Half of Berkshire above national average ahead of May 17

The Covid rate in Berkshire is above the national average in two-thirds of the county ahead of lockdown restrictions being eased on May 17, latest Public Health England figures show.

Pubs and restaurants will be able to serve people indoors, and two households or six people will be allowed to mix indoors in four days time as Covid rules are relaxed as part of the government's roadmap out of lockdown.

But the government's scientific advisers have aired a word of caution that the Covid variant that has ravaged India could push infections back up after it was found in the UK.

Across Berkshire, the number of coronavirus cases remains low with a total of 191 being recorded in the seven days up to May 7.

The Covid rolling rates across the borough are at their lowest since September, too, but, in comparison with the national picture, three of Berkshire's six boroughs have figures higher than England's average of 21.8.

In the UK, more than 54 million have received a Covid vaccine. Of those, 35 million have had the first dose and 18 million have had their second jab.

Below are the Covid rates in every Berkshire area.

Seven–day rates are expressed per 100,000 population and are calculated by dividing the seven-day count by the area population and multiplying by 100,000.

Slough - 28.8 (43)
West Berkshire - 25.2 (40)
Reading - 22.9 (37)
Windsor and Maidenhead - 21.1 (32)
Bracknell Forest - 12.2 (15)
Wokingham - 14.0 (24)