A higher proportion of Manx residents have been tested for Covid-19 than anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Figures collated by Paul Craine show that the island’s testing is ’three to four times higher than in other countries’.

Mr Craine’s figures are accurate as of April 15, by which time 2,064 tests had been completed in the island. This amounts to just under 25 people for every 1,000 residents being tested.

By contrast, the figures in the UK range from less than six people per 1,000 in England to seven per 1,000 in Northern Ireland.

The increased number of tests in comparison to the UK also in part explains why the positive test rate of three per thousand is higher than in the UK.

Mr Craine said: ’I am very conscious of the fact that many people find the seemingly constant barrage of coronavirus data simply too awful or too frightening to view.

’This may not be for them, although some aspects of the map and graphs that follow are very positive.

’I am also hugely aware that the information is not just "statistics" but represents real people facing real threats. The loss of four lives on the Isle of Man, so far, puts the data in perspective.

’For some people, the data may help us to understand what is going on in these strange days. My aim is to help make the island’s coronavirus data more visual and more easily understood.

’I recognise that the data raise as many questions as answers - especially about the real level of coronavirus given that many people with the virus may be symptomless and never tested.’

Mr Craine said that the data suggests that the island’s lockdown is having the required effect.

The government’s own figures suggest that April 23 will be the date we should have a clearer idea as to the success of the lock down measures.

He added: ’The numbers involved are small, making patterns very irregular and trends very hard to discern.

’Levels of testing and the return of test results vary in number from day to day. The highest peaks on April 2 and 9 were the two days when most tests were returned (completed).’

He went on to say that the figure of people presumed recovered being higher than the number of active cases is good as it is a ’very positive reminder that most people affected by the virus have already come through it’.

Health and Social Care Minister David Ashford told the Courier: ’We are testing much more than other places. As of today we are the ninth best jurisdiction in the world on a per capita basis for testing.’