SHROPSHIRE has seen a minimal decrease in its Covid-19 infection rate in the seven days up to Friday, March 26.

In that time period, Shropshire's infection rate has dropped from 28.8 (per 100,000 people) to 26 with 84 new cases in that time – nine fewer than the week previous.

Of the 315 local areas in England, 139 (44 per cent) have seen a rise in case rates, 169 (54 per cent) have seen a fall and seven are unchanged, according to figures gathered by the Press Association.

Corby in Northamptonshire continues to have the highest rate in England, with 175 new cases recorded in the seven days to March 26, the equivalent of 242.3 cases per 100,000 people.

This is up from 184.2 per 100,000 in the seven days to March 19.

Rotherham has the second highest rate, up from 144.7 to 168.0, with 446 new cases.

North Warwickshire has the third highest rate, up from 70.5 to 157.8, with 103 new cases.

Telford & Wrekin's rate also dropped from 32.2 to 31.7 but registered only one fewer case from 58 to 57.