LESS than 200 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Warrington in the space of one week, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

The total number of positive Covid-19 tests returned in the town dropped to 190 in the seven days before February 28, the most recent period for which data has been published.

This is equivalent to 90.5 infections for every 100,000 residents, the 106th highest rate in the country.

By comparison, 267 new cases were reported in the week leading up to February 21 – or 127.1 per 100,000.

Of the 315 local authority areas in England, 299 – or 95 per cent – saw a drop in the number of cases during this period while 13 saw a rise and three remained unchanged.

As of yesterday afternoon, Thursday, there were 82 Covid patients at Warrington Hospital – including nine in intensive care.

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s coronavirus death toll now stands at 471.

The trust has discharged 1,803 inpatients who received treatment for the virus since the start of the pandemic.