Coronavirus doesn’t stop for the Christmas period and the Covid-19 infection rate is continuing to rise in the city.

Confirmed Covid-19 cases for Preston were 118 new cases for Thursday (24 December), one of the highest daily increases in recent weeks.

South Ribble saw 30 new cases for Christmas Eve.

Wyre is up by 36, Ribble Valley recorded 60 cases and Fylde was up by 26.

Preston’s coronavirus infection rate is now 257.8 cases per 100,000 people for the seven days to December 20, up from 218 for the seven days to December 13.

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The data comes from the Public Health England dashboard, which excludes the most recent four days from the calculations as cases can often be re-allocated within the first couple of days of being recorded.

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South Ribble’s Covid-19 infection rate is now 200.4, up from 169.7 for the same date periods as Preston.

Ribble Valley moved above the 300 mark and is higher than some areas in tier-4 restrictions, now at 302.2 up from 234.9.

Fylde saw its rate remain fairly static, 127.5 from 122.6 and Wyre is now at 158.8 from 133.8.

Tier-3 restrictions mean Preston and Lancashire on Christmas Day can see up to three households mix indoors for December 25 only.

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The death toll for Preston is 220 for coronavirus-related deaths registered to 11 December.

South Ribble has recorded 145 deaths, in Wyre there have been 223 deaths, in Fylde 166 deaths and in the Ribble Valley there have been 68 Covid-19 related deaths.

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of every single one of those who have lost loved ones in the pandemic.

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