The latest Covid-19 test results show that cases in Test Valley have increased significantly in the week up to Christmas, though the case rate is still below the English average.

In the week leading up to December 25, Test Valley recorded 290 cases, an increase of 131 from the week before, with a rolling rate of 229.9 cases per 100,000 people.

Test Valley is also broken into smaller geographic areas, known as MSOAs, or Middle Layer Super Output Areas, which are smaller, postcode-linked areas that are used for a range of government statistics.

Breaking down the cases over the week up to December 25 by area, many of the MSOAs recorded figures with very high rates, of which Andover Central was highest, with a rolling rate of 524.4 per 100,000 – significantly above the English average of 353.7.

However, this high figure is due to the percentage increase of cases in the area, increasing by 162.5 per cent. This amounts to a rise of 26 cases from the previous week, taking the number of cases to 42.

Another area of the town, Andover London Road & East Anton, had a higher number of cases overall, at 44, but a lower rate at 259.4 per 100,000.

Other areas with high numbers of cases included Tidworth & Ludgershall, Andover West and Andover South.

Of areas with cases, Andover Charlton & Bourne Valley had the lowest number, with just three. This is a fall of five from the previous week, and a rate of 42.5 per 100,000.

As of Wednesday, December 30, Test Valley had reported 2,272 positive cases of Covid-19, with the rate of infection currently at its highest point during the pandemic so far – reaching a height of 260.5 on Christmas Eve.

Here’s the cases and rates over the week to December 25 broken down by each MSOA, with numbers first, and rates in brackets:

Andover London Road & East Anton – 44 (259.4)

Andover Central – 42 (524.4)

Tidworth & Ludgershall – 37 (204.6)

Andover West – 30 (296.9)

Andover South – 20 (248.2)

Overton & North Waltham – 19 (278.3)

Whitchurch & Ashmansworth – 17 (238.3)

Nether Wallop, Kings Somborne & Dunbridge – 14 (180.1)

South Wonston, Sutton Scotney and Micheldever – 11 (187.1)

Andover Newbury Road – 9 (117.4)

Chilbolton, Clatford & Barton Stacey – 8 (151.9)

Over Wallop & Shipton Bellinger – 7 (96.5)

Andover Charlton & Bourne Valley – 3 (42.5)