The coronavirus infection rate is rising significantly as England enters its second day of restriction free life.

'Freedom day', from July 19, meant the dropping of most legal coronavirus restrictions, allowing businesses such as nightclubs to reopen, and the requirement to wear a face covering in most settings dropped.

However, over recent weeks England has recorded some of the highest rates of Covid-19 infections in the world.

This is before the dropping of these legal restrictions, with the effects of this yet to be seen.

Bolton's infection rate has started to rise significantly again, after being one of the first areas in the country to see an initial spike in infections during the spring.

The Bolton News: (Image: PA)(Image: PA)

This spike, which gave Bolton the highest number of cases in the country for a time, was brought under control in May and June, with rates sent down.

This was due to the hard work of local public health teams, along with the NHS, CCG, and countless volunteers who implemented surge testing and vaccination sites across the town.

But, the infection rate has been rising recently, as the country as a whole sees a huge spike in infections.

The Bolton News: (Image: PA)(Image: PA)

In the seven days to July 15, Bolton recorded 1259 new positive cases of Covid-19, equalling an infection rate of 437.8 new positive cases per 100,000 residents.

This is a significant increase from the previous seven days, to July 8, where the town recorded 933 new cases at a rate of 324.5 per 100,000.

Bolton is still recording the lowest infection rates in the Greater Manchester region, as every other borough has also seen a rise in cases.

The Bolton News: Gunner Emery (1RHA) hands a Bolton resident a Covid-19 testing kit (Image: PA)Gunner Emery (1RHA) hands a Bolton resident a Covid-19 testing kit (Image: PA)

Oldham and Wigan are both recording infection rates above 700 new cases per 100,000 residents, with Trafford and Manchester recording the next highest rates after Bolton.

This also comes after the Royal Bolton Hospital sent an urgent message to residents about the need to wear face masks and attend the hospital alone as it experiences a high number of patients in it’s A&E department.

The hospital has reiterated that it would be keeping Covid restrictions in place despite freedom day to help protect staff and other visitors.

Greater Manchester infection rates

From left to right: name of local authority; rate of new cases in the seven days to July 15; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to July 15; rate of new cases in the seven days to July 8; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to July 8.

Oldham, 744.8, (1766), 627.1, (1487)

Wigan, 738.4, (2427), 536.4, (1763)

Rochdale, 692.9, (1541), 574.2, (1277)

Salford, 629.7, (1630), 531.2, (1375)

Tameside, 611.9, (1386), 476.8, (1080)

Stockport, 553.5, (1624), 390.9, (1147)

Bury, 552.9, (1056), 397.9, (760)

Manchester, 549.9, (3040), 499.4, (2761)

Trafford, 536.8, (1274), 525.8, (1248)

Bolton, 437.8, (1259), 324.5, (933)