South Gloucestershire recorded less than 25 cases per 100,000 people but numbers are rising, according to the latest Public Health England figures.

There were 24 new coronavirus infections per 100,000 people reported in the area between April 3 and April 10, up 20 per cent from the week ending April 3.

This represents the second highest rate of new Covid infections in the South West, though cases remain significantly lower than the start of lockdown three.

The new figures do not reflect changes to lockdown rules on April 12, such as the partial reopening of hospitality and gyms.

All 17 reporting areas in the South West recorded 30 cases or less per 100,000 in the seven days ending April 10.

Case rates rose in five of them, including South Gloucestershire, though they remained below 25 per 100,000 people in each one.

Mendip’s cases rose by 60 per cent, Dorset by 36 per cent, Bath and North East Somerset by 40 per cent and Cheltenham by 30 per cent.

The lowest rate of Covid infections was recorded in Stroud, with three cases per 100,000 people, the second lowest was recorded in the Forest of Dean, with six cases per 100,000 people, followed by the Cotswold’s with eight cases.

Swindon, South Gloucestershire and Sedgemoor saw the highest rate of new infections in the region, recording 30, 24 and 21 per 100,000 respectively.