Salford has 94 new coronavirus cases, up from the previous day's 86, bringing the cumulative total to 14,633. The seven day average of cases has increased to 435, up from 432, as has the seven day rate per 100,000 population which stands at 168.1, up from 166.9.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, cases in Manchester during the latest seven day data period were 968 (up from 958), with a rate of 175.1 (up from 173.3), followed by Bolton with 433 (down from 434), with a rate of 150.6 (down from 150.9) and Oldham 479 (down from 485), with a rate of 202 (down from 204.5).
Wigan has a seven day case number of 543 (up from 532), with a rate of 165.2 (up from 161.9), Tameside 269 (up from 246), with a rate of 118.8 (up from 108.6), Rochdale 466 (up from 461), with a rate of 209.5 (up from 207.3), Stockport 348 (up from 336), with a rate of 118.6 (up from 114.5), Bury 368 (up from 365), with a rate of 192.7 (up from 191.1), and Trafford 352 (up from 341), with a rate of 148.3 (up from 143.7).
There have been two new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.
Meanwhile, at the Greater Manchester Leaders' press conference yesterday, slides were presented showing that while seven day rates per 100,000 have gone up in all but three boroughs of the region (Bury, Manchester and Wigan week ending 17th December), overall the region has only seen a 1% increase in rates, compared to massive increases in most of England (99% overall average) – 226% in London, 204% in the East and 141% in the South East.
Greater Manchester's average rate of 163 is nowhere near some of the worst affected areas, another slide showed, with places in Wales, London and East England registering over 1,000 cases per 100,000 people (see graphics).
Hospital numbers for COVID-19 patients have increased in Greater Manchester, from 490 admissions and diagnoses on 14th December, to 533 on 20th December. The number of COVID patients in non-intensive care beds has also increased from 766 on 15th December, to 837 on 21st December, as have those COVID-19 patients in intensive care beds, from 86 to 94 over that week. But capacity for these beds stands at 68.7% with even more spare capacity if required (see graphic).
Meanwhile, in care homes the percentage of residents with confirmed virus cases or showing symptoms has decreased from 2.9% on 15th December, to 2.4% on 21st December. The vaccination programme taking place within larger care homes will begin "in a matter of weeks" said GM Mayor, Andy Burnham, although he called for more local control of the roll out programme, with reports of vaccine turning up in places that didn't have the necessary staff to administer it.
Commenting on the exponential nationwide growth in cases, Burnham said that, while "there's a real change on the ground" elsewhere, Greater Manchester is "some way from that". He added that there was no evidence yet, which public health directors are aware of, that the new strain is in Greater Manchester but people should assume that it is already here or is about to arrive...
"...That should be people's assumption but the opportunity we have is to anticipate what might be coming...to prepare ourselves and to ensure that we don't see a loss of control where the spread becomes so rapid that it is out of control" Burnham explained.
Despite the new strain being more infectious, its effect on people remains the same – but the threat to the NHS from a surge in cases is much greater, he emphasised... "All of us need to do everything possible to slow this down...It is a very changed situation we are looking at."
However, the 1% rate of infection growth in Greater Manchester would not justify the Government putting the region in Tier 4, he opined, although it is due to review the situation between Christmas and New Year...
"It's perfectly possible that Greater Manchester can keep its figures in that low position and that wouldn't justify Tier 4 at this moment in time" Burnham said "I don't think a lockdown after Christmas is something that has to happen...
"I certainly wouldn't rule out the need for a new national lockdown given the rises we're seeing elsewhere...but Greater Manchester is in a very different position to other parts of England at this moment in time" he emphasised "...There's a possibility of Tier 4 but not an inevitability. If people follow the rules we could hold back some of the increases we're seeing..."
Beverley Hughes, GM Deputy Mayor for Policing, said that over Christmas police will not be knocking on doors speculatively to see if people are abiding by the rules on gatherings but will respond to reports from the public, with a focus on very large gatherings.
She also called for a ban on protests in Greater Manchester with people travelling to the region from Tier 4 areas (where they are prohibited) to take part, or least for them to be limited to static protests rather than marches.
With regards to the rise in infections, Burnham explained that there is a "strong possibility that in the end we will follow what we are seeing in other parts of the country but we can change it. We don't want to lose control of the virus and it's in our hands – the rules and guidance become more and more relevant because this thing can grow like wildfire, so everyone has to change how they are viewing this situation...
"...We are entering the period of greatest danger now with regard to this pandemic as we come through this period and into early January, and as we look at this new strain developing around the country" he said "Just as we might want to switch off, I'm afraid it is the time to keep switched on...none of us can drop our guard at this moment in time
"It's going to be a tough January, and we all need to lie low over Christmas and prepare for what's coming" Burnham concluded "It's going to be a very difficult time, most of all for our colleagues in the National Health Service and in social care. While this virus may pose no extra risks from a health point of view in terms of risk to life, it certainly poses a much greater risk to the NHS and the risk of it being overwhelmed. Please remember that and take care of yourselves..."
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