Melton one of only four areas to see Covid infection rate rise

Although the 123 positive tests is a relatively modest number of new cases compared to many other parts of the country, it is a concern that most other areas have seen a drop in their rate.

New figures released by Public Health England this afternoon show Melton borough reported 240.2 cases per 100,000 of the population in the seven days to January 28, compared to 203.1 (104 cases) the week before.

East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (up from 102.3 to 131.9); Derbyshire Dales (225.4 to 228.1); and Oldham, Lancashire (253.5 to 255.6), were the only other local authority areas to see a Covid infection rate rise in this period, with the other 311 areas all recording a drop.

Knowsley in Merseyside continues to have the highest rate in England, with 922 new cases recorded in the seven days to January 28 – the equivalent of 611.2 cases per 100,000 people.

This is down from 898.2 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to January 21.

Sandwell, in the West Midlands, has the second highest rate, down from 840.6 to 546.8, with 1,796 new cases.

Slough, Berkshire, is in third place, down from 807.8 to 543.0, with 812 new cases.

There have now been 2,205 coronavirus cases in the Melton borough since the pandemic began and 83 people have passed away after testing positive.