EVERY area bar two in Blackburn with Darwen has recorded an increase in coronavirus infection rate.

The borough has the second highest rate of infection in the country, as the Indian variant continues to spread.

According to the latest figures, the area as a whole has a rate of 187.0 cases per 100,000 people, after 280 new cases were discovered the seven days to May 18.

That was up from 108.2 cases per 100,000 people over the previous seven days.

Every area in the borough recorded an increase in infection rate bar two – North Darwen and Witton, Mill Hill & Hollin Bank.

Of the 315 local areas in England, 97 (31 per cent) have seen a rise in rates, 202 (64 per cent) have seen a fall and 16 are unchanged.

Bolton continues to have the highest rate, with 1,106 new cases recorded in the seven days to May 17 – the equivalent of 384.6 cases per 100,000 people.

This is up from 225.0 in the seven days to May 10.

Bedford has the third highest, up from 102.7 to 142.0, with 246 new cases.

All figures in the article have been taken from the Government’s coronavirus portal and are correct as of May 23.

Breakdown in areas:

Tockholes, Edgworth & Hoddlesden

Total cases: 9

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (350.0%)

Rolling rate: 145.8

South Darwen & Whitehall

Total cases: 10

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (66.7%)

Rolling rate: 118.9

Darwen Town

Total cases: 4

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (100.0%)

Rolling rate: 63.0

North Darwen

Total cases: 4

The rate has decreased relative to the previous week (-20.0%)

Rolling rate: 59.9

Beardwood, Pleasington & Livesey

Total cases: 6

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (200.0%)

Rolling rate: 73.0

Meadowhead

Total cases: 3

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (50.0%)

Rolling rate: 42.1

Witton, Mill Hill & Hollin Bank

Total cases: 6

The rate has decreased relative to the previous week (-14.3%)

Rolling rate: 57.3

Central Blackburn

Total cases: 25

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (25.0%)

Rolling rate: 280.8

Queen's Park & Higher Croft

Total cases: 14

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (250.0%)

Rolling rate: 143.8

Shadsworth & Intack

Total cases: 17

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (325.0%)

Rolling rate: 158.7

Little Harwood

Total cases: 23

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (155.6%)

Rolling rate: 248.4

Bastwell

Total cases: 47

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (123.8%)

Rolling rate: 627.5

Lammack & Revidge

Total cases: 56

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (19.1%)

Rolling rate: 629.9

Roe Lee, Brownhill & Sunnybower

Total cases: 31

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (244.4%)

Rolling rate: 301.6

Wensley Fold

Total cases: 22

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (57.1%)

Rolling rate: 244.5

Audley

Total cases: 28

The rate has increased relative to the previous week (460.0%)

Rolling rate: 325.1