Shinfield is the area of Wokingham that recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases last week.

The latest figures show 545 people tested positive for the virus in Wokingham between January 12 to January 19 – 149 fewer than in the previous week.

Public Health England has broken down the data to show the number of confirmed cases recorded in local neighbourhoods, which are known as Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs).

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In Shinfield, 46 people tested positive for the virus between January 12 and January 19.

There were 45 confirmed cases in Earley, 41 in Wokingham Town, 40 in Woodley South and 35 in Lower Earley South.

Winnersh recorded 34 cases and 32 people tested positive in Arborfield.

There were 30 cases in Spencers Wood and Swallowfield, 30 in Wokingham North and Hurst and 26 in Southlake.

Confirmed cases recorded in other areas of Wokingham: 

  • Crowthorne North – 25
  • Woodley East – 25
  • Sonning and Woodley – 24
  • Wokingham East – 23
  • Wokingham West and South – 21
  • Lower Earley North – 17
  • Twyford West and Charvil – 17
  • Finchampstead – 13
  • Barkham and Woosehill – 11
  • Twyford East and Wargrave – 10

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When the second national lockdown was lifted on December 2, Wokingham’s seven-day infection rate stood at 128.6 cases per 100,000 people.

It peaked at 606 cases per 100,000 people on January 4, when the second national lockdown was imposed, but it has dropped to 318.5.

Public health experts believe the new and more infectious strain of the virus has driven a surge in cases.

Last week, Wokingham Borough Council opened a testing centre for critical workers who are not showing symptoms of the virus.

They are being offered lateral flow tests which provide results in around 30 minutes.

It is looking to open two more testing centres, to stop symptomless critical workers from passing the virus.