THE number of new coronavirus cases recorded in the city has increased again, this time by a rise of more than 20 per cent in the last week.

As many as 339 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Worcester in the week up to October 16 according to Public Health England – a rise of 21.1 per cent compared to the week before.

New cases also increased in Worcestershire to 3,166 – a rise of 17.8 per cent compared to the previous seven days.

Among the county's six districts Malvern Hills saw the biggest weekly rise in cases with an increase of 61 per cent in a week to 285.

The highest number of cases in Worcestershire were recorded in Wychavon at 716 for the week. That was a rise of 28.8 per cent in the area which includes Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich.

A total of 669 cases were recorded in Wyre Forest, which includes Kidderminster, in the week up to October 16 – a rise of 15.9 per cent compared to the previous seven days.

As many as 628 cases were recorded in Bromsgrove, where cases saw a rise of 4.5 per cent in a week.

And a total of 529 cases were recorded in Redditch in the week up to October 16 – a rise of 6.4 per cent compared to the previous seven days.

The latest NHS figures show a total of 40 people were in hospital in Worcestershire with Covid-19 on Tuesday, October 19, including three people in intensive care.

And the NHS data show there have been five Covid deaths recorded for county hospitals in the past seven days.

The figures for the week, up to October 22, show the newly recorded deaths all came at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust with its total moving to 863.

There have been no newly announced Covid deaths at the Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust with its total remaining at 64.

It means in total there have been 927 Covid-related deaths in county hospitals during the pandemic.

The Acute Hospitals Trust covers Worcestershire Royal Hospital, as well as the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and Kidderminster Hospital.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust covers community hospitals and rehabilitation wards, including Worcester City Impatient Unit, Malvern Community Hospital, Evesham Community Hospital, Pershore Community Hospital, the Princess of Wales Community Hospital in Bromsgrove, Tenbury Community Hospital and the Wyre Forest Ward.