SIX areas in Basingstoke have seen an increase in Covid cases in the week that schools returned, latest figures have shown.

Most recent Public Health England data for Basingstoke and Deane shows how six areas reported a rise in cases but total cases for the borough were down from the week previous.

It comes as primary and secondary schools reopened their doors to pupils on March 8, following the easing of some lockdown restrictions.

The figures, which show the picture in the seven days leading to March 13, compared with the previous seven, showed a marked increase in some areas.

Although it's not yet clear what impact the reopening of schools has had on Covid cases, one Basingstoke secondary school has already recorded two positive cases.

A number of students from The Costello are now self-isolating and being taught online after the positive cases, which were in separate year groups.

Although cases have increased, the upward trend in infections is still much lower than what we faced at the peak of the second wave as all areas have seen a huge drop in the past eight weeks.

The borough as a whole has seen a decrease in cases in the seven days to March 13 with 57 cases recorded, down 34 from the previous seven-day period.

There are the areas that have recorded increases in cases in the seven days to March 13:

Kingsclere & Heath End

Total cases: 4

The rate has increased relative to the previous week by two cases (100.0 per cent increase)

Chineham

Total cases: 4

The rate has increased relative to the previous week by two cases (100.0 per cent increase)

Winklebury & Rooksdown

Total cases: 4

The rate has increased relative to the previous week by one case (33.3 per cent increase)

South Ham & West Ham

Total cases: 6

The rate has increased relative to the previous week by four cases (200.0 per cent increase)

Kings Furlong

Total cases: 7

The rate has increased relative to the previous week by three cases (75.0 per cent increase)

Whitchurch & Ashmansworth

Total cases: 3

The rate has increased relative to the previous week by one case (50.0 per cent increase)