THERE has been a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus cases recorded in Brighton and Hove, according to the latest Public Health England figures.

A significant number of positive tests were recorded across all age groups with the weekly infection rate among people aged 60 and above rising past 100 cases per 100,000 population for the first time during the pandemic.

Earlier this week, Brighton and Hove City Council reported a fall in the city's infection rate in the seven days leading up to November 5, following a 37 per cent drop in the number of cases among younger people.

However, between November 5 and November 8, a resurgence has been seen in the number of Covid cases in the city.

The Argus:

These are the changes seen in the weekly infection rates in Brighton and Hove (represented as number of confirmed cases per 100,000 population) between November 5 and November 8:

  • 0-14 years: Increased from 40.4 to 59.4
  • 15-29 years: Increased from 175.4 to 220.2
  • 30-39 years: Increased from 139.4 to 173.1
  • 40-59 years: Increased from 131.1 to 150.9
  • 60+ years: Increased from 97.5 to 124.8
  • All age groups: Increased from 125 to 155.4

On November 1, the weekly coronavirus rate among people aged 60 and above in Bighton and Hove was 68.2.

There were 364 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Brighton and Hove reported in the seven days leading up to November 5 - a rate of 125 new weekly cases per 100,000 population

This marked a drop from 408 positive tests reported in Brighton and Hove during the week leading up to October 30, meaning the city previously had a weekly rate of 140 cases per 100,000 population.

The Argus: There has been a resurgence in the number of coronavirus cases in Brighton and Hove in the week leading up to November 8There has been a resurgence in the number of coronavirus cases in Brighton and Hove in the week leading up to November 8

But, by November 8, the number of weekly cases had risen to 452. This gave a seven day rolling rate of 155.4 cases per 100,000 people.

Brighton and Hove City Council has only issued figures up to November 8 as "the most recent data, in particular the data for the last three days, is likely to be incomplete due to delays in reporting, so may underrepresent the total number of confirmed cases and produce a lower rate".

The Argus:

"Therefore, we show the rate of confirmed cases for the latest likely complete seven day period, excluding the latest four days," a council spokesman said.

According to the latest government figures, the South East of England now has the joint highest R rate in the UK - higher than areas which had previously been in tiers two and three of the government's coronavirus alert system such as the North East and Yorkshire, and London.

These are the current reported R rates in regions across the UK:

  • East of England: 1.1-1.4
  • London: 1.0-1.2
  • Midlands: 1.1-1.3
  • North East and Yorkshire: 1.0-1.2
  • North West: 0.9-1.1
  • South East: 1.2-1.4
  • South West: 1.2-1.4

And the rate of infection in the South East is currently growing.

The Argus: The walk-through coronavirus testing centre in East Brighton ParkThe walk-through coronavirus testing centre in East Brighton Park

The region has a growth rate of "+4 to +6" meaning the number of new infections is believed to be growing by between three and six per cent each day.

The government website states: "It is The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies' (SAGE) expert view that this week’s estimates are reliable, and that there is still growth of the epidemic in England."