DATA has shown a slight decrease in Covid cases in the last week

Confirmed cases of Covid-19 have decreased across Brighton and Hove, data from the council has revealed.

Brighton and Hove city council reported a total of 1,505 daily confirmed cases from June 28 to July 4 but 1,141 cases from July 5 to 11.

The Argus: Cases of Covid in Brighton and Hove have seen a slight decrease in the last week from 1221 to 1196

This 24.2 per cent decrease is the first slight drop in Covid cases since they began to rise at the end of June.

The number of confirmed cases per 100,000 population still remains higher than England's at 443.8 compared to 328.9 in seven days to July 8.

According to government data while Brighton still has the highest number per 100k in Sussex, Lewes recorded 327 followed by Adur at 322 week to July 9.

Eastbourne and Rother report the lowest of number of individual cases with 190 and 164 respectively in that same week.

Cases per 100k across the whole of the south east have risen since the end of June from 153.5 in the seven days to June 30 to 230.6 in the week to July 8.

The Argus: Brighton and Hove still remains above the national Covid rate per 100,000 at 443.8

These figures come after Brighton and Hove has been declared an area of "enhanced response" earlier this week.

This means that the city is to receive extra support from the government due to the rise in cases of the virus in recent weeks.

According to the Department of Health and Social Care the support consists of additional testing, support to get people vaccinated and guidance to encourage people to minimise travel in and out of affected areas.

The new approach has been seen in Bedford, Birmingham and across the North West.

Despite this, July 19 or 'Freedom Day' is still going ahead as planned, with Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty, Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council urging residents and visitors to "help keep our city safe" through hand washing, wearing masks inside, keeping rooms well ventilated and meeting outside where possible.

All people aged 18 to 29 are being urged to get tested due to high numbers of cases within this group, new Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing centres have been opened on Hove seafront and Jubilee Square in Brighton.

Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests are also available for free and this age group is being asked to take them twice weekly in order to catch cases of the virus early before they are spread further.

All legal restrictions are set to be completely lifted on Monday, including the opening of nightclubs, masks becoming voluntary and capacity restrictions dropped.