Windsor’s MP Adam Afriyie is sceptical over the impact of lockdowns as the coronavirus death toll in Berkshire totals more than 1,700.

Mr Afriyie (Conservative) heaped praise on the UK’s vaccination programme for drastically reducing infection rates, hospitalisations, and deaths.

He said: “It is self-evident from the data that it is our world-leading vaccine programme that has all but stopped the hospitalisations, deaths, serious illness and spread of Covid-19.

“While lockdowns have had an awful impact on people’s lives, their jobs and our young peoples education, the data suggests that lockdowns have had, at best, a small effect on slowing the spread of the virus.”

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His comments come after the coronavirus death rate in Berkshire reached 1,764 since the start of the pandemic.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, most of which Mr Afriyie represents, has been the worst affected area of Berkshire for coronavirus deaths.

According to the Public Health for Berkshire Covid-19 Dashboard, 351 people have sadly lost their lives following positive coronavirus tests in the Royal Borough. It is followed by Slough, which has had coronavirus 341 related deaths so far. There have been 8,477 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead since the pandemic began.

These figures are correct up to Friday, April 16, 2021. The Public Health for Berkshire Covid-19 Dashboard was updated today (Tuesday, April 27). It showed that eight people sadly died after testing positive for coronavirus in Berkshire from the Saturday, April 10, to Friday, April 16, – the total number of deaths previously being recorded as 1,756.

The figures have been recorded after Prime Minister Boris Johnson is alleged to have said “No more ****ing lockdowns – let the bodies pile high in their thousands!” It is claimed he made the comments prior to ordering the second lockdown, which was announced on Halloween (October 31) 2020 and ran throughout November.

The PM has denied the claim made by national news outlets.

Asked to respond to these allegations, Mr Afriyie said: “As you know, I do not tend to comment on rumours and speculation, but focus my energies on helping constituents and my work in Parliament.”

READ MORE: Berkshire coronavirus deaths after Boris Johnson's alleged tirade

Mr Afriyie’s constituency of Windsor covers the town and Ascot, Sunningdale, Sunninghill, the Winkfield and Cranbourne and Binfield and Warfield wards of Bracknell Forest, and the Colnbrook and Poyle ward of Slough. The rest of the Royal Borough is represented by Theresa May, MP for Maidenhead (CON).

Deaths after testing positive for coronavirus in each Berkshire area Friday, April 16 (increase from Friday, April 9 in brackets):

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead – 351 deaths (up one)

Slough – 341 deaths (up one)

Wokingham – 318 deaths (up one)

Reading – 315 deaths (up two)

West Berkshire – 250 deaths (up two)

Bracknell Forest – 186 deaths (up one)

Total – 1,764 (increase of eight from 1,756 recorded on Friday, April 9).