COVID-19: The five St Helens neighbourhoods with fastest rising case rates

Coronavirus infection rates are still rising across the UK, official figures show.

There were 294,753 positive test results in the week to November 25, up 2% from the week before.

At a regional level, Northern Ireland has the highest infection rates in the UK, with 622 cases per 100,000 people, followed by South East England, with 578 cases per 100,000.

Scotland has the lowest rate, with 340 cases per 100,000.

At neighbourhood level, COVID-19 case rates have been published for the week to November 25.

Here are the neighbourhoods in St Helens with the fastest rising case rates:

1. Rainhill North

Rainhill North had 743.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the latest weekly figures, a rise of 122.2% from the week before.

2. Sutton Leach

Sutton Leach had 358.9 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the latest weekly figures, a rise of 85% from the week before.

3. Haydock West

Haydock West had 628.8 cases per 100,000 people in the latest weekly figures, a rise of 76.2% from the week before.

4. Rainhill South

Rainhill South had 616.4 cases per 100,000 people in the latest weekly figures, a rise of 70% from the week before.

5. Earlestown North

Earlestown North had 406.8 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the latest weekly figures, a rise of 47.4% from the week before.

Omicron COVID-19 variant detected in Liverpool

The first case of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant was detected in Liverpool on Tuesday.

It came on the same day the Government promised the nationwide booster programme would be put “on steroids” to meet vaccine targets.

Public Health Liverpool is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to identify contacts of the individual, who is self-isolating.

Contact tracing is underway and all contacts will be followed up and requested to isolate and get tested as necessary, regardless of their vaccine status.