COVID cases in Stroud have rocketed by 500 per cent as figures across the UK hit the highest number since mid-July.

The new figures, released by the UK Health Security Agency, are based on a comparison between the week to October 9 and the week to October 16 and are per 100,000 people.

In Stroud, in the week to October 16 there were 925 cases reported per 100,000, compared to the previous week where just 154 were reported. 

Celebrity GP Dr Mark Porter has recently raised his concerns about these rising Covid cases, both in his hometown Stroud and the wider Gloucestershire area.

“In the last week there has been a five-fold increase in confirmed Covid cases in my local town (Stroud) to 782/100,000 - now twice the

national average. Not helped by regional PCR testing failures. Please be careful,“ he tweeted.

“I am sorry to sound like a broken record, but we have high (and disruptive) levels of Covid in Gloucester, and elsewhere, so it is vital to self-isolate and book a PCR if you have symptoms. I know it's a faff and faith in the PCR test has been dented, but please persevere,” he also said. 

Indeed, Stroud is not the only place in the surrounding area which has seen a dramatic rise in coronavirus cases. 

Gloucester and South Gloucestershire have both seen more than a 250 per cent in cases.

Although not as marked, there has also been just over a 100 per cent increase in Wiltshire.

This comes after the UK yesterday recorded more than 40,000 Covid cases for the eighth day in a row.

At a national level, the average in England is also up as pressure is mounting on the UK government, with Health Secretary Sajid Javid holding a news conference yesterday.