We hardly need to remind you that, with Step Two of the roadmap out of lockdown coming into force, it has been a big week for Frodsham residents and businesses.

We will see if our newfound freedoms lead to a slight uptick in Covid case numbers, but for now they remain steady.

In the seven days leading up to April 9, there were three new infections recorded in Frodsham, resulting in a rate of 33 per 100,000 people. This marked a very slight increase on the previous week.

Meanwhile, in the area covering Helsby, Kingsley, Manley and Alvanley, there were fewer than three cases, bringing the rolling rate too low to quantify.

This low incidence of coronavirus infections was mirrored across our neighbouring areas of Comberbach, Acton Bridge & Whitley, Beechwood & Heath, Wolverham & Stanlow and Elton and Mickle Trafford & Great Barrow.

In that week, Runcorn Town and Westfield recorded five new cases, but in general there seem to have been fewer than 20 cases across the whole North Cheshire area.

Across Cheshire West, 72 new infections made for a rate of 21 per 100,000 people, down 17 per cent on the week before.

As of April 8, 452,862 Cheshire residents have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine, with over 37,000 jabs being administered in that week alone.

People aged over 45 can now arrange a vaccine appointment either through the national booking service or by calling 119.

All Cheshire West and Chester residents can now access free regular rapid testing from a range of sites around the borough. Find out more about Frodsham's local collection points here.

Source: Public Health England and NHS England