Infection rates among worst in the country

HINCKLEY is among the top 10 areas of England for coronavirus rates this week.

The average number of cases for England stands at 424.4 cases per 100,000 people and Hinckley and Bosworth borough now has a rate of 667.7, making it the ninth worst affected area.

Melton and Charnwood also have rates above 600 and three other areas Harborough, Blaby and Oadby and Wigston - have infection rates above the England average.

Generally the county area is seeing higher rates than the city, prompting county health bosses to ask secondary schools to re-introduce mask-wearing in communal areas.

The highest rates in England per 100,000 people are: Torridge (Devon) 1,009.9; Mid Sussex 836.1; North Devon 806.8; Elmbridge (Surrey) 782; Mid

Devon 715.6; Tandridge (Surrey) 712.7; Wycombe (Bucks) 703.1; Teignbridge (Devon) 685; Hinckley & Bosworth 667.7; North Hertfordshire 661.6.

Despite the high infection rates in some areas of Leicestershire, the number of people in hospital remains just over 100 - a fraction of the number during the peak of the pandemic last January when almost 500 people were being treated for Covid-19 in Leicester’s three hospitals. Of the 107 people in the city’s hospitals only six are on ventilation beds due to their condition.

The highest Covid-19 rates Hinckley & Bosworth 667.7; Melton 622.6; Charnwood 615.1; Harborough 544.3; Oadby & Wigston 524.6; Blaby 516.9; North West Leicestershire 398.8; Leicester 385. The latest figures, released Wednesday, showed 149 daily deaths and 43,676 new cases nationally.