The Government's stay at home message kicked in on November 5The Government's stay at home message kicked in on November 5
The Government's stay at home message kicked in on November 5

One area of Northamptonshire has DOUBLE the national average of new Covid cases

Government figures put Northampton and Towcester villages top of the list of hotspots

Two weeks into the second national lockdown and the number Covid-19 cases is continuing to rise in parts of Northamptonshire.

Parts of South Northamptonshire and Daventry district are now among the hardest hit, along with areas of Northampton.

Towcester West and Blakesley has the highest infection rate in the county with more than 570 cases per 100,000 people — the highest yet seen in the county and more double the all-England average of 273.4.

Area around the neighbouring villages of Harpole, Kislingbury and Bugbrooke, plus the area of Braunston and Crick near Daventry both have rates well over 400.

And Abington Vale, New Duston and Blackthorn are all seeing rates above the national average — although the number of new positives tests in New Duston West has actually FALLEN since earlier in the week.

Data analysts divide the county into areas with roughly equal population — around 7,200 — to find comparisons on how coronavirus is spreading using figures for new positive tests and calculating the number assuming each 'Middle Layer Super Output Area' had a 100,000 people.

All those who test positive are told to self-isolate for ten days while close contacts identified by the Test and Trace service must stay at home for two weeks.

If your own area is not listed here, you can find it by entering a postcode on an interactive map which is updated daily on the Government's coronavirus dashboard.

FOLLOW Friday's County Council Covid-19 media briefing LIVE here on the Chronicle & Echo website from 3pm

Towcester West and Blakesley has the highest infection rate in the county with more than 570 cases per 100,000 people — the highest yet seen in the county and more double the all-England average of 273.4.