THE number of Central Fife ‘neighbourhoods’ in the top bracket for coronavirus infection rates has increased again.

The Scottish Government’s neighbourhood interactive map shows which council wards are worst hit by Covid-19 to a weekly average based on a population per 100,000 people.

Based on October 23 – October 29, the latest figures available, there are now six wards with 100 and over based on a population of 100,000, this has increased from four last week.

In the top category this week are Cowdenbeath North, Cowdenbeath South, Hill of Beath and Kingseat, Kelty East, Kelty West, and Lochgelly East.

This means that both Cowdenbeath North and South have moved from the second lowest infection rates to the highest in just a week.

In the second highest category, 75-99, is Crossgates and Halbeat, up again from last week.

Cardenden, Lochgelly West and Lumphinnans, and Lochore and Crosshill all have a rate of 50-74 per 100,000.

The only ward in the bottom three categories is Ballingry which is in the third lowest at 30-49.

This means that for the first time since the data tool became available, there is no Central Fife neighbourhood with an infection rate lower than 30-49 per 100,000.