Norfolk's coronavirus infection rate remains below the national average despite small increases in some areas.

The county's rate was 15.6 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days up to April 14, up slightly from 14.9 a week prior (April 7).

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That compares to a national case rate of 26.8 per 100,000, down from 29.

Percentage wise, the local districts of Breckland, Great Yarmouth, Mid Suffolk and North Norfolk have all seen sharp rises, with the latter's infection rate jumping by 98pc.

But North Norfolk's rate of 9.5 cases per 100,000 people - up from 4.8 last week - is the second-lowest in the county and one of the lowest across the nation.

Broadland now has the lowest infection rate in Norfolk, at 8.4 cases per 100,000, while King's Lynn and West Norfolk still has the highest with 27.1.

It must be highlighted that, in the context of the pandemic, case rates in Norfolk and throughout the UK remain extremely low.

In early January, when another nationwide lockdown was announced, Norfolk's districts had rates of between 495 and 695 cases per 100,000.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The queue for Primark stretches back up the High Street in King's Lynn on the day lockdown liftedThe queue for Primark stretches back up the High Street in King's Lynn on the day lockdown lifted (Image: Chris Bishop)

The latest rates for local authority areas up to April 14 are as follows (last week's figure in brackets):

  • Breckland: 17.9 per 100,000 people (10.7)
  • Broadland: 8.4 (13)
  • East Suffolk: 17.6 (16)
  • Great Yarmouth: 17.1 (10.1)
  • King's Lynn and West Norfolk: 27.1 (28.4)
  • Mid Suffolk: 21.2 (11.6)
  • North Norfolk: 9.5 (4.8)
  • Norwich: 10.7 (11.4)
  • South Norfolk: 16.3 (19.9)

The latest data shows that, as of April 14, there were no patients with coronavirus in critical care at Norfolk's hospitals.

This has been the case since April 7 and compares to a record high of 62 on January 27.

On that same date in January, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital alone had 50 people in intensive care.

Meanwhile, the James Paget University Hospital, in Gorleston, has not had a mechanical ventilator bed occupied by a Covid patient since March 12 - more than a month ago.

Moreover, the number of people in hospital with coronavirus as of April 14 was just four, the fewest since September 26.

So far in April, six people have died in Norfolk's hospitals after suffering with Covid-19, compared to a total of 36 last month and a high of 590 in January.