THE coronavirus infection rate in Wyre Forest has fallen to double figures for the first time since the start of December.

According to the latest Public Health England figures - covering the seven days to March 4 - Wyre Forest's Covid-19 rate stands at 96.8 per 100,000 people.

This is a significant reduction on the rate of 131.3 recorded in the week up to February 25.

Only Redditch now has an infection rate over 100 at 140.7, placing it in the top 10 list for the highest rates in the country, however this is still down on the 186.5 rolling rate recorded a week earlier.

Bromsgrove's infection rate stands at 52.1 for the most recent seven-day period - the lowest in Worcestershire - compared to 93.1 the week before, while Worcester's rate fell from 108.7 to 67.2.

Wychavon's rate is 60.3 - down on 122.1 the week before - and Malvern's infection rate fell from 110.5 to 78.8.

It comes as children across Worcestershire returned to school today (Monday) as the first phase of the Prime Minister's road map out of lockdown gets under way.

Dr Kathryn Cobain, director of Public Health for Worcestershire, said: "Seeing our children and young people back in the classroom is a huge leap forward.

"Thank you for helping us keep our school communities safe, and we wish the children and school communities a happy and health few months ahead."