Cheshire East Council leader Sam Corcoran says the rise in numbers of positive tests across the borough is "huge" and "increasingly worrying".

Infection rates of the highly transmissible Delta variant have increased with 477.4 cases per 100,000 population recorded in the latest week of government figures (July 10-16).

Cases have more than trebled since the beginning of the month.

Yesterday (Wednesday) 197 people tested positive for coronavirus in Cheshire East and in the last week there have been 1,839 positive tests.

But it is the high rates in the 18 to 30 age group and among those who remain unvaccinated that are concerning council and health chiefs. They are particularly high in Crewe and Macclesfield.

Cllr Corcoran said: "It is extremely worrying and this will undoubtedly lead to more disruption, more hospitalisations and sadly more deaths.

"We have heard the government announce the ending of most restrictions, but I am strongly urging our residents to continue to be cautious as we might not hit the peak of infections for several more weeks and it is therefore vital for all of us to get vaccinated and to wear a mask to protect others in crowded or close proximity settings."

On Monday the government took the next step (four) of its roadmap, confident the link between infections and hospital admissions has been reduced. It has done little to allay the fears locally where in the North West region infection rates have remained higher than others areas of the country.

Cheshire East Council Director of Public Health Dr Matt Tyrer and fellow directors of public health across Cheshire and Merseyside have joined forces as the Champs Public Health Collaborative to urge people "to go above and beyond the minimum required, in the light of rising Covid-19 infections locally and changes to the national restrictions".

Dr Tyrer warned: "This is a very serious situation and it's going to get far worse before it gets any better.

"People are being asked to take their individual and collective role to reduce the transmission of the virus incredibly seriously, and not see July 19 as a reason to stop all behaviours that have slowed down the spread of the virus over the past sixteen months, especially when in close contact with others.

"The North West of England has been more impacted by the virus than other areas, due to structural inequalities. This means recovery from the pandemic will take longer unless residents continue to take steps to minimise harm right now."

People in Cheshire East are being advised to:

• Get fully vaccinated
• Be kind and considerate of others who may be nervous about restrictions being lifted
• Continue wearing face coverings in crowded indoor areas
• Try to meet others outside where possible
• Continue to practice good hand hygiene
• Undertake twice weekly rapid symptom free testing using Lateral Flow Tests

• Continue to follow Covid-19 working safely guidance
• Engage with the Test, Trace and Isolate process
• Encourage staff to get tested if they suspect they have Covid-19 symptoms