THERE has been a significant rise in the number of new cases of Covid-19 across Worcestershire.

The latest Public Health England (PHE) figures show Worcester had, during the week up to last Thursday, (September 10), an infection rate of 13.9 cases per 100,000 people, up from 10.9 the week before.

Meanwhile Wychavon, Malvern and Bromsgrove are likely to be causing the most concern.

Wychavon is up to 27.8 from 10.8 the week before, Malvern is on 25.4 up from 19.1, while Bromsgrove - the worst hit area in terms of Covid-19 deaths in the pandemic - has reached 32, up from 20.

Wyre Forest is up to 14.8, from 8.9 the previous week, while Redditch is down to 11.7 from 16.4.

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The PHE figures are based on tests that have been carried out both in laboratories and in the wider community, and provide data for each local authority area.

Figures for the most recent three days (September 11-13) has been excluded as it is incomplete and likely to be revised.

It should be noted that areas that have entered local lockdown had done so typically when cases were around 70 and higher.

Birmingham, for example, is now up to 88.8, up from 53 the previous week.

That has led to stricter rules coming into force from tomorrow, with second city residents not allowed to meet up with people outside of their household in private homes or gardens.

Nationally cases have gone up, with the government bringing the rule of six in from today.