Epsom and Ewell borough currently has the highest infection rate of any local authority in Surrey, new government data has shown.

An info-graphic published by Surrey County Council (SCC) and showing the latest data on new Covid cases in Surrey in the seven days up to Friday (June 25) placed Epsom and Ewell at the top of all borough councils in the county for its infection rate.

The data showed that 137 new infections of Covid-19 were reported in the borough over the time period, an increase from the previous week's figure.

That meant the borough's infection rate of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people stood at 169.9, the highest of any local authority in Surrey and higher than the England-wide average of 141.2.

Nearby boroughs in the north and east of Surrey meanwhile recorded similarly high rates of Covid-19 infection as the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant continued.

The next highest infection rate was recorded in Mole Valley (157), with Elmbridge third highest (92.1).

In a short statement posted to Twitter on Monday (June 28), a spokesperson for SCC said:

"Today's COVID dashboard shows more cases across Surrey. Unfortunately, the more outbreaks we see, the more disruption to people's lives, work and education.

"Let's all play our part to try and stop the spread of COVID - test, vaccinate, hands-face-space!"

Hospitalisations related to Covid-19 are also on the rise as new cases of the Delta variant continue to increase.

The dashboard showed that there were 78 people admitted to hospital in the south east in the seven days to June 23, up 15 from the previous week's figure.

Click here to view the latest Covid-19 dashboard from SCC.