THE changing colour of the Isle of Wight on the government's interactive map of Covid hot spots is looking more positive than it did just a couple of weeks ago.

With high numbers of cases and higher-than-average rolling rates throughout January, the Isle of Wight now looks like it is heading in the right direction after more than a month in lockdown.

The rolling rate (per 100,000 of population) is currently 207.4 for the Island, which is dark blue on the map but below national average. Compare that to January 9, when the rate was 1,110.2.

In the seven days to January 14 it stood at 778.7.

Things are improving, and on scrolling in, to see the break up of areas, the news is even better for some locations.

Ventnor and Wroxall now has a rate of 93, and Yarmouth and Freshwater is at 63.2 — the lowest on the Island.

The worst area at present is Newport East and Parkhurst East, with a rate of 391.1.

In early January, Sandown and Brading were among the worst areas in the country for Covid cases.

However, Islanders are reminded to remain vigilant and follow the rules.

St Mary's Hospital still has 80 Covid patients to care for (data as of Tuesday).

There have been further deaths in the hospital this week and care homes have been badly hit, with 30 deaths between January 1 and January 22.

Yesterday (Friday), a further 39 Covid cases were reported, which is higher than it had been for six days previous.