The one Sandwell area where Covid cases are rising and 5 where they’re falling fastest

Falling coronavirus case numbers across the UK mask stark regional differences.

Northern Ireland and Scotland have case rates five times higher than in Wales, official figures show.

There were 254,392 positive cases in the UK in the week ending February 24, a 22% fall from the week before.

In Sandwell, cases have fallen by 43.8%.

There were 494 new cases in the week ending February 24, compared with 879 in the week before.

But there are 20 council areas across the UK which saw cases rise in the past week, 16 of them in Scotland.

At a regional level, Northern Ireland had the highest case rate in the week to February 24, at 855.1 cases per 100,000 residents.

This was followed by Scotland, with 828.8 cases per 100,000 residents.

The lowest case rate was in Wales, with 162.5 cases per 100,000 residents.

The figures include both positive PCR and lateral flow tests.

They include people infected with Covid-19 for the first time as well as reinfections.

Only one neighbourhoods in Sandwell had an increase in cases over the last week - you can see which one below.

At neighbourhood level, Covid-19 case rates have been published for the week to February 24.

Here is the one neighbourhood in Sandwell which has seen a rise in cases over the past week.

1. Wednesbury

Wednesbury has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 12.5% from 236 cases per 100,000 people to 265.5.

Biggest fall

Here are the neighbourhoods in Sandwell with the biggest drop in case rates in the past week.

1. Warley West

Warley West has seen case rates of positive Covid cases fall by 76.2%, from 262.1 cases per 100,000 people to 62.4.

2. Tividale

Tividale has seen case rates of positive Covid cases fall by 69.2%, from 312.8 cases per 100,000 people to 96.2.

3.West Bromwich East & Kenrick Park

West Bromwich East & Kenrick Park has seen case rates of positive Covid cases fall by 69.2%, from 293.5 cases per 100,000 people to 90.3.

4. Tibbington

Tibbington has seen case rates of positive Covid cases fall by 66.7% from 609.3 cases per 100,000 people to 203.1.

5. Blackheath

Blackheath has seen case rates of positive Covid cases fall by 64.5%, from 357.9 cases per 100,000 people to 127.0.

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