CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has thanked residents for their efforts in ensuring coronavirus cases in the borough continue to fall.

But it says that information it is provided with as part of the NHS Test and Trace scheme needs to improve.

West Cheshire has seen its rates of Covid-19 infections continue to reduce this week, with 29 new cases reported in the last seven days.

This is compared to more than 200 cases per week during the late April and early May period.

Council leader Cllr Louise Gittins said: “The reduction in cases has been achieved by us all playing our part and following the national guidance.

“By washing our hands, keeping a safe physical distance from others and avoiding large crowds, we can all help to reduce the number further.

“If you do show symptoms of a new continuous cough, fever or have a loss of taste and smell, please get tested and follow the guidance to self-isolate.

“I want to say a big thank all of the residents of west Cheshire for playing your part to reduce the spread of Covid-19 so far.

“We all want to continue to enjoy the benefits of the easing of lockdown, seeing our loved ones and getting our economy back on track, so it is vital we remain cautious and do not get complacent as we all go about our daily lives.”

The council says that it is currently provided with some local data on Test and Trace by the Government, which is used to identify locations of confirmed cases, but this is only on a weekly basis.

It also says that this information does not contain all the details it needs, such as the place where people who have tested positive work.

The council is calling on Test and Trace data to be provided on a daily basis to ensure it can have an adequate service in place that will help us all protect lives and protect our livelihoods.

In the absence of this timely national data, the council says it is actively working with Public Health England, local NHS partners, care homes, schools and businesses to identify and prevent any potential local outbreaks through its coronavirus outbreak prevention, management and support plan.

If you have symptoms of a persistent cough, fever or loss of taste and smell, arrange a coronavirus test by calling 119 or visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus

Protect others by then self-isolating for 14 days.