The town at the centre of Norfolk’s biggest coronavirus outbreak now has the ninth-highest infection rate in England.

Dereham Times: Watton has a higher infection rate than parts of Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire following the coronavirus outbreak at Cranswick Country Foods. Picture: Denise BradleyWatton has a higher infection rate than parts of Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire following the coronavirus outbreak at Cranswick Country Foods. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Archant)

Watton’s rate stands at 1200 cases per 100,000 people following the crisis at Cranswick Country Foods.

Latest figures show that, in the seven days up to October 23, a total of 99 people in the town tested positive.

On October 26, 140 Cranswick workers were confirmed to have contracted the virus.

The Mid Norfolk town has the highest infection rate in the East of England and more than five times the current average for England, which is 224 per 100,000 people.

MORE: ‘Anxious’ and ‘scared’ - Town’s fears after Cranswick Foods coronavirus outbreak

By comparison, Warrington - which moved into Tier 3 on Tuesday - has an overall rate of 407 cases per 100,000.

Nottingham, which has 468.9 cases per 100,000 people, is set to move into the most restrictive tier on Thursday.

Out of 6700 areas in England, Watton is ninth in terms of the country’s highest infection rates.

An area of Blackburn tops the list with 1600 cases per 100,000, while parts of Durham and Loughborough stand at 1500.