Thanks, Andrew. That makes sense. Presumably it works on some element of population density.
I'm not sure about anyone else, but that figure for our small area sounds much higher than I would have expected. Certainly, I don't know anyone in my immediate area who has tested positively, though we've been complying with all the guidelines since springtime so haven't really spoken with local friends of neighbours very much.
I think the rates given are a bit confusing in how they're calculated. But if you look at the actual figures, they're pretty low in quantity.
Marple Bridge & Mellor it is listing as 13 cases.
Marple and Hawk Green is 6 cases.
Marple and Rose Hill is 22.
When you consider the population of Marple is something like 24k, that's pretty low. The chances of you knowing someone who has tested positively in the last week are therefore pretty low.
I actually don't know anyone at all who has tested positive, ever. I know people who have had to isolate. People who know people who have tested positive. But not anyone who has tested positive.
Incidentally I note from that chart that we are very close to the national average on our rates, which is interesting.