30 coronavirus hotspots in England as experts warn the UK is 'going in the wrong direction'

Coronavirus infection rates continue to rise across the country as SAGE experts warned that the UK is “heading in the wrong direction”.

The warning from Medical Director Chris Whitty and chief scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance comes as data shows Burnley has the highest infection rate in England.

The region recorded 291 new cases in the seven days to 27 September – equivalent to 327.3 cases per 100,000 people.

This is a steep rise from 178.8 per 100,000 in the previous seven days.

Knowsley has the second highest rate, rising from 204.2 to 261.8 with 395 new cases.

Liverpool ranks third, increasing the rate from 198.4 to 258.4 with 1,287 new cases.

Other regions that have recorded sharp increases in their rates for seven days include Newcastle upon Tyne – from 160.8 to 255.6, with 774 new cases.

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Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty warned that things are “going in the wrong direction.”
(Image: Sky News)

In Manchester, infection rates rose from 172.6 to 236.0, with 1,305 new cases and St Helens’ rates up from 128.5 to 211.5, with 382 new cases.

The numbers come after an alarming increase of 7,108 cases across the UK – down from 7,143 cases yesterday, which was the highest daily increase on record since Corona Virus The epidemic began.

Another 71 deaths were reported for the second day in a row, bringing the tragic death toll to 42,143.

The number of confirmed cases in England increased by 5,656, Scotland 640, Wales 388 and Northern Ireland 424, bringing the total number across Britain to 453,264.