NEW coronavirus data has revealed that parts of Benarty are in the highest categories for infection rates in Fife.

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

For the week up to and including January 23, the most recent data available, the Ballingry area is in the highest category of 400-plus cases per 100,000 people.

It was one of five central Fife wards that had the worst infection rates last week, but while other areas have improved it's still a cause for concern.

The seven day positive rate per 100,000 population stands at 447.8 for Ballingry, with 13 people testing positive for Covid-19 in the past week.

The neighbouring ward, Lochore and Crosshill, is in the second highest category, with an infection rate of 200-399 per 100,000 population.

This area's rate stands at 353.4 and there were 10 confirmed positive tests in the past seven days.

Lochgelly East is in this category too, it also had 10 new cases with a rate of 228.7.

Next door, Lochgelly West and Lumphinnans is in the third highest category – wards with an infection rate of 100-199 per 100,000 population – and five people tested positive for coronavirus last week.

Cowdenbeath North, and Aberdour and Auchtertool, are also in this category with seven and four new cases respectively.

Kelty East and Cardenden are in the 50-99 infections category, with three and four new positive tests respectively in the past seven days.

The good news is that four central Fife wards, Kelty West, Hill of Beath and Kingseat, Cowdenbeath South and Crossgates and Halbeath, have made it into the final category, where the virus is considered to be "suppressed” with between zero and two cases.