There have been more Covid deaths in Bracknell Forest so far this month than in the whole of April last year, the latest government figures show. 

The data reveals that between April 16 and April 22 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test increased by 100 per cent in the borough compared to the previous seven days. 

During this period there have been four deaths recorded. Whilst the total number is relatively small, the accumulative deaths so far this April far outweighs those from the same time last year. 

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During the whole of April 2021, Bracknell Forest recorded zero deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, whereas there have been ten deaths in the borough so far this month. 

In fact, the borough saw zero Covid deaths between March 1 and August 12, 2021, despite the strictest restrictions being lifted in mid-April. 

Since January 1, 2022, there have been 39 Covid deaths in the borough – nearly 20 per cent of its total since the pandemic started. 

On April 19, there were eight coronavirus patients in hospital beds with a mechanical ventilator – an increase of 400 per cent in two weeks – and a total of 198 patients in Frimley Park hospital with the virus. 

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However, there are signs that the numbers are beginning to move in the right direction. Between April 11 and April 17, 172 went into hospital with coronavirus - a decrease of 10.4 per cent when compared to the previous seven days. 

Cases are also down, between April 16 and April 22, 379 people had a confirmed positive test result - a decrease of 10.2 per cent on the previous seven days. 

But this must be caveated by only 4,769 tests being conducted between April 15 and April 21 - a 40.1 per cent decrease compared to the previous seven days – namely due to the end of nationwide free testing at the start of the month.