A MAP has located areas in Basingstoke which could be at a higher risk of infection as lockdown measures begin to ease.

Oxford University's online tool found that five areas of Basingstoke had the highest risk of hospitalisation from Covid-19 in the town.

The Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science project has been calculated using data known to correlate to vulnerability to coronavirus.

This includes factors such as age, social deprivation, population density, ethnicity and hospital capacity.

Basingstoke Gazette: Winchester is similar on the interactive tool to Basingstoke, with some areas being rated as having a higher risk of hospitalisation than othersWinchester is similar on the interactive tool to Basingstoke, with some areas being rated as having a higher risk of hospitalisation than others

Users are able to adjust the changing infection rates and hospital resource levels.

The dashboard features a map down to a ward level showing the risk of hospitalisation per 1,000 people based on age and hospital capacity. 

CLICK HERE: To view the map 

A few villages at the heart of Basingstoke are red though, including Cliddesden, Kempshott, Oakley, Wooton St Lawrence and Old Basing, indicating a risk of more than nine people per 1,000 needing care if there was a second spike. 

Basingstoke Gazette: Kings Furlong would have 8 - 10 people at risk of rate of infection per 1,000Kings Furlong would have 8 - 10 people at risk of rate of infection per 1,000

But, Buckskin, Brighton Hill, South Ham, Black Dam, Houndmills, Popley and Daneshill were shown to be in the lowest risk category. 

Basingstoke Gazette: Popley is one of the areas at less risk of hospitalizationPopley is one of the areas at less risk of hospitalization

Professor Melinda Mills, director of the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, said: "With additional outbreaks and second waves, thinking not only regionally, but at much smaller scale at the neighbourhood level will be the most effective approach to stifle and contain outbreaks, particularly when a lack of track and trace is in place."

The study concluded: "As countries across the globe exit strict lockdown and enter the ‘new normal’ of co-existence with Covid-19, monitoring new infection hotspots will be crucial.

"Our geospatial estimates illustrate the importance of considering demographic and socioeconomic factors in anticipating local spikes in health care demand related to the Covid-19 pandemic."

A note on the study's results said: "By providing fine-grained estimates of expected hospitalization, we identify areas that face higher disproportionate health care burdens due to Covid-19, with respect to pre-crisis levels of hospital bed capacity.

"Including additional risks beyond age-composition of the area, such as social deprivation, race/ethnic composition and population density offers a further nuanced identification of areas with disproportionate health care demands."

Hampshire County Council has been contacted for comment.