THE number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Bolton has increased for a fourth week in a row – but the Mayor of Greater Manchester says a full local lockdown of the region is not necessary for the time being.

There were 27.1 positive tests of COVID-19 per 100,000 people in the borough in the seven days up to August 8, rising from 23 the week before.

Bolton is following the general trend in Greater Manchester – although Oldham has shot up to 108.8 and Wigan remains much lower at 7.3.

Metro Mayor Andy Burnham has written to the health secretary urging him not to enforce a Leicester-style local lockdown in any borough of the region.

Bolton Council’s director of public health, Dr Helen Lowey, has warned against complacency as coronavirus continues to spread in Bolton and beyond.

She said: “We know that as more people are tested the recorded number of cases will increase, but this it is not a reason to reduce our vigilance.

“I am issuing a direct plea to everyone across our borough to do what they can to help stop the spread of the virus.

“It’s easy to get complacent but we all need to act now – coronavirus is still here.

“It’s more important now than ever to follow government guidance and advice.

“Please don’t meet with people you don’t live with inside your home, at indoor public venues or in your garden.

“Wash your hands regularly, wear face coverings, and maintaining social distancing.

“Stay at home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms and arrange a test as soon as possible.

“We continue to monitor the local picture closely along with our partners in health and social care and Public Health England.”

Speaking at a remote press conference on Thursday, Mr Burnham said he still supports the government’s regional restrictions announced two weeks ago.

He does not believe further lockdown measures are necessary in all or part of Greater Manchester, but he said this decision is for the government to make.

The Metro Mayor also said he supports a Greater Manchester approach to restrictions, rather than enforcing different rules in each of the 10 boroughs.

But he said the question of releasing some parts of the region from additional restrictions and strengthening the rules in others, should be kept on the table.

He said: “It would be extremely challenging to consider a local lockdown of the style we saw in Leicester in Greater Manchester given that the borough boundaries are very permeable.

“People cross those boundaries thousands of times a day. Nobody lives their life within one borough.

“To implement a lockdown in one part of Greater Manchester would be a very challenging thing to do.

“But we want to keep lines of communication open with the government about the right intervention to bring things moving in the right direction.”