ISLANDERS are being urged to use the latest national lockdown to "review and reset" their behaviours amid soaring cases of coronavirus which threaten to overwhelm local health and care services.

The latest lockdown comes as the Island recorded nearly 1,200 new cases in one week bringing the rate of infection close to 850 per 100,000 population - far greater than the national average of 520 cases per 100,000 population.

The Island figure had stood at just 21 per 100,000 at the start of last month.

Isle of Wight Council leader, Dave Stewart, called on residents to redouble their efforts and follow national lockdown rules to stop the spread of the new, more transmissible variant of the virus.

He said: "If our whole community was following the Government's guidelines, especially in relation to social distancing, then the number of cases would not be increasing at such a rate.

"We must continue to protect ourselves from a virus which is now more contagious and between 50 and 70 per cent more transmissible.

Read more: Third national lockdown: Isle of Wight reacts

As with the first lockdown last March, people cannot leave their homes except for certain reasons such as essential medical needs, food shopping, exercise and work for those who cannot do so from home.

All schools and colleges have closed to most pupils, with remote learning until February half-term.

Cllr Stewart added: "I feel for the businesses which will be affected by this latest lockdown and encourage them to take advantage of the existing and new grants available.

"National restrictions, while strict, have been shown to bring infection rates down much faster than other courses of action.

"I ask everyone to follow the new rules, stay at home, and continue to follow the ‘hands, face, space’ instruction. It’s the only way to keep the Island safe."