CORONAVIRUS infection rates across the county continue to fall as the latest figures show the state of Worcestershire as new rules about meeting up outdoors came into force.

Worcestershire's infection rate was 36.4 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to April 1.

A total of 217 cases were recorded in the county in the week - a drop of 35 per cent compared to the previous week.

Worcester's infection rate was 31.6 cases per 100,000 people during the same week.

Public Health England said a total of 32 cases were recorded in the city - a drop of nearly 35 per cent.

Changes to lockdown rules came into effect on March 29 which allowed two households or groups of up to six people to meet outdoors, including private gardens, for the first time in months.

The government's 'stay at home' rule also ended.

The infection rate in Malvern Hills was 15.2 cases per 100,000 people.

A total of 12 cases were recorded in Malvern Hills in the week up to April 1 - a fall of 50 per cent compared to the previous week.

The infection rate in Wychavon, which includes Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich, was 44 cases per 100,000 people.

A total of 57 cases were recorded in Wychavon in the week - an increase of 16 per cent compared to the previous week.

The infection rate in Redditch was 56.3 cases per 100,000 people according to Public Health England figures. A total of 48 cases were recorded in Redditch - a fall of 50 per cent compared to the previous week.

The infection rate in Bromsgrove was 25 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to April 1. A total of 25 cases were recorded - a drop of 58 per cent compared to the previous week.

Wyre Forest's infection rate was 42.5 cases per 100,000 people with 43 cases recorded.

The rate in Wyre Forest fell by 23 per cent compared to the previous week according to the figures.