COVID-19: Areas where infections are at least three times the average | UK News

COVID rules have been relaxed across the UK, but infection rates vary widely, with seven local authority regions reporting rates at least three times the national average in the week ending April 4.

Clackmannanshire in Scotland has the highest weekly rate in the UK with 211.5 cases per 100,000 population. Corby in Northamptonshire and Barnsley in Yorkshire are also above 100 cases per 100,000 population.

This compares to a UK average of 32.5 per 100,000 population. In total, a third of local communities reported an above average infection rate in the most recent week for which data are available.

Explore the map below to find out the case rate in your area.

Cases have declined dramatically in most areas since the January lockdown began, even in the hardest hit. The graph below shows the trend in the areas with the highest rates, compared to the UK average.

Luton, Corby and Mansfield had particularly high rates when the UK went into lockdown and therefore had to drop further. While it is clear that cases have declined in these areas, progress has been slightly slower in recent weeks.

Overall, only 14 of 127 local authorities with above-average rates saw an increase in cases last week.

Last summer, some scientists and politicians questioned the decision to ease restrictions nationwide, saying rates were still too high to increase social contact in parts of England.

This time, the rollout of vaccination means there is a higher degree of immunity in the community. Older and more vulnerable populations are less likely to need hospital treatment or die.

More than 60% of UK adults have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Over 90% of those over 50 have received a blow in all of England’s 314 local authorities except 29.

While the vaccines offer hope, they are not 100% effective, and the jury is still out on how well they can prevent transmission or combat new variants.

Each relaxation of the rules has a …