Four areas in Salisbury are now classed as coronavirus hotspots after their case rates soared to over 400 per 100,000, officials figures show.

Cases of coronavirus have been spiralling out of control all across the country despite Tier 3 and 4 restrictions.

In Salisbury, infections and deaths are continuing to rise and in most areas - numbers are the highest they have ever been.

The row over the reopening of schools remains ongoing.

One primary school in Tidworth took the difficult decision to stay shut due to a lack of staff.

This is Wiltshire Council's stance on the matter.

4 new hotspots

Salisbury Journal: The four Covid hotspots (shown in purple) with case rates between 400 and 799 The four Covid hotspots (shown in purple) with case rates between 400 and 799

In the latest seven-day period, the number of those contracting Covid-19 in Salisbury soared to record numbers.

Four hotspots have been identified, including one with a case rate of more than 500 per 100,000 people.

According to a map on the government coronavirus dashboard, the areas with the highest rates are:

  • Great Wishford, Woodford Valley & Porton (31 cases; +13 on previous week; rolling rate of 484.1)
  • Churchfields (36 cases; +22 on previous week; rolling rate of 534)
  • Salisbury Town North & Milford (29 cases; +13 on previous week; rolling rate of 474.8)
  • East Harnham (27 cases; +18 on previous week; rolling rate of 452.9)

These numbers are based on Public Health England figures from the week ending on December 29.

What about the other areas?

Salisbury Journal:

Cases are rising in the majority of other areas on the map, though at a less alarming rate.

  • Tidworth & Ludgershall (60 cases; +25 on previous week; rolling rate of 331.8) 
  • Larkhill, Shrewton & Bulford Camp (24 cases; +1 on previous week; rolling rate of 222.1) 
  • Durrington & Bulford (15 cases; +4 on previous week; rolling rate of 242.4) 
  • Amesbury (35 cases; +5 on previous week; rolling rate of 283.3) 
  • Wilton, Nadder & Ebble (28 cases; +6 on previous week; rolling rate of 271.8) 
  • Laverstock, Bodenham & Coombe Bissett (25 cases; +13 on previous week; rolling rate of 275.6) 
  • Bishopsdown (22 cases; +5 on previous week; rolling rate of 329.3)
  • Whaddon, Whiteparish & Winterslow (21 cases; +12 on previous week; rolling rate of 264.3) 
  • Downton & Morgan's Vale (32 cases; +22 on previous week; rolling rate of 398.5) 

The only areas where infections have decreased compared to the week before are:

  • Salisbury Bemerton (18 cases; -8 on previous week; rolling rate of 264.2) 
  • Stratford (9 cases; -5 on previous week; rolling rate of 153.3) 
  • Salisbury Cathedral & Harnham (11 cases; -1 on previous week; rolling rate of 220.5)