THE rate of new Covid-19 cases in Shropshire has fallen once again, figures up to February 22 have revealed.

With more than 80 per cent of all local authorities in the United Kingdom reporting drops in cases, Shropshire has seen as significant reduction.

Between February 15 and 22, Shropshire's rate was recorded at 121.9 per 100,000 cases compared to 142 for the previous seven days.

The figures, collated and released by the Press Association, have excluded the four days from February 26 as the data is incomplete because of the short month.

There were 65 fewer cases between the same period in Shropshire, with the number dropping from 459 to 394.

Of the 315 local areas in England, 55 (17 per cent) have seen a rise in case rates, while 260 (83 per cent) have recorded a fall.

Corby in Northamptonshire has the highest rate in England, with 241 new cases recorded in the seven days to February 22 – the equivalent of 333.7 cases per 100,000 people.

This is up slightly from 325.4 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to February 15.

Peterborough has the second highest rate, up from 241.3 to 263.0, with 532 new cases.

Tamworth in the West Midlands is in third place, up from 191.7 to 250.3, with 192 new cases.

Of the 55 areas to record a week-on-week rise, the top five are:

North Warwickshire (up from 183.9 to 246.7); Tamworth (191.7 to 250.3); South Holland (163.1 to 198.9); Worthing (66.0 to 101.3) and Swindon (91.4 to 123.8).