BOLTON continues to see the biggest infection rate in the UK, according to figures released by Public Health England.

In the seven days to May 17, Bolton recorded 1,106 new cases – 459 more cases than the previous week – an increase of 70.9per cent. The rolling rate of infections is 384.6 per 100,000 of population.

Blackburn with Darwen follows with 280 new cases recorded and an infection rate of 187, while Bedford is third highest with 246 new cases and an infection rate of 142.

The vaccine rollout has been ramped up across the borough to combat the spread of the virus, while testing has also been surged.

Below are all the areas listed with the number of cases, whether the number of cases has gone up or down, the percentage increase or decrease and the rolling rate of infection (expressed per 100,000 of population).

Dunscar and Egerton – 18 cases, up 11, 157.1 per cent, rolling rate = 239.7

Bromley Cross and Bradshaw -  13 cases, up 11, 550 per cent, rolling rate = 179. 2

Eagley and Sharples – 27 cases, up 18, 200 per cent, rolling rate = 317.4

Horwich North  - 4 cases, up 2, 100 per cent, rolling rate – 55.5

Astley Bridge and Waters Meeting -  33 cases, up 14, 73.7 per cent, rolling rate = 370.9

Harwood – 14 cases, up 12, 600 per cent, rolling rate = 172.3

Horwich South and Middlebrook – 18 cases, up 6, 50 per cent, rolling rate = 227.9

Smithills – 33 cases, up 12, 65 per cent, rolling rate = 431.4

Blackrod and Butterwick Fields -  12 cases, up 4, 50 per cent, rolling rate = 198.5

Hall I’th’Wood -  17 cases, up 13, 325 per cent, rolling rate = 206

Halliwell and Brownlow Fold – 55 cases, up 40, 266.7 per cent, rolling rate = 649.6

Doffcocker and Moss bank -  25 cases, up 15, 150 per cent, rolling rate = 304.9

Breightmet North -  16 cases, up 12, 300 per cent, rolling rate = 188.2

Horwich East – 14 cases, up 4, 40 per cent, rolling rate = 228.9

Gilnow and Victory – 30 cases, up 5, 20 per cent, rolling rate = 313.6

Central Bolton – 30 cases, up 11, 57.9 per cent, rolling rate = 367.7

Tonge -  26 cases, up 20, 333.3 per cent, rolling rate = 279.4

Heaton and Dean –  50 cases, up3, 6.4 per cent, rolling rate = 561.8

Breightmet South and Darcy Lever -  14 cases, down 1, -6.7 per cent, rolling rate = 144.3

Lostock and Ladybridge – 41 cases, up 3, 7.9 per cent, rolling rate = 557.4

Rumworth North -  107 cases, up 45, 72.6 per cent, rolling rate = 1,231.6

Burnden and Great Lever -  80 cases, up 29, 56.9 per cent, rolling rate = 887.5

Rumworth South – 106 cases, up 43, 68.3 per cent, rolling rate = 1,269.6

 Little Lever -  22 cases, up 15, 214.3 per cent, rolling rate = 221.5

Lever Edge – 138 cases, up 63, 84 per cent, rolling rate = 1,565.9

 Daubhill and Fernhill Gate -  60 cases, up 17, 39.5 per cent, rolling rate 811.8

Farnworth North – 11 cases, 0, 0 per cent, rolling rate = 177.4

Westhoughton East - 6 cases, up 2, 50 per cent, rolling rate = 61.9

Harper Green  - 33 cases, up 23, 230 per cent, rolling rate = 391.2

Over Hulton -  19 cases, down 7, -26.9 per cent, rolling rate = 309.1

 Westhoughton West -  6 cases, up 4, 200per cent, rolling rate = 74.7

Farnworth South -   7 cases, up 5, 250per cent, rolling rate = 84.1

Highfield and New Bury – 15 cases, up 7, 87.5per cent, rolling rate = 175.6

Kearsley and Stoneclough -   3 cases, down 1, -25per cent, rolling rate = 27.6