Salford has 154 new coronavirus cases, up from the previous day's 67, bringing the cumulative total to 15,907. The seven day average of cases has increased to 652, up from 592, while the seven day rate per 100,000 population now stands at 251.9, up from 228.7.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, the seven day average of cases in Bury is 630 (up from 575), with a seven day rate per 100,000 population of 329.9 (up from 301.1); Bolton 691 (up from 604), with a rate of 240.3 (up from 210.1); Manchester 1,518 (up from 1,315), with a rate of 274.6 (up from 237.9); and Oldham 597 (up from 511), with a rate of 251.8 (up from 215.5).
Rochdale has a seven day average of cases of 591 (up from 558), with a seven day rate of 265.7 (up from 250.9); Stockport 882 (up from 791), with a rate of 300.6 (up from 269.6); Tameside 575 (up from 501), with a rate of 253.9 (up from 221.2); Trafford 780 (up from 708), with a rate of 328.6 (up from 298.3); and Wigan 1,023 (up from 903), with a rate of 311.3 (up from 274.8).
There have been no new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.
Meanwhile, last night Prime Minister Boris Johnson finally acted on expert advice and put the country into another national lockdown...
"...It's been both frustrating and alarming to see the speed with which the new variant is spreading" he said in a televised broadcast "Our scientists have confirmed that this new variant is between 50% and 70% more transmissible; that means you're much, much more likely to catch the virus and to pass it on...Our hospitals are under more pressure from COVID than at any time since the start of the pandemic...
"It's clear that we need to do more together to bring this new variant under control while our vaccines are rolled out" he added "In England, we must therefore go into a national lockdown which is tough enough to contain this variant. That means the Government is once again instructing you to stay at home..."
Under these instructions, you can only leave your home to shop for basic necessities, to go to work or volunteer if you can't do so from home, for exercise with one other person who is not in your household or bubble, or to meet with your bubble where permitted.
Schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of key workers and will be closed to others until February half term with learning to be done remotely. Nurseries remain open.
For full details on what you can and can't do see the Government website – click here.
Reacting to the lockdown announcement, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, tweeted "Millions will be worried sick tonight about how they're going to manage this financially. @RishiSunak needs to go back to his positive approach at the start of the pandemic & honour his "no one left behind" pledge. It would help rebuild the sense of national unity we will need."
Salford MPs Rebecca Long Bailey and Barbara Keeley didn't really give reactions, Long Bailey just giving a link to the new restrictions and Keeley re-tweeting other people's posts and praising Joe Wicks. Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett tweeted nothing.
On a more positive note, the brilliant Hacienda New Year's Eve House 24 Hour Party got an estimated four million viewers and raised over £115,000 for good causes.
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