The outlook for Cheshire West's Covid-19 fightback is 'much more positive' than in previous weeks.

That's according to Council Chief Executive, Andrew Lewis, who was speaking at a meeting of the authority's Covid-19 outbreak board on Wednesday (April 7).

"Post-Easter, we are in a much more positive frame of mind this week. The [infection] rates have come down," Mr Lewis said.

He added: "We can report positive developments in taking pressure off our hospitals. There are still many people in hospital with Covid, but it is lower than we have experienced in recent months.

"We are in a comparable position with the vaccine."

The chief executive also had a message for residents ahead of the reopening of non-essential retail, outdoor hospitality, and close contact services next week.

From Monday (April 12), a swathe of businesses will open up for the first time in months under the government's roadmap out of lockdown.

Mr Lewis added: "I would urge everybody in a position of planning from a business perspective or with their own household to check the government website for guidance.

"What we do not want is complacency which could lead to a large increase in infection. There's still a real concern that we may see an increase over the spring, summer, and autumn."

Cheshire West's rolling seven-day average infection rate is 26.2 cases per 100,000 — a fall of 59 per cent compared to the figure from a week earlier.