Why does Leicester always seem to be top of the Covid hotspot list?

The city of Leicester has been under some form of Covid restrictions for most of the year. Credit: PA

This week marks one year since the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in Leicestershire.

In that year there have been over 77,000 cases of the virus across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland - and almost 2,500 people have died.

Leicester has especially suffered, moving from National lockdown into local lockdown and experiencing some of the toughest tier restrictions.

And even now - as progress is made with the vaccination programme and case numbers in much of the UK start to drop - infection rates in some areas of the city are still up to four times the national average.

But why?

Factory and distribution work

The Director of Public Health for Leicestershire County Council says that the area has a large distribution workforce, which could contribute to higher infection rates.

He describes the East Midlands as a "cross roads for the rest of the country" with many people unable to work from home.

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic population

Research has shown that people of Black and Asian ethnicity are up to twice as likely to be affected by coronavirus, compared to White people.

Mike Sandys explains the city perspective.



Student population

With The University of Leicester and De Montfort University in the heart of the city and Loughborough University close by, Leicester has a combined student population of around sixty six thousand.

Students have been blamed for the spread of coronavirus, despite Universities saying the majority of them are sticking to the rules. Credit: PA

It's difficult for students living in shared houses or accommodation to isolate from their flatmates - and some have travelled from home back to their university accommodation - which previously sparked some concern about transmission.

There are also some students who have been caught breaking coronavirus regulations.


People living in Leicester told us they think that some people in the city are still not respecting or understanding the rules.

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