Star date: 14th December 2020

TEN VACCINATION HUBS TO BE SET UP IN SALFORD

Salford has 62 new coronavirus cases, down from the previous day's 71. However, the seven day average of cases has increased slightly from 349 to 351, as has the seven day rate per 100,000 population which rose from 134.8 to 135.6. For the first time in a while, there have been no new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.

Today, GPs begin to roll out the vaccination programme from ten 'hubs' in the city, with the NHS Director of Primary Care urging people to have the jab when invited.

Full details here...

Salford has 62 new coronavirus cases, down from the previous day's 71, bringing the cumulative total to 14,047, as the overall fall in infections levels off. The seven day average of cases has increased slightly from 349 to 351, as has the seven day rate per 100,000 population which rose from 134.8 to 135.6.

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, the boroughs are yo-yoing, with most boroughs swinging down, apart from Manchester and Rochdale.

Cases in Manchester during the latest seven day data period were 974 (up from 970), with a rate of 176.2 (up from 175.5), followed by Bolton with 423 (down from 452), with a rate of 147.1 (down from 157.2) and Oldham 372 (down from 396), with a rate of 156.9 (down from 167).

Wigan has 568 (down from 615), with a rate of 172.8 (down from 187.1), Tameside 207 (down from 237), with a rate of 91.4 (down from 104.6), Rochdale 441 (up from 433), with a rate of 198.3 (up from 194.7), Stockport 330 (down from 365), with a rate of 112.5 (down from 124.4), Bury 423 (down from 444), with a rate of 221.5 (down from 232.5), Trafford 207 (down from 210), with a rate of 87.2 (down from 88.5).

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

Meanwhile, today, GPs begin rolling out the vaccination programme in Salford for those aged over 80 and social care staff from ten vaccine hubs being set up in the city, although there's currently no information on where these will be.

"This is the greatest vaccination programme ever undertaken by the NHS and, to help vaccinate people safely we will be working with local communities to deliver it in convenient and familiar settings" says Dr Nikki Kanani, practising GP and NHS Director of Primary Care "As a GP I am proud to be part of this huge national effort to protect our patients against the virus and I would urge the public to come forward when they are called up for the vaccine."

As vaccine hubs are set up around the city, a new huge coronavirus testing site has been set up in Swinton, much to the ire of residents who weren't told what was being plonked next to their houses... click here for details