Coronavirus rates surging in three major England cities

Cases of coronavirus are still on the rise in areas across the country, as three of England’s major cities experience a significant surge in the rate of infection.

Data from Public Health England show an increase of cases in cities across the country, including Manchester, Leeds and Bradford – while other towns such as Oldham and Swindon report a dramatic jump in their rates.

With this in mind, councils issued warnings for social distancing ahead of this weekend’s heatwave – which has already seen thousands flocking to coastal areas to enjoy the weather.

Bradford reported 262 new individual cases at the end of August 3, with 183 reported in Manchester and 129 detailed in Leeds.

The rate of infection, shown by the number of new cases per 100,000, went up from 48.2 to 48.5 in Bradford, and 28 to 33.1 in Manchester.

Visit our live blog for the latest updates: Coronavirus news live

Oldham saw an increase from 55.7 to 67.9, while Leeds’ rate saw a big leap from 6.6 to 16.3.

Though fifth place on the list of top 10 new infections, Birmingham saw a fall from 13.4 to 12.6 per 100,000 people, having reported 144 new cases.

Other cities on the list include Swindon, which saw a rate increase from 30.6 to 47.7 with 106 new cases, and Calderdale, which saw the rate rise from 30.6 to 45.9 after reporting 97 new infections.

With 185 additional cases, Leicester is also one of the top areas for coronavirus infections, though the rate has fallen from 62.4 to 52.2. Blackburn with Darwen’s rate has fallen from 88.8 to 82.2 with 123 cases.

As a result, Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire (Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees) remain on the local lockdown list, with Preston in Lancashire being the latest location to join.

Residents in the Lancashire city now face stricter restrictions, such as a ban on separate households meeting each other at home.

In an effort to emphasise the need to socially distance, young people are being told ‘don’t kill your grannies’ as it is thought that this age group is responsible for the recent spike in infections.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that restrictions in these areas would remain in place ‘as the data does not yet show a decrease in the transmission of this terrible virus’.

Any changes to the measures will be announced by August 14 following a review next week.

Meanwhile, social distancing pleas went ignored in other areas of the country as the hot weather drew thousands of people to UK’s beaches, despite council warnings not to come.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.  

Source: