Star date: 12th May 2021

WITH BOLTON CASES RISING, BURNHAM PLEADS FOR COMMUNITIES TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION WHEN RESTRICTIONS ARE EASED

Salford has 7 new coronavirus cases, down from the previous day's 9, while the seven day rate per 100,000 population now stands at 31.7, down from 32.8. There have been no new virus-related deaths announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

With Bolton's current surge of cases, GM Leaders are seeking permission to vaccinate all over 16 year olds in the region, while newly re-elected GM Mayor, Andy Burnham, calls for the community to proceed with "caution" when restrictions are lifted next week.

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Salford has 7 new coronavirus cases, down from the previous day's 9, bringing the cumulative total of cases to 23,410. The seven day average of cases in Salford is now 82, down from 85, while the seven day rate per 100,000 population now stands at 31.7, down from 32.8.

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester the seven day average of cases in Bury is 39 (down from 41), with a seven day rate per 100,000 population of 20.4 (down from 21.5); Bolton 384 (up from 346), with a rate of 133.5 (up from 120.3); Manchester 210 (up from 198), with a rate of 38 (up from 35.8); and Oldham 69 (up from 67), with a rate of 29.1 (up from 28.3).

Rochdale has a seven day average of cases of 93 (same), with a seven day rate of 41.8 (same); Stockport 81 (same), with a rate of 27.6 (same); Tameside 55 (up from 49), with a rate of 24.3 (up from 21.6); Trafford 79 (down from 87), with a rate of 33.3 (down from 36.7); and Wigan 79 (down from 80), with a rate of 24 (down from 24.3).

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

At his first coronavirus press conference since being re-elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, pointed to the "mixed picture" of cases and rates of the virus in the region, particularly the "significant increase" in Bolton which is a "cause for concern".

The rise is linked, experts believe, to international travel, particularly from India, although there is also evidence of community transmission. While the rate of positive cases in Bolton in the over 60s has risen from 27.7 to 46.1 over the last two weeks, the rate for over 65s is similar to other boroughs (pale yellow on the age heat map – see graphic), which Burnham said, meant that the vaccines are proving effective. There has also been, he said, no significant increase in hospital admissions in Bolton.

Greater Manchester has now submitted a formal request to the Joint Council on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for permission to vaccinate all over 16s in Bolton and the wider region which is currently being considered. Meanwhile, there is enhanced contact tracing, surge testing and mobile vaccination centres happening in Bolton to try and contain the spread. This obviously has implications for Salford and other boroughs that share a border with Bolton.

Meanwhile, Salford is seeing a decrease in virus cases in the over 60s, with the 7 day rate of positive cases per 100,000 people falling from 16.4 for the week ending 28th April, to 10.3 on the week ending 5th May. The age heat map of virus rates for the city underlines this, with a pale yellow box for over 65s, and almost pale yellow for 45 to 64 years olds (see graphic).

The percentage of care home residents with COVID-19 or showing symptoms of the virus has remained the same at 0.2% for 11th May. Andy Burnham explained that this amount to 32 people out of a care home population of around 15,000 in Greater Manchester.

However, there has been a rise in Greater Manchester hospital admissions, from 8 on 2nd May, to 26 on 9th May, and in-patient diagnosis has also risen, from 21 to 31 during that period. COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds in the region have risen from 91 on 3rd May, to 99 on 10th May, although the number of COVID patients in intensive care has fallen from 21 to 18 during this period... "We will be keeping a close eye on the situation" said Burnham.

The vaccination rollout continues to be successful in Greater Manchester, with 1,401,314 people having had the first jab, and 742,685 having the second dose. This amounts to 94% of over 70s having the first dose of vaccine (89% the second), 86% of those aged 50 to 69 having the first dose (38% second dose), and 34% of 18 to 49 year olds having the first dose (12% second dose).

Burnham concluded that, while Greater Manchester leaders support the road map as set out by the Prime Minister, "I think we do have to give a more cautious message than perhaps the one that is currently being given nationally...

..."There is clearly a sign of a change on the ground from where we've been in recent weeks" Burnham said "It's in one borough at the moment but there is a concern that that could spread. We're asking people to take notice of that and perhaps not move fully to take advantage of all the freedoms that will be made available next week, to continue to proceed carefully and to be aware of the situation within your community...to continue to act with caution."