The number of coronavirus cases in Bolton has continued to fall, with two other boroughs of Greater Manchester now recording higher rates.

Coronavirus cases have been falling steadily in Bolton over recent weeks after spiking in late-April and early-May due to the spread of the Delta variant.

However, this variant is now causing a spike in infections across the rest of the country, with the planned easing of lockdown restrictions having to be delayed from June 21 to July 19 in order to get on top of this spread, according to Boris Johnson.

In the seven days to June 11, Bolton recorded 864 new positive cases of Covid-19, equalling an infection rate of 300.5 new cases per 100,000 residents.

This is a fall from the previous seven days, to June 4, where the town recorded 922 cases at a rate of 320.6 per 100,000.

Salford and Manchester are now both recording higher rates than Bolton in the Greater Manchester region, with the boroughs recording rates of 316.8 and 313.3 respectively.

Blackburn with Darwen is still recording by far the highest rate in the country after recording an infection rate of 594.5 in the seven days to June 11.

A total of 60,531,923 Covid-19 vaccinations took place in England between December 8 and June 14, according to NHS England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 288,868 on the previous day.

Greater Manchester infection rates

From left to right: name of local authority; rate of new cases in the seven days to June 11; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to June 11; rate of new cases in the seven days to June 4; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to June 4.

Salford, 316.8, (820), 231.4, (599)

Manchester, 313.3, (1732), 225.0, (1244)

Bolton, 300.5, (864), 320.6, (922)

Bury, 269.1, (514), 200.0, (382)

Wigan, 238.5, (784), 149.4, (491)

Stockport, 219.5, (644), 189.1, (555)

Rochdale, 209.1, (465), 143.4, (319)

Trafford, 199.7, (474), 143.2, (340)

Oldham, 182.2, (432), 96.6, (229)

Tameside, 161.2, (365), 100.7, (228)