THE infection rate of Covid-19 in Bradford has come down a long way since the beginning of 2021, when the UK was plunged into a third national lockdown.

Spiralling infection rates, hospitalisations, deaths and the emergence of the Kent variant signalled the third wave of Covid-19 in the UK over Christmas and the New Year, following the inital first wave last March and the second wave in October and November.

Shortly before lockdown began on January 4, the infection rate in Bradford was 252 infections per 100,000 people. While high this was way behind some of the worst affected parts of the country, with parts of London seeing infection rates in excess of 1,500 and many at at least 1,000.

The strict third lockdown, which saw schools, businesses, shops, pubs and restaurants, gyms, golf courses, hair salons all forced to close, has brought infections down steadily, which combined with the ever growing vaccine rollout, is reducing the number of infections on the whole, and has also cut the number of people in hospital or dying from Covid to low levels.

Now, the rate in the district sits at 55, almost five times lower than it was in January.

This interative tool below shows how infection levels have changed over the past four months.

Darker blues and purples indicate high levels of infection, whereas lighter greens show low levels of infection and white areas have case numbers below three; the lowest levels of infection.

Use the slider tool to see how the rate of infection has changed in different areas.

Over the past four months of lockdown cases have fallen, meaning the country can slowly get back to normal.

At the begnning of March schools reopened for all pupils, at the end of March outdoor sport could resume, and on April 12 shops, gyms, hairdressers and other personal care could all reopen, as could pubs and restaurants for outdoor service.

In the next few days the Government has promised to reveal if international travel can return from May 17 and publish its list of green, amber and red list countries which are safe or unsafe to visit.

Also on May 17, indoor hospitality and socialising can return in groups of six, outdoor groups of up to 30 people can meet up, crowds will return at sports grounds and arts venues, indoor leisure and cultural attractions will be back open and rules around social distancing will be reviewed.

This will then be followed on June 21, when all rules on social distancing will be dropped and life can get back to normal.