Areas in Wales where the number of cases is rising fast

TWENTY areas of Wales have seen an increase in Covid in the last week.

Blaenau Gwent has seen the biggest rise across Wales with an increase of more than 150% in just seven days.

The infection rate across Wales as a whole is 719 cases per 100,000 people based on the seven days up to October 21 - up from a figure of 560 the week before.

We have compared Public Health Wales data to see the places in Wales where the virus is spreading most quickly.

We compared the figures released on October 26 with the week before.

These figures are seven-day rolling totals for new cases adjusted for population (per 100,000 people).

It is important to remember that though these figures are a useful guide they are just part of the story.

If testing massively increases in one place there is likely to be a rise in confirmed cases. However these figures are still a vital factor in Welsh Government and Public Health Wales decisionmaking.

Anglesey, Wrexham, Flintshire and Conwy are the only areas in Wales which have seen a fall in Covid rates.

Below are the five areas where Covid has risen the fastest.

■■Blaenau Gwent

The rise in cases in Blaenau Gwent has been huge. Increasing from 518 to 1,327, this is the largest rise (based on population) in Wales.

The area now has the highest rate in Wales ahead of Torfaen.

It should be remembered that as the population of the area is low it is more susceptible to rapid spikes as it only takes a few cases to trigger an increase.

■■Neath Port Talbot

This area saw over an 80% rise in the last week. It also has the fourth highest overall Covid rate in Wales.

■■Caerphilly

Caerphilly has seen a 75% rise in a week making it the third highest area in terms of infection rate.

■■Ceredigion

Though Ceredigion has seen a large spike of 67% in a week it still has one of the lower rates in Wales at 605 when compared to some areas of south Wales.

■■Newport

Cases in Newport have rocketed by 67% from 542 cases per 100,000 to 906.