WINCHESTER district has seen its biggest daily increase in coronavirus for more than a month.
The recent decline of coronavirus in the district has definitely stopped, according to the latest figures released this evening.
Thirty-two cases were reported for the district, the highest tally since November 15.
There have been 1,919 cases since the start of the pandemic, up from 1,887, meaning an infection rate of 1,536.9 since March.
In the seven days to last Saturday, December 11, the Press Association national news agency reports there were 91 cases locally, compared to 60 in the previous seven days.
The rate per 100,000 people in the seven days to December 12 in the Winchester district was 72.9 compared to 219.5 in the worst area, Havant, 212.7 in Portsmouth and 217.8 in Rushmoor. The rate in the previous seven days to December 5 for those four areas was 48.1 Winchester, 123.6 Havant, 140.5 Southampton and 81.4 Rushmoor.
In the seven days to today there were 113 cases in Winchester district, compared to 56 in the previous week.
Two area now have weekly infection rates of more than 100 per 100,000 people - Winchester East (Winnall, St Giles Hill and Highcliffe), nine cases, up one, rolling rate of 110.5 and Stanmore, seven cases, up five, 103.2.
But Winchester is still in the bottom 20 for infection rates out of more than 300 local authorities across the UK, as are New Forest, Test Valley and Eastleigh.
There are currently 30 Covid patients at the RHCH compared to 39 at the start of the month. There are 45 at Basingstoke hospital compared to 69 previously.
The figures are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).
For clarity ‘Winchester district’ comprises more than the built-up city and is the council area which stretches from Micheldever in the north to Southwick in the south, from Sparsholt in the west to Bramdean in the east.
In the NHS across Hampshire two people are reported to have died today, with one in the HHFT area that includes the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. Across the county's NHS some 800 people have died since March.
In Winchester City Council area the figures for deaths is 102, no change. In Portsmouth it is 111, up one, and 136 in Southampton, no change.
The Office for National Statistics reports that 944 have died in the Hampshire County Council area, with an increase of eight today.
So far, at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust there have been 227 deaths, up one; 229 people have died at University Hospital Southampton, no change, whilst at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust the toll is now 318, up one.
Other Covid-19 news:
The Prime Minister addresses the nation
The Christmas restrictions
Can I see my family at Christmas?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here