SINCE pubs, restaurants and cafes opened for outdoor service across Romsey and Test Valley, coronavirus cases have fallen slightly as England eases out of lockdown.

An interactive Government map has shown that since April 18 - six days after businesses reopened to punters - Test Valley recorded 25 infections.

According to the map on the coronavirus dashboard, in the week to May 9, when the latest figures were available, the borough documented 14 Covid-19 cases.

Fourteen places across Test Valley had fewer than three cases during this time, meaning they were classed as suppressed.

The Government does not show data for these areas to protect individuals' identities.

Some of the places that were nearly Covid-free include Abbotswood & West Wellow, Chilworth, Nursling & Rownhams and Andover Central.

The only area that had more than three coronavirus cases was Romsey Town, with five infections - up by three on the previous week - and a weekly rolling rate of 83.8 cases per 100,000 people.

Data up to April 18 shows the borough had 11 areas with fewer than three cases.

The map created by the Advertiser below, using Public Health England data, shows the comparison between the start of the hospitality industry reopening on the left, and the latest data on the right.

In the seven days to April 18, some of the areas with the lowest number of cases were Romsey Town, Romsey Cupernham & Halterworth and North Baddesley & Braishfield.

Click the map below to slide between the two images: Left: Apr 18. Right: May 9.

For reference, the map is divided into Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs), which are areas with an average population of 7,200.

It then colour-codes MSOAs depending on their seven-day rolling infection rate, with areas placed into the boundaries of 0-9 (yellow), 10-49 (light green), 50-99 (dark green), 100-199 (light blue), 200-399 (dark blue), 400 to 799 (light purple) and 800 plus (dark purple).

Anywhere labelled '800 plus' is today deemed by the Government to be a 'hotspot'.