PUBLIC Health England data has revealed a rise in coronavirus rates across the borough.

According to the data for the week up to September 3, which is the latest period for which figures are available, 577 positive cases were returned in Halton.

This is an infection rate of 444.7 cases among every 100,000 residents, which is the 64th highest rate in UK compared with all other local authority areas.

In comparison, the previous week up to August 27 saw 447 positive cases recorded at a rate of 344.5.

Halton is among 255 of 377 local areas in the UK that have seen a week-on-week rise in rates (68 per cent), while 119 have seen a fall (32 per cent) and three are unchanged.

The highest rates are all in Scotland.