Preston and South Ribble’s coronavirus infection rates are staying well below 100 as the city and borough prepare for the next stage of the restrictions easing.

Blog Preston’s been tracking the daily infection rates since late October and showing how they are either rising or falling in and around Preston.

First, here’s the latest Covid figures for the weekend just gone.

Saturday (27 March) saw 28 new cases recorded in Preston.

South Ribble saw seven new cases for the same day.

Wyre was up by five cases, Chorley also up by five, Fylde by seven and Ribble Valley by four cases.

See the latest coronavirus cases and information near you

Sunday’s new cases for 28 March saw eight new cases recorded in Preston.

South Ribble had a second day with sevenm new cases.

Wyre was up by five, Fylde by just one, Chorley by five and Ribble Valley with four.

Read more: A year in lockdown, what it’s meant month by month for the city

How the infection rate changed in the past week

The latest figures saw Preston and South Ribble both reach new lows for their infection rates.

Preston went below 100 for the first time for the 18 March infection rate and it’s stayed down at this level.

South Ribble had already dropped below 100 and is also staying below this mark.

Both areas have moved out of the top 20 infection rates in England.

You can see the change in the infection rates in the chart below or tap here.

Big vaccine milestone reached as England prepares for rules change

More than 30 million people in the UK have now received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The Department for Health and Social Care said it is on track of achieving the target of offering all over-50s and clinically vulnerable people their first jab by April 15.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that more than 30 million people have now had the jab across the UK – including 650,000 vaccinations delivered yesterday.

“The vaccine is saving lives and is our route out of this pandemic. I want to say a massive thanks to the team.

“When you get the call – get the jab.”

See the latest coronavirus vaccine stats and information

Read more: Knives seized at Covid-19 vaccination centre in Preston

The news comes on the eve of the UK moving to the next step of the Covid roadmap as outlined by the Prime Minister.

The rule of six returns on Monday (29 March) allowing outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households. This includes being able to meet in private gardens. No household mixing indoors is allowed.

Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts will re-eopn, along with open-air swimming pools. And people are allowed to take part in organised outdoor sports again.

The ‘stay at home’ rule is scrapped, replace by a ‘stay local’ message.

The government says people should continue to work from home where they can.

The next stage in the Covid-19 roadmap is not due until after Easter, Monday 12 April, when non-essential shops and hospitality venues serving food and drink outdoors can re-open along with a number of other changes.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines