ELEVEN more people have died in Cheshire West within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test result, latest government figures show.

In today’s (Wednesday, December 30) coronavirus data update, 981 new Covid-19 deaths were confirmed nationally, with 11 of these being from CWAC.

It was also revealed that 50,023 new cases were identified, with 221 coming from our area.

That brings the borough’s total number of recorded cases since the pandemic began to 11,804, and deaths to 515.

The news comes just before all of Cheshire and Warrington move into Tier 4 restrictions.

Speaking to the House of Commons this afternoon, Health Secretary Matt Hancock outlined that both Cheshire West and Cheshire East are to move from Tier 3 to Tier 4 controls.

Mr Hancock said: “We must act to suppress the virus now. While we have the good news of the vaccine today, there are over 21,00 people in hospital with Covid-19 right now.

“The threat to life is real. This new variant is now spreading across England."

Tier 4, which comes into effect at 12:01am tomorrow morning, means a ‘Stay At Home’ alert level is in place, with non-essential retail stores closing, and residents can only see one other person from another household outdoors.

Neighbouring Warrington and Greater Manchester will also move up to Tier 4, along with Lancashire, Cumbria, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool in the north west.

At the same time, the Liverpool City Region will move into Tier 3 measures.