Covid surges across town
CORONAVIRUS cases are continuing to surge across Stockport – which now has one of the region’s biggest hotspots.
The borough saw the largest infection rate rise of any area in Greater Manchester during the week to June 6, according to official data.
There were 625 positive tests – 350 more than previous seven days – representing an increase of 127pc.
Stockport’s overall infection rate now stands at 213 cases per 100,000 people – the fifth highest in the conurbation.
The most recent hyperlocal data shows that Cheadle Heath is now the main hotspot in the borough.
It is also one of the worst affected areas of any Greater Manchester borough.
It recorded 53 cases during the week to June 5 – 41 more than the previous seven days – an increase of 341pc.
Jennifer Connolly, Stockport’s director of public health, has warned that, while Covid can lead to hospital admissions in all ages – the impact can be more wide-reaching.
CORONAVIRUS cases are continuing to surge across Stockport – which now has one of the region’s biggest hotspots.
The borough saw the largest infection rate rise of any area in Greater Manchester during the week to June 6, according to official data.
There were 625 positive tests – 350 more than previous seven days – representing an increase of 127pc.
Stockport’s overall infection rate now stands at 213 cases per 100,000 people – the fifth highest in the conurbation.
Cases have risen most in unvaccinated age groups, particularly those aged between 10 and 30, with the Delta variant accounting for 95pc of all infections.
The most recent hyperlocal data shows that Cheadle Heath is now the main hotspot in the borough – and one of the worst affected areas of any Greater Manchester borough. It recorded 53 cases during the week to June 5 – 41 more than the previous seven days – an increase of 341pc.
Its infection rate stands 574.7 per 100,000 people – the highest in the city region bar Kearsley and Shawclough, in Bolton, and Salford Central.
Cases are also up in neighbouring Norris Bank, which saw 27 new cases – 15 more than the week before. Its infection rate is now 423.7, which is the second highest in the borough.
Other hotspots include Central Reddish, which recorded 28 cases (an infection rate of 337) and Edgeley where there were 22 new cases (an infection rate of 348.5).
But it was Adswood where the virus was spreading fastest – with 24 new cases compared to just two over the previous seven days. That is a huge increase of 1,100 pc.
Marple and Rose Hill also saw cases rocket from two to 19 over the week – up an eye-watering 850pc.
Despite the worrying news from some parts of the borough, there was still cause for encouragement, however.
Cases remain suppressed in three areas – High Lane, Cheadle Hulme South and Bramhall South and West. It means these places saw fewer than three cases – and could possibly be Covid free altogether.
Rates also dropped in Reddish Vale View, Marple and Hawk Green and Bramhall North West.
Despite the vaccine roll-out, hospital admissions for Covid 19 in Greater Manchester recently doubled in the space of a fortnight – albeit from a low base.
Mortality remains very low, but Andy Burnham has warned that the entire system is already under unprecedented pressure from the ‘pent up demand’ that has been suppressed by Covid – so an impact on admissions still has an impact.
Jennifer Connolly, Stockport’s director of public health has warned that, while Covid can lead to hospital admissions in all ages – the impact can be more wide-reaching.
She said: “With higher rates there may be a knock-on effect in the NHS of further delaying or curtailing routine and elective work. There is also more chance of disruption to children’s education, as they may have to self-isolate frequently when cases occur in school bubbles.
“This could also affect businesses if their staff must self-isolate. There is also an increased likelihood of more people suffering detrimental longterm ill effects of Long Covid on their health.” ●FOR more advice and guidance on coronavirus visit www.stockport.gov. uk/showcase/ coronavirus.