THERE have now been more than 4,100 recorded cases of coronavirus across Cheshire East and West since the pandemic began.

The number of recorded cases soared when results for tests carried out by commercial businesses – known as Pillar 2 data – was published for the first time last week, adding hundreds of previously unknown coronavirus cases from the past four months.

That number was added to the data which was already being published by the Department for Health, which came from cases analysed in NHS or Public Health England laboratories.

The latest figures show that in Cheshire East – including Knutsford, Wilmslow and Middlewich – there have now been 2,190 confirmed Covid-19 cases as of 9am today, July 7.

That is an increase of two from yesterday’s figure, but 835 more than were recorded this time last week, before the Pillar 2 data had been revealed.

Meanwhile in Cheshire West, which includes Northwich and Winsford, there had been 1,951 confirmed Covid-19 cases as of 9am today.

That is an increase of three on the same time yesterday, but 706 more than this time last week, before the Pillar 2 data had been revealed.

It means that in total across the two boroughs, there have been 4,141 known cases of coronavirus.

Both Cheshire East and West councils have produced plans to tackle any local outbreaks as and when they might arise.

Dr Matt Tyrer, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: “An outbreak is defined as two or more cases, who may have tested positive for Covid-19 within the same 14-day period, in people who either work together or have visited a place together.

“Contact tracing and subsequent testing will activate an outbreak notification process and our outbreak management plan will be put into action.”

Keep up to date with the latest advice to avoid coronavirus at gov.uk/coronavirus