BOLTON is getting on top of coronavirus cases once again as the infection rate continues to decline.

The town was one of the first areas in the UK to see a huge spike in infections in late April and early May, largely due to the Delta variant of Covid-19, first discovered in India.

Surge testing was first rolled out on May 8 with many mobile sites added in the following weeks and extra vaccinations were being carried out by mid-May. Most infections were reported in Rumworth, Deane, and Great Lever.

The highest number of cases recorded in a seven-day period in Bolton was the week ending May 21, when 1,300 positive cases of Covid-19 were detected, giving the town an infection rate of 452.1 cases per 100,000 residents ­— by far the highest in the country at the time.

However, while infection rates across the country are now rising, especially in Greater Manchester and the rest of the north west, Bolton has begun to reverse this trend. In the seven days to June 1, Bolton recorded 1,020 new cases of Covid-19, equalling an infection rate of 354.7 positive cases per 100,000 residents.

This drop in cases comes as a result of weeks of volunteers, with the help of the military, manning vaccine and testing sites as well as knocking on thousands of doors across the borough giving and collecting tests.

Dr Helen Wall is the senior officer responsible for the vaccination programme in Bolton, and has been out in the community encouraging all to get vaccinated in order to get on top of Bolton’s infection rate.

Dr Wall, said: “Several sites were in operation at community locations over the weekend and more sites are being added all the time.

“We are continuing our mission in Bolton to vaccinate as many eligible people as we can in the fight against this virus. I would urge anyone who still hasn’t had their first dose to go along to one of our community vaccination sites sooner rather than later. Come and speak to us!”

Bolton Council has praised residents and volunteers who visited thousands of residents over the weekend.

A spokesman said: “Thank you once again to everyone who has contributed to our enhanced testing programme.”

“Council staff, the national testing team, the army, volunteers and, of course, Bolton residents who have been very welcoming and eager to take part.”

Blackburn with Darwen is now recording the highest number of cases per residents in the country.

In the seven days to June 1 the area recorded 730 new positive cases, at an infection rate of 487.7 per 100,000 residents.