Copeland has become the latest hotspot after recording the biggest week-on-week rise in infection rates in the country, new figures show.

The figures, for the seven days to February 10, it shows the area recorded 162 new cases.

This means that the rate has risen from from 177.5 cases per 100,000 people to 237.6 cases per 100,000 people.

The figures are based on tests carried out in laboratories, pillar one of the Government’s testing programme, and in the wider community - pillar two.

The rate is expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

Data for the most recent four days February 11 to 14 has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

It is not clear what has caused the surge in Copeland, which has previously had low infection rates.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “We have seen an increase in the COVID-19 case rate in the Copeland district during the week commencing 6 February. During that week there were 192 positive cases recorded for Copeland, compared to 127 the week prior.

“Despite this increase, the rate is still much lower than in early January. Copeland’s relatively low population (approx. 68,000) means it only takes a small number of outbreak to effect an increase in overall rate.

“The increase is mainly due to outbreaks across a small number of settings, which are being closely monitored and contained.

“Provisional data for this current week shows an improving picture in Copeland, with case rates once again decreasing, however we will continue to review the numbers closely over the coming days.”

Copeland Borough Council's Carl Walmsley has urged people to adhere to the rules.

He said: "I was deeply saddened to hear the latest statistic. I think a lot of people must have let their guard down after we were announced the best figures in the country not so long ago. I cannot stress enough that this is nowhere near over, we need to remain vigilant and follow guidelines at all times.

"Numbers continue to become names and the names continue to become people we know and love.

"There is a faint light at the end of the tunnel, but we are not quite there yet so we must be patient and look after ourselves and each other."

Covid cases for each area:

Parton & Distington

  • Total cases - 18 (increase of 200 per cent)
  • Rolling rate - 346.2

Whitehaven Harbour & Corkickle

  • Total cases - 8 (increase of 33.3 per cent)
  • Rolling rate - 151.1

Hensingham, Hillcrest & Aikbank

  • Total cases - 32 (increase of 39.1 per cent)
  • Rolling rate 321.3

Mirehouse, Kells & Woodhouse

  • Total cases - 46 (increase of 84 per cent)
  • Rolling rate - 467.8

Thornhill, Gosforth & Seascale

  • Total cases - 15 (increase of 66.7 per cent)
  • Rolling rate - 172.6

Egremont & Moor Row

  • Total cases - 13 (decrease of 35 per cent)
  • Rolling rate - 167.4

Cleator Moor, Frizington & Ennerdale

  • Total cases - 22 (decrease of 4.3 per cent)
  • Rolling rate - 189.3

Millom & Duddon Valley

  • Total cases - 8 (decrease of 11.1 per cent)
  • Rolling rate - 85.1