HALF of the Covid-19 cases recorded in West Berkshire last week have been traced back to four areas.

Public Health England has broken down the data to show the number confirmed cases recorded in 21 local neighbourhoods, which are known as Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs).

The latest figures show 80 people tested positive for the virus between November 24 and December 1.

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Half of those cases were recorded across four areas: Thatcham South East and Bradfield (17), Calcot North and Little Heath (9), Westwood (7) and Burghfield Common (7).

Six people tested positive for the virus in Thatcham West, while Purley recorded five cases.

There were four cases in Lambourn and Great Shetford, four in Chieveley, East Ilsley and Compton, and three in Newbury Wash Common.

The following areas each recorded fewer than three confirmed cases:

  • Calcot South
  • Newbury North West
  • Newbury South West
  • Newbury Central and Greenham
  • Newbury Clay Hill
  • Thatcham Town
  • Thatcham North East
  • Mortimer and Aldermaston
  • Hungerford
  • Hermitage and Cold Ash
  • Kintbury and Boxford
  • Streatley and Pangbourne
  • Theale and Beenham

Public Health England states: “For smaller areas with fewer than three cases, we do not show data. This is to protect individuals’ identities.”

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In the previous week (November 17 to November 24), there were 94 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in West Berkshire.

In England, only Torbay, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Dorset, the Isle of Wight currently have lower infection rates than West Berkshire (50.5 cases per 100,000).

But people in West Berkshire have been living under Tier 2 (high alert) restrictions since the four-week national lockdown ended on December 2, after the district was lumped in with the rest of Berkshire (except Slough).

However, those restrictions will be reviewed by the government on December 16.

According to Cllr Lynne Doherty, leader of West Berkshire Council, the government may reconsider the district’s restrictions if there is a “sustained” drop in case numbers and the infection rate.

The government will also take into account the pressure on local hospitals, the percentage of tests that are positive and the infection rate among over 60s.