Infection rates are on the rise

CORONAVIRUS infection rates are continuing to rise sharply.

Stockport has now recorded an infection rate of more than 50 cases per 100,000 people in the local population - it’s the first time the boroughs has reached that milestone since the height of the pandemic in April.

Manchester has also seen a significant rise in cases, registering 100 positive tests for three days in a row, according to data.

Even at the height of the pandemic in April the highest number of cases registered in Manchester was 73. Manchester’s infection (106.4) rate has now exceeded 100 for the first time - the highest it got in April was 66.2.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister confirmed new rules in the Commons lasting until March. They include a 10pm closure for hospitality venues as well as acting as table-service only, unless for takeaways. These will come legally into force on Thursday. Businesses will be fined and could be closed if they breach the rules. A change has also been made on face coverings. They must now be worn in hospitality venues by customers until seated and all retail and hospitality staff.

From Monday, a maximum of 15 people will be able to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions. Thirty can attend funerals.

He told MPs: “No British Government would wish to stifle our freedoms in the ways that we have found necessary this year. Yet even now we can draw some comfort from the fact schools, universities, and places of worship are staying open, shops can serve their customers, construction workers can go to building sites and the vast majority of the UK economy can continue moving forwards. We’re also better prepared for a second wave with ventilators and PPE, the dexamethasone, the Nightingale hospitals and hundred times as much testing as we began this epidemic.”