The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Wiltshire increased by 377 in the last seven days.

This week has seen another decline in the county’s infection rate per 100,000 which stands at 75.4 compared to 80.2 last week.

Public Health England figures show that 5,457 people have tested positive for Covid-19 since the start of the outbreak.

Director of public health in Wiltshire, Kate Blackburn said: “It’s encouraging the overall case numbers are continuing to head in the right direction.

“We have had that decrease in numbers for a second week in a row, but it’s not as significant a drop as last week. We’ll be monitoring that very closely.

“Thankfully the impact of the national restrictions and our population’s efforts are continuing to show.

“Which does put us in good stead as we head into the Christmas period but certainly not in a place where we can be complacent.”

In Wiltshire, 387 people have died because of Covid-19. This is an increase of seven deaths since last week.

The mortality rate per 100,000 in Wiltshire is 77.4, far lower than the national figure of 105.9.

Ms Blackburn said: “Our thoughts are with any of those who are affected by those deaths.”

Coronavirus in schools 

Currently, there are 48 education settings (schools, colleges, nurseries) affected by positive cases of coronavirus.

Across the county 2,564 pupils and 165 staff are self-isolating.

Businesses in Wiltshire

Ms Blackburn said a small number of businesses were being supported across Wiltshire in terms of outbreaks but added that no new outbreaks had been reported in the last seven days.

Care homes

The number of positive Covid-19 diagnoses in Wiltshire care homes has declined over the last two weeks.

In the last seven days, 16 care homes have a confirmed case.

Ms Blackburn clarified that the majority of these cases were asymptomatic and picked up through whole home testing.

Testing 

The number of people taking Covid-19 tests in Wiltshire has declined, according to Mrs Blackburn.

She said: “If anyone has any of the Covid-19 symptoms we would urge them to get tested and not to put off that testing, potentially, because Christmas is coming.”

Wiltshire’s test centres will be open throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

It was confirmed that 86 per cent of Test and Trace contacts are followed up on in Wiltshire by the national scheme.

This is a big increase as previously the average in Wiltshire was around 60- 70 per cent.

Locally the same figure is 54 per cent, however, it should be noted that these are people the national Test and Trace service are unable to reach.

“We do need more people to answer their phones and respond to us when we reach out,” Mrs Blackburn said.

She reiterated that if you receive a call from 0300 456 01000 then it is from the local Test and Trace scheme.