Fenland sees largest COVID rise in the country as Peterborough remains second on league table

The figures have been calculated by the PA news agency from the latest health agency data.

For the seven days to February 24, 41 of the 315 local authority areas in England saw an increase in rates, though in most cases the rise was very small.

The biggest jump was in Fenland, where rates increased from 178.7 to 230.7.

Peterborough currently has the second highest rate in the country with 235.3, with only Corby ahead (299.1). Fenland now lies sixth in the table.

England remains just above 100, at 102.8 cases per 100,000 – the lowest rate since October 1.

The figures have been calculated by the PA news agency from the latest health agency data.

England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam has described case rates in “quite a few areas of the UK” as “burning quite hot”, including in the Midlands and spreading up to the west coast of England.

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference on Friday, he said: “Although it is generally good news, I’m afraid it is better news in some places than it is in others and this is not a battle that we have won yet.

“In some parts of the UK case rates are changing, albeit slowly, in the wrong direction.”

Yesterday, Caroline Walker, Chief Executive, for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, gave the latest update on how many COVID patients have died at Peterborough City Hospital since the pandemic began.

She said: “I can confirm that sadly, 670 patients being cared for in our Trust have passed away since we began reporting Covid-19-related deaths. There have been 209 at Hinchingbrooke Hospital and 461 at Peterborough City Hospital. All patients were aged 30 to 98 years old and the majority of those had pre-existing health conditions. We are currently caring for 124 patients with Coronavirus in our hospitals.

"Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patients' families and loved ones at this difficult time."