THE rate of new coronavirus cases in Halton continues to fall, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

Statistics showed that in the week before July 24, the most recent period for which data is available, there were 440 cases returned in the town.

This is an infection rate of 340.0 per 100,000 residents, which is the 181st highest level in the country.

In comparison, in the seven days before July 17, there were 580 positive cases across the borough – or 448.2 per 100,000.

Halton is amongst the 98 per cent of local areas in England that have seen a fall, whilst two per cent have seen a week-on-week rise in rates.

The five areas with the biggest week-on-week rises are:

Torridge (up from 253.4 to 295.9)

Wellingborough (302.4 to 342.5)

Breckland (145.7 to 160.8)

Corby (379.4 to 390.5)

Hounslow (324.5 to 328.5)