THERE has been an increase in coronavirus patients in Basingstoke by six in the past seven days, Hampshire hospitals trust has confirmed.

On Sunday, November 1, there were 14 patients at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital with the virus, up from eight the week before.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust told the Gazette: "As of last night we have 14 patients at BNHH compared to eight seven days earlier."

It comes as the two Basingstoke areas with the highest infections in the week to October 27 are revealed as Popley and Tadley.

In Popley, there have been 20 cases reported - up 12 (150 per cent) from the week previously. This is a rolling rate of 143 and slightly above average nationally.

Tadley East, Silchester and Pamber has reported 11 cases, down one from the previous week. This is a rolling rate of 142.7.

From Thursday, England will be subject to lockdown measures, meaning people will only be able to leave home for essential reasons including work, school, medical appointments, exercise, caring for vulnerable people and essential shopping.

The England lockdown is aimed at preventing the “medical and moral disaster” of the NHS being overwhelmed, Boris Johnson said.

The Prime Minister said there was a risk that, without action, “for the first time in our lives, the NHS will not be there for us and our families”.

He further warned that some hospitals could run out of capacity “in a matter of weeks” and that thousands could die from Covid-19 every day.

Meanwhile, scientists warned the number of deaths in the second peak of the virus had the potential to be “twice as bad, or more” than the first.