Covid surges in the New Forest but zero deaths in latest update

THE New Forest has experienced a surge in Covid cases over the last fortnight but without any deaths reported in the latest weekly update.

In the district on Tuesday the number of weekly cases reached 2,039 – up by nearly three-quarters on the 1,179 recorded at the same time two weeks' previously.

It equates to a rate per 100,000 people of 1,135 – below the UK rate of 1,525.9.

The weekly number of cases in the BCP area also rose by nearly three-quarters over two weeks from 2,932 to 5,045, meaning a rate per 100,000 of 1,270.8.

There were zero deaths in the New Forest in the latest weekly update from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The latest total of fatalities in the district during 2021 was 222.

In the BCP Council area, which includes Christchurch, there were three weekly deaths. The latest 2021 total was 703.

The provisional ONS fatality figures related to Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate up to 17th December but registered up to 25th December.

In England during the same week, the number of deaths involving Covid-19 decreased to 552, compared with 702 the week before.