Please note these figures refer to the 24 hours up to 4pm on Thursday, March 18.

North West Leicestershire saw the biggest increase in Covid infections across Leicestershire over the past 24 hours.

The latest figures showed 17 new cases.

It means the district, which has been of concern to Leicestershire Health chiefs, has a seven-day infection rate of 111 cases per 100,000 of the population - with 115 new cases over the past week.

That is just behind Leicester's 114.3 cases - the highest rate in the county.

But these figures are far lower than the 400-plus rate record in North West Leicestershire just two months ago.

More than 150 new Covid cases have been confirmed across the city and county for the first time in a week today (Thursday).

In total there were 156 new infections identified – 69 in Leicester and 87 spread across Leicestershire.

Charnwood added 15 cases to its overall toll and there were 14 in both Blaby and Melton.

Harborough's cumulative total increased by 13.

There were eight new cases in Hinckley and Bosworth and six in Oadby and Wigston.

The new cases, updated today (Thursday) at 4pm, mean that the total number of cases across the city and county since the start of the pandemic area by area are :

• Leicester: 35,054
• Blaby: 6,815
• Charnwood: 12,045
• Harborough: 4,978
• Hinckley and Bosworth: 5,857
• Melton: 2,549
• North West Leicestershire: 5,860
• Oadby and Wigston: 4,818

The latest seven-day infection rates, area by area, are:

• Leicester: 114.3 cases per 100,000 (405 cases in the past seven days)
• Blaby: 78.8 cases per 100,000 (80)
• Charnwood: 94.7 cases per 100,000 (176)
• Harborough: 64 cases per 100,000 (61)
• Hinckley and Bosworth: 61 cases per 100,000 (69)
• Melton: 109.4 cases per 100,000 (56)
• North West Leicestershire: 111 cases per 100,000 (115)
• Oadby and Wigston: 61.4 cases per 100,000 (35)