Numbers coming down

WOKINGHAM’S coronavirus rate per 100,000 has dropped once again, as the number of new cases slowly declines.

The latest figures as we went to press showed that the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents is 77.1, down from 140.3 last week.

The local case rate has remained below 200 cases per every 100,000 throughout February so far.

There were 14 positive tests recorded on Wednesday, February 17, bringing the total number of infections to 7,696.

The figures are higher in neighbouring Reading borough, which has an infection rate of 121.8 per 100,000. However, thiswas down from 252.2 last week.

On Wednesday, Reading reported 21 positive cases.

Bracknell Forest has also seen its rate per 100,000 reduce. It is now 102.8, down from 234.2 last week.

OnWednesday therewere 27 new cases.

Windsor and Maidenhead had 16 cases reported that day, and its rate per 100,000 is now 90.5, down from 156.5 last week.

West Berkshire recorded 25 positive cases, and its infection rate is 104.1, down from 172.3 last week.

Slough remains the highest in Berkshire, with its rate per 100,000 at 215.3. However this is down from last weeks’ 346.4.

It also recorded 49 Covid cases on Wednesday.

Nationally, the UK reported 12,718 positive tests on Wednesday. The rate of infection per 100,000 has dropped below 200 at 136.5, down from 199.4 last week.

Sadly, 738 people died on Wednesday, within 28 days of a positive covid test. This is 4,082 over the last seven days.

In Wokingham, there was one covid-related death on Wednesday, and there have been six deaths in the past seven days.

By Monday, more than 15.9 million people in the UK received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccines.

And there are 558,577 peoplewho have received their second dose.