New coronavirus cases soared five-fold in Halton last week as infections accelerated across the country.

Official figures show there were 31 new cases in Widnes and Runcorn during the seven days up to Saturday (September 5), compared to just six in the previous week.

The sudden rise brings cases to their highest level in Halton since the beginning of June and follows a period in which new infections remained largely in single figures.

Eileen O’Meara, Halton’s director of public health, said the council was still investigating to see if the new cases were linked.

She said: “While the number of cases in Halton remains low, we have seen an increase in positive cases over recent days, as have many other areas around the country.

“We are currently investigating these cases to understand in more detail how the virus has spread and if cases are linked.”

Halton now has an infection rate of 24 new cases per 100,000 residents. Although this is still the lowest in the city region and well short of the levels seen in areas that have gone back into lockdown, the sudden rise will be a serious concern for public health officials.

Ms O’Meara added: “It does serve as a reminder to us all that coronavirus has not gone away and it is essential that we all remain vigilant in maintaining social distancing, wearing masks where required and regularly washing our hands.

“I would also like to remind young people in the borough that just because they may not be as susceptible to a nasty dose of coronavirus, they can still give it to their granny or grandad who could well be really ill with it.”

Data from Public Health England does not suggest that the outbreak is concentrated in specific areas.

Up to September 3, Norton, Upton Rocks, central Widnes and the area around Halton Road in Runcorn recorded only three new cases each, while Palacefields recorded four. All other areas recorded fewer than three cases.

The rise comes against a background of increasing cases across both the Liverpool City Region and the UK in general.

The city region saw more than 400 new cases last week, compared to 233 in the previous week.  Nationally, the UK recorded more than 11,000 new cases in the same week, up from 8,588 the week before.