THE rate of new Covid cases in Test Valley has risen sharply, government statistics reveal.

In the seven days to October 2, 34.9 new cases were recorded for every 100,000 people - up from 15.9 the previous week.

On Monday, 14 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in the borough - the largest number of cases in Test Valley confirmed by a positive test in a single day since April.

The overal number of cases since the start of the outbreak is now 663.

It comes after thousands of positive tests were delayed in being recorded because of a technical glitch.

It is not clear at this stage whether the increase in the case rate is because of this or not.

The figures, for the seven days to October 2, are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

The rate in Manchester has soared, with 2,927 new cases recorded in the seven days to October 2 – the equivalent of 529.4 cases per 100,000 people.

This is up from 246.4 per 100,000 in the seven days to September 25.

Knowsley has the second highest rate, which is up from 324.1 to 498.5, with 752 new cases.

Liverpool is in third place, where the rate has also increased sharply, from 306.4 to 487.1 with 2,426 new cases.

Other areas recording big jumps in their seven-day rates include Newcastle upon Tyne (up from 268.1 to 434.9, with 1,317 new cases); Nottingham (up from 59.5 to 382.4, with 1,273 new cases); Leeds (up from 144.9 to 316.8, with 2,513 new cases); and Sheffield (up from 100.9 to 286.6, with 1,676 new cases).