London may appear to be the worst hit by coronavirus, but latest figures suggest one Yorkshire town could be the most at risk because of its extremely high poverty level.
A report published by the Centre For Progressive Policy (CPP) claims people living in the poorest towns in the North of England and the Midlands are the most at risk of dying from coronavirus.
The report's "risk index" suggests people in Middlesbrough have the highest chance of dying from the disease.
It's raised such huge concerns that local Mayor, Andy Preston, has closed all parks to prevent all unnecessary social interaction.
"London has seen the highest number of cases of Covid-19 but what our work shows is that people living in some of the poorest parts of the country could potentially face the biggest risks," said Ben Franklin, lead researcher for the CPP.
The think tank analysed data for the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in each upper tier local authority in England.
The figures were then combined with data about life expectancies and the ratings produced by the Care Quality Commission for local social care providers.
"The number of Covid-19 cases makes up only 25% of the risk score that we've given each area," Franklin said.
"The other 75% looks at the local public health resilience, how long someone could expect to live healthily in normal times, and the quality of care they are going to receive.
"Everyone has been following the number of coronavirus cases in each area but that is only part of the story."
On the back of the report, Mayor of Middlesbrough Andy Preston has made the decision to close all parks, despite the government stating they must remain open to "protect the health of the nation".
"There is a clear link between poverty and Covid-19," Preston told the BBC.
"First off it's harder for the poor to social distance because they live in more crowded houses, and many are surviving hand to mouth."
In Middlesbrough, the average person's health will begin to deteriorate at the age of 47, according to the Office for National Statistics.
In most of England, people can expect to live healthily well into their 70s.
"In Middlesbrough and similar areas we have low life expectancies, a lot of young people who have cancer, or who have breathing or heart problems and those people are most likely to be affected by coronavirus," he added.
"When it comes to Middlesbrough I know better than the government.
"When the parks were open we saw people wrestling and messing about in them.
"Middlesbrough has a fragile economy, and we are the town most at risk when it comes to Covid-19."
Preston has also raised concerns about not having enough money to protect the most vulnerable people in the town.
"Every day we're sending out over 100 emergency food parcels to some of the most vulnerable people in the country, but I want to protect more people and we need to do more," he said.
"We've received £5million in emergency funding and we've been promised more money which I'm pleased about, but I've made it clear to the government we need a lot more."
Councils across England have received in total £3.2billion in emergency coronavirus funding from central government in recent weeks.
This includes £500million to help those struggling with council debt, alongside payment holidays on mortgages and payday loans.
10 local authority areas most 'at risk' of Covid-19
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Middlesbrough
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Walsall
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Wolverhampton
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Wirral
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St Helens
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Sandwell
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Knowsley
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Barnsley
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Halton
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Redcar & Cleveland
Source: Centre for Progressive Policy
