Health chiefs respond after areas of Chesterfield and Derbyshire report higher Covid infection rates than before lockdown

Coronavirus cases have plummeted across England since lockdown was imposed, from 557.9 cases per 100,000 on December 31 to 148.8 in the seven days to February 11.

However, there are several areas around Chesterfield where rates have increased – and this is causing concern for the county’s public health teams and politicians.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins said it was ‘disappointing’ rates were higher than before lockdown in some areas – and claimed this was probably due to the Government’s relaxation of restrictions over Christmas.

Areas of Chesterfield which saw more cases on February 11 than on December 31 include Chesterfield Central, where the rate increased from 175.9 to 207 per 100,000; Old Whittington, which saw a rise from 180.9 to 236.6; New Whittington, which increased from…