City and borough drop out of 50 worst places for infections

OADBY and Wigston and Leicester have fallen out of the 50 places in England with the worst coronavirus rates as the national average infection rate continues to rise.

The city and its neighbouring borough now stand 55th and 56th in a list of 315 English council areas based on Public Health England data showing infection rates in the seven days up to Thursday, December 10.

However, Leicester’s infection rate rose over the week from 247.3 cases per 100,000 to 255.2 cases per 100,000.

The rate in Oadby and Wigston was 254.3 cases per 100,000 having fallen from 289.4 the week before.

The borough was the only part of Leicestershire that saw a week on week fall in its seven-day rate as the national average rose and stands at 173.3 cases per 100,000.

Overall, 222 of the 315 English areas recorded a rise in infection rates, two remained unchanged and 91 saw a drop.

There have been particularly sharp rises in London and the South East which were under Tier 2 restrictions but have now moved into Tier 3.

Leicester and all of Leicestershire are currently under Tier 3 measures. Melton’s rate increased to 222.6 cases per 100,000 and Blaby’s rose to 217.7 cases per 100,000.

They stand 67th and 75th in the list respectively.

Parts of the rest of the county stand outside the top 150.

Harborough is at 169 with a rate of 142.8 and Hinckley and Bosworth is in 189th place with a rate of 129.9 cases per 100,000 people.

The rate in North West Leicestershire is 125.5 cases per 100,000 and it is at 199th place.

Charnwood has the lowest rate in the county at 123.8 and is in 208th place.