MORE than 200 new Covid cases have been confirmed on the Isle of Wight, according to the latest government data.

Public Health England figures released today (Saturday) show 249 new cases.

Yesterday, 259 Isle of Wight Covid cases were recorded, and 161 the day before.

The latest figure takes the Isle of Wight total, since the start of the pandemic, to 23,747.

The Island's rolling rate, per 100,000 people, has also risen.

Always five days behind, in the seven days to January 3, it was 902.3.

Yesterday, in the seven days to January 2, it was 891.1

The UK rate stands at 1,913.8, with a total of 146,390 new cases confirmed.

The Isle of Wight remains the second best lower tier area in the UK for Covid infections.

The number of people at St Mary's Hospital has remained the same this week, as last week.

There are 24 people in the hospital with Covid, including three on ventilation beds.

Meanwhile, a vaccination hub is preparing to open at St Mary's Hospital.

As previously reported by the County Press, from Monday, hub will be welcoming people aged 18 and over for their first, second and booster Covid-19 vaccines.

The hub will join the network of local vaccination centres and clinics that are already in operation on the Isle of Wight.