SOUTHAMPTON and other parts of Hampshire have seen falls in the Covid-19 infection rate despite increases in other parts of the country.

In Southampton the infection rate has dropped to 8.3 new cases for every 100,000 residents from 9.5, with 21 new cases, according to new figures from Public Health England.

Other parts of Hampshire have also seen decreases.

One of the biggest falls has been recorded in the New Forest, where the rate dropped to 8.3 from 26.1 in the seven days to September 14, with 15 new cases.

In Fareham the figure fell to 7.7 from 12.0, but Gosport's infection rate went from 3.5 to 5.9, with five new cases.

Winchester's rate remained at 5.6 while Eastleigh's declined from 6.7 to 4.5, with six new cases.

New data is released each week and shows how rates of positive coronavirus tests are changing in each area. The tests are carried out both in laboratories and in the wider community.

The rate is expressed as the new number of new cases per 100,000 population.