COVID-19 cases in parts of Oxfordshire have soared again as 1,517 cases were recorded in the county last week.

Although cases in Oxford City and West Oxfordshire have continued to decline, there are now signs that they are rising in Cherwell, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse.

A national change in rules is expected to take effect on Monday as regards self-isolation for fully vaccinated people.

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council's director for public health, said: "We have seen a gradual relaxation in rules relating to Covid-19 during the summer and people are now able to enjoy many of the freedoms that were part of daily life up until March 2020.

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"The number of cases being reported locally and nationally is lower than the peak that was reached in mid-July.

"However, it is still significantly higher than the levels we observed during the spring and early summer.

"Covid-19 is still very much out there – people are being hospitalised with it and sadly deaths are still being reported."

For the week ending August 6 case rates in Oxfordshire were 219.3 cases per 100,000 of the population.

By district of Oxfordshire the figures were as follows:

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Cherwell 230.6 cases per 100,000 of the population

Oxford 279.4 cases per 100,000 of the population

South Oxfordshire 188 cases per 100,000 of the population

Vale of White Horse 206.6 cases per 100,000 of the population

West Oxfordshire 177.1 cases per 100,000 of the population

Mr Azhar highlighted that the county is 'not out of the woods yet' and 'life is not back to normal'.

He added: "On the subject of vaccines, we still have people who have yet to come forward for their first vaccine and we urge them to do so for their own sake and for the protection of their families, friends and colleagues.

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"The highest number of cases in Oxfordshire remains in the 18-30 age group and this is the where the largest number of unvaccinated people are.

"We know that if we give this virus any area to exploit, it will do so."

Urgent testing for all adults in Oxford is still available, without need for an appointment, at South Park (St Clement’s end), outside the Blavatnik School of Government on Walton Street, Manzil Way Gardens, Cowley Road, Headington car park, Old High Street, behind Waitrose, and Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre carpark, Pegasus Road.