A FURTHER 117 coronavirus cases were recorded across East Lancashire over the last 24 hours, the latest figures show.

The figures were announced on Friday, the day East Lancashire found out it would be plunged back into lockdown.

Of those, the largest increase in infections was recorded in Blackburn with Darwen where 40 people tested positive for the virus. The borough has now seen a total 2234 cases. Rossendale recorded the second highest number of new cases, with 21 fresh infections brining the area’s total to 520.

Hyndburn also recorded 21 new cases, with a total of 702 infections recorded there since the start of the outbreak in March.

Burnley’s total cases grew to 848 after 20 new infections were recorded in the borough in Friday’s figures.

Pendle recorded the second lowest number of new infections with 13 cases bringing their total up to 1,084.

the Ribble Valley, which has the lowest infection rate in Lancashire, reported just two new cases of COVID-19. The borough has seen a total of 264 cases since March. On Friday it was announced that the most of Lancashire will be placed under strict new lockdown measures.

New measures for Merseyside and Lancashire, excluding Blackpool and Greater Manchester, will come into effect on September 22.

Residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens.

Hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only and leisure and entertainment venues – including restaurants, pubs, and cinemas – must close between 10pm to 5am.

Locals are also advised only to use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work and avoid attending amateur sporting events.In Lancashire, the extra measures will apply to: Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle, Preston, Rossendale, Hyndburn, Burnley and South Ribble, West Lancashire, Chorley, Wyre, Fylde, Lancaster, Ribble Valley.

In Merseyside and Cheshire, it includes: Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Halton and Warrington.

A ban on households mixing in homes and gardens already exists in the City of Manchester, Trafford, Bury, Tameside, Rochdale, Salford, Bolton, Oldham Preston, Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle – with people also advised to avoid mixing in public venues too.

In Oldham and parts of Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle, people were already advised and use public transport for essential reasons only and hospitality operators told to accept reservations only.

Weddings and funerals are also limited to a maximum of 20 people.

In Bolton, measures were brought in last week restricting restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs to takeaway only, and requiring all hospitality venues to close between 10pm and 5am.

As with some other areas, different households should not meet in homes or gardens and use of public transport should be for essential reasons.

Local restrictions in Northumberland, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North and South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham came into force on Friday.

Residents in these areas are banned from socialising in homes or gardens with people outside their own households or support bubble, and advised not to socialise in public venues too.

Food and drink venues are restricted to table service only and leisure and entertainment venues are required to close between 10pm and 5am, although takeaways can still provide home deliveries during these times.

People should avoid non-essential travel on public transport and only take holidays with their own household or support bubble.

The measures cover an estimated two million people.

In West Yorkshire, all parts of Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale, will be banned from socialising with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens from September 22.

The Department of Health and Social Care said some wards in these areas were exempt from existing restrictions on gatherings introduced at the start of August, but these wards will now also be subject to the ban.