Covid-19 case rates drop to pre-Christmas levels for all UK nations
Published: 12:10, 08 February 2021
Updated: 12:22, 08 February 2021
Covid-19 case rates for the four nations of the UK have dropped to their lowest level since before Christmas, with some regions of England recording rates last seen in early December, new analysis shows.
In London the seven-day rate has fallen to its lowest since December 8, while the figure for south-east England is at its lowest since December 7.
While a handful of local areas across the UK have recorded a week-on-week rise in the latest figures, most of the increases are small.
The national rate for Wales is now at its lowest since early October.
The figures, which have been calculated by the PA news agency from health agency data, suggest the lockdowns currently in place across the UK are continuing to have an impact in driving down the number of new reported cases of coronavirus.
Here are the details for each nation and region:
– Scotland
Scotland recorded 122.6 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to February 3 – down week-on-week from 144.4, and the lowest since December 20.
Eight out of 32 local areas recorded a rise in the latest figures. The biggest jumps are in Falkirk, up from 166.6 to 218.8 – the highest rate in Scotland – and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles), up from 44.9 to 86.1.
The biggest week-on-week fall is in North Lanarkshire, down from 249.3 to 181.6.
The Shetland Islands is the only area of the UK to record no new Covid-19 cases in the seven days to February 3.
– Wales
Wales recorded 122.4 cases per 100,000 people in the week to February 3.
This is the lowest seven-day rate since October 4.
It is also well below the second-wave peak of 649.2 on December 17.
Rates are currently falling in 17 of the 22 local areas of Wales, with the biggest drop recorded in Wrexham (down from 385.4 to 228.0).
The biggest rise is for the Isle of Anglesey, up from 135.6 to 177.0.
Flintshire currently has the highest rate in Wales (231.3, down from 263.3), while Ceredigion has the lowest (56.4, up from 34.4).
– Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s rate stood at 177.7 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to February 3.
This is down from 222.0 one week earlier, and is the lowest rate since December 15.
Nine of the 11 local areas in Northern Ireland recorded a drop in rates in the latest figures, with the biggest fall in Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (down from 401.5 to 286.8).
There has been a very slight rise in Causeway Coast & Glens (from 121.5 to 125.7) and Ards & North Down (123.0 to 125.5).
Mid Ulster has the highest rate (303.6, down from 352.1) while Derry City & Strabane has the lowest (down from 111.0 to 100.5).
– England
For England as a whole, the rate of new cases in the week to February 3 stood at 222.4.
This is down from 295.1 for the previous week, and is the lowest rate since the week to December 13.
Here is a snapshot of the latest figures for each region:
– West Midlands
The seven-day rate of new cases for the West Midlands as of February 3 stood at 285.8 per 100,000 people – down from 352.0 one week earlier.
This is the highest rate for any region of England, though it is the lowest recorded for the West Midlands since December 26.
All local areas except one are showing a drop in rates. The exception is Tamworth, where the rate has risen very slightly from 336.4 to 341.6.
Two of the three highest rates in England are in the West Midlands: Walsall has the second highest rate (449.1) and Sandwell has the third highest (447.9).
– East Midlands
Corby in the East Midlands currently has the highest rate for any local area in England: 468.0, down slightly from 494.3.
The East Midlands also has the second highest regional rate in England: 259.0, down from 300.3 in the previous week and the lowest it has been since December 26.
Of the 17 local areas in England that have recorded a week-on-week rise in case rates, seven are in the East Midlands.
The biggest jump is in Rutland, where rates have increased from 180.3 to 385.7.
Boston, East Lindsey, Hinckley & Bosworth, Kettering, Oadby & Wigston and Rushcliffe have all seen small increases.
– North-west England
Two areas of north-west England have recorded a small rise in rates in the latest figures: Blackpool, up from 223.7 to 231.6, and Wyre, up from 233.7 to 238.2.
A further two areas are in the top five highest rates in England: St Helens, which is in fourth place (currently on 397.0) and Knowsley, in fifth place (390.4). Both these areas have recorded large week-on-week falls, however.
The regional rate for north-west England is currently 255.9 – down week-on-week from 321.4, and the lowest level since December 28.
– North-east England
The regional rate in north-east England is currently 223.3: the lowest since December 25 and down week-on-week from 253.5.
Rates are down in most local areas, with two exceptions: North Tyneside (up from 187.6 to 221.2) and Sunderland (up from 297.8 to 323.4).
– Yorkshire & the Humber
This region has the second lowest rate in England: 182.0 cases per 100,000 people, down week-on-week from 212.3 and the lowest since December 25.
Two local areas recorded a small week-on-week rise in the latest figures: North Lincolnshire, up from 117.2 to 131.8, and North East Lincolnshire, up from 93.4 to 101.5.
All other areas recorded a fall, with the biggest in Selby (down from 224.0 to 171.0).
– South-west England
South-west England continues to have the lowest regional rate in England: 146.5, down week-on-week from 200.0.
The rate has not been this low since December 20.
Local rates are down in each area except two: Torbay, up from 146.8 to 160.0, and Mid Devon, up from 115.4 to 127.6.
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole is currently recording the biggest week-on-week drop, down from 453.8 to 304.0.
– London
London is the only region of England where every local area is currently recording a week-on-week fall in case rates.
The biggest drops are in Brent (down from 508.5 to 328.7) and Waltham Forest (down from 388.5 to 209.8).
The seven-day rate of new cases for the whole of London currently stands at 233.4 per 100,000 people – down from 356.4 one week earlier.
The rate has not been this low since December 8.
– South-east England
The regional rate for south-east England is currently at its lowest since December 7.
There were 187.4 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to February 3, down from 274.0 a week earlier.
Rates are down across the region, with one exception: Eastleigh, where they are unchanged week-on-week at 217.8.
The biggest drops are in Slough (down from 590.5 to 347.7), Reading (441.3 to 264.6) and Eastbourne (401.0 to 233.3).
– Eastern England
The regional rate for Eastern England has fallen to its lowest level since December 10.
It is currently 218.8, down week-on-week from 306.2.
Rates are down in all local areas except one: South Cambridgeshire, where they are up slightly from 174.7 to 179.8.
Harlow has seen the biggest fall (from 407.7 to 244.6), followed by Luton (from 506.0 to 354.8) and Welwyn Hatfield (from 434.0 to 295.0).
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