Leeds sees sharp rise in Covid infection rates in first figures published since Christmas - along with 90% of England

On December 23, the Covid rate in Leeds was published as 144.7 cases per 100,000 people.

Figures published today show the case rate was 184.8 per 100,000 on December 27, with a positivity rate of 6.9 per cent.

The latest data - the first published since before Christmas - covers the seven-day period between December 16 and December 23, and represents a 27 per cent increase since the previous case rate figures were issued.

This is a rise from 1,138 Covid cases in the city to 1,459.

On Bank Holiday Monday, December 28, CEO of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan tweeted: "Hope you’ve had a good Christmas.

"Latest positive cases for Leeds 184.8 per 100k and positivity 6.9%.

"This case rate is still below the Yorkshire and UK averages but up by just under a third in a week.

"Please take care, stay safe and keep doing the right things."

This compares with figures tweeted by Leeds City Council on December 24: "The covid-19 rates in Leeds today are 144.7 per 100k, a slight increase on yesterday, with positivity still at 6.4%.

"If you are forming a Christmas bubble tomorrow remember to follow the guidance and #staysafe #togetherleeds"

Of the 315 local areas in England, 282 (90 per cent) have seen a rise in case rates and 33 (10 per cent) have seen a fall.

The figures, for the seven days to December 23, are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

Data for the most recent four days (December 24-27) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.