OF ALL the people tested for Covid on the Isle of Wight in the last seven days only 2.6 per cent came back positive.

While the number of Covid tests taken on the Island is known by public health officials, it has not yet been made public.

Testing has been ramped up recently to keep up with demand but only those with symptoms (a high temperature, persistent cough and loss of smell and taste) are being asked to take one unless otherwise advised.

The positivity rate of those test has only come back at 2.6 per cent — which the chief of public health said is a good thing.

Simon Bryant, director of public health, said: "We still want to test the right people, but through us the more people we can test with symptoms or in certain situations, such as asymptomatic, and that positivity comes down, that is good for us. If it goes up it means we have more coronavirus cases in the community so we may need to take different actions."

The total number of Covid-19 cases on the Isle of Wight currently stands at 770, with a seven-day infection rate per 100,000 at 74.8.

While the infection rate has gone up, the Island has still got the lowest rate in Hampshire and one of the lowest in England.

Mr Bryant said despite the Island being well behind the curve of increasing cases in England, we still needed to mindful as the figures are growing.

In the last three days, the infection rate has risen from 53.6 per 100,000, with more than a hundred positive cases confirmed so far in November.