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There are currently six areas in England showing a resurgence of COVID-19 infection rates that haven’t been put under new lockdown restrictions.
Public Health England’s latest figures show Swindon, Melton, Eden, Sandwell, Northampton and Peterborough have seen a rise in coronavirus infections but have not faced further lockdown measures.
Cases rose in Swindon following outbreaks at several businesses, including an Iceland supermarket and Royal Mail office.
The rolling seven-day list of new coronavirus cases up to 28 July showed these six areas had some of the highest rates of infection.
On Thursday, the government announced parts of the north, including Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, had been put in a local lockdown due to a rise in infections.
People walk wearing face masks to try to stop the spread of coronavirus in a shopping area in Manchester (Picture: AP)
Leicester was previously put under a local lockdown when cases surged there.
Boris Johnson announced on Friday planned reopenings on Saturday would be postponed for a fortnight.
He said: “With those numbers creeping up, our assessment is that we should squeeze that brake pedal… in order to keep the virus under control.
“I know that the steps we are taking will be a real blow to many people, to everyone whose wedding plans have been disrupted or who cannot now celebrate Eid in the way that they would wish.
“And I’m really, really sorry about that but we cannot simply take the risk.”
The significant scaling back of lockdown easing came less than 24 hours after the government imposed new restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus across Greater Manchester and parts of east Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
The PM admitted that COVID-19 was probably spreading in the community again.
The top three areas with the highest infection rates are Blackburn with Darwen 92.7 cases per 100,000 people, second is Oldham with 58.1 and third is Leicester with 57.1.
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