A TOTAL of 50 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Basingstoke and Deane, in the latest figures provided by the government.

Figures published at 4pm on Friday 13 November show that 50 people in the borough had tested positive, bringing the weekly total to 264 – an increase of 22.2 per cent on the previous seven days.

One person died of the virus in Basingstoke and Deane within 28 days of testing positive, bringing the weekly death toll to three.

The news comes as Covid-19 has affected 11 schools in the borough which have reported a positive case in the last 14 days, forcing one to close.

As reported earlier this week, The Vyne School, in South View, has had to shut for two weeks until November 23 because of the virus.

Headteacher Nicola Pearce confirmed that a “small number of individuals” had tested positive, resulting in the decision to close the school.

Other schools in the borough to report a positive case of Covid last week were Oakridge Junior School, in Oakridge Road; The Clere School, in Burghclere; Costello School, in Crossborough Hill; and Marnel Infant School, in Popley.

Schools which reported a positive case the previous week were Bishopswood Infant and Junior school in Tadley; Kempshott Junior School, in Homesteads Road; Merton Infant School, in Popley; Coppice Spring School, in Pack Lane, Kempshott; St Mark’s Primary School, in Hatch Warren; and Oakridge Infant School, in Oakridge Road.

These schools all remain open; however, some pupils may have been asked to self-isolate and continue their education at home with remote learning.