BASINGSTOKE has the highest rate of coronavirus infections in Hampshire, according to the Office for National Statistics.

For every 100,000 residents, 405 people have become infected. In the last two weeks, the number of cases has risen by 11 per cent.

It comes as 154 people have now died across Basingstoke and Winchester hospitals.

Maria Miller MP said the rate is down to Basingstoke hospital doing “much more” testing than other parts of England.

She said: “They are leading a national programme to develop a fast Covid-19 test. This is yet another benefit of having a great, forward thinking hospital in our community.”

You can read the full story on page 12.

Also in this week's paper:

  • North Hampshire MPs haven’t said anything further after senior political adviser Dominic Cummings was accused of breaking the lockdown rules - again. The Prime Minister has been urged to sack Mr Cummings after reports surfaced that the 48-year-old made a second trip to County Durham, where his family lives, despite stringent social restrictions being in place. Read the full story on page 2.
  • A huge swarm of bees who set up camp outside The Malls in Basingstoke have been rehomed by a kind-hearted security guard. Onlookers were surprised to see the colony of honeybees settle on the edge of a brick wall outside the shopping centre, which has been closed during the lockdown. Read the full story on page 3.
  • Hampshire Constabulary have arrested a second person after two men were stabbed in Winklebury. Officers were called to Winklebury playing field on May 25 after witnesses saw a “large fight” break out at 6.35pm. Read the full story on page 4.
  • Tributes have been paid to a Deliveroo driver who was killed after a crash with a lorry. Marcos Vinicius Martins was driving his moped for work on Tuesday afternoon of last week when he was involved in a collision with a grey Scania HGV on Churchill Way. He was taken to hospital with head injuries but later died. Read the full story on page 5.
  • A teaching assistant at a Basingstoke primary school says that the government’s plan to partially reopen some schools next week is putting them and their family at greater risk of catching coronavirus. The member of staff, who wished to remain anonymous, said that they are “automatically” at greater risk of falling ill when pupils in reception, Year 1 and Year 6 return to school next week, and that Boris Johnson’s plan was “too big a jump too quickly”. Read the full story on pages 6 and 7.
  • Hampshire County Council still plans to build a link road through the Camrose ground, despite both Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Sport England objecting. The county council has launched a fresh consultation into the improvement of Brighton Hill roundabout, scrapping the plan to maintain the existing subways and instead opting for traffic signals with surface level pedestrian crossings. Read the full story on pages 8 and 9.
  • A man who rode hundreds of miles to deliver much-needed PPE was turned away from KFC because he was on a motorcycle. Read more on page 21.
  • Plus, the latest from Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.
  • Your usual eight-page puzzle special.
  • Two pages of your letters to the editor.
  • Two pages of news from our communities, including Oakley, South Ham and Old Basing.
  • Three pages of news from our districts, including Tadley, Whitchurch and Hook.
  • The best photos from our camera club this month.
  • Three pages of entertainment news.

Out Thursday, May 28.

To arrange a home delivery of the Gazette or Advertiser call 0800 7314 900 or 0845 7078 150 or email deliveries@newsquest.co.uk. If we do not cover your area, we will advise you with details of other available agents.

If you live outside our circulation area you can still receive our newspapers through a postal subscription order. To subscribe to the Basingstoke Gazette or Andover Advertiser visitbasingstokegazette.co.uk/subscribe or andoveradvertiser.co.uk/subscribe or call 0800 7314900.

You can also sign up for a delivered subscription here: https://adbooker.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/store/andbassubs/.