figures now. and there were 10,625 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. an average of 12,332 new cases were recorded per day in the last week —