THE remote Upper Dales area of North Yorkshire now has the worst rate of Covid infections in the county, the latest data from Public Health England shows.

For the seven days up to January 5, the rolling rate of infections in the area, which includes the towns of Reeth and Hawes, was 1,039 per 100,000 people. The current UK average rolling rate is 614.1. The Upper Dales have seen 62 cases in that period, a rise of 44 (244.4 per cent).

Neighbouring Grassington, Upper Wharfedale and Gargrave has a rolling rate of 908.9, with 46 cases in the seven days up to January 5, an increase of 20 (76.9 per cent).

The figures come as vaccinations against coronavirus were ramped up with the opening of mass injection centres, but pleas have been made to the public to stick to the lockdown rules to prevent avoidable deaths.

All four nations of the UK are facing dire warnings, with high levels of infection and hospitals struggling under the strain.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned that when it comes to the current measures “every flexibility can be fatal”.

His words followed those of England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty who said the only way to prevent avoidable deaths is to stay at home wherever possible as the NHS faces the “most dangerous situation” in living memory.

About two million people across the UK have now received their first dose of a vaccine, with an exact figure to be given later today.

Thousands more people are expected to be given a vaccine soon, with the opening of seven mass vaccination sites across England, including one at the Centre for Life in Newcastle.

Figures for the seven days to January 5

Upper Dales

Total cases: 62 (up 244.4 per cent)

Rolling rate: 1,039.0

Grassington, Upper Wharfedale & Gargrave

Total cases: 46 (up 76.9 per cent)

Rolling rate: 908.9

Great Ayton & Stokesley

Total cases: 61 (down 12.9 per cent)

Rolling rate: 790.3

Rudby & Ingleby

Total cases: 56 (up 12 per cent)

Rolling rate: 646.4

Bedale & Snape

Total cases: 52 (up 246.7 per cent)

Rolling rate: 761.6

Richmond Town

Total cases: 48 (up 11.6 per cent)

Rolling rate: 572.9

Ripon North & West

Total cases: 32 (up 113.3 per cent)

Rolling rate: 520.2

Catterick & Brompton-on-Swale

Total cases: 30 (up 25 per cent)

Rolling rate: 484.8

Catterick Garrison & Colburn

Total cases: 82 (up 64 per cent)

Rolling rate: 483.6

Northallerton

Total cases: 65 (down 12.2 per cent).

Rolling rate: 482.0

Brompton, Appleton & Thimbleby

Total cases: 32 (up 113.3 per cent)

Rolling rate: 481.3

Northallerton South & Leeming Bar

Total cases: 31 (up 82.4 per cent)

Rolling rate: 409.3

North Richmondshire

Total cases: 31 (up 34.8 per cent)

Rolling rate: 406.4

Thirsk North

Total cases: 35 (up 218.2 per cent)

Rolling rate: 402.8

Masham, Kirkby Malzeard & North Stainley

Total cases: 21 (up 200 per cent)

Rolling rate: 382.2

Ripon South & East

Total cases: 38 (up 90 per cent)

Rolling rate: 370.6

Helmsley & Ampleforth

Total cases: 24 (up 14.3 per cent)

Rolling rate: 348.1

Dishforth, Baldersby & Markington

Total cases: 19 (up 58.3 per cent)

Rolling rate: 296.0

Leyburn, Middleham & Tunstall

Total cases: 21 (down 8.7 per cent)

Rolling rate: 243.8

Thirsk South & Coxwold

Total cases: 21 (up 16.7 per cent)

Rolling rate: 231.1

Leeming, Pickhill & Thornton

Total cases: 16 (up 33.3 per cent)

Rolling rate: 231.4

Easingwold & Stillington

Total cases: 20 (up 100 per cent)

Rolling rate: 216.6

Linton, Tollerton & Raskelf

Total cases: 14 (up 7.7 per cent)

Rolling rate: 207.3