Coronavirus infections in Bolton have fallen by one of the slowest rates in the UK during the third national lockdown.
In the week up to February 16, 225.4 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded for every 100,000 people across the borough.
The third national lockdown pushed infections down by just 37 per cent, from an infection rate of 359.9 on January 5 - when the new rules were implimented.
Out of 315 local authorities across England, only four areas saw infections drop by a smaller percentage.
In North West Leicestershire and Barnsley, infections fall by just one per cent less than in Bolton.
New cases in Bradford dropped by 28 per cent during the third lockdown.
The UK average was a fall of 76.1 per cent.
Rutland saw the slowest drop in cases, with the infection rate falling just 14 per cent under the new rules.
Dr Helen Lowey, Bolton Council’s director of public health, warned rates remain high across the area, and restrictions may not be eased unless they drop.
She said: "Covid-19 case rates are reducing in Bolton, however our rates remain high.
"We are seeing declining rates across England and it's encouraging to see both hospitalisations and the number of deaths due to Covid-19 falling.
"Despite this, and the government’s announcements of some easing of restrictions in the coming weeks, Covid-19 is still circulating within our community.
"The public health measures remain critical.
"Please do continue to reduce the number of contacts that you have, and if you can work from home, then please do.
"When in work, or out and about, try to stay at least 2m apart from other people, whether this is out for physical exercise, or shopping for essential items. Please continue to wash your hands regularly and wear a face covering where required to do so.
"By continuing with these measures in the months ahead we can hopefully bring rates down further - and allow a cautious and gradual easing of restrictions."
Bolton also has one of the highest infection rates across the country, sitting at 14th on the local authority list.
Before the third national lockdown began, it had the 259th highest rate of infections.
The area's increasing coronavirus infection rate has been driven in part by outbreaks in care homes and workplaces, experts say.
One of the factors contributing to these numbers is the persistently high proportion of positive tests among working-age people - from those in their 20s up to people in their 60s - Lynn Donkin, Bolton council's assistant director of public health, explained.
She told Manchester Evening News : "What I'm mindful of is that in Bolton and the North West more broadly, compared to other parts of the country, fewer people here are able to do their jobs from home.
"More people are in the sort of jobs where attendance at work is still allowed or they're not able to do their jobs from home so they have to go in and be physically present.
"What that means is we may be seeing more mixing and more contact happening compared to the rest of the country."
Working age people in Bolton now account for three quarters of positive tests in the town.
