THE number of new coronavirus cases recorded in the city has increased by more than 50 per cent in the last week.

As many as 296 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Worcester in the week up to October 10 according to Public Health England – a rise of 56 per cent compared to the week before.

It was the biggest weekly rise in cases among the county’s six districts.

New cases also increased in Worcestershire to 2,742 – a rise of 23 per cent compared to the previous seven days.

The highest number of cases in Worcestershire were recorded in Bromsgrove at 619 for the week.

Figures show cases increased by almost 40 per cent in the district in the week compared to the week before.

The second highest number of cases were recorded in Wyre Forest where cases increased by 32 per cent in a week to 603.

As many as 559 cases were recorded in Wychavon, which includes Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich, where cases increased by 20 per cent in a week.

A total of 490 cases were recorded in Redditch in the week up to October 10 – a rise of two per cent compared to the previous seven days.

The only district to see a decrease in new cases was Malvern Hills where 175 cases were recorded in the week – a fall of 12 per cent.

NHS figures show a total of 32 people were in hospital in Worcestershire with Covid-19 on Tuesday, October 12 including four people in intensive care.

As of October 1, a total of 1,419 people in Worcestershire have died from Covid-19.