THE changing colour of the Isle of Wight on the Government's interactive map of Covid hot spots continues to look more promising as 2021 progresses.

With high numbers of cases and higher-than-average rolling rates throughout January, the Island now looks like it is heading in the right direction almost six weeks into the third national lockdown.

The rolling rate (per 100,000 of population) is currently 122.6 for the Island, which is below the national average of 167.6. The rate peaked on January 9, when it reached 1,110.2.

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

Cowes Central now has a rate of 63.4,  and Brading and Nettlestone is at 40.2 — the lowest on the Island.

The worst area at present is Newport East and Parkhurst East, with a rate of 592.6.

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

Island rolling rate per 100,000 population per location

Isle of Wight County Press:

Newport East & Parkhurst East — 592.6

Brighstone & Shalfleet — 189.6

Newport Central & Parkhurst West — 184.4

Newport South & West — 124.8

Niton, Shorwell & Godshill — 122

Binstead & Wooton — 118

Shanklin West & Newchurch — 113.8

Ventnor & Wroxall — 106.3

Cowes West, Gurnard & Northwood — 104.6

Shanklin Central & Lake — 89.4

Sandown & Brading — 84.8

East Cowes & Osborne — 80.7

Ryde West & Havenstreet — 76.3

Yarmouth & Freshwater — 42.2

Bembridge & Nettlestone — 40.2

Yesterday (Saturday), a further 14 Covid cases were reported on the Island. The daily high of 459 was recorded on January 3.