COVID-19 infection rates remain high in Bromsgrove but are dropping slightly in a small pocket of areas.

Hagley remains at the top of the list for infection rates in the Bromsgrove district, according to the latest available data.

Government data on Covid-19 infection cases per 100,000 people between the seven-day period ending on January 5, shows that Hagley had an infection rate of 2,395.7.

The number of infections in Hagley stands at 174, a 29.9 per cent increase on the week before.

The area with the second highest was Stoke Heath, Finstall and Bentley which recorded an infection rate of 2,222.8 with a 26.6% increase in cases.

The area with the lowest rate was Barnt Green and Lickey Hills which recorded an infection rate of 1,552.3 per 100,000 people.

Cases there also tumbled by 9.7% compared to the seven days before.

It was joined by two other pockets of the district where the number of infections has dipped.

Bromsgrove Sidemoor and Bromsgrove Stoney Hill also saw a fall in cases of 5.5% and 0.8% respectively.

The figures show that every area in the Bromsgrove district has a rate of more than 1,000 cases per 100,000.

Here is the latest government data on Covid-19 infection cases per 100,000 people between the seven-day period ending on December 29, 2021.

Hagley- 2,395.7

Stoke Heath, Finstall and Bentley- 2,222.8

Catshill- 1,917.8

Rubery West- 1,907.1

Bromsgrove Stoney Hill- 1,812.9

Dodford, Belbroughton and Romsley- 1,746.3

Marlbrook and Lickey End- 1,704.3

Bromsgrove Sidemoor- 1,666.4

Alvechurch, Hopwood and Holt End- 1,584.8

Bromsgrove Charford- 1,568.2

Bromsgrove Central and Sanders Park- 1,559.6

Barnt Green and Lickey Hills- 1,552.3

The data comes as a rule change means people who produce a positive lateral flow test will no longer need to take a PCR test to confirm their result.

From January 11, asymptomatic people in England who test positive will no longer require a confirmatory PCR.

The move, previously announced last week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), is taking place to free up capacity in laboratories for PCR tests for those who have Covid-19 symptoms.

People who receive a positive result on a lateral flow device (LFD) will be required to self-isolate immediately, without requiring PCR confirmation.

The UKHSA said it is a temporary measure while Covid-19 rates remain high.