Several people died with coronavirus in Wiltshire during the week of an alleged Downing Street Christmas party last year.

Figures from the UK coronavirus daily dashboard show nine Covid deaths occurred and 547 positive Covid-19 cases were recorded in Wiltshire between December 12 and 18 last year, the same week that a party was allegedly held at Downing Street. 

On the date of the alleged party, December 18, Salisbury Trust recorded 16 hospital cases with Covid. 

By December 22, the day the leaked video was apparently filmed, separate figures from the Department of Health and Social Care reveal that more than a quarter of care homes in England were no longer permitting residents to receive visitors as Covid-19 infection levels rose across the country.

In Wiltshire, 20 care homes had done the same by December 22 which is around 17% of care homes in the area.

Some readers have taken to Facebook to express their views on the government 'breaking their own Covid rules'. 

One reader said: "I doubt very much the general public will follow the rules and why should they given that the GOV cannot follow the rules they set? Shouldn’t they be leading by example?"

Another reader said: "Shows what they think of the rules..... It's a bit of fun to them, to see what they can make us do without question."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered an investigation into claims staff broke lockdown rules by holding a party at Number 10 last year, and told MPs he was “furious” about footage apparently showing aides joking about it.

Mr Johnson apologised for the offence caused by the leaked video but insisted he had been repeatedly assured “there was no party and that no Covid rules were broken” on December 18.

Figures show 786 Covid-19 patients were admitted to hospitals across the South West between December 12-18 – among almost 12,000 throughout England.

The Prime Minister’s intervention followed a week of official insistence that no party took place when London was under Tier 3 restrictions – despite reports staff drank alcohol and exchanged Secret Santa gifts.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the Prime Minister’s apology raises more questions than answers as he had been “caught red-handed”.

He added: “Millions of people now think the Prime Minister was taking them for fools, that they were lied to. They are right aren’t they?”

Mr Johnson's adviser and former press secretary Allegra Stratton resigned after leaked footage showed her laughing as she appeared to rehearse answers to questions over a lockdown-busting Christmas party.

The video from No 10’s £2.6 million press briefing room, which is reported to be from December 22 last year, refers to a party on “Friday” – the same day The Daily Mirror reported there was a staff party where games were played, food and drinks were served, and revelries went on past midnight.

At this time, coronavirus restrictions were being reintroduced across many parts of the UK ahead of Christmas amid fears over the emergence of the 'Delta' variant.

Mr Johnson agreed that any evidence uncovered about parties in Downing Street would be handed over to police.

Statistics published by the National Police Chiefs' Council reveal 202 fixed penalty notices were issued by Wiltshire Police for breaches of Covid-19-related laws between November 17 and December 20 last year.

READ MORE: Fined for meeting in a car or garden - local people who broke lockdown

Salisbury MP John Glen confirmed that he was not at the Christmas party held last December. 

He responded to his constituents: "I appreciate your perspective on this and share the anger felt by many at the video of Downing Street staff making light of lockdown measures. 

"We have all had to make sacrifices through the pandemic, forsaking seeing loved ones for many months at a time and enduring significant restrictions last Christmas. 

"As I am sure was the same for you, I was not at any party last December and I know no more information about what took place in Downing Street than what is in the same media sources you will be reading.

"I am glad that the Prime Minister has directed the Cabinet Secretary to investigate this matter, establish all the facts, and report back as soon as possible.

"I have been reassured that if it is found that Covid rules were broken, then there will be disciplinary action for those involved."

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