THE NUMBER of confirmed cases of covid-19 reported across the borough each week have risen sharply over the last month.

Official statistics show that 936 new infections were recorded in people tested between October 5 and 11 – up 75 per cent from the September 5 to 11 total of 538.

Astley Bridge and Waters Meeting has been hit the hardest by the new infections, with 55 residents testing positive better October 5 and 11.

This is the highest number of infections recorded in a single area since the start of the pandemic, and has soared from the 13 cases recorded a month ago.

Rumworth South and Halliwell and Brownlow Fold have seen the second-highest number of new infections, with 45 residents of each neighbourhood contracting covid-19, whilst Farnworth North recorded 43 positive results.

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.

All 35 of Bolton's neighbourhoods have now reported three or more infections of the virus.

Several areas have seen drops over the last month, including Kearsley and Stoneclough, Springfield and Great Lever, Lostock and Ladybridge, and Tonge – all former table toppers.

Kearsley and Stoneclough is currently reporting 31 new cases, down from 46 last month, whilst Lostock and Ladybridge is down to 17 new infections, from 25.

Springfield and Great Lever saw 18 new cases, down from 20, whilst Tonge reported 16 new infections, down from 27. Gilnow and Victory has also reported a drop in new cases, with 19 residents testing positive instead of the 23 recorded last month.

At the bottom end of the scale, Bromley Cross and Bradshaw has recorded the fewest number of infections, with 14 new cases – up from nine, with Westhoughton West recording 15 new cases, up from six.