Deaths in New Forest more than halved in latest weekly Covid update
THE number of weekly new Covid-19 deaths has dropped in the New Forest, according to the latest update.
There were nine fatalities reported in yesterday's (Tuesday's) update by the Office for National Statistics, of which five were in care homes. It compares to 22 in total the previous week.
In the BCP Council area, which includes Christchurch, there were 49 fatalities – down from 77 – recorded over the same seven days, including 15 in care homes and 26 in hospital.
The latest provisional figures from the ONS related to instances where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate up to 12th February but were registered up to 20th February.
Previously reported numbers can change after being updated by the ONS.
According to separate government figures, the number of new weekly cases of Covid-19 in the New Forest on Tuesday was 130 – down from 177 last week and 232 the week before.
It gave an infection rate of 72.2 per 100,000 people – below the UK rate of 119. The highest rate again was Corby, Northamptonshire, with 329.6.
In the BCP conurbation the number of new weekly cases was 539 – down by more than 120 on last week’s level of 663. The rate per 100,000 people was 136.3 compared to 167.7 last week.
The infection figures are for the numbers of people with at least one lab-confirmed positive Covid-19 test result in the preceding seven days.
There are hopes that the ongoing roll-out of the vaccine will cut deaths and infections even further. Residents at Hartwood House care home in Lyndhurst were among the latest getting their jabs recently.
Resident Marjorie Brown said: “I feel so much safer after receiving my Covid-19 vaccine and look forward to hugging my family again.”
General manager Moira Baxter added: “It is so reassuring to see residents receiving their first jabs – this feels a massive step forward for us all. We are so pleased to have begun the journey to getting life back to some form of normality for our residents and team members.
“We continue to keep a positive outlook and hope that this is the start of better things to come.”
The reduction in deaths in Dorset prompted a temporary mortuary at Poole port to be taken off duty and placed on standby. It had been activated in January following a surge in deaths.
Cllr Nicola Greene, cabinet member for Covid-19 Resilience and Public Health at BCP Council, said: “I would like to offer my condolences to those who have lost family and friends during Covid-19. Thank you to our volunteers and staff who ensured the deceased were looked after with dignity at the site.
“Although the temporary site is standing down due to a decrease of deaths in the area, I would encourage our residents to continue to follow national guidance, including to self-isolate if you or your family are showing any symptoms.”
