Covid cases in the UK: 15 areas with the highest increase in weekly coronavirus infection rates
NationalWorld takes a look at the council areas topping the table for the biggest leap in Covid rates over seven days
More than 250 council areas in the UK have seen a rise in weekly Covid rates, as devolved nations continue to battle the Omicron variant.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) believes the Omicron variant is causing around 200,000 new infections per day, with employees across the UK now told to work from home and increase mask wearing.
Across the UK as a whole, the rate of new cases per 100,000 people increased by 7.4% in the latest week, from 470.5 in the seven days to 1 December to 505.5 in the week to 8 December, according to the Government’s Covid dashboard.
At council-level, a rise in Covid rates is playing out across almost three-quarters of local authorities in the UK (252 out of 380), as governments ramp up booster campaigns earlier than planned.
Scotland’s North Ayrshire saw the biggest increase, at 62.6%, rising from 292.7 cases per 100,000 to 476.
Rolling seven-day periods are used to smooth out fluctuations on different days of the week.
Here are the UK councils that saw the biggest increase in the week to 8 December.
1. North Ayrshire
North Ayrshire, in Scotland, had 476 cases per 100,000 as of December 8, up 62.6% week-on-week.
2. Midlothian
Midlothian, in Scotland, had 454.1 cases per 100,000 as of December 8, up 57.2% week-on-week.
3. Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire, Scotland, had 466 cases per 100,000 as of December 8, up 56.3% week-on-week.
4. Hackney and City of London
Hackney and City of London had 554 cases per 100,000 as of December 8, up 54.3% week-on-week.