Latest coronavirus rate in Sheffield as ALL four areas in South Yorkshire fall below 300

Data published by the government health body yesterday (Tuesday, November 24), reveals that the rate of virus infection in Sheffield has gone from 302.5 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to November 13, to 245.4 cases per 100,000 in the week ending November 20.

The number of Covid-19 infections in the city also fell from a total of 1,769 cases in the seven days to November 13 to 1,435 positive tests in the week ending November 20.

Sheffield’s reduced coronavirus infection rate was mirrored across the country as 269 local authority areas documented a fall in the rate of new cases out of 315 places.

Doncaster had a sharper fall in the average rate of new virus infections, with an average of 364.9 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to November 13 which reduced to a 253.3 new infections in the week ending November 20.

The town went from 1,138 new positive tests in the previous week to a total of 790 cases in the seven days to November 20.

The average Covid-19 infection rate also reduced in Rotherham which had an average rate of 273.5 cases in every 100,000 people in the seven days to November 20, compared to 371.1 cases in every 100,000 people in the week ending November 13.

Barnsley similarly documented a fall in the average rate of new positive virus tests with 406.7 average infections in every 100,000 people in the week ending November 13, which fell to 282.7 cases in every 100,000 people in the week ending November 20.

The figures from Public Health England are based on information provided on the Government’s coronavirus dashboard, based on tests carried out in laboratories and in the wider community.

Swale in Kent has the highest rate in England, with 810 new cases recorded in the seven days to November 20 – the equivalent of 539.7 cases per 100,000 people.

This is down from 590.3 in the seven days to November 13.

Hull has the second highest rate, down from 760.6 to 529.3, with 1,375 new cases.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.