Bolton's coronavirus hotspots revealed as the town now has the highest infection rate in the country

Areas in the east of Bolton are among the worst affected amid a spike in coronavirus cases, official figures reveal.

Data from Public Health England (PHE) shows that 20 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Breightmet South & Darcy Lever in the week from August 24 to 30.

A total of 16 new cases were recorded in neighbouring Tonge, while 12 people tested positive in both Breightmet North and Hall I' th' Wood.

The number of infections has more than doubled in all four areas since the M.E.N. last reported the figures for each area on Tuesday.

All four wards are situated to the east of the town centre.

Coronavirus cases in each Bolton borough for the week August 24-30. Only areas with four or more new infections are included (Datawrapper)

There has been a huge spike in the number of cases in the town over the past week.

The borough now has the highest rate of infection in the country, at 76.51 per 100,000 people.

However, the spike in cases is reflected across much of Bolton.

Rumworth South and Daubhill & Fernhill Gate, both of which are to south east of the town centre, have recorded ten new cases in the last week.

In both Heaton & Deane and Springfield & Great Lever, there were nine people who tested positive for the virus.

In comparison, ten areas accounted for between zero and two infections over the same period.

Areas such as Horwich, Westhoughton and Bromley Cross all had fairly low figures - between zero and two new infections.

Other areas with a low rate of new cases include Egerton, Halliwell, Harwood, Lostock and the southern section of Farnworth.

Bolton - along with Trafford - was due to be released from the Greater Manchester-wide restrictions on Wednesday (September 2).

The up to date infection rate in Bolton (MEN Media)

But following pressure from local leaders about the alarming infection rate, Matt Hancock made a dramatic U-turn and said lockdown measures would remain.

There have been 220 new cases of Covid-19 in Bolton in the last seven days, a spike of 340 per cent from the week beforehand.

The infection rate is the highest the borough has seen since April 28, when the country was in full lockdown.

The situation in the borough is expected to get worse, with early data suggesting the infection rate in Bolton will jump to at least 84 per 100,000 people today.