Reading and West Berks covid cases amid Indian variant news

Coronavirus cases continue to be recorded in Reading and West Berkshire as concern over an Indian variant of the virus grows.

India has become one of the worst hit countries in the world, with 343,144 new cases recorded on Wednesday, May 13, according to official figures.

Meanwhile, in the UK, cases of coronavirus across the country have increased by 1,768, to a total of 16,079 over the past seven days in the latest data.

If this trend continues, there are fears that the Government’s four step roadmap out of the lockdown for the country will have to be re-assessed.

READ MORE: Covid deaths in Berkshire following PM’s alleged ‘let bodies pile high’ outburst

We are currently in phase two, with the most recent lifting of some restrictions happening on Monday, April 12. This allowed non-essential shops to open and outdoor venues such as pub gardens to open.

The Government says it is on track for step three on Monday, May 17, which will involve re-opening indoor venues with the rule of six applied. It is hoped that step four, which involves a complete end to the lockdown, will be achieved on Monday, June 21.

Coronavirus has not been completely tackled in Reading and West Berkshire.

READ MORE: Cow hit by police car in Woodley was ‘necessary to protect the public’

Government data breaks down new cases into hyperlocal areas known as Middle layer Super Output Areas (MSOA), which can be observed on an interactive map.

The map colours these areas based on how many new cases have been reported. While most of Berkshire is coloured in white, meaning there have been less than three cases reported in that area over the past seven days, there are still areas of Berkshire which are coloured in.

There are many areas in West Berkshire in particular which have recorded three or more coronavirus cases in the seven days up to Saturday, May 8, the most recent figures recorded.

Here are the areas with three or more coronavirus cases in the seven days up to Saturday, May 8, with the figure in brackets showing the change from the previous week (Saturday, May 1):

Reading Chronicle: A Middle layer Super Output Areas (MSOA) map of Reading And West Berkshire. Credit: Gov.uk

Reading

Central Reading – 9 (up two)

Palmer Park – 3 (down four)

Southampton Street & Redlands Road – 3 (up one)

Earley – 3 (up one)

Caversham Balmore Park  – 3 (no change)

West Berkshire 

Newbury Central & Greenham – 3 (down four)

Thatcham Town – 3 (up one)

Thatcham South & Bradfield – 3 (up one)

Hermitage & Cold Ash – 5 (down two)

Chieveley, East Isley & Compton – 3 (down six)

Purley on Thames – 3 (up one)

Mortimer & Aldermaston Wharf – 4 (down two)

Total: 24

Total cases by Borough in seven days up to Saturday, May 8

Reading – 32 (down nine)

West Berkshire – 36 (down six)

Wokingham – 25 (down three)

Bracknell Forest – 17 (down seven)

Windsor & Maidenhead – 33 (up one)

Slough – 35 (down 41)

Reading Chronicle | Town Centre