The rate of Covid-19 infections in Stroud has dropped by nearly 40 per cent according to the latest figures released by Public Health England.

The district has the median case rate in the South West, meaning eight areas have higher rates of infection and the same number have lower rates.

The news comes after Boris Johnson announced the Government’s ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown on Monday, which aims to end almost all restrictions by June 21.

There were 70 cases per 100,000 people in Stroud in the seven days ending February 18, dropping from 114 the week before.

These figures contrast starkly with the week ending February 11, which saw new infections decline by less than one percent from the week ending February 4.

But with the 9th highest rate of cases in the South West, Stroud’s relative progress is worse than at the end of January, when it had less new infections than any other area in the region.

The Cotswolds now has the lowest case rate in the South West, reporting only 32 new infections per 100,000 people.

Gloucester continues to take huge strides in the right direction, with cases declining by almost 50 per cent for the second week running.

The city now has a lower rate of infection than Stroud, with 45 cases per 100,000 people.

The worst rate of Covid-19 was recorded in Sedgemore, which had 124 cases per 100,000.