The NUMBER of recorded coronavirus cases recorded in the borough in Tuesday's figures was 74, official figures say.

Public Health England figures show that 74 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in the 24 hours up to Tuesday, September 29.

These were among the 1,816 recorded in the north west over the period.

Across the UK on Tuesday, the number of recorded cases increased by 7,143 over the period, to an overall total of 446,156 since the country's first case in January.

The health body is now including Pillar two tests – those carried out in the wider community – alongside Pillar one tests, which are analysed in NHS Hospitals or PHE laboratories.

Wigan borough had a rolling seven-day infection rate of 133.6 new cases per 100,000 of the population, with 439 cases, in the seven days leading up to Friday, September 25.

This compared to a rate of 101.9 per 100,000 and 335 cases the week previously.

The borough was placed under tighter coronavirus restrictions from Saturday in response to the increased rate.

The overall rate of infection in Wigan borough since the start of the pandemic now stands at 1,045.1 cases per 100,000 people, higher than the England average of 679.9.

Cumulative case counts include patients who have recovered, were asymptomatic, are currently unwell and those that have died.