SEVERAL parts of the county still have high infection rates according to the latest coronavirus figures.

Public Health England's coronavirus hotspot map shows several parts of Worcestershire remain as having higher infection rates than the rest of the county despite an overall fall.

The map shows Fernhill Heath and Ombersley had an infection rate of 334.1 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to February 16 placing the area in the third highest infection rate category.

Areas with infection rates between 200 and 399 cases per 100,000 people are placed in the third 'hotspot' category by Public Health England (PHE).

PHE's map shows where the most cases have been recorded with two areas in Worcester highlighted dark blue because of the higher infection rates alongside one part of Malvern and two parts of Evesham.

Fernhill Health and Ombersley, on the edge of Worcester, was also included on the map.

Increased testing began in Fernhill Heath in the first week of February after a small number of cases of the South African variant of coronavirus were detected in the area.

The infection rate in Evesham South was 294.8 cases per 100,000 people with 18 cases recorded in the week up to February 16. The infection rate in Evesham Central was 268.9 cases per 100,000 people with 18 cases recorded.

A total of 16 cases were recorded in Henwick giving the area an infection rate of 281.1 cases per 100,000 people. The infection rate in Malvern Link was 233 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to February 16 with a total of 15 cases recorded. Twelve cases were recorded in Warndon West which meant the infection rate was 218.3 cases per 100,000 people.

The hotspot figures are split into several ‘middle super output areas’ which are used by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The zones are slightly larger than postcode areas with an average population of around 7,200 people.

Worcestershire's infection rate in the week was 141.2 cases per 100,000 people with 841 cases recorded.

Worcester's infection rate was 135.3 cases per 100,000 people with 137 cases recorded.. Malvern's infection rate was 111.8 cases per 100,000 people with 88 cases recorded. The infection rate in Wychavon was 134.4 cases per 100,000 people with 174 cases recorded.