HAMPSHIRE could still be classified as a "hotspot" area for Covid infections by March 8, when schools are reportedly set to reopen.

The Prime Minister is set to tell MPs today that all pupils in all years in England can go back to the classroom from March 8, with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed to restart as well.

Socialising in parks and public spaces with one other person will also be permitted in a fortnight, when the rules are relaxed, to allow people to sit down for a drink or picnic.

But new data suggests that certain areas of Hampshire could still be classified as ‘hotspots’ in two weeks time.

Experts in data at Imperial College London have predicted case rates across the UK up until March 7, defining an area to be a hotspot based on cases per 100,000 population.

They base it on their own model, which assumes a situation in which no change in interventions (eg local lockdowns) occur.

They consider an area to have increasing new infections if their model estimates that the reproduction number R is greater than 1 with probability of at least 90 per cent.

Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Hart and Rushmoor are predicted to see the lowest number of cases in the county by March 7, all having less than a 20 per cent chance of recording more than 50 cases per week.

Southampton has the highest chance of remaining a hotspot with the map showing an 83 per cent chance of more than 50 cases per week.

Here is the full list of predictions for March 7:

  • Winchester’s probability of more than 50 cases per week: 29 per cent
  • Test Valley’s probability of more than 50 cases per week: 28 per cent
  • Portsmouth’s probability of more than 50 cases per week: 52 per cent
  • Havant’s probability of more than 50 cases per week: 23 per cent
  • Fareham’s probability of more than 50 cases per week: 74 per cent
  • Gosport’s probability of more than 50 cases per week: 58 per cent
  • Eastleigh’s probability of more than 50 cases per week: 59 per cent
  • New Forest’s probability of more than 50 cases per week: 33 per cent
  • Basingstoke and Deane’s probability of more than 50 cases per week:
  • 10 per cent
  • East Hampshire’s probability of more than 50 cases per week: 11 per cent
  • Hart’s probability of more than 50 cases per week: 14 per cent
  • Rushmoor’s probability of more than 50 cases per week: 17 per cent