Infection rates rise again in Worcester
By Christian Barnett - Local Democracy Reporter
The city’s coronavirus infection rate has continued to rise according to the latest figures.
Worcester’s rate increased to 155.1 per 100,000 people in the week up to October 25 with 157 positive cases recorded compared to 91.9 per 100,000 people in the previous week.
The infection rate also increased in several other parts of the county including Wychavon, Redditch and Wyre Forest.
The infection rate increased in Redditch to 171.2 in the week compared to 120.8 a week earlier – making it the highest rate in Worcestershire overtaking Bromsgrove. A total of 146 cases were recorded in Redditch during the week compared to 103 in the previous week.
The infection rate in Bromsgrove, which still remains high despite falling slightly, was 166.2 per 100,000 people in the week up to October 25 with 166 cases recorded.
The infection rate in Bromsgrove the previous week was 175.2 per 100,000 people and increased to 179.2 on October 22.
The infection rate in Wychavon was 115.9 with 150 cases compared to 89.6 per 100,000 people a week earlier when 116 cases were recorded.
Malvern’s infection rate was 94 per 100,000 people with 74 cases recorded in the seven days compared to 75 and 59 cases a week earlier.
Wyre Forest’s infection rate increased to 124.4 per 100,000 people in the week up to October 25 compared to 79 a week earlier. The number of cases recorded was 126 compared to 80 a week earlier.
The infection rate in Dudley, which is about to enter ‘high’ tier 2 restrictions, was 243.5 and the rate in South Staffordshire was 388.7 during the week.
The rate in Birmingham, which is also heading towards tier 3, was 275.2 in the same period.
For comparison, the infection rate in Nottingham – which has moved into the ‘very high’ tier 3 – was 455.4 during the same week.