The Tier 2 areas in England that have higher Covid rates than Tier 3 Leeds right now

Earlier today, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the new tier restrictions for England, leaving many people disappointed as they remained in Tier 3.

West Yorkshire, including the city of Leeds, remains in Tier 3, with the current coronavirus rate in Leeds being 138.3 cases per 100,000, with 1,097 new cases recorded in the last week from December 12.

Mr Hancock claimed that, “we are not there yet,” despite Leeds declining infection rates over the recent weeks.

The rate of infections in Leeds fell from 143.5 since 5 December, and this week Leeds falls below the national average, which is 205.7 cases per 100,000.

However, many areas in England with higher Covid rates were kept in Tier 2, meaning they have lighter restrictions and are able to do more over the festive period.

Of course, the infection rate per 100,000 people is not the only metric by which Tier restrictions are decided.

Five factors are considered:

– case detection rates in all age groups;

– case detection rates in the over-60s;

– the rate at which cases are rising or falling;

– the positivity rate – the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken;

But that being said, it is interesting to note how other areas with higher rates compare to Leeds.

Northampton remained in Tier 2, making it the council area with the highest infection rate in that tier.

According to Public Health England, Northampton’s infection rate was 232.0 cases per 100,000 people from the week ending December 12. This puts it well over the national average.

Gloucester will also remain under Tier 2 restrictions, despite having 219.9 cases per 100,000.

Bromsgrove in Worcestershire currently has an average infection rate of 219.3, and Rushmoor in Hampshire has 217.8 cases per 100,000, yet both cities will remain in Tier 2.

Warrington also has more infections this past week than Leeds, at 155.2 per 100,000, as well as Ipswich, at 206.7 cases.

Below is a list of all the areas that are currently in Tier 2 or will be moving to Tier 2 with an infection rate that is above the city of Leeds.

Leeds Tier 3 - 138.3

Norwich - 139.4

Wychavon - 139.8

Wyre Forest - 141.2

Rutland - 142.8,

Crawley - 143.2

Waverley - 143.3

South Lakeland - 144.6

Broadland - 146.8

South Northamptonshire - 147.1

Mid Sussex - 150.3

King’s Lynn and West Norfolk - 151.3

East Northamptonshire - 151.3

Great Yarmouth - 152.0

Cherwell - 152.8

Warrington - 155.2

Wealden - 167.2

Uttlesford - 170.9

Scarborough - 174.7

Oxford - 182.3

Wellingborough - 185.7

Forest of Dean - 187.8

Ipswich - 206.7

Rushmoor - 217.8

Bromsgrove - 219.3

Gloucester - 219.9

Northampton - 232.0

The tier system will be reviewed again on December 30.