THE NUMBER of new coronavirus cases across Bolton has started to fall in most areas – but infections are still growing in eight of the borough’s neighbourhoods.

New figures reveal that the first week of lockdown saw a drop in the number of cases reported across Bolton, with 1,313 new infections recorded between November 4 and 11.

The week before, 1,620 new cases were reported, with a number of areas seeing infection rates rise.

Now, 26 of the borough’s neighbourhoods have seen new cases fall – with infections in Lever Edge dropping down to 49, from 82.

However, there are some parts of the borough that are still struggling to stamp out rising infection rates.

Rumworth South reported the most infections, with 65 new cases recorded.

Astley Bridge and Waters Meeting, and Halliwell and Brownlow Fold were close behind, with 63 and 60 new infections respectively.

All three areas saw a rise in newly reported cases – along with Gilnow and Victory, Springfield and Great Lever, and Over Hulton.

Horwich South and Middlebrook, and Horwich North also recorded a rise in new cases, whilst Heaton and Deane saw no change.

The data has been extracted from a map, which uses figures from Public Health England to detail each confirmed case of coronavirus by Middle Super Output Area, sections of around 7,200 people.

All 35 of Bolton’s neighbourhoods have now reported three or more infections of the virus every week for over a month and a half.

The dip in new cases came as Professor Susan Michie, a member of the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), urged people to resist breaking rules so the country could “be in a position” to see loved ones at Christmas.

She also suggested the announcement of a potential Covid-19 vaccine could lead to complacency, adding that the jab will make “no difference” to the current wave.

Prof Michie told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think the next two weeks is going to be absolutely crucial. They’re going to be a very challenging two weeks, partly because of the weather, partly because, I think, the promise of a vaccine may be making people feel complacent.

“But the vaccine is very unlikely to come in until the end of the year or beginning of next year."