Infection rates have decreased again in all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.
Despite the numbers’ continued downward trend, our region will be put back in the government’s Level 3 measures when the lockdown ends next week.
Incidence rates are expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.
The Greater Manchester total is 267.5 per 100,000 – the lowest since September.
In fact, the rate in our region was now half of what it was when Level 3 was first imposed on October 23. At that time it was 547.5.
Since that date, Tameside, Wigan, Trafford, Salford and Manchester have all seen interest rate cuts by more than half.
For the other neighborhoods, there was a drop of about 40 pieces.
Today’s data represents the seven days through November 22nd.
Bolton’s rate has fallen below 300 for the first time since October 8. It is now 294.6 per 100,000 people.
The latest infection rates in Greater Manchester are:
Oldham 366.9, down 31 pieces
Rochdale 342.2, down 32 pieces
Wigan 301.2, down 27 pieces
Buried 300.5, down 33 pieces
Bolton 294.6, down 32 pieces
Salford 246.5, down 42 pieces
245.3 Manchester, down 32%
Tameside 241.1, down 36 pieces
Stockport 204.5, down 36 pcs
Trafford, 169.4, down 45%
The national average in England is 202.4 per 100,000 residents.
Trafford is the only area of Greater Manchester to fall below the national average with a rate of 169.4 per 100,000.
There were 661 positive tests across Greater Manchester on Sunday – the lowest total since September 21.
By comparison, 3,229 positive tests were confirmed in Greater Manchester on November 2 – the point at which the second wave of the virus was at its peak.
Meanwhile, nationally, 17,555 Covid-19 cases were reported today – a nearly 25% decrease from last week – and 498 deaths.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock made a statement in Parliament this morning, announcing which areas will be placed at what levels and outlining the rationale behind each.
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The stricter system, which will see stricter measures against hospitality, will go into effect on December 2.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he was not surprised to see Greater Manchester at Level 3, due to the infection rate being higher than the current national average.
Mr. Burnham added that he hopes the settlements will be moved to Level 2 in the next review within two weeks, thanks to the rapid reduction in infection rate in all 10 neighborhoods.
(Photo: Manchester Evening News)
“The infection rate in Greater Manchester is dropping faster than in any other part of the country but we have to accept that it is still much higher than the England average,” he said.
“However, if the current rate of improvement continues, we will ask the government to move our city to Level 2 within two weeks.
“What we think is completely wrong is the government’s decision not to provide any additional trade support to areas in Level 3 than those in Level 3 and Level 2.
“The new Level 3 will hurt the hospitality sector severely. While there are grants for companies that have been forced to close, there is no additional support for the businesses they provide such as security, restaurants and cleaning.
“This will cause real suffering to the people whose jobs will be affected and risks losing many businesses.
“Ministers need to explain how they think it is fair that Tier 3 areas do not receive more support than Tier 2. They also need to explain why places with large numbers of hospitality companies – such as city centers – have the same population level. Grants as more suburbs and rural areas with fewer affected companies. “
Speaking tonight at a Downing Street press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that “your level is not your destiny.”
Although leading scholars have urged people to “think logically”, especially during the Christmas period when lockdown measures are eased.
(Photo: PA)
Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said: “With regard to Christmas, Christmas will increase the stakes, and everyone knows that. This is not a secret at all.”
“But that is not the only risk at all during this period.”
He added, “Take things seriously during Christmas. Don’t do stupid things. Don’t do unnecessary things just because the rules say you can.”
“Think rationally.”
Then he was asked to explain what people should do during Christmas when it came to hugging – and kissing – elderly relatives.
He said, “Do I want someone to see their family? Of course, this is what Christmas is all about, whether people celebrate Christmas as a festival or any other belief system. It’s an opportunity for families.”
“But would I encourage someone to hug and kiss their elderly relatives? No, I wasn’t.
It’s not against the law – that’s the point. You can do this in the rules that are in place but it does not make sense because you may carry the virus and if you have an elderly relative, it will not be the thing that you want to do in the period when we are running to the point where we may be able to protect the elderly.
“I think people should just have the feeling, and that’s what I think people will do.”
