SEXUALLY transmitted infection rates plunged on the Isle of Wight as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, figures suggest.

Fewer people having sex during lockdowns and disruption to health services contributed to a steep drop in STI diagnoses in England, experts say.

Public Health England data shows 537 STIs were diagnosed on the Isle of Wight in 2020 – which was 27 per cent fewer than the year before.

It meant 377 in every 100,000 people in the area were infected with potentially life-changing diseases including syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.

However, that rate was down from 2019, when 514 in 100,000 people on the Isle of Wight were diagnosed with an STI.

The most common infection in the area was chlamydia with 250 cases found in 2020. A further 14 gonorrhoea cases were diagnosed, as well as five of syphilis, 61 of genital herpes and 77 of genital warts.

However, Dr John McSorley, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said the drop in diagnoses highlighted the "stark and concerning" impact Covid-19 has had on sexual health services.

He said: "Whilst a drop in the number of new infections appears positive, it is important to remember that England entered the Covid pandemic with the highest rates of some STIs since the Second World War.

"This data therefore likely represents the tip of the iceberg. STIs haven't gone away, chains of infections haven't been broken."

He urged people to come forward for testing, saying sexually transmitted infections could have life-changing consequences.

Dr Katy Sinka, from PHE, said: "No one wants to swap social distancing for an STI, and as we enjoy the fact that national Covid-19 restrictions have lifted, it’s important that we continue to look after our sexual health and wellbeing.

"If you are having sex with new or casual partners, use a condom and get tested.

"STIs can pose serious consequences to your own health and that of your current or future sexual partners.”

The national drop reflects a combination of reduced STI testing as a result of pandemic-influenced disruption to sexual health services and changes in sexual behaviour since March 2020, according to a PHE report.