Two Covid deaths in New Forest but cases fall

THERE were two Covid deaths in the New Forest in the latest weekly update as cases of the virus fell.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the two fatalities happened in hospital in the district.

However, the number of weekly infections reported by the government on Tuesday dropped 39% from 2,133 last week to 1,311.

It means the rate per 100,000 people on that day was 729.8 – well below the UK's declining figure of 985.5.

In the BCP Council area, which includes Christchurch, there were six Covid deaths, all in hospital.

The conurbation's number of weekly infections on Tuesday stood at 3,231 – down from last week's level of 5,731, and giving a rate per 100,000 people of 729.8

The provisional ONS fatality figures related to Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate up to 7th January but registered up to 15th January. They do not include local residents who may have died outside the area.