Preston and South Ribble’s coronavirus infection rates have continued to increase as we go into the second week of the third national lockdown.

The city saw a second day of more than 100 new cases, with 108 new cases recorded for Monday (11 January).

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South Ribble recorded 92 new Covid-19 cases for the same day.

Wyre was up by 60 cases, Ribble Valley recorded 33 and Fylde recorded 34 cases.

The infection rate for Preston is now at 411.5 cases per 100,000 people for the seven days to January 7, up from 308.1 in the seven days to December 31.

See the latest coronavirus cases and information for where you live

Data for the most recent four days (January 8-11) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases. All data is taken from the Public Health England dashboard.

South Ribble is now at 442.3 cases per 100,000 people, up from 300.6, for the same seven day periods as Preston.

Wyre is also seeing cases rise, at 396.1 up from 322.1.

Fylde is at 295.9, up from 248.8 and Ribble Valley is at 597.8 up from 497.6.

Read more: Preston mosque to act as rapid Covid test centre

Hospital admissions from Covid reach new high

Health secretary Matt Hancock has pleaded with the public to ‘follow the rules’.

New figures showed there are now 32,000 people in hospital with coronavirus in hospitals in England.

A further 529 people have died within 28 days of testing positive, bringing the UK’s death toll to 81,960.

See the full government press conference

Mr Hancock said: “The NHS, more than ever before, needs everybody to be doing something right now – and that something is to follow the rules.

“I know there has been speculation about more restrictions, and we don’t rule out taking further action if it is needed, but it is your actions now that can make a difference.

“Stay at home, and please reduce all social contact that is not absolutely strictly necessary. That’s what is needed: act like you have the virus.”

Read more: Top Lancashire police officer says weekend has been filled with Covid rule breaches

The health secretary also gave an update on the vaccination programme, saying 2.3million people in the UK have now received their first dose of one of the vaccines.

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See the latest coronavirus vaccine centres near you

And 388,677 second doses of one of the vaccines has been given.

Mr Hancock also ruled out scrapping or removing childcare or support bubbles.

He said: “I know how important they are to people and they are an important part of the system.”

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