Coronavirus weekly deaths in New Forest fall to zero – for first time since March

THE weekly death toll of people with Covid-19 has fallen to zero in the New Forest for the first time since March.

Latest numbers released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Tuesday showed that in the week from Monday 22nd June, there were no recorded casualties from the coronavirus.

The last time there were no deaths involving Covid-19 in the district was in the week of Monday 16th March.

The overall death toll, therefore, stays at 129, of which just over half – 65 – occurred in care homes.

Since the outbreak began, the highest number of seven-day fatalities in the New Forest was 25, which occurred twice in the two consecutive weeks following Monday 13th April.

The figures were given a cautious welcome by Cllr Barry Rickman, leader of New Forest District Council.

He said: “It’s very pleasing to know the figures are showing zero deaths. But I would warn people to stay on their toes to make sure that there’s no second spike.

“It shows that the efforts have paid off. The sensible approach has paid off. I know there’s people, like at our leisure centres, dying to get back to activity but we need to be sensible.”

He added: “It’s heartening. But if it has personally touched you it’s very traumatic.”

The BCP Council area, which includes Christchurch, also experienced its first week without any Covid-19-related deaths for the first time since the week of Monday 30th March.

There have been 182 deaths in total throughout the conurbation, with a peak of 44 fatalities in the week of Monday 27th April.

The ONS figures are for deaths which occurred up to 26th June but were registered up to 4th July.