FIGURES released by the government have shown a drastic shift in covid-19 infections reported in each area – with Springfield and Great Lever now topping the table for the highest infections.

The Bolton neighbourhood is now the worst-hit area in the borough, with 43 residents testing positive for the virus between September 25 and October 1.

This is the highest number of infections recorded in a single Bolton area, and has risen significantly from the 26 new cases seen two weeks before.

Lever Edge has the second-highest number of new infections, at 39, whilst Harper Green and Rumworth North have both reported 31 new cases.

The data has been extracted from a map, which uses figures from Public Health England to detail each confirmed case of coronavirus by Middle Super Output Area, sections of around 7,200 people.

By October 3, a whopping 647 new cases had been confirmed in people tested during the week to October 1.

All 35 of Bolton's neighbourhoods have now reported three or more infections of the virus, just over a month after Little Lever was the most infectious area with six new cases.

Now, the area is the seventh most infectious neighbourhood, with 25 new cases reported.

Several areas have seen significant drops in the last fortnight, including Kearsley and Stoneclough, and Lostock and Ladybridge – both former table toppers.

Kearsley and Stoneclough is currently reporting 19 new cases, down from 33 a fortnight ago, whilst Lostock and Ladybridge is down to 16 new infections, also down from 33. Farnworth South has also seen a steep drop in infections, down from 25 cases to just 11 new infections.

Tonge, Highfield and New Bury, Bromley Cross and Bradshaw, Breightmet North, and Horwich South and Middlebrook also saw a drop in new cases.

Doffcocker and Moss Bank has reported just seven new cases, up from down from five a fortnight before.

Heaton and Deane has also reported seven new cases in this period, a sharp fall from the 24 it recorded two weeks ago.