A NUMBER of areas under the highest level of restrictions - Tier 3 - have lower Covid-19 infection rates than Bradford. 

It comes amid fears the district could be plunged into the 'very high' alert level. 

Yesterday, West Yorkshire leaders met senior Government ministers as infections and hospital admissions in the county continue to rise.

Bradford and neighbouring parts of West Yorkshire remain under Tier 2 restrictions, but there has been speculation the county could be placed in the higher Tier 3.

After yesterday's meeting, the leaders of West Yorkshire Councils issued a joint statement: “Today we were invited to a meeting with senior government ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer to discuss the next steps in combatting Covid-19 in West Yorkshire.

"The latest data on infections and hospital admissions shows a continued rise, and we have repeated our calls to Government that further local action needs to be taken, including strengthening community engagement and test and trace.

"There will be further discussions with government in the coming days. We are absolutely committed to implementing the most effective measures to protect the people and economy of West Yorkshire.”

The latest data, for the seven days to October 22 and based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two), shows Bradford's infection rate stands at 470 per 100,000 people, with 2,537 cases.

Here are the areas currently under Tier 3 (or due to go into Tier 3) which have lower infection rates than Bradford. The first number is rate of new cases in the seven days to October 22 and the second is new cases recorded in the seven days to October 22:

Tameside 465.4 (1054)

Nottingham 464.4 (1546)

Sheffield 463.9 (2713)

St. Helens 456.8 (825)

West Lancashire 454.9 (520)

Sefton 438.8

South Ribble 428.7

Gedling 418.2 

Trafford 417.9 

Warrington 395.2

Chorley 386.6

Lancaster 382.8 (559)

Rushcliffe 380.9 

Wyre 372.9 

Stockport 371.8

Broxtowe 363.9

Fylde 352.8 (285)

Halton 325.3

Wirral 302.8 (981)