People in Leeds must currently follow the strictest Tier 3 restrictions, but the number of new infections is now showing as positive downward trend. As Matt Hancock hints that Leeds could move down to Tier 2 next week, we take a look at how the infection rate in Leeds has changed since the start of the pandemic. Here's the story of how Leeds ended up in Tier 3, in pictures:
1.
The seven-day rolling infection rate is used to measure the severity of the Covid outbreak at any stage during the pandemic - this is the number of new cases per 100,000 of the population. This is how the rate has changed in Leeds since the first figures were released on March 17: Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
2. March
During the first wave of the Covid pandemic testing was only available for patients in hospitals, meaning infection rates remained low despite a growing number of hospital admissions. Social distancing was introduced for the first time, before the national lockdown was announced on March 23 - amid growing case numbers in Leeds. Week to March 17 - rate of 1.3 | Week to March 24 - rate of 8.8 | Week to March 30: rate of 18
3. April
The infection rate climbed steadily in the city during April with hundreds of new cases recorded every week. The highest rate during the first wave of the virus was recorded in the seven days to April 28. Week to April 6 rate of 28.4 | Week to April 13: rate of 39 | Week to April 20: rate of 60.3 | Week to April 27: rate of 66.3
4. May
Infection rates began to drop in Leeds during May, with restrictions eased for the first time on May 13. Those who could not work from home returned to work and people could socialise outdoors again, with the cap on daily exercise lifted. Week to May 4 - rate of 53.3 | Week to May 11 - rate of 46.4 | Week to May 18 - rate of 34.8
5. May 18 - testing made widely available
From May 18 testing was made widely available to everyone with coronavirus symptoms, but the infection rate in Leeds continued to fall. Figures from this date are comparable to the second wave of the virus. Week to May 25 - rate of 25.1 | Week to June 1 - rate of 12.6
6. June
People in Leeds began to enjoy more freedom in June, with non-essential shops reopening and some pupils returning to school. The infection rate in Leeds climbed slightly in mid-June, before falling again towards the end of the month, Week to June 8 - rate of 11.7 | Week to June 15 - rate of 15.8 | Week to June 22 - rate of 19.7 | Week to June 29 - rate of 10.8