CHESHIRE East and West have seen another 220 cases of coronavirus as the UK records its highest daily increase in positive Covid tests to date.

New figures from Public Health England cover the 24-hour period up to 9am today, December 22, when 36,804 cases of Covid were confirmed across the UK.

In Cheshire East, including Knutsford and Middlewich, there were 136 new cases in that time – taking the borough’s total to 10,696 since the pandemic began.

In Cheshire West, including Northwich and Winsford, there were 84 new cases – taking the total to 10,535.

Today’s figure of 220 new cases is only slightly lower than the 231 confirmed in yesterday’s figures, but much higher than the 143 confirmed last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, both boroughs have seen their seven-day infection rates increase again in the latest Public Health England figures.

Cheshire East’s rate now stands at 166.6 per 100,000 people, following 640 cases in the week up to December 17.

It is the ninth day in a row that the rate has increased, and compares to 161.9 per 100,000 people in yesterday’s figures, and 113.2 per 100,000 people one week ago.

Cheshire West’s rate has increased for 12 days running and has now passed the 200 per 100,000 people mark.

It has a rate of 204.9 per 100,000 people, following 703 cases in the week up to December 17, compared to 194.4 per 100,000 people in yesterday’s data and 112.5 per 100,000 people one week ago.

Rates of coronavirus are soaring in some parts of the country, with the new variant being given as the reason behind it.

But Cheshire East Council has not been made aware of any incidents of the new variant being in circulation in the borough.

The Guardian has also contacted Cheshire West and Chester Council on the matter and is awaiting a reply.