MORE than 250 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed across Cheshire East and West in 24 hours.

It comes as there is growing pressure on the Government to call a national lockdown in England, following in the footsteps of Wales, France and Germany.

Latest figures from Public Health England cover the 24-hour period up to 9am today, October 30.

In Cheshire West, including Northwich and Winsford, there were 128 new cases of coronavirus in that time – taking the borough’s total to 5,717 since the pandemic started.

Meanwhile in Cheshire East, including Knutsford and Middlewich, there were 126 new cases of Covid-19 in the 24 hours up to 9am – taking the borough’s total to 6,043 since the pandemic began.

Across both boroughs, there were 254 cases of coronavirus in 24 hours, slightly more than the 242 daily cases announced on Thursday.

Infection rates have been higher this week than last week across the two boroughs, despite it being the second week of Tier 2 restrictions, although the rates have remained fairly steady.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has advised the Conservative Government to call a national ‘circuit break’ lockdown in the past month, along with the Labour opposition, and the Home Secretary refused to rule it out yesterday.

Priti Patel MP said: “Well I think at this stage of course we can rule nothing out because we are a Government that is focused on making sure that we stop the spread of this virus, and also we protect public health.”

However, the leader of the Cheshire West and Chester Council insists her borough is in a good place to turn the tide on Covid-19, as long as residents ‘work together’.

Cllr Louise Gittins said: “Data and evidence suggest we are better placed compared to many areas, but rates have risen and we need to maintain vigilance."