Coronavirus infection rates soar in Bolton ­— even after the introduction of tougher restrictions

Curbs on socialising and new 'lockdown' measures affecting the hospitality industry came into force in Bolton on September 8 when the rolling rate was at 198.6 new cases per day per 100,000 peple

Yet the rate has been higher every day since, with the exception of two days, and currently stands at 238.9.

And this trend is reflected in other of England's worst affected communities, which had local restrictions imposed in an analysis of Public Health Data by the PA news agency.

Areas in the north west are among those to see several-fold increases in their seven-day rate of new Covid-19 cases, even where people have been ordered to limit the number of people they socialise with.

Other communities ­— including Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle ­— also continue to have infection rates well in excess of the national average, several weeks after tailored restrictions were introduced.

In Leicester, which is due to mark 100 days since local lockdown restrictions were first introduced next week, the infection rate remains more than double the average for the UK, despite dropping to its lowest level last month.

The east Midlands city was the first to be issued with specific rules back in June 30 amid a spike in cases in the city.

In Pendle, the rolling rate of infection is now at 218.2 cases, roughly six and a half times the figure of 33.7 when restrictions were introduced on July 17.

Similarly, in Blackburn with Darwen, the rate of 81.5 when specific restrictions were imposed has risen as high as 211.1 in the last week.

The rolling infection rate has more than tripled since new measures were introduced in Oldham last month.

The town introduced fresh restrictions on households mixing and advised people against all-but-essential travel from August 22 when the infection rate was 60.3 cases per 100,000 people.

But the rate has not dropped below 100 since before September 10, with latest figures putting it at 182.6.