FIVE more people have now died at Royal Bolton Hospital after contracting coronavirus.

The latest deaths, which were added to official statistics earlier this afternoon, show one patient death from Friday, three deaths from Saturday, and one from Monday have all been linked to covid-19.

So far in October, 21 deaths have been linked to coronavirus, more than we've seen in the past three months combined.

Eight patients who died in September, five who died in August, and five who died in July had their deaths linked to coronavirus.

So far, 260 people have now died at the borough's hospital after contracting covid-19.

The government also confirmed that 187 new cases of coronavirus across the borough, bringing the number of people infected across Bolton to 6,530.

In the week up to October 10, yhe borough recorded 854 new cases, for a rate of 297.0.

Although the infection rate is still rising, Bolton is now only the 28th most infectious place in the country. 

Just a few weeks after it was the hardest hit area of England, Bolton is now faring better than most areas of Greater Manchester, with Trafford, Bury, Salford, Oldham, Wigan, Rochdale, and Manchester all recording higher infection rates. 

Bolton soared to the top of the table at the start of September with a rate of 76.5, with further restrictions coming into force when the rate hit 120 cases per 100,000 people. 

As of Sunday, the most recent figures available, 1,399 people are being treated for coronavirus symptoms in hospitals across the North West, up from 996 the week before.

On Sunday, 209 new patients were admitted to hospitals across the region, with 54 people finishing treatment. 

Finishing treatment includes both deaths and discharges. 

Currently, 140 people are being ventilated, up eight from those requiring ventilation the day before.