NEW figures on the number of coronavirus-related deaths in Romsey have revealed a decrease in fatalities during the summer.

An interactive map, created by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) looked at the number of deaths between March 1 and June 30, where COVID-19 was mentioned as a cause on the death certificate in every postcode area in England and Wales.

In June, there was one death in Romsey Town and zero in Romsey Cupernham and Halterworth.

However, in May there were three deaths in Romsey Town, while in Romsey Cupernham and Halterworth there were two.

READ: Home care provider donates 1,000 masks to customers and staff >>> 

This comes as figures released by the Government found there have been 503 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Test Valley since March.

Public Health England figures also showed there were three people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Romsey Town on Sunday, June 7.

Cases are recorded each week by PHE and from June until now there have been approximately zero to two confirmed cases per week, according to the surveillance system.

Now, community leaders have reacted to the drop in deaths, while stressing people should continue to "wear masks and use hand sanitiser" in a bid to stop the killer virus spreading.

Cllr Nik Daas, who represents Romsey Abbey on Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC), said: "I think it is very positive news, because as we have gone through lockdown people have taken extra safety measures, such as using hand sanitiser and wearing masks.

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr Nik DaasCllr Nik Daas

"It is devastating there have been even a few deaths, but the virus is turning downwards here and that can only be a good thing.

"We know that as we go towards the winter months the flu season kicks in, which could cause a spike in cases, but I think we need to continue what we are doing from now until Christmas to keep the cases down."

READ: Poll reveals opinions on a Romsey road being temporarily shut >>> 

Cllr Dorothy Baverstock, who represents Romsey Cupernham on the borough council, said: "I am pleased the death rate has gone down, but I don't want us to become complacent.

"We have to jolly well make sure we stick to the rules, like wearing masks and washing our hands; although we have cancelled just about everything in the town and the borough, which people have moaned about, this move has paid off.

"I think when we go into the winter we do have to be very careful, because if we all start being stupid the virus will take off again."

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr Dorothy Baverstock Cllr Dorothy Baverstock

Cllr John Parker, who represents Romsey Tadburn on the borough council, commented on the number of people testing positive for coronavirus in the borough.

He said: "I think we can assume from this data that in Test Valley the increase in cases has been relatively small and the number of deaths seem to have passed their peak.

"The general trend here seems to show things have been quite quiet and the cases have tailed off, which looks good."

READ: Holidaymakers are invited to travel the world at Romsey gardens >>> 

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr John ParkerCllr John Parker