Covid: the 15 areas in the UK with the highest coronavirus infection rates over New Year
Millions of people are estimated to have Covid across the UK - these areas had the highest infection rates, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The proportion of people testing positive for Covid-19 decreased in England and Wales over the New Year period but increased in Scotland, new figures published today (13 January) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.
In the week ending 3 January, an estimated 2.2 million people were estimated to have the virus in England. This equates to 4.02% of the population (a decrease from 4.52% in the previous week) and represents around one in 25 people. The figures are all based on random PCR testing of private households, regardless of whether people are showing symptoms.
In Wales the proportion of people infected was estimated to be at 5.16%, decrease from 5.70% in the previous week. The ONS estimated 157,000, or around one in 19 people, had Covid.
In the week ending 31 December, the estimated number of people testing positive in Scotland was 219,600, equating to 4.17% of the population, an increase from 4.05% in the previous week. The ONS estimates around one in 25 people in Scotland had Covid.
The ONS said it was unclear whether Covid was increasing or decreasing in Northern Ireland but identified a higher national infection rate than the rest of the UK. It estimated 129,100 people had the virus in Northern Ireland, equating to 7.04% of the population, or around one in 14 people.
The ONS also publishes monthly subregional infection rates as part of its Coronavirus Infection Survey. The areas are subregions which in some places group several local authorities together into a bigger cluster.
Despite a drop in England and Wales, some areas of the UK are still recording high infection rates in comparison to other parts. Here we reveal the areas of the UK that had the highest Covid infection rate over New Year.
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1. Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust was found to have the highest infection rate in the UK with around one in 14 people estimated to have the virus. This represents 7.35% of the population.
2. South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland had the second highest infection rate. Around one in 15 people were estimated to have Covid, representing 6.54% of the population.
3. Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Around one in 16 people in Southern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland were estimated to have Covid, representing 6.3% of the population.
4. Northern Health and Social Care Trust
In Northern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland around one in 16 people were estimated to have Covid, representing 6.19% of the population.