MORE than 130 new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed across Cheshire East and West on the day that one borough topped the 20,000-case mark.

The latest figures from Public Health England cover the 24-hour period up to 9am today, February 17, when there were 66 new Covid-19 cases in Cheshire East and 68 in Cheshire West.

That means that there have now been a total of 19,186 coronavirus cases in Cheshire East since the pandemic started, while Cheshire West’s total now stands at 20,059.

Today’s total number of 134 new cases across the two boroughs is higher than yesterday’s figure of 123 and the 101 confirmed on Monday.

Meanwhile, both boroughs continue to see their seven-day infection rates fall, according to Public Health England.

Cheshire East’s infection rate now stands at 124.7 per 100,000 people, following 479 cases in the seven days up to February 12.

That is lower than yesterday’s figure of 130.4, 186.1 one week ago and 195.5 a fortnight ago – and is the lowest rate since the seven days up to December 13.

In Cheshire West, the rate now stands at 141.1 per 100,000 people, following 484 cases in the seven days up to February 12.

That is lower than yesterday’s figure of 147,5, 210.7 one week ago and 268.5 a fortnight ago – and is the borough’s lowest rate since the seven days up to December 12.

Both boroughs saw their highest infection rates in the seven days up to January 4, when Cheshire East’s rate was 497.7 and Cheshire West’s was 625.8.