Preston and South Ribble’s latest coronavirus figures have been confirmed as new data emerged showing how many over-65s have had the coronavirus vaccine.

New Covid cases for Thursday (4 March) saw 30 cases recorded in Preston – the highest daily total in Lancashire.

South Ribble recorded 17 for the same day.

Wyre was up by 13, Ribble Valley just four, Chorley by six and Fylde by seven cases.

See the latest coronavirus cases and information near you

Preston’s latest infection rate is now showing a strong week-on-week fall, with 149.5 cases per 100,000 people for the seven days to February 28, down from 254.3 cases per 100,000 people for the seven days to February 21.

The city has now dropped out of England’s top 10 infection rate hotspots, and is ranked 20th out of all local authority areas.

Read more: Prestonians urged to ‘stick to the rules’ as rate remains double the national average

South Ribble’s rate is now 121.9, down from 170.6 for the same two date periods as Preston.

Wyre is at 67.8, down from 102.6 and Fylde’s rate is 106.5, down from 127.5.

Ribble Valley is 67.3, down from 142.9 and Chorley’s infection rate is 93.1, down from 143.8.

How many over-65s vaccinated?

New figures released by NHS England shows how the vaccination programme is progressing with the number of over-65s who have received their first dose.

In Preston, 95.8% of over-65s – 20,216 people – have had their first Covid jab.

South Ribble’s over-65s are at 94.6% and Wyre is just behind at 94.3%.

See coronavirus vaccine centres and information near you

Fylde is higher at 96.7% of over-65s and Ribble Valley is amongst the highest in the country – with 98.9%, and 14,280 people, receiving a first dose.

Chorley’s vaccination rate for over-65s is 95.6% with 22,556 vaccines given.

Read more: See how many people have received a Covid vaccine in each area of Preston and South Ribble

Another new Covid variant being investigated

Scientists have identified another new Covid mutation in the UK.

Public Health England saw 16 people have tested positive with the new variant.

Cases of the variant, referred to as VUI-202102/04, were first identified on February 15 through genomic horizon scanning.

Read more: Lancashire County Council joins call for national Covid day of remembrance

PHE said on Thursday that all individuals who tested positive and their contacts have been traced and advised to isolate.

The variant, which is understood to have originated in the UK, was designated a “variant under investigation” (VUI) on February 24.

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