Number of new Portsmouth coronavirus cases rises – but infection rate remains low

Latest figures from Public Health England show 10 new cases were confirmed in the seven days up to August 23, at a rate of 4.7 cases per 100,000 people.

This has risen from a rate of 2.8 the previous week, when six positive cases were diagnosed.

The figures are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

Data from the most recent days – August 24 to August 26 – has been excluded because it is incomplete and is likely to be revised.

It comes after research from The News found the online Test and Trace system was telling people with a PO postcode their nearest site would be Manchester Airport, an eight-hour 470-mile round trip.

This is despite there already being two testing sites in Portsmouth – at Tipner and at the University of Portsmouth.

Here are the latest rates for other areas near to Portsmouth:

Gosport – rate has increased to 8.3 (seven cases) from 1.2 (one case) last week

Fareham – rate has fallen to 2.6 (three cases) from 6.9 (eight cases) last week

Havant – rate has increased to 4.0 (five cases) from 3.2 (four cases) last week

East Hampshire – rate has increased to 7.4 (nine cases) from 4.9 (six cases) last week

Winchester – rate has increased to 5.6 (seven cases) from 1.6 (two cases) last week

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Southampton – rate has increased to 5.1 (13 cases) from 4.8 (12 cases) last week

Blackburn with Darwen had the highest infection rate in England with 54.8 – 82 new cases – although this has fallen 78.2 the previous week.

Oldham had the second highest rate with 54.4, and Pendle was third with 51.

All three local authorities are considered as ‘areas of intervention’ by the government, with more lockdown restrictions in place.

Keep up to date with the latest coronavirus news in Portsmouth with our Coronavirus Updates Facebook group.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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