The latest government figures have revealed Covid cases in England and Wales have started to fall, with a total of 15,797 new cases of the virus in England in the week leading up to October 7.
It’s the equivalent of 27.9 new cases for every 100,000 people in the country, and is down from 16,186 cases, or 28.6 for every 100,000 at the same point a week earlier, on September 30.
Cases of Covid had been rising steadily in England since the end of the summer.
Experts believe a new variant, dubbed Pirola, was to blame.
In the week leading up to August 30 there were 7,787 cases reported, 13.8 for every 100,000 people.
That peaked at 16,564 cases, or 29.3 for every 100,000, on October 2, before declining to the latest figure.
Looking at the prevalence of Covid locally, Chesterfield has more cases per 100,000 people than any other local authority in the country.
A total of 61 cases were reported there in the seven days to October 7. That works out as 58.1 for every 100,000 people living there.
Derbyshire Dales has the next highest ratio at 55.2 for every 100,000 residents. That’s followed by Newcastle-under-Lyme (54.8), Malvern Hills (52.9), and Cheshire West and Chester (51.8).
You can see the figures for your local authority using our interactive map.
While Covid cases appear to be falling, people most at risk of the virus are still being urged to get their Covid and flu booster vaccines if they haven’t already.
At the beginning of this month, the NHS booking system for Covid and flu jabs went live.
People can book their vaccinations via the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App or by calling 119 for free if they can’t get online.
You or your child may be offered a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine if you are:
- aged 65 years old or over (you need to be 65 years old by 31 March 2024)
- aged six months to 64 years old and are at increased risk
- living in a care home for older adults
- a frontline health or social care worker
- aged 16 to 64 years old and are a carer
- aged 12 to 64 years old and live with someone with a weakened immune system
