THERE were 31 new cases of coronavirus confirmed in the borough according to Sunday's daily figures.

There were another 31 people test positive for COVID-19 up to 9am on Sunday, September 20 in the latest Public Health England data.

This is a slightly smaller increase than the 35 new cases found in the previous day's figures and the 40 on Friday.

Meanwhile, there were 21 on Thursday; 61 on Wednesday and Tuesday's figure was 30.

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

These latest figures have yet to be included in the borough's weekly rate of new infections.

St Helens' latest seven-day rolling average rate of new infections was 102.4 per 100,000 people for the week leading up to September 14.

There were 185 new cases confirmed in St Helens during that seven-day period. 

The new weekly rate will be expected to have increased, based on the uptick in  figures over the past seven days.

On Friday, it was confirmed that the borough has been put under new restrictions in a bid to halt the rising rates of infection seen in the area.

From Tuesday, September 22 regulations will ban the following:

  • People should not socialise with others from outside their household or support bubble inside a home or private garden.
  • Hospitality for food and drink will be by table service only.
  • Late night restrictions for hospitality will be introduced, with leisure and entertainment venues including restaurants, pubs, and cinemas required to close between 10pm and 5am.

Residents are also urged to follow additional guidance to help limit the growth of the virus:

  • People should not mix with others from outside their household in a public venue.
  • Only use public transport for essential purposes such as travelling to school or work.
  • Only go on holiday with your own household or support bubble.
  • Residents are advised against attending amateur or semi-professional sporting events as spectators.

The latest figures mean that 1,703 people in the borough have been confirmed as testing positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

The total rate of infection in St Helens since the start of the outbreak in March now stands at 943 cases per 100,000 people, higher than the England average of 603.9.

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