Preston’s coronavirus infection rate has increased slightly week-on-week as the city prepares for the beginning of the new ‘high’ alert level of restrictions.

The latest league table of local authority Covid-19 infection rates has Preston in 21st place in England for the worst infection rates.

The city has 329.1 infections per 100,000 people – and 471 new cases in the seven days up to October 10.

The rate, according to figures from the Press Association and Public Health England, has increased from 319.3 per 100,000 people in the previous full seven days up to October 3.

See how Preston compares in the table below

Read more: Lancashire County Council leader says more restrictions are ‘likely’ despite new tier system

South Ribble’s infection rate is 260.9 per 100,000 people, to October 10, up from 198.6 to October 3 and 289 new cases up to October 10.

Lancashire has a number of local authority areas in England’s top 10, with Burnley (529.7 per 100,000 cases) in fourth, Pendle in eighth with 426.7 cases per 100,000 people and West Lancashire in ninth with 423.4 per 100,000 people. All figures are in the seven days up to October 10.

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The infection rates update comes as the new three-tier system of medium, high and very high alert areas is to be in force from 00.01 on Wednesday (14 October).

Preston, South Ribble and all areas of Lancashire have been classified as ‘high’ – in the second tier of the system.

Read more: See the full guidance for ‘high’ Covid-alert level areas like Preston

New advice to the country’s most clinically vulnerable

The government has also updated its guidelines for the most clinically vulnerable in England, the 2.2million people who were told to shield during the full UK-wide lockdown in the Spring.

For people in high alert areas, such as Preston, those classed as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ there is additional guidance to:

• reduce the number of different people met outside
• avoid travel except for essential journeys
• work from home where possible
• reduce the number of shopping trips made or go at quieter times of day
• you can still go to work if you cannot work from home because all workplaces should be Covid-secure, and children should still go attend school

Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director and Director of Health Protection at Public Health England (PHE), said: “People who are defined as clinically extremely vulnerable are at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this group, we recommend that you follow the advice to help protect yourself at each alert level as set out in the guidance.

“In addition to the rules you must follow at each alert level, you can take additional precautions. Continue to maintain strict social distancing, wash your hands regularly and try to keep the number of social interactions that you have low. The fewer social interactions you have, the lower your risk of catching COVID-19.”

A full list of people classed as clinically extremely vulnerable can be found on the gov.uk website.

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