THE number of people testing positive for coronavirus in Bolton is continuing to rise.

Figures released this afternoon show that a total of 319 people were reported as testing positive for the virus on Sunday.

The total number of people in the borough giving positive tests over the last seven days is now 1,307, a rise of 44.1 percent on the week of October 6 to 12.

However, the number of people dying with the illness has fallen. Over the last seven days six people in the area, who tested positive for Covid-19 within the previous 28 days have died - a drop of 33.3 per cent on the previous week.

NHS England has reported that there were no deaths recorded over the weekend among people with coronavirus being treated at The Royal Bolton Hospital. There have been no further deaths since October 16 and the total number of people who have died from the virus in the hospital since the pandemic began stands at 263.

The numbers being admitted to North West hospitals are up 30.8 per cent, with 1,527 people needing in-patient treatment over the last seven days.