WORCESTERSHIRE is mid-table in a new Covid-19 cases list being used by the government to determine whether to introduce local lockdowns.

Published by Public Health England, the figures show the rate of new cases in each area, based on tests that have been carried out in laboratories and in the wider community.

The latest Public Health England figures show, during the week ending June 21, Worcestershire had an infection rate of 5.7 cases per 100,000 people.

In comparison, Leicester had the highest infection rate in the UK with 135 cases per 100,000 people during that week.

Elsewhere during that week, Warwickshire had 10.3, Birmingham had 9.6, Herefordshire has 2.1 and Gloucestershire has 0.6.

At the end of June, Worcestershire County Council was forced to respond to a notice claiming there had been six new cases in a day with Worcester flagging red, after it was widely shared on social media.

The council said the information was incorrect, stressing it did not accurately reflect the current situation in the county.

National reports suggest more local lockdowns could be a few days away after Leicester went back into a stricter lockdown this week.

The table would suggest Bradford on 69.44 and Barnsley on 54.65 will be the areas currently causing the most concern.