CHESHIRE East Council leader Sam Corcoran has said that "at least ten per cent" of the borough's population have had Covid-19.

The Labour leader, passed on the gloomy news via Twitter today (Friday) saying: "There have now been 13,930 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Cheshire East, an increase of 275 from yesterday.

"To put that in some perspective, the population of Cheshire East is about 380,000, so 13,930 represents about four per cent, or just under four per cent — that's one in 25 of the population who have already tested positive for Covid-19.

"Given the low rate of testing during the first wave, that suggests that at least ten per cent of the population have already had Covid-19."

The council leader added: "However, to get herd immunity, you need to have at least 70 per cent immunity, and most vaccination programmes aim for 95 per cent, so we really need the vaccination programme."

Cllr Corcoran also went on to deliver a warning that pressure on hospitals would continue to increase, although he added he could see some light at the end of the tunnel.

He said: "The numbers of infections have increased sharply in the last two weeks, and we know that hospital admissions tend to follow a week or two behind infections.

"So the pressures on the NHS locally, will increase for the next few weeks.

"I am hopeful that the infection rates after a peak due to the Christmas [rules] relaxations will plateau due to the tier three and tier four restrictions, and then begin to fall due to the impact of lockdown.

"But the next few weeks will be difficult for the NHS, so please do stay at home, and if you do go out, stay two metres apart, wear a mask, don't touch your face, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water as soon as you return home."

Cheshire East's current rolling 7-day infection rate is 462.3 cases per 100,000 residents; the UK average is 581.6.