Six-fold increase in Covid cases over a fortnight in Oxfordshire - but figures for Cherwell and Banbury areas continue to remain lowest in the county

Residents in Oxfordshire are being asked to continue to get tested twice a week and get vaccinated when offered after cases rose from 8.4 per 100,000 of the population to 48 cases per 100,000 over a two-week period from May 21 to June 4.

With a government announcement on the next stage of the national roadmap due on June 14, people are being reminded of the importance of taking precautions to protect themselves, their families, friends and wider communities from the virus.

Ansaf Azhar, director for public health at Oxfordshire County Council said: “The way to protect yourself and your family is to get the jab when called, get tested often and remember the basics of hands, space, face and fresh air."

But Covid figures for Cherwell continue to remain the lowest in the county.

Only six areas in Banburyshire are not still classed as 'nearly Covid free.'

Figures show three areas within the town of Banbury had three Covid cases in the seven day period ending on June 4. Those areas with three cases included: Banbury Grimsbury, Banbury Hardwick and Banbury Ruscote.

Three other Banbury areas had four cases over the same seven day period, which included the Bodicote, Adderbury and Bloxham areas, the Middleton Cheney and Chipping Warden areas and the Enstone and Middle Barton areas.

Figures show the highest number of Covid cases across Banburyshire to be in North Brackley, which had 11 cases for the seven day period ending on June 4.

Ansaf Azhar, the county's director of public health, added: “It was great news this week that over 25s can now be vaccinated and we urge people in that age group to book their first jab as soon as possible. There’s also good news in that hospital admissions and deaths have not yet shown an increase despite increasing cases. However, the more we can contain the virus and limit transmission, the better chance we give the vaccine to continue doing the great job that it is doing.

“Cases both locally and nationally are rising quite sharply and we need to continue to do all we can to contain that rise. In effect, we are in a big partnership – the vaccine is a very strong new partner in the battle against the virus, but the other parts of the partnership are the trusted duo of our own behaviours and testing.

“A six-fold increase in cases in the space of a fortnight is a clear reminder that we should all go about our daily lives with due caution. We’re in June now and the weather is often fine and warm. It therefore makes sense for people to choose to mix outdoors even though the rules say that limited indoor mixing is now possible.

“The vaccine is doing a great job, but we need to do our bit too and ensure we’re doing everything possible to stop the spread. It’s also worth also reminding people that the first dose of the vaccine will only give good protection 3 or 4 weeks after you've had it, while you need two doses for stronger and longer-lasting protection.”

Cases across Oxfordshire’s districts

Over the 7 days from May 28 to June 4, the number of cases in Oxfordshire rose from 147 to 332.

Cherwell: 25.9 cases per 100,000

Oxford: 56.4 cases per 100,000

South Oxfordshire: 68.3 cases per 100,000

Vale of White Horse: 49.3 cases per 100,000

West Oxfordshire: 38.9 cases per 100,000