FOUR more areas in Test Valley have been classed as hotspots after their case rates soared to more than 400 per 100,000, according to a coronavirus map.

This comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a national lockdown last night in a bid to curb soaring case rates.

A map on the Government coronavirus dashboard breaks down infections in England into Middle Super Output Areas (MSOA), small areas with an average population of 7,200.

Areas where coronavirus rates have gone above 400 are identified as hotspots - as are areas with rates over 800.

Areas are colour-coded by their rate, with purples and blues being the highest, and greens and yellows the lowest.

The MSOA that had the highest number of cases in the week to December 29 was Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams, which had 52 cases and a weekly rolling rate of 781.7 cases per 100,000 people.

However, in the latest 24-hour period, this has increased to 59 cases and a weekly rolling rate of 887.

Abbotswood and West Wellow had the second-highest number of cases on December 29 with 41, as well as a weekly rolling rate of 482.8 cases per 100,000 people.

But, in the week to December 30, this increased to 46 cases and a weekly rolling rate of 541.7.

The new areas classed as hotspots are:

  • Romsey Cupernham and Halterworth: 39 cases, up by 25 on the previous week; rolling rate of 450.7.
  • North Baddesley and Braishfield: 46 cases, up by 30 on the previous week; rolling rate of 428.0.
  • Totton Town: 45 cases, up by 27 on the previous week; rolling rate of 562.7.
  • Chandler's Ford East: 35 cases, up by 21 on the previous week; rolling rate of 435.2.