THE numbers of people testing positive for coronavirus in Cheshire East have surged by a third over the last week as the government prepares to make its latest decision over tier allocations.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is setting out the details of which areas will be put under tougher restrictions in a statement to the House of Commons later this afternoon, while Prime Minister Boris Johnson is addressing the nation at 5pm.

Infection rates in lower tier areas of England have been rising rapidly in the last seven days.

The latest government data shows there were 1,061 positive Covid-19 tests in Cheshire East from December 23 to 29 (yesterday), a rise of 33 per cent on the previous seven days.

The latest rolling rate is 238 positive tests per 100,000 population, but areas of Crewe, including Coppenhall and Underwood, Crewe North East and Crewe South West and Wistaston have rolling rates over 400.

There were 243 positive tests in Cheshire East yesterday (Tuesday).

The number of people sadly dying within 28 days of a positive test has dropped over the last week from 31 to 17.

Almost 40 per cent of the nation's population already find themselves in tier four, the toughest level of local restrictions, and it is being suggested that areas in the West/East Midlands could move under them.

A handful of areas in Lancashire may also be upgraded from tier three with further curbs possible for those areas already in tier four.

The gloomy outlook has been tempered by the news that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use in the UK with the first doses due to be administered next week.

But fears Covid cases are putting intolerable pressure on intensive care beds were highlighted when a major incident was declared in London and Essex today.

Figures show that a week ago (December 23) Mid Cheshire Hospitals was treating 109 Covid-19 patients, eight of whom needed ICU treatment, at Leighton Hospital.

There was a near 60 per cent rise in the admission of coronavirus patients to Leighton in the week up to December 20.

Tier four rules include a "stay at home" order and mean businesses such as non-essential shops, hairdressers and gyms must close.