Coronavirus cases are on the rise across the country - hitting more than 50,000 for the first time in three months this week. Daily totals for deaths are still below those seen during last winter’s peak, but with an impending “winter crisis” likely many health officials are calling on the Government to implement Plan B for winter. Express.co.uk has analysed Covid cases to show the regions and local authorities where cases are at the highest rates.

       The Government confirmed 52,009 new Covid cases on Thursday, October 21.

       In the past seven days, there have been 304,862 cases across the UK which equates to a rate of 454.5 per 100,000 people, according to the Government’s coronavirus dashboard.

       Wales has the highest rate per 100,000 population at 659.7, while the lowest is in Scotland at 316.6.

       Regionally, the South West has the highest rate per 100,000 people at 629.6 per 100,000 people, followed by the East Midlands at 507.8 per 100,000 population.

       Yorkshire and The Humber has the third-highest rate per 100,000 people at 491, followed by the East of England, North East and the South East at 480.9, 462.7 and 462.6 respectively.

       The West Midlands has the next highest rate per 100,000 people at 458.6, followed by the North West and London at 457.6 and 252.5 per 100,000 people.

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       In total 71 areas in England have higher rates than the English average of 455.7 per 100,000 people beginning with Bath and North East Somerset where there have been 1,910 cases and is a rate of 972.7 per 100,000 population.

       This is followed by Swindon and Somerset where the rates are at 823.8 and 798.4 per 100,000 people.

       Next, Wiltshire, West Berkshire and Gloucestershire have the highest rates of Covid infections at 789.6, 754.7 and 747.1 per 100,000 population respectively.

       This analysis is based on the latest local data available for the seven days up to October 21.

       The Government’s dashboard revealed the following number of hospital admissions and patients in ventilation beds for each NHS region in England:

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       In terms of deaths, the UK has a death rate of within 28 days of a positive test of 207.3 per 100,000 people.

       England has a higher rate than the UK average at 214.7 per 100,000 population.

       The area with the highest rate of deaths within 28 days of a positive test is Barnsley where the rate stands at 358.8 per 100,000.

       This is followed by Southend-on-Sea, Blackpool and Sandwell where the death rates stand at 343.6, 343.3 and 335.5 per 100,000 people.

       The latest vaccination data indicates 91 percent of adults have said they will be very or fairly like to have the booster vaccination if offered.

       Take-up of the booster jab remains sluggish, with the Government launching a new advertising campaign today in a bid to boost booster shots.

       The Office for National Statistics (ONS) latest statistics 34 percent said they were worried about long-term effects on health, while 33 percent thought the booster ought to be offered to others instead.

       A quarter thought a third jab was ineffective and would not offer any protection.