CORONAVIRUS infection rates in Warrington continue to rise, according to the latest official case data.

During the week up to January 4, which is the most recent period for which figures are available, 5,235 new cases were detected in the town.

This takes into account lab-reported tests and positive rapid lateral flow tests that do not have a negative confirmatory lab-based PCR test within 72 hours.

It demonstrates an infection rate of 2,500 cases among every 100,000 residents, which is the 45th highest in the UK at present.

Moreover, January 4 was the second most infectious day of the pandemic in Warrington, with a daily case total of 913 being recorded.

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Comparatively, the previous seven-day period up to December 28 saw 3,950 cases recorded at a rate of 1,886.4.

This is according to data published on the Government’s online coronavirus dashboard.

Data for the most recent days, January 5 to 9, has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.