Coronavirus infection rates are continuing to decrease in many areas of Norfolk and Suffolk, despite the spread of the Indian variant, B.1.617.2, in other parts of the country.

In East Suffolk, coronavirus infection rates are the lowest in both Norfolk and Suffolk and one of the lowest in the UK, at just 3.6 cases per 100,000 people, according to the latest data from Public Health England.

The rate was previously this low in east Suffolk during the week up to September 18, over eight months ago now.

This is currently the 30th lowest rate in the country out of 379 authorities, compared to the highest rate in the country of 451.4 cases per 100,000 people in Bolton.

Lowestoft Journal: Compared to areas like Bolton, cases continue to decrease in all Norfolk and Suffolk areas except Norwich.Compared to areas like Bolton, cases continue to decrease in all Norfolk and Suffolk areas except Norwich. (Image: Archant)

In all local areas in East Suffolk, the virus is now considered repressed by Public Health England, meaning there are fewer than three cases in every single area.

The rate works out at nine cases in actual numbers over the seven days up to May 20.

All rates in areas have decreased since May 13, except in Norwich where they have risen by 28 per cent to 16.4 per cases per 100,000 people.

Here are the latest Covid rates per 100,000 for areas in Norfolk and Suffolk for the week ending May 20 and the percentage change from the week ending May 13:

Breckland: 12.1, -15%

Broadland: 6.9, -40%

East Suffolk: 3.6, -50%

Great Yarmouth: 4, -80%

King's Lynn and West Norfolk: 10.6, -53%

Mid Suffolk: 18.3, 0%

North Norfolk: 3.8, -33%

Norwich: 16.4, +28%

South Norfolk: 7.1, -33%

NORFOLK: 9.1, -35%

ENGLAND: 22.5, +6%