Luton and Blackburn are 'areas of intervention' as coronavirus infection rates surge

Luton and Blackburn with Darwen have been classified as "areas of intervention" on a Government "watch list" amid concern about rising numbers of Covid-19 cases.

Both areas could see local lockdowns or targeted measures such as the closures of workplaces, pubs, or shops under the regime if cases continue to rise.

The latest surveillance puts their alert status on a par with Leicester, which remains in partial lockdown after a surge in cases last month.

Data shows the rate in Blackburn with Darwen is the highest in the country, with 81.9 cases per 100,000 in the seven days ending July 20, up from 49.7 cases a week earlier, Public Health England data showed.

It has overtaken Leicester, where the rate went down from 102.5 to 65.6 over the same period. Luton's rate is substantially lower, at 31.8 per 100,000, but has risen from 24.8 per 100,000 in just a week.

It follows reports that just 47 per cent of people who should be contacted by NHS Test and Trace system after a positive result are being reached within 48 hours.

The leader of Blackburn with  Darwen Council said it had introduced its own measures, such as delaying the opening of leisure facilities, in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.

Earlier this week, its chief executive warned that the area was in danger of  a local lockdown if numbers continued to increase.

Oadby and Wigston, in Leicestershire, are also classed as an "area of intervention", with a sharp rise in cases in the week ending July 20, up from 38.6 to 59.6 cases per 100,000.

Pendle, in Lancashire, is classed as an "area of concern" under the latest surveillance, with cases rising from 27.4 to 65.6 per 100,00 over the period, according to Public Health England data.