MORE than 100 new cases of coronavirus have been announced in Cheshire East and West on the day the Prime Minister unveiled his roadmap out of lockdown.

New figures from Public Health England cover the 24-hour period up to 9am today, February 22.

In that time, there were 56 new cases in Cheshire East and 53 in Cheshire West, a total of 109 across the two boroughs.

That takes Cheshire East’s total number of Covid-19 cases to 19,462 since the pandemic began, while Cheshire West has seen 20,354.

Meanwhile, seven-day infection rates have plateaued in both boroughs over recent days, having fallen at a fairly steady rate over the past month.

Cheshire East’s infection rate is now 117.4 per 100,000 people, following 451 cases in the seven days up to February 17.

That is lower than yesterday’s figure of 119.5, but higher than 116.4 in the data released two days ago, which was the borough’s lowest rate since December 10.

It compares to rates of 142.1 one week ago and 184.3 a fortnight ago.

Cheshire West’s rate has also fluctuated in recent days – having risen from 134.1 to 141.7 per 100,000 people in Saturday’s figures.

It now stands at 128.8, following 442 cases in the seven days up to February 17, giving the borough the lowest rate since December 11.

It compares to rates of 157.1 one week ago and 223.6 a fortnight ago.

Earlier today, Mr Johnson told the House of Commons about his roadmap to ease lockdown – with schools to reopen to all pupils on March 8, and the rule of six expected to return outdoors on March 29.

The return of outdoor hospitality, non-essential shops and salons will take place no earlier than April 12, followed by indoor entertainment and accommodation no earlier than May 17, and an end to restrictions on social contact no earlier than June 21.