THE city’s coronavirus infection rate has continued to fall and is now the lowest it has been for a month.

Worcester’s infection rate was 165 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to November 21, according to the latest Public Health England figures.

The rate dropped from 229.2 cases per 100,000 people in the previous seven days up to November 14.

Worcester’s infection rate has now returned to the numbers last seen on October 28 when the rate was also 165 cases per 100,000 people.

Worcestershire’s infection rate in the week up to November 21 was 178.6 cases per 100,000 people - the lowest it has been since November 1.

It was announced on Thursday (November 26) that Worcestershire will be placed under stricter tier 2 rules when the national lockdown ends on December 2 and the country returns to a regional three-tier system.

The government has said each region will be reviewed fortnightly with the infection rate one of several things to be taken into consideration.

If the infection rate continues to fall, Worcestershire could drop into the less restrictive tier 1 but equally be placed under even stricter rules in tier 3 if cases start to rise again.

Worcestershire’s director of Public Health Dr Kathryn Cobain reiterated that it was important for the county to continue following the rules so the infection rate carries on falling.

Redditch continues to have the highest infection rate in Worcestershire despite the rate dropping in the last week.

The infection rate in Redditch was 254.5 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to November 21 which was the highest rate in the county followed by Wyre Forest which had an infection rate of 240.9 cases per 100,000 people during the same week.

Bromsgrove’s infection rate during the same week was 204.2 cases per 100,000 people.

Wychavon’s infection rate dropped to 124.4 cases per 100,000 people with 161 positive cases recorded in the week.

The infection rate in Wychavon in the week up to November 14 was 156.8 cases per 100,000 people.

Malvern’s infection rate also dropped to 90.2 cases per 100,000 people with 71 cases recorded in the week.

The infection rate in Malvern in the week up to November 14 was 115.6 cases per 100,000 people.