THE ARMY has been called in to beef up Bradford's coronavirus testing after it emerged the city is on a knife-edge amid growing concern about local outbreaks.

Although the number of cases per 100,000 people has fallen over the last few days, Bradford remains "an area of concern", according to a classified Government document leaked to The Observer newspaper.

And Kirklees has now overtaken Bradford as the second worst affected area in England after Leicester, which is still in a local lockdown.

Both Bradford and Kirklees have been earmarked for what Government officials call 'enhanced support',  including assistance from the armed forces.

Extra mobile testing units have been deployed to dramatically increase the ability to test and trace people with the virus.

Leicester remains the worst hit with 5.7% of people who have been tested found to have the virus. Kirklees is next on 5% and Bradford is in third place.

The leaked report says "these areas are currently under investigation by local public health protection teams".

And it adds: "Testing access is being increased in areas, including Bradford..." saying several of the worst affected areas have seen workplace outbreaks. Last month more than 150 workers at a Kirklees meat plant tested positive for Covid-19.

Bradford Council has already ramped up its testing and extra units, staffed by the army, have been deployed in Keighley and East Bowling.

The authority is understood to have asked for extra testing units, more environmental health officers, and funding to develop its own local test-and-trace programme.

The revelations come amid fears that areas with large south Asian populations seem to be facing the greatest risk.

Officials fear the Government will order a local lockdown unless they can drastically reduce the spread of the virus.