The six Solihull areas where Covid cases are still rising - and 5 where they are 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 Solihull cases have dropped by 31.7% - there were 612 new cases in the week ending February 24, compared with 896 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.

Not all neighbourhoods in Solihull are seeing a drop in infection rates, but the majority are.

Only Six neighbourhoods in the town have seen an increase in cases over the last week - you can see them below.

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

Here are the neighbourhoods in Solihull which have seen the biggest rise and biggest fall in case rates in the past week.

Biggest rise

1. Smith's Wood North

Smith's Wood North has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 157.2% from 119.1 cases per 100,000 people to 306.3.

2. Shirley West

Shirley West has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 53.3% from 225.7 cases per 10,000 people to 346.0.

3.Castle Bromwich West

Castle Bromwich West has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 33.3% from 168.3 cases per 100,000 people to 224.4.

4. Meriden, Hampton-in-Arden & Temple Balsall

Meriden, Hampton-in-Arden & Temple Balsall has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 29.2% from 327.2 cases per 100,000 people to 422.6.

5.Kingshurst

Kingshurst has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 15.4% from 193.7 cases per 100,000 people to 223.5.

6. Monkspath South

Monkspath South has seen case rates of positive Covid cases rise by 10.5% from 335 cases per 100,000 people to 370.2

Biggest fall

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

1. Central Solihull & Sharmans Cross

Central Solihull & Sharmans Cross has seen case rates of positive Covid cases fall by 73.3%, from 647.7 cases per 100,000 people to 172.7.

2. Elmdon Park

Elmdon Park has seen case rates of positive Covid cases fall by 62.9% from 464.7 cases per 100,000 people to 172.6.

3. Castle Bromwich East

Castle Bromwich East has seen case rates of positive Covid cases fall by 57.1% from 471.9 cases per 100,000 people to 202..

4. Balsall Common

Balsall Common has seen case rates of positive Covid cases fall by 56.9% from 612.1 cases per 100,000 people to 264.0.

5.Dickens Heath, Cheswick Green & Hockley Heath

Dickens Heath, Cheswick Green & Hockley Heath has seen case rates of positive Covid cases fall by 52.4% from 725.2 cases per 100,000 people to 344.9.

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