THE rural area surrounding Knutsford appears to be one of the parts of Cheshire most badly hit by the pandemic’s second wave.

Public Health England releases data on coronavirus every day, showing how many cases have been confirmed in communities across the country.

The figures are broken down into geographical zones known as middle super output areas (MSOAs), and Public Health England provides a rolling seven-day count for Covid-19 cases in each one.

In recent weeks, one of the most consistent findings is that rural communities surrounding Knutsford – grouped together in the Mobberley, Plumley and High Legh MSOA – are among the worst hit by Covid-19.

Cllr Charlotte Leach, Conservative Cheshire East Council member for Mobberley, says it is unclear what exactly is driving up coronavirus case numbers in these rural communities.

Knutsford Guardian:

“I presume it is potentially the volume of care homes and also the demographic of the area,” she told the Guardian.

“But it is a tricky one looking at the data – I don’t know any more about it than that.”

While the area is labelled Mobberley, Plumley and High Legh, it actually covers a rural ring surrounding Knutsford, including places like Mere, Ashley and Ollerton.

Unfortunately, this means it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where Covid-19 is having its biggest impact.

The area’s proximity to Greater Manchester, which has been at the centre of a political row having seen soaring case numbers and infection rates as high as 800 per 100,000 people over the past month, could also be a factor.

This was given by CEC as a reason behind eight coronavirus outbreaks at care homes in north east Cheshire earlier this month, with 70 per cent of staff at the homes having travelled from Greater Manchester.

Knutsford Guardian:

The area's proximity to Greater Manchester was seen as a factor behind coronavirus outbreaks at care homes by CEC. Image: Jza84

In the most recent Public Health England figures available as the Guardian went to press, Mobberley, Plumley and High Legh had seen the highest number of coronavirus cases in a week out of any MSOA in Cheshire East or West.

During the seven days up to October 14, there had been 30 cases of coronavirus in the Mobberley, Plumley and High Legh MSOA – giving the area an infection rate of 250.7 per 100,000 people, compared to an overall rate of 167.6 for Cheshire East.

These high numbers have been emerging for more than a month – for example, in the week up to September 20, the area had 12 cases of coronavirus while central Knutsford’s two MSOAs had fewer than three each.

Knutsford itself has also seen high recent case numbers compared to other parts of Cheshire.

In the seven days up to October 14, the South Knutsford and Bexton MSOA had 18 cases of Covid-19, giving it an infection rate of 268.1 per 100,000 people.

However, the figure was much lower in the North Knutsford MSOA, where there had been just five cases over the same period and an infection rate of 78.4 per 100,000 people.

Knutsford Guardian:

The latest Public Health England map, showing levels of infection are higher in darker shaded areas

Cllr Leach added: “With Cheshire East now being in tier two, I would encourage everyone to follow the guidelines and ensure that you continue to wash your hands regularly, keep your distance and wear a mask when required.

“These are extremely challenging times for us all and I understand that further restrictions do make life more challenging.

"Only by continuing to be vigilant can we ensure that life can go back to normal as soon as possible.”