Cases highest since March

ENGLAND’S rate of new Covid cases has climbed to its highest level for more than three months.

There are around one in 10 areas now recording rates above 100 cases per 100,000 people.

A total of 37,729 new cases were recorded in England in the week to June 9, according to Public Health England.

This is the equivalent of 67 cases per 100,000 – the highest nationwide level since March 2.

It is still well below the peak of the second wave, when the figure rose as high as 680.

But rates are now showing a clear upwards trend, suggesting a third wave is under way.

The highest rates are concentrated in parts of Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

The Delta variant is believed to be responsible for up to 96% of new cases, with a 60% increased risk of household transmission compared with the Alpha/ Kent variant.