The one South Yorkshire area where Covid rates are still rising despite lockdown

According to the most recent figures from the NHS, which are for the seven days to January 10, the infection rate in Sheffield currently stands at 288.3 new cases per 100,000 people.

This reflects 1686 new cases recorded in those seven days.

In the seven days to Jnauary 3 the infection rate in Sheffield was 273.2, meaning 1598 new cases were recorded.

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Elsewhere in South Yorkshire during the same time period the infection rates fell.

However, Doncaster’s rate remains higher than Sheffield’s. The rate in the town was 337.3 in the seven days to January 10. This means there were 1052 new cases recorded.

The week beforehand it was 339.2, reflecting 1058 new cases.

In Rotherham the infection rate fell from 302.8 (817 new cases) in the week to January 3 to 285.2 (757 new cases) the week after.

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And in Barnsley the rate fell from 279.5 (690 new cases) to 237.0 (585 new cases).

Data for the most recent four days (January 11-14) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

Of the 315 local areas in England, 113 (36%) have seen a rise in case rates, 200 (63%) have seen a fall and two are unchanged.

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 subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.