A Look at the Rise and Fall in Covid-19 Rates by Region for the Week Ending 7 February

As of 7 February, the latest Covid-19 case rates for local authority areas across the UK reveal a mixed picture, with only 12 areas experiencing a rise in cases compared to the previous week. This update includes data for the seven-day period ending on 7 February and includes positive test results from both lab-reported PCR tests and rapid lateral flow tests (where applicable). For England, cases include rapid lateral flow tests that remain positive without being followed by a negative PCR test within 72 hours. The data also takes into account possible reinfections in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

The case rate is presented as the number of new cases per 100,000 people, excluding data from 8-11 February, as these figures are incomplete and may not reflect actual trends.

Among the 377 local authority areas, a significant 97% of regions have seen a decrease in case rates, with only 3% showing an increase. The area with the highest rate remains Lisburn & Castlereagh in Northern Ireland, with 2,544 cases (1,737.1 per 100,000 people). This rate has decreased from 1,960.4 the previous week. Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon follows with a slightly lower rate, which also saw a decrease from 1,943.1 to 1,649.8.

Other notable changes include a marked increase in case rates in Shetland Islands, which surged from 787.1 to 1,613.5, with a total of 369 new cases.

For England, Cambridge holds the highest rate at 1,456.9, which is a slight drop from the previous week’s 1,799.1. In Wales, Carmarthenshire recorded the highest rate at 557.7, though this was a decline from 621.9.

In summary, the areas with the largest week-on-week increases include Shetland Islands, Dundee City, Orkney Islands, City of Edinburgh, and Ceredigion.

This summary has been compiled using the latest data from the Government’s coronavirus dashboard.