Region’s hospital death toll hits 1,613
tial homes since April 10, which total 959.
Salford still has the largest proportion of care home deaths involving the virus, at nearly two thirds. Wigan has the lowest, at 41pc.
The highest number of deaths involving Covid has been in Stockport care homes, which have recorded 70, while the lowest was in Tameside and Trafford, which both reported 41.
But the figures also show that the rate of increase in Greater Manchester’s care sector has now been slowing for two consecutive weeks.
In the week to April
24, care homes here reported 154 new Covid deaths to the CQC. That number fell to 134 the following week and to 66 in the week to last Friday meaning they had more than halved in seven days.
The figures were released alongside the new Office for National Statistics numbers for deaths in all settings, including hospitals, care homes, at home and in other areas such as prisons, up to Saturday.
When hospital deaths announced since then are taken into account, the UK’s death toll now stands at more than 33,000, with one in four of those in care homes.
The CQC’s numbers for Greater Manchester came ahead of the weekly update given by local leaders here, which took place yesterday after the region’s emergency Covid meeting.
Last week’s numbers showed the number of patients with coronavirus in hospitals here had fallen, both inside and outside intensive care, but that there had been a rise in the proportion of care homes reporting new cases.
At the time, the region’s mayor Andy Burnham said falls in numbers were not yet sustained enough to be certain Greater Manchester had ‘plateaued’ and since then he has been critical of the government’s decision to scrap the ‘Stay at Home’ message, arguing the picture varies in different parts of the country. However Boris Johnson has insisted that any ‘local flare-ups’ in the coming weeks will be dealt with in a ‘whack a mole’ approach, which will involve close monitoring of the transmission rate in different parts of the country by a new Joint Biosecurity Centre.
It remains unclear whether any response to any future local spikes in the virus could include stricter localised lockdowns.
A further 15 people have died in Greater Manchester’s hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus. It means the total number of recorded deaths in the region’s hospitals now stands at 1,613.
Nationally, the death toll increased by 494 to 33,186 people across all settings, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health and Social Care.
There have been 2,094,209 tests carried out. Overall, 229,705 have tested positive.
WITH the UK in lockdown many educational institutes have had to get creative to attract new students.
But one innovating college in Greater Manchester has gone a step further.
Hopwood Hall College, in Rochdale and Middleton, is letting the community explore their campuses online as part of a virtual open day on Thursday, May 21.
The session, which takes place between 3pm and 8pm, includes an immersive virtual tour of the grounds and facilities which you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
The college will give attendees course information as well as a sneak peak of their sites including their wildlife enclosures on their 70 acre Middleton site, complete with meerkats.
WHAT CAN I STUDY?
There are many courses to choose from at Hopwood Hall College including everything from science and animal management to business, travel and engineering.
The virtual open event is suitable for people considering different pathways including full-time and part-time courses, access and higher education, apprenticeships, online and flexible learning.
It is a very broad offer which means there is something for everyone, whether you want to study at degree level or are interested in recreational learning.
To support the community during lockdown the college has also launched an e-learning platform which offers a range of free courses for Greater Manchester residents.
The courses give you the perfect opportunity to grow and add to your skillset during the coronavirus outbreak and are available to everyone aged from 19 to 99 plus.
Julia Heap, Principal and CEO said: “Whether you are a school-leaver or an adult looking to boost your career prospects and add to your skills this event will help you.
“We want the whole community to dip in and explore. Inspiring confidence in learners of all ages is really important to me, I believe that it is confidence that drives success and we are here to help build your confidence and your skills, preparing you for success.
“Whatever your goal we have courses that will help you to add to your skills and go further in life.”
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE VIRTUAL OPEN DAY?
There is a course and a place for everybody at Hopwood and the popular college doesn’t want social distancing to hold people back.
The virtual open day is a perfect opportunity to find the right course for you, learn more about the fantastic facilities and speak with course tutors. And that’s not all, you’ll also be able to explore their two campuses through a specially designed virtual tour. You’ll have the chance to wander around the campuses, which boast a riverside restaurant, state-of-the-art theatre and sports complex, giving you an exciting glimpse at what college life can offer.
You’ll also have direct access to vital information with short videos from the principal and tutors during this immersive event.
A live Q&A will provide you with all the answers you need as you decide which course is best suited to you and your specific career goals.
Julia added: “We are very excited about taking this virtual leap forward to deliver our first ever virtual open event.
“We’re looking forward to showing you our campuses, answering your questions and giving you your first real taste of what’s in store for you at Hopwood Hall.
“It is a brilliant opportunity for everyone to bring their future into focus and help them to see that a brighter future is closer than they think.”
The highest number of deaths involving Covid has been in Stockport care homes, which have recorded 70
The first ever virtual open event will take place between 3pm and 8pm on Thursday May 21.
Interested in studying at Hopwood Hall? Register for the virtual event at www.hopwood.ac.uk/events/virtualopen-day