THERE have been 1180 new cases of coronavirus in Wiltshire in the week up to July, up from 847 the previous week.

That's according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

The GOV.UK data of COVID-19 cases as of July 12 at 4pm says there are 20,322 cases in total in the county, a rate of 177 per 100,000.

The New Forest has also seen an increase - from 258 cases to 423.

The figures, for the seven days to July 12, are based on the number of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in either a lab-reported or rapid lateral flow test, by specimen date.

The rate is expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

Salisbury Journal: Case rates in Salisbury

Locally, there have been six new cases in Salisbury Churchfields, four more in Salisbury Cathedral and Harnham, 11 new cases in Wilton, Nadder & Ebble, and 14 in Laverstock, Bodenham & Coombe Bissett.

Data for the most recent four days (July 13-16) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

Of the 315 local areas in England, 290 (92 per cent) have seen a week-on-week rise in rates and 25 (8 per cent) have seen a fall.

South Tyneside continues to have the highest rate, with 1,978 new cases in the seven days to July 12 – the equivalent of 1,310.1 per 100,000 people.

This is up from 1,098.2 in the seven days to July 5.

The list has been calculated by the PA news agency based on Public Health England data published on July 16 on the Government’s coronavirus dashboard.

Most legal restrictions are due to be lifted tomorrow.

However, in order to minimise risk at a time of high prevalence, Wiltshire Council is advising you should limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually.

The requirement to wear face coverings in law will also be lifted, but the Government "expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport".

For more information on services and help related to coronavirus in Wiltshire, click here.

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