Covid infection rates compared across England as cases continue to rise - where is worst affected?

The UK government has said it is still too soon to judge whether the England-wide lockdown imposed on 5 November has had any impact on Covid-19 infection rates across the country.

While restrictions will remain in place until 2 December, the latest figures suggest rates are still continuing to increase in most local authorities in England.

Infection rates still high

Only the North West of England is currently recording a fall in infection rates in the majority of areas, rather than a rise.

Rates are increasing in every area of North East England, while all but three areas of South West England, plus one area in London, are also seeing figures go up.

Here is a breakdown of how infection rates currently look across England, with the figures based on the latest rates up to the week ending 12 November.

Yorkshire and the Humber

The highest rates of new cases of Covid-19 in England are currently in the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

Hull has the worst rates, with 776.4 cases per 100,000, up from 686.0 in the week before.

Scarborough, Kirklees and Bradford are also among the highest, with rates of 595.8, 577.3 and 546.6 respectively.

Overall, 13 of the region’s 21 local areas have seen a week-on-week increase in rates, while only eight have seen a drop.

The lowest rate in the region is York, which is currently 171.9, down slightly from 192.8.

North East England

Infection rates are rising in all 12 local areas in North East England, with Hartlepool the worst affected with a rate of 570.1 - up from 389.7 in the week before. This is also the biggest week-on-week rise for any area in the region.

Redcar and Cleveland rose from 388.6 to 504.6, while Middlesbrough increased from 385.9 to 500.8.

Northumberland currently has the lowest rate of 306.4, up from 220.5.

North West England

The North West is the only region in England where a majority of areas are currently showing a drop in Covid-19 case rates.

A total of 30 of 39 areas have recorded a fall in rates. This includes Oldham, which has the highest rate in the region, but where the rate has dropped week-on-week from 800.5 to 598.0.

Lancaster currently has the lowest rate at 143.1, down from 200.6.

West Midlands

Rates are up in 25 out of 30 areas in the West Midlands, with Stoke-on-Trent recording one of the biggest week-on-week jumps. It currently has the highest rate in the region at 543.7, up from 435.3.

Nuneaton and Bedworth saw rates rise from 233.3 to 362.6, while Rugby increased from 157.9 to 260.7.

The area with the lowest rate is Malvern Hills, where it has fallen slightly from 120.7 to 113.1.

East Midlands

East Lindsey currently has the highest rate in the East Midlands at 529.2, up from 328.8.

Leicester is close behind with a rate of 527.6, up from 406.2, while the neighbouring area of Oadby and Wigston saw a sharp increase in rates, jumpring from 363.1 to 508.6.

Overall, 24 of the region’s 40 local authority areas are currently seeing a rise in rates.

Boston has seen the biggest week-on-week jump of all, rising from 189.5 to 477.4, whereas Rutland has the lowest rate of 127.7, up very slightly from 122.7.

Eastern England

The lowest Covid-19 case rate of any area in England is in north Norfolk, where the rate is currently 51.5, up a little from 49.6.

However, a total of 41 out of 45 areas in the region have seen a week-on-week rise, with Cambridge recording the biggest jump from 130.6 to 280.5, making it the current highest in the Eastern England.

London

Rates are up in every area of London except in Westminster, where they have fallen slightly from 164.6 to 155.4. Everywhere else has seen a week-on-week rise.

Havering currently has the highest rate at 317.9, up from 269.3, while Lewisham has the lowest at 117.7, up from 95.8.

South East England

Rates are up in a majority of the south east, with 57 out of 67 areas recording an increase.

Swale has seen the largest week-on-week increase and has the highest current rate in the region at 531.0, up from 265.9, while Worthing has the lowest at 67.8, down from 85.0.

South West England

Bristol continues to have the highest rate in South West England at 486.6, up from 453.0.

Only Gloucester, Mid Devon and Torbay have recorded a fall, and the Cotswolds saw the biggest week-on-week increase, rising from 121.3 to 173.6.

Teignbridge currently has the lowest rate at 73.8, up from 70.1.

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