The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether coronavirus restrictions in England can be lifted next month, experts have said.
This comes as areas across the North West including, Blackburn and Darwen, Burnley, Bolton and Manchester have all seen a sustained surge in new cases of Covid, including the Indian variant.
- the rate of Covid cases per 100,000 people
- the prevalence among people aged 60 and over
- the positivity rate – which is the proportion of tests that come back positive (National average 0.7 as of May 20).
Based on last year's local lockdown criteria (with the exception of 'pressure on the NHS'), our data experts have identified the top 20 council areas currently at risk areas across the country, nine of which are in the North West.
Below are the council areas across Lancashire and the North West currently most at risk of local lockdown:
1. Blackburn
In Blackburn the current rate of infection is 314 per 100,000 people, with cases increasing at a rate of 116.6% in the last seven days. The case rate among the over 60s is currently 98.6, while the positivity rate is 9.
2. Bury
In Bury the current rate of infection is 65.4 per 100,000 people, with cases increasing at a rate of 71.2% in the last seven days. The case rate among the over 60s is currently 28.6, while the positivity rate is 2.7.
3. Rossendale
In Rossendale the current rate of infection is 138.5 per 100,000 people, with cases increasing at a rate of 371.1% in the last seven days. The case rate among the over 60s is currently 28.3, while the positivity rate is 4.7.
4. Bolton
In Bolton the current rate of infection is 449.3 per 100,000 people, with cases increasing at a rate of 39.7% in the last seven days. The case rate among the over 60s is currently 69.2, while the positivity rate is 6.2.
5. Preston
In Preston the current rate of infection is 57.3 per 100,000 people, with cases increasing at a rate of 41.5% in the last seven days. The case rate among the over 60s is currently 21.3, while the positivity rate is 1.7.
6. Burnley
In Burnley the current rate of infection is 84.3 per 100,000 people, with cases increasing at a rate of 36.2% in the last seven days. The case rate among the over 60s is currently 18.3, while the positivity rate is 2.3.