These 12 Northamptonshire neighbourhoods have Covid-19 infection rates up to FIVE TIMES the national average, according to latest official figures.
Numbers of positive tests tumbled county-wide during the lockdown — down by 31 per cent in the week up to April 4.
Yet several stubborn hotspots remain in Northampton, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough — and also in villages which were part of the old Daventry district council area, now West Northamptonshire.
The 'Middle Layer Super Output Area' of Long Buckby East and Ravensthorpe takes in communities around Watford, West Haddon, Guilsborough, Hollowell, the Bringtons, Harlestones and Bramptons.
Analysts use the MSOAs to compare infection rates, dividing the country into areas of roughly equal populations then converting the number of new Covid-19 cases into a figure as though each area has 100,000 people in it.
Central Wellingborugh has the highest rate in the county at 168.6 per 100,000 people per week with two areas in and around Corby — Rowlett, Gretton & Cottingham and Corby Town — both over 150 in the latest reporting period up to April 8.
But Long Buckby East and Ravensthorpe is not far behind at 116.1 — compared to the UK rate of 28.7 — following 11 new cases in a week.
Local Public Health officials have already warned residents to not be complacent as restrictions are relaxed and people head out to shops, pubs, gyms and hairdressers.
Lucy Wightman, joint-director of Public Health for North and West Northamptonshire, said: “The Prime Minister asked the country to proceed with caution and with good reason.
"We know for certain that easing restrictions means coronavirus cases will inevitably rise.
"However, we all know by now that there are ways to ensure the COVID-19 cases do not get out of control again. We need to follow the mantra ‘Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air’ as we go about our daily lives and get our first or second dose of the vaccination when called, get tested regularly and isolate immediately with a positive result."
Latest Covid-19 figures for each area is available on an interactive map HERE on the gov.uk website.
Yet several stubborn hotspots remain in Northampton, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough — and also in villages which were part of the old Daventry district council area, now West Northamptonshire.
