Military helicopters could be used within days to airlift coronavirus patients from the Isle of Wight, the island’s medical director has said, after an “astronomical” rise in infections fuelled by mixing and visitors over Christmas. A 71-fold increase in cases means the Isle of Wight has the 13th highest infection rate in the UK this week, from having one of the lowest in early December. “Where the Isle of Wight leads, the rest of Britain will follow,” declared Matt Hancock, the health secretary, at the time. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Shoppers on the high street in Newport, Isle of Wight, last December. Parker said the Isle of Wight was paying the price for being in tier 1 before Christmas.

Source: The Guardian January 12, 2021 12:01 UTC