Leeds daily Covid infection rate falls but need to follow rules 'never been greater' as UK variant makes up majority of city's cases

On Thursday January 28, the Covid infection rate in Leeds was published as 286.1 cases per 100,000 people with a positivity rate of 11.7 per cent.

This is a fall on Wednesday January 27's rate which was 293.8 cases per 100,000 people with a positivity rate of 12.1 per cent.

Despite the drop, the CEO of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan has tweeted that nearly three quarters of Thursday's cases were made up of the UK variant.

He told people that the need to "stay in, keep distance and get vaccinated when called" has "never been greater".

-> Here are the Leeds areas where Covid infections are falling the fastest

Mr Riordan tweeted on January 28: "Brighter news on a wet January day is that Leeds case rate is down again to 286.1 per 100k & positivity down to 11.7.

"With the UK variant making up close to three quarters of these cases, the need to stay in, keep our distance and get vaccinated when called has never been greater."

He tweeted on January 27: "Hope you’re having a good day.

"Leeds case rate down to 293.8 per 100k (from 295.7) & positivity down to 12.1%.

"Rates in over 60s are up to 210.6 though so please do stay in if you can and keep your distance.

"Best news is that almost 80,000 people have now had the 1st vaccine jab in Leeds."

--> The weekly Covid infection rate of every Yorkshire area

On Tuesday January 26, the Leeds infection rate was 295.7 cases per 100,000 people with a positivity rate of 12.4 per cent.

Where there was a slight drop between the rates on January 26 and January 27, the rate in over 60s saw a daily rise between the two days.

The rate in over 60s on January 27 was recorded as 210.6 cases per 100,000 people, which was an increase from January 26 when the over 60s rate was recorded as 201.3 cases per 100,000 people.

The Covid infection rate fell for the first time since the start of the third national lockdown on January 11.

The current Government guidance is that 'you must stay at home' and this is the law which applies in every city across the country.

Over 60 cars were stopped over one weekend on a road in Leeds in a police traffic operation to ensure people are only travelling for essential purposes.

Two £100 Covid fines were issued on this occasion and police have urged people to only travel for essential purposes as they intend to conduct frequent checks over the coming weeks.

--> What is classed as essential travel in lockdown? What you need to know after Leeds police stop and fine drivers

Daily case rates summary as recorded by Tom Riordan, CEO of Leeds City Council:

January 28 - 286.1

January 27 - 293.8

January 26 - 295.7

January 25 - 274.2

January 24 - 277.4

January 23 - 285.3

January 22 - 287.7

January 21 - 285.3

January 20 - 291.2

January 19 - 294.4

January 18 - 318.4

January 17 - 317.2

January 16 - 310.0

January 15 - 322.8

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