THE number of positive coronavirus cases in Sussex is steadily declining, the latest report shows.

Statistically the number of people testing positive in the county has continued to fall this week with an average case rate of 148.42 per 100,000 people.  

The figures for the seven days to February 7 are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

Data for the most recent four days (February 5-8) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

The Argus:

(PA Graphics)

Arun saw 330 new positive coronavirus cases and has a case rate of 205.3 per 100,000 people. 

This is significantly reduced compared to the previous week when 520 new cases were recorded and the case rate was up at 323.5. 

A similar pattern can be seen county wide with rates in each unitary authority declining. 

Brighton and Hove reported 302 new cases, down from 510 in the previous week. 

Lewes has reported the lowest number of new positive cases, 124 and has a case rate of 120.4 per 100,000. 

Of the 315 local areas in England, 11 (3 per cent) have seen a rise in case rates and 304 (97 per cent) have seen a fall.

The Argus:

(PA Graphics)

What does case rate mean?

Evaluating the daily rate of new cases can give you a better understanding of the COVID-19 infection trends in your area.

The higher your community’s rate, the more likely you could be exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Calculating new daily rate of infections, per 100,000 residents helps us to compare larger and smaller communities. 

More populated areas will have more cases but expressing the rate per 100,000 residents enables a more equal analysis. 

The list for Sussex: 

From left to right: Local authority, rate of new cases in the seven days to February 4: number of cases (in brackets).

Rate of new cases in the seven days to January 28; number of cases (in brackets). 

Arun, 205.3, (330), 323.5, (520)

Brighton and Hove, 103.8, (302), 175.3, (510)

Chichester, 175.0, (212), 198.1, (240)

Crawley, 243.8, (274), 363.8, (409)

Eastbourne, 145.5, (151), 319.1, (331)

Hastings, 159.7, (148), 247.1, (229)

Horsham, 130.7, (188), 174.6, (251)

Lewes, 120.1, (124), 231.4, (239)

Mid Sussex, 89.4, (135), 159.6, (241)

Wealden, 110.9, (179), 180.2, (291)

The list has been calculated by the PA news agency based on Public Health England data published on February 8 on the Government’s coronavirus dashboard.

Find out more information on the government website.