THE coronavirus infection rate in Bolton has risen slightly - securing its spot as the seventh most infectious area of England. 

In the latest rolling seven-day rate of new cases of Covid-19 figures, the borough's infection rate continued to rise, with 1638 new cases in the seven days up to October 26 - equivalent to a rate of 569.6.

The week before, up to October 19, 1368 new cases were recorded, a rate of 475.7. 

Blackburn with Darwen continues to have the highest rate in England, with 1150 new cases, for a rate of 768.2.

Fellow Greater Manchester borough Oldham is second on the table, with 1668 new cases for a rate of 703.5, whilst Wigan is in third spot, with a rate of 687.3, and 2,259 new cases. 

Salford and Rochdale are fourth and fifth - with rates of 610.8 and 591.7 respectively, whilst nearby Bury comes in at ninth, with a rate of 550.8.

Tameside has the tenth highest rate - 533.3 - whilst Manchester is at 15th, Trafford in 21st, and Stockport in 22nd. 

The list has been calculated by the PA news agency and is based on Public Health England data published on October 29 on the Government’s coronavirus dashboard.