WYRE Forest's coronavirus infection rate is among the lowest in England, with less than nine cases recorded for every 100,000 people.

The district's infection rate fell to 8.9 in the week up to April 19 - the latest data available - which places it in the lowest 20 out of a list of 315 local areas in England.

The rate is a far cry from the 445 cases seen in Wyre Forest in the week up to January 8.

It comes after Wyre Forest Health Partnership announced on Friday it had vaccinated its 50,000th patient.

The partnership, which runs Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport Medical Centres, said: "Thank you to all our hard working staff for their dedication and enthusiasm - especially whilst doing this alongside your usual day job.

"Thank you to the volunteers and those staff members who have come back from retirement to help us.

"Thank you to our patients for your patience and the kind words of support and gratitude."

The director of public health for Worcestershire has thanked the public for their efforts to tackle Covid-19, but urged caution moving forwards.

Dr Kathryn Cobain spoke after University of Oxford professors researching coronavirus said Britain is no longer in a pandemic as a result of the country’s successful vaccine roll-out which has cut infection rates by 90 per cent.

Sarah Walker, professor of medical statistics and epidemiology at Oxford and chief investigator on the National Covid Infection Survey, told The Telegraph that Britain had moved from a "pandemic to an endemic situation”.

It was also highlighted that for the first time in six months the deadly virus has dropped to being the third biggest killer in England.

Dr Cobain said: “We are doing really well nationally and here in Worcestershire. Together we are making a huge difference, thank you so much for all you have done so far.

"It’s really important we continue to do all we can, nobody wants to see the numbers going back up. Our vaccination programme in the county is continuing to progress well and we’re really beginning to see the difference it is making. When you are called for your vaccination, I’d urge you to have it.

"Vaccines remain the best way to protect people and have already saved thousands of lives.”