NEARLY half of people in Winchester have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

But the good news comes as today's Covid figures report the biggest number of new cases, 12, since February 17.
In the seven days to today there have been 42 reported cases, up from 29 in the previous seven days. It shows that while the numbers are very low the recent steady decline may have bottomed out.
Localised figures are not available for a week but the latest figures show nine areas with virtually no cases in the week to Sunday March 7, the most recent day for which localised numbers are available:

Alresford;

South Wonston, Sutton Scotney and Micheldever;

Swanmore, West Meon and Hambledon;

Bishop's Waltham and Waltham Chase;

Colden Common and Twyford;

Winchester East;

Winchester Central and South;

Stanmore;

Oliver's Battery and Hursley.
There have been increases in three areas in the week to Sunday March 7: Winchester West, three cases, up one; Winchester North and Sparsholt, five cases, up two; Whiteley, Knowle and Wickham, four cases, up one.

Hampshire Chronicle:
For the first time in many months no area of the Winchester district is above the national average for Covid cases.
Across the NHS in Hampshire only three deaths have been reported today: one each in Hampshire Hospitals that includes the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, and in Portsmouth and Southampton. The number of patients who have died since the start of the pandemic is 1,856, with 436 in HHFT.
On vaccines, NHS data shows 46,005 people had received a vaccine jab by March 7 – equating to 45% of those aged 16 and over, according to the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.
Of those vaccinated, 30,785 were aged 60 or over – 90.4% of the age group. Of the 13 local authority areas in Hampshire, Winchester ranks eighth. Gosport (90.3%), Eastleigh and Test Valley (89.4%), New Forest 88% and Southampton (85.7%) are lower.
It means 15,220 people aged between 16 and 59 have received a first dose of the vaccine.
The data also reveals variation in coverage between different areas across Winchester.
The proportion of residents prioritised for vaccinations, such as those aged over 60, is one factor that could affect vaccine coverage.
Areas with the highest coverage:
1) Alresford, with 55.6% of people aged 16 and over given their first dose
2) Denmead & Southwick, 51.7%
3) Bishop's Waltham & Waltham Chase, 51.1%
Areas with the lowest coverage:
1) Stanmore, 31.4%
2) Winchester East (Winnall, Highcliffe and Bar End), 36.4%
3) Winchester Central & South, 37.1%
Across England, 19 million people had received their first dose of a vaccine by March 7, covering 42% of the population aged 16 and over. That includes 12 million people aged 60 and over – 89% of the age group.
A small number of people are not included due to their age being unknown.
The Government has pledged to offer vaccinations to everyone aged over 50 by the end of April.
In other Covid news:
Covid case reported at Kings' School

Hampshire Chronicle: