The coronavirus infection rate has continued to rise across the region, with Bolton's rate rising at a sharp rate.

Infection rates have been rising significantly across the country in the last few weeks, coinciding with record numbers of people being told to self-isolate by NHS track and trace.

Bolton was the first area in the country to experience this new wave of infections back in late April and early May.

This was initially brought under control by the implementation of surge testing and vaccinations across the borough, and also the work by local NHS, public health, CCG, and countless volunteer teams to get as many people tested and vaccinated as possible.

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

This brought the town's rate down significantly, while rates started to increase across the country.

However, as rates now increase to their highest rates of the pandemic across the country, Bolton's rate is again on the rise.

In the seven days to July 19, Bolton recorded 1,529 new positive cases of Covid-19, equalling an infection rate of 531.7 cases per 100,000 residents in the borough.

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

This is a sharp increase from the previous seven days, to July 12, where the town recorded a rate of 348.1 per 100,000 people.

This is still the lowest infection rate in the Greater Manchester region, although it is not far off Trafford's current rate.

Wigan and Oldham are recording by far the highest proportion of cases in the region, with Redcar and Cleveland (1,523.9 per 100,000) recording the highest rate in the country.

Greater Manchester infection rate

From left to right: name of local authority; rate of new cases in the seven days to July 19; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to July 19; rate of new cases in the seven days to July 12; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to July 12.

Wigan, 819.7, (2694), 579.3, (1904)

Oldham, 795.4, (1886), 659.2, (1563)

Salford, 725.9, (1879), 554.4, (1435)

Tameside, 709.1, (1606), 497.6, (1127)

Rochdale, 680.7, (1514), 655.1, (1457)

Stockport, 608.3, (1785), 458.7, (1346)

Bury, 597.9, (1142), 450.3, (860)

Manchester, 582.6, (3221), 502.7, (2779)

Trafford, 549.4, (1304), 519.1, (1232)

Bolton, 531.7, (1529), 348.1, (1001)