THERE is a “low incidence” of Covid-19 in Basingstoke and Andover, according to figures from the trust which runs the hospitals in these areas.

Figures provided to Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust Board of Directors meeting from chief executive Alex Whitfield revealed that just 1.8 per cent of tests between May 24 and June 12 were positive for the virus, compared to 27.5 per cent in April.

The trust, which also runs Winchester hospital, said between 150 and 280 people are being tested for Covid-19 a day, which includes every patient admitted to a hospital bed, patients who are coming for planned elective surgery, patients who are being discharged to care homes or community hospitals, and staff members who have symptoms.

Alex said the low percentage of positive tests “demonstrates a low incidence of Covid-19 in our community”.

She said the focus during May was on reducing infections in hospital or care homes, through re-enforcing good infection control practices, adding: “The trust has implemented the national guidance around masks in public places, enforcing 2m distancing and supporting the track and trace programme.

“Antibody testing has started. The tests run at Portsmouth hospital but we are taking blood samples from staff and patients for the testing. There is an aspiration to test all NHS staff by 10 July 2020.”