Hyperlocal data allows a closer look at where virus is still active

ON the whole, infection rates are continuing to fall across Hampshire but figures still remain varied across individual areas.

Latest government figures have continued to track coronavirus cases and rates across the county, highlighting the ongoing impact of the national lockdown.

The most recent data comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson shared his roadmap on Monday of how he will ease restrictions around the country.

It is expected that schools will re-open from March 8 and then eased rules will make it possible for people to slowly begin to meet socially outdoors with other households.

The ultimate goal is to get rid of all legal limits on social contact by June 21 at the earliest.

Following the House of Commons announcement, it is possible to take a look at how individual neighbourhoods in the county are faring in terms of their infection rates.

Government data allows cases to be broken down at a hyperlocal level – referred to as a Middle Layer Super Output Area – which is more specific than looking at a borough or district level.

In Hampshire, there are 14 local authority areas including Rushmoor and Hart. Within each area are a number of neighbourhoods.

Below are the figures for areas in the News & Mail patch. Data covers the seven days to February 17. The top three most infected places in each area are given first, followed by the least infected.

Aldershot Park – 164.7;

Aldershot North Town – 158.2; Hawley Lane & Fox Lane – 151; Farnborough Town – 76.2; Pinewood – 72.2;

Mayfield – Fewer than three cases recorded, so no data given.

Odiham & Warnborough – 103.5; Yateley West & Eversley – 86.8; Blackwater, Frogmore & Minley, – 84.8;

Hook & Rotherwick – 46.5;

Fleet West & Winchfield – 44.7; Hartley Wintney & Heckfield – Fewer than three cases recorded, so no data given.

EMERGENCY services personnel are to be given the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in a bid to stop unused doses from going to waste.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum (LRF) has drawn up a zero waste policy, giving vaccination teams reserve lists so they can call people if there are spare jabs.

Unvaccinated care home residents, frontline health and social workers, the over-80s, over-75s and other at-risk groups would be first on the list. This would be in line with priority groups drawn up by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

But the resilience forum has confirmed that category one core responders listed under the Civil Contingencies Act – including police, firefighters, coastguard and council workers – will be called if they are already working to support the NHS. This includes core responders on the frontline who are ‘likely’ to come into contact with many vulnerable people.

The Pfizer vaccine has a short shelf life once defrosted and that is why the two reserve lists have been drawn up. It comes after Hampshire Police Federation asked for police officers to be prioritised for the vaccine, although calls for teachers to be included on the reserve list have not been followed up so far.

A spokesman for the LRF said the group, made up of public authorities, was ‘awaiting government guidance’, adding: “The Local Resilience Forum’s zero waste policy is strictly aligned with the cohorts set out from the JCVI on the groups that should be prioritised for vaccination.”