Which towns and cities in England have the highest rates of coronavirus and risk going into local lockdown?
A total of 29 local authorities are now on the government’s coronavirus watchlist, after seeing a rise in reported cases.
According to the data compiled by Public Health England, Blackburn sits at the top of the list, where 80.6 people per 100,000 have displayed symptoms of the virus between July 27 and August 2.
The report, which was published on August 7 also shows high infection rates in Bradford, Calderdale, Pendle, Trafford, and Manchester.
So, which other towns and cities are on the list – and what is their infection rate?
What are the infection rates of the 29 areas on the government’s coronavirus watch list?
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The 29 towns or cities currently on the government’s watch list are as follows:
- Blackburn with Darwen – 80.6
- Oldham – 65.4
- Leicester – 57.1
- Bradford – 54.9
- Calderdale – 43.3
- Pendle – 42.7
- Trafford – 38.9
- Manchester – 36.5
- Rochdale – 30.9
- Tameside – 29.3
- Salford – 25.2
- Kirklees – 24.4
- Stockport – 24
- Burnley – 21.5
- Bolton – 18.2
- Bury – 17.4
- Hyndburn – 16.1
- Preston – 36
- Rossendale – 8.5
- Wigan – 5.8
- Luton – 22
- Swindon – 46.8
- Northampton – 29.8
- Peterborough – 28.4
- Sandwell – 22.9
- Bedford – 22.7
- Wakefield – 15.1
- Oadby and Wigston – 12.3
- Eden – 9.5
*Numbers in brackets denote the number of infections per 100,000.
Source: Public Health England
The data was released as Preston became the latest UK city to go back into lockdown this weekend, facing tighter lockdown measures similar to those previously reinstated in east Lancashire and Greater Manchester, as well as Aberdeen.
Residents in Preston are no longer allowed to socialise with other households inside their homes, private gardens, or other indoor public venues such as pubs or restaurants.
They are, however, permitted to go out within their own household or within their support bubble.
Travel for work is permitted but non-essential travel is not advised.
The UK’s first local lockdown was imposed in Leicester at the beginning of July, but restrictions have since been eased, and most venues are now open.
However, the lockdown rules are still tighter than the rest of the country, with gyms and pools still remaining shut.
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