Virus ‘endemic’ in deprived areas

COVID ‘WELL ESTABLISHED’ IN DEPRIVED COMMUNITIES, ACCORDING TO REPORT

CORONAVIRUS could be endemic in communities with severe deprivation, poor housing and large ethnic minority groups, according to a leaked Public Health England document.

It reportedly suggests the national lockdown had little effect in reducing infections in the north of England and that coronavirus has now firmly established itself in these areas.

The analysis, leaked to The Observer, was written for local government leaders and is said to relate to the north west, which has seen an increase in cases in some areas.

The study suggests links between areas with highest concentrations of coronavirus and deprivation, poor housing and ethnicity, the newspaper reports. The leaked report is said to state: “The overall analysis suggests Bolton, Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale never really left the epidemic phase – and that nine of the ten boroughs (of Greater Manchester) are currently experiencing an epidemic phase.”

Last week plans to ease local lockdowns in Bolton and Trafford were cancelled by the government following pressure from local politicians concerned at a spike in cases.

The latest figures show the infection rate is rising in six out of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.

Only one borough – Stockport – has an infection rate lower than the national average.

In Bolton, where cases have spiked massively in the last week, the infection rate now stands at 104.3 per 100,000 people.

It means the borough has had the highest number of cases per 100,000 people in the whole country for the third day running.

The latest figures put Bolton at double the Government threshold for a ‘red alert’. Tighter restrictions have now been brought in across the borough in a bid to stem the spread of the virus.

Rochdale and Tameside have also seen a notable upward trend in the number of cases, leaving both boroughs in danger of entering red alert in the coming days.

People living in Bolton will no longer be allowed to mix with anyone outside their household and must only use public transport for ‘essential purposes’.

The new measures, announced on Saturday and which came into effect immediately, are aimed at halting the soaring number of new infections in Bolton.

Bolton council says it has decided to take action in conjunction with the government and Public Health England.

Leaders hope the measures will prevent a further lockdown in Bolton and bring the borough’s infection rate back in line with the rest of the UK. Residents are being asked to only use public transport for essential purposes, such as travel to education, work and essential appointments only, for example hospital appointments.

The advice to not mix with other households applies to both indoor and outdoor settings.

People in a support bubble will still be allowed to meet.

In a joint statement, the Bolton council’s leader, Coun David Greenhalgh, and chief executive, Tony Oakman, said: “It has been a tough period for individuals, families and businesses but we don’t want to throw away all our hard work by allowing the infection rate to rise even higher.

“Now, more than ever, we need everyone in Bolton to play their part.”

In Trafford, councillors have been told that the rise in Covid-19 cases has been centred on two very different areas, Stretford and Hale Barns.