Where are the UK's most recent coronavirus outbreaks?

A number of local coronavirus outbreaks have been identified since some lockdown restrictions were eased across the UK.

A watchlist of local councils that forms part of a weekly report of coronavirus infections by Public Health England (PHE) helps the government track spikes in COVID-19 cases across the country.

The government’s strategy is now to use “local interventions” to target the worst-affected areas, bringing in localised restrictions to curb the spread of the virus and prevent the whole country from going back into lockdown.

Leicester was the first city subjected to a local lockdown after a spike in cases, on 29 June.

Here, we take a look at where we’ve seen new coronavirus outbreaks in recent weeks.

Shropshire

There has been a fresh outbreak of coronavirus in Shropshire after 21 people tested positive at a caravan park.

Shropshire Council said 41 people have been tested overall and that contact tracing is being carried out.

The council fears the number of cases at the site, which is in the town of Craven Arms, will continue to rise before infection control measures start to take effect.

The 21 people who tested positive for coronavirus were asked to self-isolate for at least seven days from the time they started showing symptoms or from when they received their positive test result.

A testing centre has been set up nearby the park, and everyone living on the caravan site has been offered a test.

The centre will be open for the next two weeks between 10.30am and 3.30pm and those living nearby can book a test online via NHS Test and Trace or by ringing 119.

Councillor David Evans said: “Our priority is to protect the health and wellbeing of our local residents.

“I’ve been in Craven Arms to talk to residents and businesses to answer any questions and reassure them that the risk to the general public is low.”

He added: “I would like to thank members of the community for their own ongoing support and cooperation.

“We continue to rely on everyone at the site playing their part, and want to encourage the residents to continue to self-isolate and take all the necessary precautions.

“This is the only way we can help stop the spread of the virus.”

Blackburn with Darwen

59 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Lancashire last week, according to PHE data.

23 of those cases were recorded in Blackburn with Darwen, 10 in Hyndburn and nine in Pendle. All three remain “areas of national intervention” – the highest level on the PHE watchlist – due to their high infection rate.

Despite measures easing across England this weekend, gyms and leisure centres remain closed in the area.

Read more: What is the coronavirus treatment being hailed a 'breakthrough'?

New measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Blackburn with Darwen have already been introduced.

They include tighter limits on visitors from another household, while people are also urged to bump elbows in place of handshakes and hugs.

Luton

Luton, Bedfordshire, was also made an area of intervention after a spike in coronavirus cases.

This also means plans to open indoor gyms and leisure centres for locals has been put on hold.

The council set up an emergency testing centre at a primary school and is telling people to stay home as it tries to prevent a further spread of COVID-19.

Read more: 'Broken heart syndrome' on the rise during coronavirus pandemic

The rate of cases in Luton fell to 24.8 per 100,000 in the week to 20 July from 31.8 per 100,000 in the week to 13 July.

Herefordshire

200 workers were told to self-isolate on a farm in Herefordshire on 12 July after 73 workers tested positive for COVID-19.

Vegetable producers A S Green and Co went into lockdown after the positive tests.

Workers were segregated into mobile homes and food and other essential supplies had to be delivered to the farm.

Herefordshire Council, which organised the supply of deliveries, said the outbreak was "contained" on the farm.

A spokesman for AS Green and Co, which specialises in growing beans, said its “hard-working” staff were the firm’s “priority” as it was supported by PHE and Herefordshire Council.

“We contacted PHE and we are working closely with them and Public Health at Herefordshire Council to prevent the spread of Covid-19.”

As of 24 July, the total number of positive cases linked to the outbreak is 134. Regular testing continues, according to Herefordshire.gov.uk.

Coronavirus: what happened today

Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter