“SINCE the end of national restrictions, the outbreak across Berkshire has deteriorated.”

That’s the message from the government after its reasons for moving all areas in the county to tier 3 were revealed.

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Bracknell Forest, Reading, Windsor and Maidenhead, West Berkshire and Wokingham will all now face the toughest measures from Saturday, December 19.

They will join Slough, which had already been given a ‘very high alert’ warning when the second national lockdown ended.

Following Health Secretary’s tiers announcement, the government published its reasoning for moving five of Berkshire’s boroughs up to tier 3.

The statement given reads: “Since the end of national restrictions, the outbreak across Berkshire has deteriorated.

“Case rates, over 60s and positivity are increasing in the majority of areas. Case rates are high and continuing to rise with large increases in Reading (198 per 100,000), Bracknell Forest (202 per 100,000) and Wokingham (158 per 100,000).

“The case rate in all ages has increased by 10 per cent or more over the past 7 days in all areas - Bracknell Forest, Reading, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead and Wokingham.

“The rate of increase of the epidemiology indicators is concerning and warrants escalation to Tier 3.

“In the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West STP the number of daily Covid hospital admissions continues to rise.

“The daily Covid bed occupancy is below the national acute hospital average but continues to rise.

“In the Frimley Health and Care ICS the daily Covid bed occupancy is below the national acute hospital average but continues to rise and has doubled in last 14 days.

“The proportion of critical care beds or beds with mechanical ventilation occupied by Covid patients remains high.”

An explanation for keeping Slough in tier three was also given.

The government’s tiers document added: “The overall picture continues to deteriorate and is very concerning. Case rate in all ages and test positivity remain very high and are increasing.

“The case rate in all ages is 296 per 100,000 population and the case rate in the over 60s is 209 per 100,000 population.

“There has been a particularly sharp rise in the most recent few days. The epidemiology indicators in the area do not justify allocation at Tier 2.

“In the Frimley Health and Care ICS the daily Covid bed occupancy is below the national acute hospital average but continues to rise and has doubled in last 14 days. The proportion of critical care beds or beds with mechanical ventilation occupied by Covid patients remains high.”