The coronavirus infection rate has dropped below 300 new cases per 100,000 residents for the first time in a number of weeks.

The number of new cases in Bolton has been falling steadily recently after the town was the first area in the country to see a spike in infections due to the Delta variant of Covid-19.

The surge vaccination and testing programme brought in to deal with the spike in cases, with the work of the community, military, and volunteers, has been very effective resulting in cases now coming down in the borough.

This is in stark difference to the rest of the country, especially the north west, where cases are very much on the up.

The Bolton News: Image: PAImage: PA

In the seven days to June 12, Bolton recorded 846 new positive cases of Covid-19, equalling an infection rate of 294.2 new cases per 100,000 residents.

This is a fall from the previous seven days, to June 5, where Bolton recorded 893 cases at a rate of 310.6 per 100,000 people.

Read more: Coronavirus death recorded at Bolton Hospital for second day running

Blackburn with Darwen has also seen its infection rate fall slight after a significant spike over recent weeks, falling from 583.2 to 576.5.

The Bolton News: The coronavirus vaccine bus in BoltonThe coronavirus vaccine bus in Bolton

All other boroughs of Greater Manchester have seen their number of cases rise in the last seven days.

Salford (331.9) and Manchester are recording the highest rates in the region (322.7), with Bury (274.9) and Wigan (245.8) also seeing significant spikes recently.

Greater Manchester infection rates

From left to right: name of local authority; rate of new cases in the seven days to June 12; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to June 12; rate of new cases in the seven days to June 5; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to June 5.

Salford, 331.9, (859), 241.5, (625)

Manchester, 322.7, (1784), 229.4, (1268)

Bolton, 294.2, (846), 310.6, (893)

Bury, 274.9, (525), 207.3, (396)

Wigan, 245.8, (808), 161.6, (531)

Rochdale, 217.6, (484), 151.1, (336)

Stockport, 216.1, (634), 204.8, (601)

Trafford, 197.6, (469), 159.3, (378)

Oldham, 184.7, (438), 102.9, (244)

Tameside, 166.5, (377), 105.1, (238)