Star date: 10th August 2020

TOTAL SALFORD COVID-19 CASES UP TO 1,553

Salford has 18 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the cumulative total to 1,553. There were no new deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile a nationwide watchlist of virus hotspots, compiled by health science company ZOE with data analysed by King's College London, puts Salford fourth worst area in the country, even though it estimates only 0.25% people in the city are symptomatic. On a positive note, Salford Red Devils outclassed Hull FC to win the first game played behind closed doors.

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Salford has 18 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the cumulative total to 1,553, up from 1,535 the previous day.

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester there have also been big rises in the number of positive tests. The latest case numbers show Manchester with a total of 3,516 (up from 3,483), followed by Oldham with 2,359 (up from 2,315), Wigan 2,212 (up from 2,209), Bolton 2,083 (up from 2,070), Rochdale 1,971 (up from 1,948), Stockport 1,847 (up from 1,821), Tameside 1,722 (up from 1,692), Trafford 1,497 (up from 1,485) and Bury 1,407 (up from 1,400).

There were no new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.

The COVID Symptom Study app Watch List, compiled by health science company ZOE, with endorsements from the Welsh Government, NHS Wales, the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland, has been quite accurately predicting virus hotspots. Its app is used by over four million participants, with data analysed by King's College London researchers. It's the largest public science project of its kind anywhere in the world.

The aim of the Watch List is to highlight key areas of concern so that attention can be focused on those areas..."When an area of concern is highlighted, increased testing should take place there to help confirm if the situation needs further action such as a localised lockdown" the Study's website states.

Its latest Watch List, released on 6th August, places Salford as the fourth worst area in the country, after Blackburn with Darwen, Kirklees and Halton. The Study estimates that 0.25% of Salford's population is symptomatic with the virus, based on 2,432 app users in the city (see here). Public Health England's Watchlist, released last Friday, shows Salford as the 11th worst area in the country (see here).

On the positive side, Salford Red Devils outclassed Hull FC 54-18 at Headingley Stadium in the first rugby league game since the lockdown, played behind closed doors. Tries by Sio (2), Lolohea (2), Williams (2), Atkin, Yates, Welham and Evalds, and seven goals from Lolohea ensured the thrashing.