Swindon's COVID case rate DOWN by 37% in one week
Greatest Hits Radio has seen the latest figures
Last updated 16th Apr 2021
The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 across Swindon has fallen by 37% over the past seven days.
In the week up to and including Thursday 15 April, 27.9 per 100,000 of the town's population contracted the virus. Over the previous seven days, that figure was 44.6.
However, as has been the case for much of the pandemic thus far, Swindon's case rate is still significantly higher than the South West average.
Over the past week, that region-wide figure was 13.5 per 100,000 of the population.
'Enjoy your weekend, but please be sensible'
As lockdown measures continued to ease this week, there have been some fears that Coronavirus infections could rise once again across Swindon.
Our reporter Matt Hutchinson was in the town centre on Monday 12 April, as local businesses re-opened in their droves:
The Borough Council's Director of Public Health, Steve Maddern believes the initial signs are encouraging for the virus.
"The reports we're getting back from our 'feet on the street' marshals is that actually, everything feels relatively calm (in Swindon)," he told Greatest Hits Radio.
"Although people are utilising the economy and are able to meet-up with families and friends again, nobody seems to be being silly around the guidance and the rules, which is really encouraging.
"But I'm very mindful the rules only changed on Monday 12 April, so it's just a reminder to everyone: 'Enjoy your weekend, but please be sensible'.
"The case rate for Swindon is reducing, but it's still high - so we still need to get those numbers down even further".