A NEW map released by researchers at a top UK university reveals how Shropshire could be affected by a second wave of Covid-19.

Experts at Oxford University have created a UK-wide interactive map which illustrates how each region could be affected by a second wave of cases.

The data is based off several factors which determine how areas could be hit worse – these include the number of vulnerable people in the region, as well as population density and social deprivation.

It also takes into consideration the availability of hospital resources.

According to the map, Shropshire is expected to see more than eight people per 1,000 receiving general care at hospital because of Covid-19.

On top of that, the number of those set to require acute care per 1,000 is 2.9.

The critical care capacity in Shropshire is 24 beds, with just under two of these potentially being taken up by Covid-19 patients.

Meanwhile, the worst hit region in Wales could be Powys, researchers say.

According to the report, published in BMC Medicine: "We estimate specific pressure points where Covid-19 demand is likely to outstrip the baseline local supply.

"This includes rural areas in Wales as well as the North East and South West of England where high expected hospitalisation rates combine with relatively low bed capacity.

“Importantly, these areas are often more isolated and further away from alternative hospital services."