HALF of the county saw its infection rate increase last week according to the latest figures.

The infection rate increased in Wychavon, Bromsgrove and Redditch in the week up to October 15 whilst it fell in Worcester, Malvern and Wyre Forest.

In the week up to October 15, 481 cases were recorded in the county according to figures provided by Public Health England.

The infection rate in Worcester was 71.1 per 100,000 people with 72 cases recorded in the city in the seven days up to October 15 compared to an infection rating of 85 in the previous week.

The infection rate in Wychavon was 81.9 compared to 59.5 a week earlier and 62.3 in Malvern compared to 63 the previous week.

The highest infection rate in the county was in Bromsgrove where it increased to 157.2 per 100,000 people with 157 cases recorded in the week up to October 15. The infection rate a week earlier was 127.2 per 100,000 people.

The infection rate in Redditch was 111.4 compared to 79.8 a week earlier with 95 cases recorded in the seven days up to October 15.

Wyre Forest recorded an infection rate of 85 with 87 cases in the week compared to a rating of 94.8 a week earlier.

The infection rate for Worcestershire based on the seven days up to October 14 was 96.7 cases per 100,000 people with 576 cases recorded during the period.

The latest Public Health England figures show where the most cases were recorded in Worcester in the week up to October 14.

Ten cases were recorded in both Warndon East and Worcester Town North - the area covering many WR1 and some WR3 postcodes and includes most of the city centre, Arboretum and Barbourne.

Nine cases were recorded in King George’s Field - which covers WR3 and WR4 postcodes including parts of Astwood Road, Tolladine Road, Langdale Drive, Brickfields Road and Blackpole Road – during the week.

Nine cases were also recorded in Ronkswood and Nunnery Wood.

Eight cases were recorded in Northwick, seven cases were recorded in Worcester Town South and five cases were recorded in Henwick.

Four cases were recorded in Lower Wick and Bromwich Road and three cases were recorded in Dines Green and St John’s.

Areas with fewer than two cases are not highlighted by Public Health England.