THERE were another 31 cases of coronavirus confirmed in St Helens in the latest daily figures.

There were another 31 people test positive for COVID-19 up to 9am on Monday, September 21 in the latest Public Health England data.

This the same figure as was recorded on Sunday. There were 35 new cases found in Saturday's figures and 40 on Friday.

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.

St Helens Council says there were 197 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the borough between September 10 and 16.

This makes the seven-day rate of infection for that period 109.4 per 100,000 people.

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From today, 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 1,734 people in St Helens 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 960.2 cases per 100,000 people, higher than the England average of 610.5

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