Highest Covid cases UK: the 15 areas with the highest coronavirus infection rates right now

The Government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has warned there are “high levels of Covid and they are increasing”, adding that the UK is quite close to the previous “winter wave” of infections. In a Downing Street briefing Sir Partrick around 50,000 people are testing positive for Covid each day - just 10,000 less than during the winter. With all remaining legal lockdown restrictions in England now lifted, it is expected that hospitalisations could reach more than 1,000 per day, although rates should be lower than they have been previously due to the protection offered by vaccinations. Covid infections have increased in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while only Scotland has seen a decrease in cases, with 28 out of 32 council areas recording a drop in rates. Listed are the 15 areas of the UK which currently have the highest Covid case rates, based on the seven day up to 14 July. Images are for illustrative purposes.