The map shows the highest rates of the new covid variant where you live

A new variant of covid has spread across the country this summer. Our map shows infection rates where you live.

New covid variants like FLiRT and LB.1 are driving a recent surge, with more people reporting cold-like symptoms associated with the virus. Experts fear that during the summer new strains of covid could have found a breeding ground for large groups of people gathering at big festivals and to watch live football, including EURO 2024.

Dr Mariyam Malik, an NHS and private practitioner at Pall Mall Medical, said the coronavirus can spread quickly in the summer months and suggests this may be because there are no longer legal restrictions on COVID.

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She said: ”Increased travel and large events such as festivals often lead to crowded places where the virus can spread more easily and there are no longer legal restrictions such as wearing masks and social distancing.”

Figures from the UK’s Health Safety Agency show that Copeland in Cumbria now has the highest rate of infections in the country. In the week ending June 30, there were 32.75 infections for every 100,000 people living in Copeland.

This doubled from a rate of 14.89 infections per 100,000 people the previous week. The council areas with the next highest rates were also in Cumbria. Second was Allerdale (30.09) and then Carlisle (19.95).

Gedling in Nottinghamshire (18.76) and Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire (18.70) had the fourth and fifth highest rates in the country.

You can see the rates where you live using our interactive map below

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