OXFORDSHIRE Covid-19 cases have surged towards winter heights – with one hotspot now recording a five-fold increase. 

The city of Oxford has been painted purple on the Government Covid-19 map signalling a massive jump in cases, with 1,145 people county-wide testing positive for the virus in the seven days to June 29 – compared to just 439 the previous week.

Cases have risen from 21.1 cases per 100,000 in late May to 101.8 cases per 100,000 in the week ending June 25.

The largest number of cases remain in people aged below 30, with 20 to 29-year olds accounting for 46 per cent of all new cases, even though all people aged 18 and above are now eligible to receive their first jab.

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council's director of public health, confirmed that cases have risen by 66 per cent in the last week alone and said they are now 'uncomfortably high'.

He added: "We have not seen cases this high either locally or nationally since those winter months before the vaccines had begun to be administered in large numbers.

"The Delta variant is undoubtedly enjoying the closer social contact that is going on and case levels are on a steep trajectory.

"My appeal would be for people to remain cautious and aware.

"The chances of catching Covid-19 are greater now than at any time since the winter."

Currently, these are the case rates in Oxfordshire's districts – Cherwell with 93 cases per 100,000, Oxford with 180.4 cases per 100,000, South Oxfordshire with 102.1 cases per 100,000, Vale of White Horse with 54.4 cases per 100,000 and West Oxfordshire with 63.3 cases per 100,000.

Mr Azhar pointed out that geographically, the largest numbers are in Oxford City, however, without the vaccine, he said, the rate would be much higher.

He added: "We urge everyone aged 18 and over to come forward and get the jab to give themselves the best levels of protection possible.

"You can book an appointment through the national NHS booking service, take up an invitation from your GP or attend one of the pop-up clinics in Oxford.

"We are seeing a large number of young people come forward for their vaccine, which is really encouraging.

"But it is worth reminding everyone that the first dose does not start offering notable protection until two weeks after the jab has been administered and you must have two doses of the vaccine to receive full protection."