The coronavirus infection rate has fallen for the second day in a row in Bolton.

The number of cases in the borough and elsewhere in Greater Manchester had been rising significantly in recent weeks with rates soaring across the country in the lead up to 'freedom day' (July 19).

Bolton had experienced a spike in cases in late-April and early-May due to the spread of the new Delta variant at that time, giving the borough the highest infection rate in the country for some time.

However, this was brought under control around the end of May due to surge testing and vaccinations implemented by local public health teams, NHS, CCG, and countless volunteers to jab and test as many people as possible.

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

Rates started to increase again throughout July, but this has reversed in recent days.

In the seven days to July 23, Bolton recorded 1,107 new positive cases of Covid-19, equalling an infection rate of 385 cases per 100,000 residents.

This is a significant drop from the previous seven days, to July 16, where the borough recorded 1,384 new cases at a rate of 481.3 per 100,000 residents.

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

All boroughs of Greater Manchester have seen a fall in cases in the last seven days, with the places with the highest rates in the country, namely the north east with boroughs such as Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough seeing a fall in cases.

Oldham, Salford, and Wigan saw the highest infection rates in the region during the last seven days while Trafford, Bury, and Bolton recorded the lowest.

Greater Manchester infection rates

From left to right: name of local authority; rate of new cases in the seven days to July 23; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to July 23; rate of new cases in the seven days to July 16; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to July 16.

Oldham, 549.5, (1303), 790.4, (1874)

Salford, 537.8, (1392), 673.0, (1742)

Wigan, 529.4, (1740), 790.2, (2597)

Tameside, 510.8, (1157), 659.6, (1494)

Rochdale, 499.1, (1110), 720.3, (1602)

Stockport, 461.4, (1354), 587.2, (1723)

Manchester, 425.2, (2351), 580.6, (3210)

Trafford, 415.8, (987), 548.5, (1302)

Bury, 410.5, (784), 584.8, (1117)

Bolton, 385.0, (1107), 481.3, (1384)