New Covid hotspots emerging in North West as 211 areas of England record rise in rates

Covid-19 hotspots are starting to emerge in further parts of north west England (Photo: Getty Images)

Covid-19 hotspots are starting to emerge in further parts of north west England, with the region recording some of the highest rates in the UK.

While cases in Bolton are continuing to fall, latest data from Public Health England (PHE) shows that Rossendale, Ribble Valley and Hyndburn - all parts of Lancashire - are now among the worst affected areas.

Blackburn with Darwen, also in Lancashire, continues to have the highest rate in the country, while parts of Greater Manchester, including Bury, Salford and Manchester are recording a sharp rise.

Outside of the North West Kirklees in West Yorkshire has one of the highest rates, while cases are also climbing in Reigate and Banstead in Surrey, Watford in Hertfordshire and Slough in Berkshire.

PHE England data from 29 May to 1 June shows that of the 315 areas in England, 211 - or 67 per cent - have seen a rise in rates, while 96 (30 per cent) have seen a fall, and eight remain unchanged.

The figures come as scientists warn the planned end of all lockdown restrictions in England on 21 June may need to be delayed due to the highly transmissible Delta Covid-19 variant, which is now in most parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Scotland has the highest rate of new coronavirus cases across all four nations of the UK, and rates in Wales and Northern Ireland are continuing to drop.

Here’s how case rates compare across the UK, based on the latest PHE for the seven days to 27 May.

Scotland

Scotland currently has the highest rate of new Covid-19 cases in the UK at 57.8 cases per 100,000 people, up from 42.5 in the week previous. This marks the highest rate for Scotland since 30 March.

Some 20 of the 32 local areas in Scotland are currently reporting a week-on-week rise in rates, with the biggest jumps in Renfrewshire, up from 57.0 to 145.2, Dundee, up from 25.4 to 96.4, and South Ayrshire, up from 11.5 to 58.6.

Renfrewshire is recording the highest rate in Scotland and the sixth highest rate in the UK.