New coronavirus infections more than triple in latest Forest figures as college reveals case
THE number of new coronavirus cases has more than tripled in the New Forest, but no further deaths have been reported in the latest figures.
This comes as Brockenhurst College revealed an infection in the "college community" had led to "a small number of individuals" self isolating.
As of Tuesday, the number of positive Covid-19 cases in the Forest increased by 35 to a total of 606, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) revealed. Last week’s increase was 10.
The district’s death toll remains at 133. Last week saw the first recorded New Forest Covid-19 fatality – which occurred in a hospital – registered in eight weeks.
As reported in the A&T, three schools and a care home also reported cases, amid a national resurgence in the pandemic.
There were also no deaths reported in the BCP area this past week, but the rise in infections has more than doubled on the previous week to 117. The number of positive cases is 1,187, and last week’s rise was 51.
The latest official NHS statement showed that nationwide 44 hospital patients who had tested positive for Covid had died, bringing the total fatalities to 29,952.
Of those, one occurred in the south-east area and zero in the south-west, with the NHS adding: “Patients were aged between 47 and 99 years old. All had known underlying health conditions.”
Students at Brockenhurst College have been told that lessons will continue as normal after its confirmed case.
The college has more than 2,700 full-time pupils studying a range of A-level and vocational courses, who travel in from the New Forest, Bournemouth, Poole, the Waterside, Wiltshire, and the Isle of Wight. It also provides courses and training for around 8,000 adult learners each year.
An email sent out to students revealed that one person at the college had tested positive for the illness.
A spokesperson said: “We have been made aware that we have a single case where a member of our college community tested positive for Covid-19. The college has a clear and robust Covid action policy, which was put into action immediately.
“We are working on the advice of Public Health England to ensure all appropriate protocols are followed.
“Only a very small number of individuals have been identified as needing to self-isolate for 14 days. The college remains open to all others, with our normal Covid-secure measures in place.”
