MOST of the county saw its infection rate increase last week, according to the latest figures.

Infection rates in Worcester, Wychavon, Bromsgrove and Redditch all increased in the week up to October 18 compared to a week earlier with Wyre Forest and Malvern's rates falling.

Bromsgrove's infection rate remained the highest at 175.2 per 100,000 people, according to the Public Health England figures.

The infection rate in Worcester was 91.9 per 100,000 people in the week up to October 18 with 93 cases - up from 78 a week earlier.

The highest infection rate was 175.2 in Bromsgrove where 175 cases were recorded in the week, an increase from 134.2 in the previous week, followed by 120 in Redditch with 103 cases compared to 93 a week earlier.

Wychavon had an infection rate of 89.6 with 116 cases recorded in the week up to October 18 compared to the rate of 75.5 in the previous week.

Malvern's infection rate fell slightly from 75 per 100,000 people in the week, with 59 cases, compared to 76.2 a week earlier.

The infection rate in Wyre Forest fell to 79, with 80 cases recorded in the week, compared to 105.6 in the week up to October 11.

The infection rate for Worcestershire was 100.7 in the week up to October 17 with 600 cases recorded - far higher than some of the southern neighbouring counties but not yet as high as some of the counties to the north under stricter rules.

The infection rate in Herefordshire during the same period was 49.8 whilst the rate in Shropshire was 87.5 and 61.8 in Gloucestershire.

The infection rates to the north of the county were 120.4 per 100,000 people in Warwickshire, 148.6 in Dudley and 162 in Staffordshire - all of which, like Worcestershire, remain under medium 'tier one' restrictions.

The closest areas under high 'tier two' measures, Solihull and Birmingham, had an infection rate of 202.9 and 223 respectively.

Worcestershire County Council did not respond to our request for comment.