As Preston prepares to mark two weeks under tier-three restrictions the city’s infection rate is still continuing to rise week-on-week.

Latest figures from the Press Association with analysis of Public Health England data shows the city’s infection rate is now 482.1 cases per 100,000 people for the seven days to October 26.

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This is up from 424.8 per 100,000 in the seven days to October 19.

Preston saw 98 new Covid-19 cases during Friday (30 October).

Up to 16 October there were 146 coronavirus-related deaths registered in Preston.

South Ribble’s infection rate for coronaviruys is 418.8 per 100,000 people, up from 377.3 per 100,000 people – for the same date ranges as Preston above.

On Friday there were 78 new coronavirus cases in the borough.

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Up to 16 October there were 96 coronavirus deaths registered in South Ribble.

Preston and Lancashire entered tier-three restrictions on Saturday 17 October which see tighter rules on household mixing, the closure of non-food pubs and bars and also businesses such as soft play centres forced to close.

The restrictions are due to be reviewed in 28-days and the county was given a £42m funding settlement to help businesses and communities through the tougher restrictions.

Read more: Preston firms affected by tier-three restrictions can apply for up to £3,000 in grant funding

Worst case scenario ‘happening’ and circuit breaker calls return

Scientists are increasing the pressure on the government for a ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown across all of England.

SAGE – the scientific advisory group – has said the spread of coronavirus is now tracking in line with their ‘worst case scenario’ and possibly going beyond this.

The NHS in the North West has already been showing signs of winter pressures, with messages for the last few evenings posted by the North West Ambulance Service stating there were very high demands for ambulance services.

Blackburn’s health chief Dominic Harrison has called for tighter restrictions to try and halt the spread of the virus, and demanded they happen ‘now’. His call appeared to be backed by the deputy leader of Preston City Council councillor Peter Moss.

Read more: Where Preston and South Ribble’s coronavirus hotspots are

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning and did not rule out that further restrictions may be imposed.

He repeated the government’s belief that targeting hotspot areas with tighter restrictions was the best way to halt the geographic spread of the virus.

Mr Raab said: ” “I think intuitively as well as scientifically if you look at what we’re trying to achieve is to focus on where the virus is the strongest or where the uptick is the greatest.

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“Also I think in areas where the virus is not picking up I think people would feel it was not only counterproductive or ineffective but desperately unfair for measures to be imposed across the board.”

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines