CORONAVIRUS infection rates have fallen across all six East Lancashire boroughs, according to the latest statistics.

The rate is expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people and is based on data published by Public Health England.

This has found that, though Blackburn with Darwen is still recording the highest rate of infection, cases are falling across the region.

The rates for each East Lancashire area are as follows:

Blackburn with Darwen, 175.7 per 100,000 people, (263 new cases), down from 187.7 per 100,000 the previous week, (281 new cases)

Ribble Valley, 144.5, (88), 139.6, (85)

Hyndburn, 135.7, (110), 148.1, (120)

Pendle, 127.0, (117), 157.4, (145)

Rossendale, 124.5, (89), 113.3, (81)

Burnley, 100.1, (89), 132.7, (118)

The figures, for the seven days to February 22, are based on tests carried out in laboratories, pillar one of the Government’s testing programme, and in the wider community, which is pillar two.

Of the 315 local areas in England, 55 (17%) have seen a rise in case rates, while 260 (83%) have recorded a fall.

Corby in Northamptonshire has the highest rate in England, with 241 new cases recorded in the seven days to February 22 – the equivalent of 333.7 cases per 100,000 people.

This is up slightly from 325.4 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to February 15.

Peterborough has the second highest rate, up from 241.3 to 263.0, with 532 new cases.

Tamworth in the West Midlands is in third place, up from 191.7 to 250.3, with 192 new cases.

Of the 55 areas to record a week-on-week rise, the top five are:

North Warwickshire (up from 183.9 to 246.7)

Tamworth (191.7 to 250.3)

South Holland (163.1 to 198.9)

Worthing (66.0 to 101.3)

Swindon (91.4 to 123.8)