Covid-related deaths have been increasing in parts of the UK despite infection levels starting to drop across much of the country.
Latest figures show 308 (82%) of local areas in the UK have seen a week-on-week fall in infection rates, while just 65 (17%) saw a rise.
The Vale of Glamorgan currently has the highest infection rate in the country, recording 1,006 new cases in the seven days to 5 November, with a rate of 743.6 per 100,000 people.
Torfaen, also in Wales, follows closely behind with 667 new cases and a rate of 713.9, while North Tyneside holds the third highest rate at 668.4 per 100,000 people, with 1,396 new cases.
The figures come as more than 10 million people have now received a booster vaccine.
The government is relying on the success of the booster rollout to prevent the need to implement its winter ‘Plan B’ for tackling Covid-19, with the Prime Minister saying the jabs are “key” as the UK enters the winter months.
The NHS is now allowing those who are eligible for booster jabs to book an appointment five months after their second dose, so they can get their jab at the six-month mark without having to wait.
Boris Johnson has called on people to get their booster doses as immunity offered by the first two jabs starts to wane, and warned that more elderly people are being admitted to hospital as a result.
Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Modelling group (Spi-M), also stressed that the UK is “not out of the woods yet” as he urged people to get both their Covid-19 and flu jabs this winter.
It is hoped that the booster programme will help to not only bring infection rates down, but will also prevent further deaths.
However, some parts of the UK have recorded a rise in Covid-related deaths over the past month. These 15 areas recorded the most new deaths per 100,000 people within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test between 8 October and 7 November. Images are for illustrative purposes only.
1. Copeland
Total deaths as of 8 October: 190. Total deaths as of 7 November: 210. Number of new deaths: 20. New deaths per 100,000 people: 29.4 Photo: VICTORIA JONES
2. East Ayrshire
Total deaths as of 8 October: 262. Total deaths as of 7 November: 294. Number of new deaths: 32. New deaths per 100,000 people: 26.3 Photo: Finnbarr Webster
3. Scarborough
Total deaths as of 8 October: 221. Total deaths as of 7 November: 240. Number of new deaths: 19. New deaths per 100,000 people: 19.3 Photo: Christopher Furlong
4. North Ayrshire
Total deaths as of 8 October: 306. Total deaths as of 7 November: 331. Number of new deaths: 25. New deaths per 100,000 people: 18.6 Photo: Leon Neal