COVID case rates in WIltshire remain above the national average as more cases are seen in five to nine-year-olds.

As of 4pm on Monday, November 15 there have been 2,222 newly recorded cases of Covid in the county in the past week – a figure down from 2,403 seen in the previous seven days.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Seven day case rates in Wiltshire VIA UK GOVSeven day case rates in Wiltshire VIA UK GOV

This means that per 100,000 people the coronavirus case rate is 440.8 – the England average is 352.5.

In Wiltshire, 900 people have now died as a result of Covid-19 up to October 29 which means since last week, nine more people have died.

“Our thoughts continue to be with anyone who has had their lives devastated by Covid-19,” said public health director, Kate Blackburn.

READ MORE: Plans to build flats on derelict site submitted

“And it’s so important we remember there are lives behind these figures.”

As the figure in Wiltshire remain high Mrs Blackburn has urged people to take precautions to protect themselves and loved ones from the virus.

“Although the rate has come down considerably in the last couple of weeks we have over the previous three days seen a slight increase again,” she continued.

“We expect the rate to ebb and flow as we go through the winter months.”

It was confirmed to journalists at the latest media briefing that the highest impact age group is the 10 to 14-year-olds.

READ MORE: Town park to close in the evenings

However, Mrs Blackburn revealed that increase could be seen across five to nine-year-olds.

In adults the age group with the highest case rates continues to be the 40 to 44-year-olds which Mrs Blackburn says this adds weight to the thinking that school-aged children are passing the infection on to their parents or guardians.

Numbers of hospitalisation have also seen a decline for the past week – the most recent figure shows that 110 patients were in hospitals due to Covid.

Comparatively, five months ago the number of people in hospital beds due to the virus was three.

In the run up to Christmas more people are likely to meet up, head to the shops and attend festive parties.

READ MORE: Have your say on the latest review of towns and parishes

Mrs Blackburn said that this is the perfect time for people who are out of the habit of wearing face coverings and washing their hands regularly to get back to basics.

“Last year Christmas was a pretty low-key affair for most of us and I’m sure there’s going to be lots of people looking forward to a more traditional Christmas,” she added.

“So the more we do to protect ourselves and the people around us it will help not to disrupt plans you have.”

In terms of vaccines, there has been 10,636 children aged 12 to 15 given a dose of the Covid jab across the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire area.

This puts the BSW area in-line with the rest of the south west.