The 10 Manchester areas where Covid infections rose the fastest in the past week

Coronavirus infection rates are rising across the UK once again, official figures show. There were 303,504 positive test results in the week to 25 November, up 9.5% from the week before.

At a regional level, Northern Ireland has the highest infection rates in the UK, with 625 cases per 100,000 people, followed by South East England, with 524 cases per 100,000. London has the lowest rate, with 318 cases per 100,000.

It comes as the Government confirmed on Monday afternoon that booster jabs will begin to be offered to all adults to try to limit the spread of the new Omicron variant.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Monday: “The JCVI published its advice. First, it advised that the minimum dose interval for booster jabs should be halved from six months to three months. Second, that the booster programme should be expanded to include all remaining adults aged 18 and above.

“Third, that these boosters should be offered by age in group in a descending order to protect those who are most vulnerable to the virus, so priority will be given to older adults and people over 16 who are at risk.”

He added more details would be confirmed about how the expanded vaccine programme will be rolled out in the ‘coming days’.

Here are the 10 neighbourhoods in Manchester with the biggest rise in case rates in the seven days between 13 and 20 November.

1. Chorlton South: up by 142.9%

2. Woodhouse Park & Airport: up by 138.8%

3. Hulme Park & St George’s: up by 124.9%

4. Moston West: 105%

5. Moss Side West: 100%

6. University North & Whitworth Street: up by 99.8%

7. Newton Heath: up by 93.7%

8. Withington East: up by 86.4%

9. Harpurhey South & Monsall: up by 77.2%

10. Piccadilly and Ancoats: up by 77.2%