New Covid ‘epicentre’ emerges as cases rise in 61 local areas

COVID cases have risen in 61 local authorities and this interactive map reveals if your area is on the list.

The number of cases has fallen in 315 areas in the country. A cluster of infections is visible in Wales.

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Of the 61 areas across the UK where cases have risen, Wales accounts for 16, government data up to September 17 states.

The remainder are from England, Scotland and Ireland. However, there has not been an increase in Northern Ireland.

Neath Port Talbot (Wales) has the highest rate with 1,235 new cases over the seven days to September 17. That is the equivalent of 855.3 for 100,000 people.

This is an increase of 699.5 from the seven days prior to September 10.

West Dunbartonshire is second with the highest rate at 1,172.7 to 806.0 and 712 new cases.

Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, has the third highest rate at 703.4 to 7911.1 with 478 new cases.

Corby in Northamptonshire has the highest rate in England (639.3) and Fermanagh & Omagh has the highest rate in Northern Ireland (549.7).

Last week a cluster of cases had emerged in the East Midlands – but Scotland still remained the most infected part of the UK.

Five areas have experienced a significant increase in cases in the past seven days. Four of these are in Wales.

Neath Port Talbot ranks first, with an increase of 699.5 to 855.3 per 100,000. Rhondda Cynon Taf is second, having also seen a jump from 557.7 up to 701.2.

The third place on the list is Vale of Glamorgan, which saw a jump of 502.6 to 631.2. Blaenau Gwent, which saw a jump of 522.7 to 645.5, is next.

Stafford in the West Midlands is the only place not on the list. There, cases have increased by 306.1 to 425.8.

Wales’s highest cases are found in Neath Talbot. However, the disease has also spread to other areas, such as Rhondda Cynon Taf or Merthyr Tydfil.

All of these areas have seen an increase in infections, along with Blaenau Gwen and Vale of Glamorgan as well as Conwy, Allerdale, Flintshire, and Conwy.

DREADED WINTER

The increase in cases in Wales comes after data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that deaths from Covid hit a six month high in the country.

It stated that 65 deaths from the virus had occurred in Wales over the past week.

The army has been requested by the Welsh ambulance service to assist with winter Covid pressures.

It said it’s under “significant and sustained pressure” due to Covid, combined with the flu and other winter challenged.

Staff in intensive care wards have said the pressure is ‘concerning’ and that shortages are making them ‘dread’ the winter months.

INFECTION INCREASE

Data published yesterday showed that daily Covid cases across the UK have spiked over the last week with deaths climbing.

Yesterday, another 31,564 people were tested positive for Coronavirus. This is a 19% increase on the 26,628 cases last Tuesday.

It is the fourth consecutive day of increasing daily cases week-on-week.

Britain’s death rate has also risen, with Tuesday’s 203 deaths a 9 per cent increase over last week.

Hospital admissions are falling as 861 patients were admitted to the hospital last Thursday, which is the latest available date.

This represents a 25% drop in hospital admissions compared to the previous week.

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