Borough’s infection rate has risen again, data reveals

OLDHAM’S coronavirus infection rate has risen again, the latest government data reveals.

Figures released on Saturday showed the borough still has the highest infection rate in Greater Manchester.

Oldham’s rate of infection rose to 75.1 in the seven days ending August 5. There were 178 cases in the borough, which remains on ‘red’ alert, during that time - a rise of 39 on the previous week.

While the rate of infection fell in Rochdale to 33.3, down from 34.2, eight new cases were recorded. The borough remains on amber alert.

Rising infection rates have also been recorded in Bury and Bolton.

The number of cases in Bury has risen by 23 in Public Health England’s daily figures, with its infection rate rising to 28.3.

Meanwhile, there were 72 cases in Bolton, 20 more than the previous week. The borough’s infection rate stands at 25.0

The number of cases went up by eight, week-on-week in Tameside too, however, its transmission is no longer rising. Growth in Manchester, Trafford and Stockport has halted and numbers are going down.

Manchester still has the third highest infection rate in the region and remains on ‘amber’ alert.

Stockport and Trafford have been downgraded to ‘green alert’.

There were 30 cases in the week up to August 5 in Wigan, which currently has the lowest infection rate in Greater Manchester.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that Greater Manchester’s local lockdown will continue.