Worthing’s Covid-19 infection rate more than doubles in a week

Since having the lowest number of positive cases per 100,000 people in the country not long ago, case numbers have risen significantly – but still sit at well below the national average.

According to Public Health England figures, Worthing had 25.3 positive cases per 100,000 people for the week ending December 2.

By December 9 that figure had risen to 58.8 cases per 100,000 people.

While the rate of increase may be concerning, Worthing still has the second lowest infection rate in Sussex, with only Adur’s rate of 57.5 being lower.

Arun has an infection rate of 89.6, rising from 64.7 the previous week.

East Sussex has seen a startling acceleration in the number of cases recorded.

Long one of the least affected areas in the country, Hastings’ infection rate has now hit 370.2 per 100,000 people, rising from 114.4 the week before.

The national average is 134.

Residents expressed concern when Sussex was placed in Tier 2, high alert, after lockdown despite having significantly lower infection rates than other areas in the country.

The tier system is set to be reviewed on Wednesday (December 16).