NEW coronavirus data has revealed that there are now five central Fife wards in the highest category of infection rates.

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

For the week up to and including January 14, the most recent data available, there are five central Fife areas in the highest category of 400+ cases per 100,000 people, compared to last week when there were two.

In the highest category with an infection rate of 400+ based on a population of 100,000 are Lochgelly West and Lumphinnans, Ballingry, Lochore and Crosshill, Lochgelly East, and Cowdenbeath North.

In the second highest category, with an infection rate of 200-399 are Cowdenbeath South, Thornton and Kinglassie, and Crossgates and Halbeath.

Kelty East, Hill of Beath and Kingseat, and Kelty West are the only areas in the third highest category.

Cardenden is the sole central area in the 50-99 infections category.

That means for the second week running, there is no central Fife ward in the bottom “suppressed” category.

The worst hit area in the whole of Fife is currently Lochgelly West and Lumphinnans which recorded 25 positive cases in the past week, after recording the same as the week before.

Across the whole of Fife there is a seven day positivity rate of 9.9 per cent, the same as the week before.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) outline that a positive percentage over five is “out of control”.