THE rate of new coronavirus cases in Warrington remains low, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

Statistics showed that in the week before May 13, the most recent period for which data is available, there were only 26 positive Covid-19 tests returned in the town.

This equates to 12.4 infections for every 100,000 residents, the 214th highest level in the country.

By comparison, in the seven days before May 6 there were 30 transmissions across the borough – or 14.3 per 100,000.

Of the 315 local authority areas in England, 45 per cent saw a fall in cases during this period while 48 per cent experienced a rise.

The remaining towns and cities were unchanged.

Bolton has the highest rate in the country at present, with 811 new cases being recorded in the week before May 13 – or 282 per 100,000.

Elsewhere in the north west, Blackburn with Darwen was third nationally for infections with 117.6 per 100,000.

As of yesterday afternoon, Monday, there were 17 coronavirus patients in Warrington Hospital including two in intensive care.

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Covid-10 death toll currently stands at 499.

But 2,017 inpatients have been discharged from the Lovely Lane site since the start of the pandemic after receiving treatment for the virus.