The Bristol area where coronavirus cases went up 1,000 per cent
Coronavirus cases have risen across parts of Bristol - but none more so than in Knowle West.
The area in the south of the city recorded a 1,000 per cent rise in cases in the week leading up to 2 January.
That is according to the Government’s latest data, which showed 70 cases were recorded in the area - up from 6 the week before.
That represented a 1,066 per cent rise in cases, and was the highest increase of any area in the city.
‘Staggering rise’
Charlie Watts, who works at Filwood Community Centre, said there are a number of reasons that might explain the recent rise.
“I think we are seeing a lag in the figures,” he told ITV News West Country. “And the Government said we should expect this.
“There were only a handful of cases in Knowle West before Christmas, but I think a lot of households came together on Christmas Day - which was permitted by the Government.
“It’s a staggering rise, but the Government did say we should expect this.”
According to the figures, three areas of south Bristol have seen sharp rises in Covid-19 cases - Knowle West, Bishopsworth and Hengrove.
It is not thought they are linked to any particular outbreak.
Instead, Bristol’s Director of Public Health Christina Gray has warned rises are being recorded in all areas of Bristol.
“We are seeing cases of Covid-19 rise across Bristol, and in all age groups, and really need everyone to pull together now and protect one another," she said.
The data shows 1,325 people died from the virus on 8 January, which is higher than the 1,224 people who died from coronavirus during the first wave.
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