Positive cases of coronavirus continue to decline in Wiltshire as the government unveils its roadmap out of lockdown.

In Wiltshire, 506 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported during the last seven days – as of 4pm on Tuesday, February 22.

This follows another week of falling cases in the county where last week 581 people were diagnosed as having the virus. The current case rate per 100,000 is 100.

Wiltshire Times: Graph of Wiltshire's seven-day case rates VIA coronavirus.data.gov.ukGraph of Wiltshire's seven-day case rates VIA coronavirus.data.gov.uk

Since last week, the number of deaths in the county – which included Covid-19 on the death certificate – rose by 54. This means that 707 deaths from Covid-19 have now been registered in Wiltshire.

The mortality rate in Wiltshire now stands at 141.4 per 100,000, which is lower than the national rate of 197.5.

Public health director, Kate Blackburn warned that we should never become numb to the mortality figures.

“They aren’t just figures,” she said. “Every person who dies leaves loved ones behind and our thoughts and deepest sympathies continue to go out to everybody who has suffered any type of loss because of Covid.”

Wiltshire Times: Director of public health in Wiltshire, Kate BlackburnDirector of public health in Wiltshire, Kate Blackburn

As Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week unveiled the roadmap out of lockdown restrictions, Mrs Blackburn continued to urge Wiltshire residents to follow the guidance in place now.

Speaking at today's Covid-19 media briefing, Mrs Blackburn welcomed the phased easing of lockdown restrictions.

“The government has said that decisions will be made on data and not dates,” she said.

“That can ensure that informed decisions are made and changes made to the planned schedule if appropriate.”

Wiltshire Times: Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on coronavirus (Covid-19). Picture date: Monday February 22, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Leon Neal/PA Wire.Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on coronavirus (Covid-19). Picture date: Monday February 22, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Leon Neal/PA Wire.

Mrs Blackburn added that she understood that people will be happy with this week’s announcements but reiterated that virus rates remain high and residents must continue to do their part to keep rates dropping.

“The picture is clearly improving,” she added. “We’re really asking that people play their parts so we don’t see infection rates head in the wrong direction again.”