The Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area currently has the highest Covid-19 rate of any local authority in the UK, with a total of 1,003.9 cases per 100,000 people recorded in the seven days to August 18.

This is the first time that any local authority in Northern Ireland has recorded rates over 1,000 since comparable records began in summer, 2020, when mass testing was first introduced.

The figures show how the third wave of coronavirus – which began in the UK at the end of May of this year – is once again on the rise after a period last month when it appeared cases may have peaked.

Around two-thirds (67%) of all local authority areas across the UK are currently recording an increase in case rates, including every area in Wales, all but one area in Northern Ireland (Mid Ulster), and all areas in mainland Scotland, according to analysis by the PA news agency.

Northern Ireland’s rate of new cases currently stands at 579.5 per 100,000 people – the highest since January 8 – while Wales is now at 297.4 per 100,000 – the highest since January 16.

Northern Ireland is estimated to have given a first vaccination jab to only 68% of 18- to 29-year-olds, compared with 71% in England, 73% in Scotland and 76% in Wales.

Northern Ireland has just held a ‘Big Jab Weekend’ in an attempt to encourage people to come forward for their first dose, with health officials saying at least 8,000 vaccinations were delivered over the past two days.