WREXHAM is now the worst region in the whole of Wales for its rate of people testing positive for coronavirus among the population.

The latest figures show that the rate in the county is 904.7 positive cases per 100,000 people in the community in a week that has seen the highest number of new cases since the pandemic began.

Almost all of the 18 sub-areas of Wrexham, designated by Wrexham Council, have seen worsening figures since the last update from the council on January 4.

There are now 11 coronavirus hotspots in the county which are in the worst centile in Wales, with ten having more than 800 cases per 100,000 members of the population. An increase from six just four days ago.

This means that in six areas in the county, the rate of people testing postive is one is every 100.

The coronavirus hotspots in Wrexham as on January 8:

Gwersyllt West & Summerhill has 1,722 per 100,000 - compared to 928 on 4th of January

Hermitage & Whitegate has 1,417 -compared to 1,154 on the 4th

Johnstown North & Rhostyllen has 1,223 - compared to 1,141 on the 4th

New Broughton & Bryn Cefn has 1,108 - compared to 1,031 on the 4th

Coedpoeth & Brymbo has 1,074 - compared to 658 on the 4th

Llay South & Gwersyllt East has 1,034 - compared to 1022 on the 4th

Wrexham West has 960 - compared to 948 on the 4th

Ruabon & Marchwiel has 936 - compared to 604 on the 4th

Borras & Rhosnensi has 868 - compared to 537 on the 4th

Caia Park has 840 - compared to 714 on the 4th

Acton & Maes-y-dre has 791 - compared to 633 on the 4th

16 of the sub areas have a rate of more than 550 per 100,000. The lowest rate per 100,000 is the sub area consisting of Bangor-on-Dee, Overton and Penley which has 421.

In his second twice-weekly update to members of the council, Lawrence Isted, Chief Officer Planning and Regulatory, said: "In a matter of a few weeks, the much more transmissible ‘UK’ variant of Covid-19 has become predominant in North Wales, accounting for approximately 70% of new cases and driving the rise in infection. The infection rate is doubling every six days in North Wales, compared to every 10.6 days in the rest of Wales. There are no known cases of the ‘South African’ variant, yet and this is a reducing risk given international travel restrictions.

"Wrexham has risen to first in Wales for our rate per 100,00 population (904.7 today) and remains second in Wales for positivity (30.9% today) and has seen its highest number of new cases since the pandemic began.

"All three statistics have more than doubled over the last three weeks.

"The number of hospital admissions (95) has now exceeded the peak of last year (91 in May). While deaths have not risen as steeply, there is always a month’s lag between new cases and these data, so, sadly, we must expect numbers to rise.

The update adds that there is expected to be an increase in the supply of the vaccine in the next few weeks.

Mr Isted added: "As these stocks become available priority groups in the wider population in Wrexham will be targeted to receive the vaccine through the MVC in Enfys Hospital, Deeside (which became operational before Christmas), two local centres in Wrexham (Plas Madoc and Glyndwr University which are expected to be up and running by 18th January) and local GP practices, pharmacies etc.

"This week, vaccinations for the over-80’s have been piloted in some GP practices in Wrexham and this will increase over the next few weeks. The Health Board consider that they will be in a strong position to have offered all over-80’s in Wrexham a vaccination by the end of January."