Coronavirus in Portsmouth: Number of new cases across city, Fareham, Gosport and Havant has dropped in last two weeks
DATA has shown the city continues to have one of the lowest rates of new coronavirus cases in England.
Between May 23 and June 6 a total of five people from Portsmouth tested positive from the virus - which works out as 2.3 people per 100,000 of the population.
It places the city as 262nd out of 313 council areas in England for the number of new cases in those two weeks.
The number of new cases per population has dropped compared with the two weeks between May 9 and 23 which saw eight people from Portsmouth test positive from the virus, working out at 3.7 people per 100,000 of the population.
Others areas across the patch have also seen a decrease.
Havant saw a significant drop from 22.2 people per 100,000 between May 9 and 23 to 2.4 people between May 23 and June 6.
Fareham dropped from 7.7 to 2.6 and East Hampshire went from 8.2 people per 100,000 to 4.1.
Gosport saw 1.2 cases between May 23 and June 6 – a drop from 7.1 people the two weeks prior – and places the authority 298th out of 313 councils.
Politicians and health bosses across the area have praised residents for the majority complying with lockdown and social distancing measures and have urged them to carry on being ‘sensible’.
Queen Alexandra Hospital boss Mark Cubbon told The News earlier this week: ‘I think we have shown good compliance with lockdown measures.
‘I know it has not been everyone but on the whole everyone has been good and I think that is reflected in reduction of transmission across our communities and I would ask people to continue to be sensible and follow the guidance that has been issued.’
Havant MP Alan Mak said: ‘The big drop in cases is the result of everyone’s sacrifice and adherence to the government’s guidance. Thank you to everyone playing their part. By looking out for each other, we will suppress the virus.’
Portsmouth South MP, Stephen Morgan wants testing to be expanded to help isolate further cases.
He added: ‘These latest figures are welcome news but there is no time for complacency. The virus hasn’t gone away and it could easily get out of control again.
‘Without a strategy to test, trace and isolate people, our city will not be able to reopen fully or safely. That’s why I am calling on the government for testing to be expanded further beyond symptomatic carriers and joined up with a comprehensive tracing operation.
‘This must be locally-led and properly integrated with primary care.’
According to the data the places in England the areas which have seen the highest number of new cases in recent weeks are Ashford, Huntingdonshire and Tunbridge Wells.