DESPITE the number of positive Covid case rising by almost 400 in the last 24 hours, the infection rate across both Cheshire East and West continues to fall.

New figures released by Public Health England cover the 24-period up to 9am on January 27.

During that time there have been 168 more positive tests in Cheshire West, an increase of 40 from yesterday, with Cheshire East seeing a leap of 221 cases, more than doubling the figure from Tuesday.

That brings the total number of positive Covid cases since the pandemic began to 18,139 in Cheshire West and 17,342 in Cheshire East.

However, both boroughs continue to see a downward turn in infection rates, which has been the case now for the last couple of weeks.

In Cheshire West, the rate now stands at 357.9 per 100,000 people, following 1,228 in the seven day period up to January 22.

That is lower than 362.9 per 100,000 yesterday and much less than what it was a week ago - 439.9 per 100,000 - with the high of two weeks prior to that was 553.3 per 100,000.

In Cheshire East, the rate now stands at 256.9 per 100,000 people, following 987 cases in the seven day period up to January 21.

Once gain, that is lower than what it was yesterday - 275.2 per 100,000, with the downward trend continuing from the week before - 332.2 per 100,000 and the 438.9 per 100,000 from two weeks ago.