COVID has made already-worrying health inequalities in Southampton worse.

That is the warning from Dr Debbie Chase, Director of Public Health, who said the impact of the pandemic could make the city an even more unequal place to live.

Some of the most deprived areas of the city were worst hit by Covid, her report said.

People living in two of the most deprived areas - Bevois and Bargate - were found to be much more vulnerable to Covid than the least deprived areas - Bassett and Shirley.

Dr Chase, in her report, said: “All parts of Southampton society were affected by the pandemic, either directly by contracting Covid-19 or indirectly through its wider effects, but effects were not felt equally across the city.

“Modelling of clinical vulnerability to severe infection, vulnerability to acquiring infection, and vulnerability to the policy decisions used to control the pandemic show how many of the already most deprived neighbourhoods were most likely to be most impacted by Covid-19.”

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She warned Covid has a greater impact on people living in high population density areas, overcrowded housing and working in education.

Southampton is the second most densely populated place outside of London, and has the joint highest number of housing estates outside of the capital.

Some 12,000 people work at the docks, and there are more than 100 schools and two universities.

Dr Chase added: “There was evidence of inequalities in almost every aspect assessed and people who were already disadvantaged felt the negative effects more.

“Some groups were not able to adhere as closely as others to the recommended measures to reduce their risk of infection.

“It is likely that inequalities in Southampton have widened as a result of the pandemic.”

Southampton is behind the county in terms of Covid infection rate, with 803.5 people per 100,000 - compared to Hampshire’s 994.7.