Coronavirus rates are dropping in the majority of Suffolk's communities – although some areas of the county remain above the national average, and others are rising.

At district levels, all areas of Suffolk remain below the England seven-day coronavirus infection average – with Mid Suffolk now again ranking among the lowest in the country.

At a sub-district level however – known as Middle layer Super Output Areas (MSOA) – the situation differs slightly. Most areas remain by far below the national average, which stood at 212.6 cases per 100,000 on February 4.

Of all 90 MSOAs in Suffolk, only 12 areas saw a week-on-week rise in infection rates – while all others either decreased or remained the same, according to the latest government data for the week up to February 4.

Covid rates in Suffolk continue to fall but parts of Essex still above national average

Two areas, the combined area of Westerfield, Grundisburgh & Bredfield and the Shotley Peninsula both recorded less than three cases that week.

Areas in the lowest end of the table vary greatly geographically, although parts of Ipswich remain mostly among the areas with the highest case rates.

Other areas in the lowest 10 include Lakenheath, where only three new cases were confirmed. In Claydon and Barham, five positive tests were recorded.

In total, 86% of the county remains below the national average.

Coronavirus vaccine in numbers: 12.5 million receive first d (1)

In the 10 areas where rates remain the highest – all of which are above the national average – nine of them saw a decline compared to the week before. The only one which saw a rise week-on-week was Beccles, where 21 new cases were identified – up nine by the previous week.

Six of the 10 areas are in Ipswich, however – although no areas within the town saw a week-on-week rise.

Of the 12 areas of Suffolk which did see a rise, the increase in cases is mostly low compared to the previous week – with Carlton Colville and Beccles recording 13 and nine additional new cases respectively.

Covid infection rate in Suffolk falls to same level as in early December

The 10 areas of Suffolk with the lowest rates

Needham Market South & Great Blakenham – 71.8
Barrow, Chedburgh & Sicklesmere – 71.5
Claydon & Bramford – 65.4
Stanton & Barmingham – 59.5
Southwold, Reydon & Wrentham – 51.3
Glemsford & Lawshall – 49
Beck Row, Eriswell & Barton Mills – 47.7
Rickinghall, Walsham le Willows & Gislingham – 43.9
Lakenheath – 38.9
Westerfield, Grundisburgh & Bredfield and Shotley Peninsula – N/A

The 10 areas of Suffolk with the highest rates

Whitton – 295.7
Ixworth, Honington & Barnham – 278.6
North Newmarket, Studlands & Exning – 256.5
Beccles – 247.9
Whitehouse – 246.8
Priory Heath – 242.2
Maidenhall, Stoke & Port – 235.8
Gipping & Chantry Park – 231.6
Westgate – 228.4
Eastgate & Southgate – 227.3

The 12 areas of Suffolk where rates have risen week-on-week

Acton, Great Waldingfield & Bures
North Sudbury & Long Melford
Worlingham & Barnby
Woodbridge
Haverhill East & South
Haverhill North
Stowmarket Outer, Finborough & Battisford
Leiston & Aldeburgh
Normanston & Oulton Broad East
Saxmundham & Coldfair Green
Beccles
Carlton Colville