Covid cases are falling across both Leicestershire and the rest of the country.

In the seven days to Wednesday, January 17, there were 4,337 new cases nationally, according to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

This works out at 7.67 cases of Covid-19 for every 100,000 people. Cases have been consistently falling since the start of the month.

However, with fewer people testing now, the numbers are no longer as accurate as they were at the height of the pandemic.

In the seven days prior, 5,336 cases were recorded. This trend is largely being echoed in the city and county.

The most recent figures for Leicester showed a case rate of 5.74 cases per 100,000 people.

This was down 28 per cent from the previous week's number of 7.92 cases per 100,000.

In the county, just one council area has bucked the trend this week and has seen an increase instead of a drop-off in case rates. In Hinckley and Bosworth a 43 per cent rise was seen, with cases going from 6.16 per 100,000 to 8.8 in the most recent figures.

Melton continues to have the highest rate this week. The borough has seen a 42 per cent fall in its infection rate from 23.18 cases per 100,000 to 13.52.

Both Harborough and North West Leicestershire have seen cases stay steady.

The former has had a rate of 9.16 per 100,000 for two weeks and the latter 6.67 cases per 100,000.

Oadby and Wigston borough, conversely, has seen a huge reduction of 73 per cent in its rate per 100,000 – going from 19.05 to 5.19. In Charnwood, rates went from 12.58 cases per 100,000 to 5.47, a decrease of 57 per cent. In Blaby district, that fall was 38 per cent, from 12.59 cases per 100,000 people to 7.75.