Bury's Covid infection rate rises as leaders raise concerns

Data revealed today by Greater Manchester deputy mayor, Sir Richard Leese, who leads on healthcare, shows that the seven-day rate of positive cases per 100,000 people in the region dropped by eight per cent in the space of a week.

In the week up to February 19, the rate was 178.5, down from 194.8 the seven days before and there were decreases recorded in nine out of the 10 boroughs.

But in Bury the rate jumped up from 205.8 to 232.5 in that time, a 13 per cent increase and Sir Richard said there is no known reason for this.

The rate of decline is slower than it was during national lockdowns last year and the dominance of the Kent variant, which is more infectious and causes around 90 per cent of cases, is thought to be a major reason for this.

The fact that many have to leave home to go into work, where there is a higher risk of catching Covid-19 is another factor.

Weekly admissions to hospitals and intensive care unit capacity in Greater Manchester have dropped slightly but it is expected that numbers will remain high until early April.

Figures released by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Figures released by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Figures released by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Metro mayor Andy Burnham welcomes the announcement to ease the restrictions nationally, rather than reverting back to the tier system, but believes it is a risk that all schools are returning on Monday, March 8.

He understands that schools, which have concerns over rates in particular areas, can discuss reopening plans with their respective councils.

Mr Burnham also said there needs to be more support for workers self-isolating, and that he has been told at least 1,000 people in Greater Manchester are not doing so when they have been contacted by track and trace workers as they cannot afford to take time off.

And he is calling for the Chancellor to make sure people who have not received money from the financial support schemes to be allocated funds in the upcoming budget.

Figures released by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Meanwhile, there was a 23 per cent in the number of incidents that police were reported for alleged Covid-19 breaches with a large number of house parties and indoor gatherings taking place, deputy mayor Baroness Bev Hughes said.

There were 1,473 reports in the week up to Tuesday with a total of 240 fixed penalty notice (FPN) fines handed out to people in that time.

Just under 3,900 FPNs have been issued since last August.

There has been a noticeable trend of young people meeting up in parks and opens spaces.

Compliance with business restrictions has been "reasonably good" but there have been "significant exceptions".

There have been reports of pop-up barbers in garden sheds and backroom bars at unlicensed premises operating, Baroness Hughes added.