Salford has ten new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the cumulative total to 1,742, up from the previous day's 1,732.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, cases in Manchester rose to 4,125 (up from 4,098), followed by Oldham with 2,803 (up from 2,793), Wigan 2,297 (up from 2,294), Bolton 2,238 (up from 2,231), Rochdale 2,188 (up from 2,171), Stockport 1,964 (up from 1,958), Tameside 1,870 (up from 1,865), Trafford 1,626 (up from 1,620) and Bury 1,550 up from 1,544.
There has been one new sad virus-related death at Salford Royal Hospital.
Meanwhile, at the Greater Manchester Leaders' remote press conference yesterday, the return to schools was discussed, with Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, underlining that "the safe return of kids to school is critically linked to the performance of the test and trace system and it still isn't where we need it to be..."
The GM Leaders have called for local control of the national NHS Test and Trace system as one of the 'crucial ingredients' to improve control of the virus; the other being full wages for low paid people who are told to self-isolate.
Last night, the Government agreed to pay the low paid £13 per day to self-isolate if they live in Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle or Oldham – a move subsequently criticised by Burnham, as it "goes nowhere near far enough...
"For many workers in Greater Manchester, this will not provide the support people need to cooperate with NHS Test and Trace" he explained "Having belatedly acknowledged that something needs to be done, Government must now accept the calls of the 'Time Out to Help Out' campaign and support people across the country to self-isolate on full pay.*
"For us to get a grip on this virus before we head into a winter without a vaccine, the vast majority of those contacted by national Test and Trace need to be able to self-isolate immediately and not worry about loss of earnings or, worse, losing a job" he added "Quite simply, these measures are not good enough."
Meanwhile, yesterday, the GM Mayor supported the re-opening of schools in Greater Manchester..."I think we all agree that that is now a priority because the damage that's being done by not bringing children back to school is significant.
"...It's right that schools re-open but if we don't improve Test and Trace in a matter of weeks then we are taking unacceptable levels of risk going into the autumn and winter with community health, and this message from GM will only get louder" he added.
There was also concern about the low numbers of testing kits that schools and councils are receiving, while backing the Government's edict on the wearing of face coverings in schools...
"The Government is probably right to say that we need to see the wearing of face masks in corridors in schools in areas where there are local restrictions, including Greater Manchester" Burnham stated "This is the right position and it will apply in seven of our boroughs.
"I think beyond that it should be up to the head teacher to decide" he agreed "But my own personal view would be that I would err on the side of encouraging students to wear them, rather than not, given the challenges we are going to have living with this virus during the autumn and winter.
"Schools need to carry on with their good judgement and just because restrictions may be lifted in one borough doesn't mean you don't continue to follow the spirit of what they were about" he concluded.
However, North West UNISON has called for the measures to go further, and for all school staff to have the choice to wear face coverings...
"The Government has passed the decision on to head teachers and in doing so has diverted their own responsibility for the safety of school staff, pupils and the wider community" says UNISON North West schools organiser Keith Bradley "Earlier this summer, the Government said that a world-beating track and trace system would be created in order to ensure schools could fully re-open in September. It is clear that this has not been delivered.
"The virus remains a real and present danger in our region" he adds "School staff, whether they work in colleges, primary or secondary schools must have the right to further protect themselves using a face covering if they want to."
And the National Education Union, or NEU, has called for the Government to follow World Health Organisation advice... "The WHO called for staff aged over-60 or otherwise vulnerable and who work closely with children, to wear medical-grade masks" says Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the NEU "Our many affected members will expect Government to deliver robust plans to meet, fund and co-ordinate a response to this new scientific advice."
The issue of parents who may not want to send their children back to school also came up at yesterday's GM Leaders' press conference, with Beverley Hughes, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, confirming that the police will not be getting involved...
"Greater Manchester Police won't be enforcing school attendance in any circumstances in which parents don't feel safe sending their children into school and therefore keep their children at home" she said "This is a matter for teachers. Head teachers are saying that they want to take the line of engaging with parents and trying to encourage parents to send their children into school. But ultimately, if there was to be any need for enforcement in a particular case that would be something for head teachers to decide on. It certainly won't be something the police will be getting involved in...."
The press conference ended with Andy Burnham reiterating that at all times, Greater Manchester Leaders will be following the evidence, and "taking a pragmatic rather than political approach..."
For more details of yesterday's press conference see also previous Salford Star article – click here
If any school head teacher in Salford wants to talk about safety measures that are in place as pupils return please contact the Salford Star... info@salfordstar.com
* For more details on the Time Out To Help Out Campaign see previous Salford Star article - click here
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