'Prepare for a higher coronavirus tier on the Isle of Wight', the leader of the Isle of Wight Council has warned in the authority's community newsletter.

Although it only remains a possibility at this stage, coronavirus infection rates are rising rapidly, leading to concern that the Island may soon lose its Tier One status.

Councillor Dave Stewart, in an Isle of Wight Council newsletter, said: "Sadly, I fear the coronavirus variant may have already reached the Island as our new case rates are increasing rapidly.

"However, we should not be dejected if we do come under additional restrictions; sometimes you may not win every battle but can still win the war, and that’s exactly what we will aim to do as an Island community."

The Island currently sits in Tier One - the lowest level of four possible coronavirus tiers. 

Yesterday, director of public health, Simon Bryant told the County Press (in a live webchat - scroll down for the full video): "The Isle of Wight, at this point in time, is in Tier One.

"We are seeing cases rise, as we are across the south east and the whole of the country.

"We are in a really good position, but we need to maintain that and do all we can. 

"I'm grateful to the whole population for doing all we can to maintain social distancing and follwing the rules.

"We are in Tier One. But we are seeing cases rise." 

If the change is made, Tiers Two to Four impose increasingly tough restrictions.

Councillor Stewart warns us to prepare for the possibility that we may move into a higher level of restrictions, perhaps from as early as Boxing Day.

Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant are already in Tier Four- the highest so far available - while Southampton and Hampshire remain in Tier Two.

Councillor Stewart said: "The data suggests the new variant of the virus transmits more easily than other strains but there is currently no evidence that it is more likely to cause severe disease or mortality.

"We have the first of the vaccines and it is being rolled out on the Island - last week in Newport and the West Wight, this week in Ryde and Shanklin.

"We will have more access to different tests in the new year and will make sure that we make best use of them in keeping our community safe. We will also continue to support businesses so that they can operate in a Covid-secure way and get through this pandemic.

"I do not know what may happen in the coming weeks, but I remain optimistic that we can all play our part in the recovery of the Island in 2021."

Yesterday, Simon Bryant, the Island's director of public health, and Dr Michele Legg, chair of the Isle of Clinical Commissioning Group answered questions about the current Covid-rules over Christmas, in a Facebook Live chat with the County Press.

Watch it here...