LATEST figures show the current England lockdown is having a positive effect on the infection rate locally, with the rate of new Cheshire West and Chester Covid cases falling sharply.

Figures released on the Government's coronavirus data dashboard on Sunday, November 22, show the latest seven-day figure of new cases recorded for the borough (November 16-22) is 624, with 71 new cases confirmed on November 22.

This is more than 45 per cent down on the previous seven-day figure (November 9-15) of 1,146.

Cases on the Government coronavirus data dashboard are recorded by the new cases confirmed that day, not by when the Covid test was taken. This gives a more current take of how much of an impact lockdown is having, but is not used to calculate the current infection rate.

Looking at the seven-day figures by Covid specimen date (ie when the test was taken, not when a positive result was identified a few days later), the infection rate drop is less pronounced but is still showing a consistent fall over the past week.

By Covid specimen date, the highest Covid infection rate for Cheshire West and Chester was recorded at 324.4 on November 11, when 1,113 positive tests were dated from November 5-11.

The latest seven-day figure by specimen date is for November 17, when there were 907 positive cases from tests taken from November 11-17.

That means the current infection rate for Cheshire West and Chester is 264.4.

The current lockdown for England was introduced on November 5, and is due to end on December 2, replaced by a tougher form of the 'three-tiered' approach that was in place in the weeks prior to lockdown.

Full details of what the restrictions are in the new three tiers are to be announced by the Government.