SHROPSHIRE Council is urging people to adhere to Covid-19 restrictions after the infection rate reached its highest point yet in the county.

The infection rate for the seven days to Thursday, January 7 was 450.9 cases per 100,000, with north Shropshire recording 42 per cent of all cases.

Across the county, 1,457 new cases were reported, which is 687 cases more than the previous seven-day period.

Cases were up 87 per cent over the course of the week.

Shropshire Council is now urging residents to follow the guidelines in place to reduce the rate of transmission.

Leader of the council, Councillor Peter Nutting, admits there are concerns about people breaking lockdown rules.

He said: “There are concerns nationally, and indeed here in Shropshire, that the rules are being bent or broken, but we are in a critical phase of the pandemic and it is absolutely vital that we all stick to the rules.

“We all need to think carefully before leaving our homes – if it is not essential, then please stay at home.

“You should always stay local in your village or town, and only travel further if legally permitted.”

Of the cases reported, 30 per cent were in the Shrewsbury & Atcham area.

Across Shropshire, 498 cases were found in people under the age of 30, while 148 were found in people over the age of 70.