COVID-19: The five Liverpool areas where infections rose fastest in the past week as Omicron sweeps through UK

Coronavirus infection rates have risen steeply across the UK in the past week and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced England will move to Plan B measures.

The new rules include the introduction of a COVID-19 pass for entry into large venues, a return of working from home guidance and face mask measures will be extended.

The move comes in a bid to tackle the Omicron strain - the first Liverpool case was confirmed on Tuesday, 30 November.

COVID-19 infection rates

Official figures show overall coronavirus infection rates have risen steeply across the UK in the past week.

There were 327,467 positive test results in the week to 3 December, up 11% from the week before.

At a regional level, Northern Ireland has the highest infection rates in the UK, with 670 cases per 100,000 people, followed by South East England, with 659 cases per 100,000.

Scotland has the lowest rate, with 358 cases per 100,000.

At neighbourhood level, COVID-19 case rates have been published for the week to 2 December.

Here are the neighbourhoods in Liverpool with the fastest rising case rates:

1. Kirkdale South & Vauxhall

Kirkdale South & Vauxhall had 705.2 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the latest weekly figures, a rise of 188.2% from the week before.

2. Mossley Hill West & Sefton Park

Mossley Hill West & Sefton Park had 551.5 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the latest weekly figures, a rise of 163.1% from the week before.

3. Toxteth Park

Toxteth Park had 274.2 cases per 100,000 people in the latest weekly figures, a rise of 133.4% from the week before.

4. Princes Park

Princes Park had 452.6 cases per 100,000 people in the latest weekly figures, a rise of 100% from the week before.

5. Kensington

Kensington had 397.1 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the latest weekly figures, a rise of 99.9% from the week before.