VIRUS FIGURES THAT SHOW REGION WON’T BE THE NEXT LEICESTER
THE latest Covid-19 infection rates for Greater Manchester show numbers are currently highest in Rochdale and Oldham, the M.E.N. can reveal – but still nowhere near those in Leicester, where a local lockdown has been introduced this week.
In Leicester, infection rates are currently running at around 135 cases per 100,000 people. Greater Manchester’s figure is 13.3 for the past seven days and falling. Rochdale’s rate is highest, at 28.8; followed by Oldham, at 27.8. Trafford is lowest, at 3.4, followed by Wigan, at 4.
Leaders concede numbers in Rochdale and Oldham are high compared to the rest of the north west, with public health bosses continuing to monitor numbers closely ahead of this week’s lockdown easing.
The numbers, which combine testing data gathered by councils and NHS trusts, and drive-through and mobile testing centres, also come as local leaders seek to quell speculation that communities here are in a similar situation to Leicester. A list of places circulated in national media has suggested Wigan is among those at risk of ‘local lockdown,’ but the latest numbers show it has had the second-lowest incidence in Greater Manchester over the last seven days. Wigan’s public health director slammed the reports as ‘misleading, unhelpful and irresponsible.’
The numbers for this week, provided by all 10 local authorities to the M.E.N., show how quickly outbreaks move.
A few weeks ago Bury and Tameside were recording the highest rates in the region, leading both borough councils to warn schools against reopening, while this week the highest levels are in Rochdale and Oldham – although those rates are falling.
Greater Manchester as a whole is currently recording 0.3 Covid-related hospital admissions per 100,000 people, compared with 2.3 in Leicester.
Sir Richard Leese, chair of the Greater Manchester health and social care partnership, said: “The figures published today shows the situation in each of our districts and while the number of positive cases of Covid-19 is slightly higher in some councils compared to others, we are closely monitoring and managing the situation. We don’t want anyone to be alarmed.
“Rather, the purpose of making this information public is to be open, honest and transparent with the public about what’s happening in their area so they can make an
informed choice in their day-to-day lives. We’ve also been doing more testing compared to other parts of England and this will be reflected in our figures.”
Public health experts say we are at a ‘crucial’ stage ahead of this weekend, when pubs will reopen. Prof Kate Ardern said: “Although we’re easing back into a new normality, the threat from coronavirus is still with us. That’s why we must continue to protect ourselves and save lives by following good hand hygiene practice, continue to physically distance and wear face coverings in confined public spaces.”