Mansfield one of just five per cent of areas in England where infection rate is RISING

This week’s update of the rolling seven-day rate of new cases of Covid-19 for every local authority in England showed that in Mansfield the current rate is 575.4 cases per 100,000 people.

That’s 629 infections, up from the previous period when the figure was 566.3, a total of 619 cases.

Elsewhere in Nottinghamshire, the rate is dropping off- Bassetlaw recorded an infection rate of 232.4 or 273 cases down from 274.1 and 322 infections.

Sherwood is showing a rate of 310.4 and 380 cases, down from 387.2 and 474 cases.

And in Nottingham the rate currently stands at 420.2 and 1,399 cases, down from a rate of 496.5 and 1,653 infections.

The figures, for the seven days to January 16, are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

Data for the most recent four days (January 17-20) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

Of the 315 local areas, 17 or 5 per cent have seen a rise in case rates, 296 or 94 per cent have seen a fall and two are unchanged.

Knowsley in Merseyside continues to have the highest rate in England, with 1,666 new cases recorded in the seven days to January 16 - the equivalent of 1,104.3 cases per 100,000 people.

Despite a drop in cases across the county, deaths continue to surge with the UK recording its deadliest day of the pandemic yesterday- 1,820 deaths.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.