HERE is the latest data on the spread of coronavirus in Runcorn and Widnes.

Figures from Public Health England showed that in the week before August 2, the most recent period for which statistics are available, 366 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in Halton.

This equates to 282.8 infections for every 100,000 residents, the 103rd highest case rate in the country.

By comparison, in the seven days leading up to July 26 there were 389 positive tests returned in the town – or 300.6 per 100,000.

Halton was one of 244 local authority areas to see a fall in case numbers between these two dates, while 71 per cent experienced a rise.

Lincoln currently has the highest case rate in England with 756.3 per 100,000 while Blackpool is the north west’s hotspot, featuring in sixth nationally with 474.7 per 100,000.

As of yesterday afternoon, Friday, Warrington Hospital had 24 coronavirus patients – including three in intensive care.

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Covid-19 death toll now stands at 511.

Since the start of the pandemic, 2,124 inpatients have been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment for the virus.