NO POSITIVE Covid-19 tests have been recorded at Salisbury District Hospital since July 2, the Journal can reveal.

It has also been more than a month since a coronavirus-related death was registered, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed today, leaving the total number of fatalities at 56.

However, Judy Dyos, director of nursing at the hospital, has warned that despite the news, people should still “adhere to the guidance” to wear a face covering or mask, keep their distance and maintain hand hygiene.

She added: “We are all pleased to have gone for a month without any Covid-19 related deaths and currently have no patients that have tested positive for Covid-19 in the hospital. This shows that the measures to reduce the spread of the virus are starting to work.”

Speaking about the impact of the virus, Mrs Dyos added: “As we have recently seen in other parts of the country the virus is still very much with us and people should continue to adhere to the guidance to wear a face covering or mask, keep their distance and maintain hand hygiene.

“Covid-19 has had a dramatic and tragic impact on many people and our thoughts remain with all those that have been ill or lost a loved one.”

Mayor of Salisbury John Walsh was also “pleased” to hear that the “deadly disease” had not claimed any further victims.

Councillor Walsh added: “I think the way that my fellow citizens had very largely followed the government guidance without demure had paid off.

"While we can rightly congratulate ourselves we need to keep following the advice we are given to avoid another spike.”

As of 4pm on Wednesday, July 15, there were 291,911 people in the United Kingdom who have had a positive Covid-19 test result, and 45,053 had died as a result of the virus.

According to government data, there have been 2,007 cases of Covid-19 in Wiltshire.

Broken down, there have been 1,254 cases in the Wiltshire Council area and 753 in the Swindon Borough Council area.

The hospital’s news followed the government’s announcement that face masks are to become compulsory in shops from July 24, and to not wear one could result in a £100 fine. It will be up to police and not business owners to dish out these penalties.