Rushmoor coronavirus cases higher than national average

The overall rise in Hampshire is described as "concerning."

Author: Local Democracy Reporter Maria Zaccaro with contributions by Carol MusgravePublished 7th Oct 2020
Last updated 7th Oct 2020

People living in Hampshire have been urged to remain vigilant as the number of coronavirus cases across the county continues to rise.

A total of 258 Covid-19 cases were recorded across the Hampshire County Council area in the seven days up to 5 October.

This brings the total of cases in the area to 6,251.

It comes as at the end of September the total number of cases across the county was 6,006.

Civic chiefs at Hampshire County Council said the numbers are below the national average but the increase is "concerning".

Simon Bryant, director of public health at the county council, said the infection rate in the county stands at 18.5×100,000 population.

He said this is below the South East average of 24.2×100,000 and the national average of 80.5×100,000.

But talking to councillors at the meeting of the Hampshire Local Outbreak Engagement Board he said: "We are seeing an increase in cases week on week and we are below the national rate but that is concerning and we are monitoring that very carefully to take any action that is required."

A document published by the authority also revealed the Rushmoor district is the only one in Hampshire to have an infection rate higher than the national average.

Mr Bryant said that this is due to a more diverse community in the area and he said that work is ongoing to ensure that messages are delivered to every member of the community.