THE number of positive cases for Covid saw a rise in the last 24 hours with more than 400 being identified across both Cheshire East and West.

New figures have been released by Public Health England and cover the period up to Wednesday, January 20.

In Cheshire West, including Northwich and Winsford, there were 206 new cases in that time – taking the borough’s total to 17,026 since the pandemic started.

In Cheshire East, including Knutsford and Middlewich, there were 229 new cases in the 24 hours up to 9am today – which is more than 100 higher than yesterday, taking the borough’s total to 16,509 cases since the pandemic began.

The 435 new positive cases is higher than the number recorded last Wednesday, but the seven day infection rate for Cheshire West has once again reduced.

In Cheshire West, the rate now stands at 439.9 per 100,000 people, which is lower than the 450.6 per 100,000 yesterday and much lower than what it was a week ago - 553.3 per 100,000 people.

In Cheshire East, the rate has jumped slightly to 332.2 per 100,000 people from the 329.8 per 100,000 people in yesterday’s figures, but it is much lower than what it was a week ago - 438.9 per 100,000 people.