The Government has published its reasons for keeping Leicester and Leicestershire - including Ashby - in Tier 3.

And it says cases in North West Leicestershire have risen by more than 10 per cent - which is why the tier status has remained unchanged following the December review.

A report, uploaded to the Parliament website, provides a short summary of all areas across the country and the reasons why decisions were reached.

It was confirmed today (Thursday) that both the city and county will remain in Tier 3 for at least the next fortnight.

It appears that the fact the area's hospitals are now treating more Covid patients than ever before – as revealed earlier this week – was the main contributing factor to Tier 3 status remaining in place across the city and county.

The report said: "The hospital pressures have not been as strong a concern previously. However, this is now a material concern, suggesting we must act cautiously."

While some areas in the county have lower infection rates than the national average, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) is the main trust for patients in every area of the county and Rutland.

Today marks the 171st day of local lockdown and is the 269th day that Leicester has been under some level of Covid restrictions.

The report said:

LEICESTER: Since the end of national restrictions rates in Leicester City has remained stable though remain high. The case rate in all ages has been stable over the last 7 days but is still very high at 256 per 100,000. Case rate in over 60s is 227 per 100,000. Overall, the epidemiology indicators remain too high for allocation to Tier 2.

The number of daily Covid hospital admissions in the area continues to rise. The daily Covid hospital bed occupancy rate is above the national and rising. The proportion of critical care beds or beds with mechanical ventilation occupied by Covid patients also remains high.

LEICESTERSHIRE: Since the end of national restrictions, case rates in all ages have increased across Leicestershire, with rates in Oadby and Wigston, Melton, Blaby, Harborough, Northwest Leicestershire and Hinckley and Bosworth increasing by more than 10 per cent.

Case rates in over 60s are also increasing in all local authorities and are over 150 per 100,000 in Oadby and Wigston, Melton, Harborough and Charnwood. Positivity is increasing across Leicestershire. The epidemiology indicators remain too high for the area to move into Tier 2.

The number of daily Covid hospital admissions in the area continues to rise. The daily Covid hospital bed occupancy rate is above the national average and rising. The proportion of critical care beds or beds with mechanical ventilation occupied by Covid patients remains high.

The hospital pressures have not been as strong a concern previously. However, this is now a material concern, suggesting we must act cautiously.

Some county MPs had lobbied for some parts of Leicestershire to be 'de-coupled' from the city.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said in the House of Commons today:

"We looked at Leicestershire in great detail and I wish that we could have taken part of the county out. Well, I wish that we could have taken the county and the city out of Tier 3."

He paid tribute to local people, recognising that restrictions have been in place for 'a long time'.

"Unfortunately, the data didn't support that conclusion, I'm grateful to the people of Leicestershire, I know it has been a long hard slog with measures in place for a long time," he said.

Earlier this week it was revealed that UHL was treating more Covid patients than ever before.

At the height of the first wave in April, Leicester's hospitals treated 205 patients, earlier this month there were more than 260 Covid positive patients being treated at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital and Leicester General Hospital.

It us understood that the trust recently exceeded that figure.

Rebecca Brown, acting chief executive at Leicester's Hospitals said: "We are very much in the second wave now and are treating more people with Covid-19 in our hospitals than we were in the first wave earlier this year. We also face the usual winter pressures and are doing all we can to ensure we are able to maintain planned surgeries and procedures

"Given the national and local picture, we expect this to be a very tough winter.

"We continue to prioritise treatment for people with cancer, urgent and emergency care and to carry out planned operations wherever it is possible to do so. We are here for those who need us for their care so people shouldn't delay their treatment. Our emergency department is also very busy though, so as always, we ask that people use NHS services wisely."

She added: "We know how challenging the Covid restrictions continues to be for our local communities but everyone needs to play their part in preventing the spread of the virus.

"So please, follow the guidance and wear masks, wash hands and keep distance from others. This is the only way we can protect ourselves and our loved ones."

Some 649 people who have tested positive for coronavirus have died at Leicester's hospitals since the start of the pandemic.