Omicron is in retreat but cases are still rising – is YOURS on the hotspot list?

CASES of the Omicron variant are in retreat in the UK, but infections are still rising in 174 places and this interactive map reveals if your area is a hotspot.

Infections have fallen 37 per cent in a fortnight, with the number of patients requiring ventilation also falling.

Yesterday a further 88,447 Covid cases were recorded, down from 142,000 cases a fortnight ago.

Data up to the seven days to January 20 infection rates fell in 205 areas and the map above shows the current infection rates in each local authority.

While cases are still rising in 174 areas, most people who now catch Omicron say they experience a more cold-like illness.

A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron is milder than other strains in the vaccinated, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.

Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.

The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is still helping to get life-saving jabs into the arms of Brits.

Boris Johnson told the Commons last week coronavirus cases and hospitalisations are falling and “our scientists believe it is likely the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally”.

He declared: “Because of the extraordinary booster campaign, together with the way the public have responded to the Plan B measures, we can return to Plan A in England and allow Plan B regulations to expire.”

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A World Health Organisation chief also said the Covid pandemic may reach its “endgame” once Omicron subsides.

The remaining restrictions are set to end later this week, but there are still some areas that a battling a surge in cases.

Newry, Mourne & Down in Northern Ireland has the highest rate in the UK, with 3,451 new cases in the seven days to January 20 – the equivalent of 1,899.6 per 100,000 people.

This is up from a rate of 1,411.9 for the seven days to January 13.

Peterborough has the second highest rate, up from 1,423.3 to 1,740.6, with 3,527 new cases.

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon in Northern Ireland has the third highest rate, up from 1,232.8 to 1,694.5, with 3,681 new cases.

Newport has the highest rate in Wales (786.2, up from 660.3); and Clackmannanshire has the highest rate in Scotland (629.8, down from 707.7).

Two of the most infected areas in the country are also part of the top five that have seen the biggest week-on-week rise and they are Newry, Mourne & Down and Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon.

Four of the five areas with the biggest jump in cases are in Northern Ireland.

Experts have however have said that Northern Ireland has passed its peak of Omicron infections.

Northern Ireland had previously closed night clubs due to worries surrounding the spread of Omicron.

But from January 26, nightclubs will be permitted to open once more and dancing and indoor standing events will also be able to resume.

Other areas in Northern Ireland that have seen a rise in cases include Lisburn & Castlereagh, where cases have jumped from 1,039 to 1,525.5.

They have also seen a steep increase in Antrim & Newtownabbey, climbing from 1,136.6 to 1,533.2.

The one place outside of Northern Ireland which has also seen a big jump in cases is East Cambridgeshire, where cases have jumped from 747.5 to 1,188.8.

The area where cases have risen have shifted since last week, where the majority of high cases had been concentrated in the North East.