AT THE start of this year the Government’s interactive Covid map painted a very bleak picture of the number of cases in the Winchester district, but the picture is now much more favourable.

In January, the district was a sea of purple, denoting one of highest rates of Covid infection of more than 400 and 799 per 100,000 people.

Fortunately, Winchester was not the worst affected area of the country, as in the seven days to January 2, there were 618 cases in Winchester district for a rolling rate per 100,000 of 495, slightly below the UK average, compared to the previous seven days figures of 345 and a rolling 276.3.

Coronavirus map for the Winchester district on January 2

Coronavirus map for the Winchester district on January 2

The worst-affected place in the district was Denmead and Southwick where there have been 94 new cases, up 15, with a rolling number of 916.5.

But at the start of February the picture had improved, with only one are of Winchester classed as a ‘hotspot’. That hotspot was Winchester West, and as previously reported, this was due to an outbreak of coronavirus at the city’s prison.

Coronavirus map for Winchester February 6

Coronavirus map for Winchester February 6

The Winchester West area, comprising Weeke and Fulflood, reported 57 new cases in the seven days to February 3.

That was an increase on the previous week's seven-day number of 23 or a rise of 68 per cent on the week ending January 27. The rolling total per 100,000 people is 571, one of the highest in the country.

And at the start of March Covid infection rates across the district were much improved, with the majority of areas recording less than three cases in the seven days up to March 6.

According to the most recent figures, the district continues to be heading even further in the right direction – so much so, that Covid has been all but eradicated in many areas.

All but one area are now classed as 'suppressed', meaning there have been fewer than three cases recorded in the seven days up to April 4.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Coronavirus map for the Winchester district April 4

Only Winchester West is coloured green, registering three cases each. Its weekly infection rates is still well below the UK average.

The map details that these areas recorded less than three cases in the seven days up to April 3:

  • Bishop's Waltham and Waltham Chase
  • Colden Common and Twyford 
  • Winchester Stanmore
  • Swanmore, Hambledon and West Meon
  • Winchester East
  • Springvale and Itchen Abbas
  • Denmead and Southwick
  • Winchester Central and South
  • Whiteley, Knowle and Wickham
  • South Wonston, Sutton Scotney and Micheldever
  • Alresford
  • Winchester North and Sparsholt
  • Oliver's Battery and Hursley

The latest Public Health England figures detail the district’s rolling infection rate, in the seven days up to April 8, stood at 12 per 100,000 people.

The latest data from Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust shows there were 13 Covid patients on the wards as of Tuesday.