Salford has 122 new coronavirus cases, down from the previous day's 154, bringing the cumulative total to 16,029. The seven day average of cases has increased to 723, up from 592, while the seven day rate per 100,000 population now stands at 279.3, up from 251.9.
According to the latest data, Salford's seven day rate of cases had increased by almost 25% (24.4) on 31st December, with around one quarter of new cases on that date in the over 60 year olds (31 out of 129).
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, the seven day average of cases in Bury is 642 (up from 630), with a seven day rate per 100,000 population of 336.1 (up from 329.9); Bolton 719 (up from 691), with a rate of 250 (up from 240.3); Manchester 1,689 (up from 1,518), with a rate of 305.5 (up from 274.6); and Oldham 648 (up from 597), with a rate of 273.3 (up from 251.8).
Rochdale has a seven day average of cases of 650 (up from 591), with a seven day rate of 292.3 (up from 265.7); Stockport 969 (up from 882), with a rate of 330.2 (up from 300.6); Tameside 608 (up from 575), with a rate of 268.4 (up from 253.9); Trafford 825 (up from 780), with a rate of 347.6 (up from 328.6); and Wigan 1,092 (up from 1,023), with a rate of 332.3 (up from 311.3).
There have been no new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.
Meanwhile Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, and Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, have joined forces to highlight the plight of BTEC students being asked to take exams this month...
"It is unfair to ask these students to go into colleges when everyone else is being told to stay at home and schools and colleges are closed to the majority of students" they say "This will cause unnecessary anxiety and concern just when they need to be able to focus.
"Secondly, students in the Liverpool and Greater Manchester City Regions have faced restrictions for far longer, with more time being spent out of college, than students in other parts of the country, therefore these exams will not be a level playing field" they add.
"These exams involve 130,000 students across the country and the whole of the FE sector is concerned that allowing them to go ahead not only puts staff and students at risk, but once again demonstrates the continued lack of parity for BTEC students compared with those sitting A Levels and GCSES, and the divide that remains between vocational and academic education" they explain.
"BTECs are more likely to be studied by those from working-class backgrounds and ethnic minority communities – groups which are already more vulnerable in terms of their life outcomes, including health inequalities" they argue "BTECs and other vocational qualifications are also key to supporting progression into higher education from areas - particularly in the North - that tend to be cold spots for university recruitment. To not treat these students on a par with their peers studying an academic route would be a double injustice.
"We do not believe it is right to go ahead with these exams when others have been cancelled and we urge the government to listen to the concerns of college leaders from our city-regions, and across the country who are concerned about the fairness and practically of pressing ahead" they conclude "Therefore, if Ministers are unwilling to listen to the sector and continue with exams regardless, then they must put in place measures - including the weighting of results - to ensure that no student is disadvantaged by having to sit exams during a period of national lockdown..."
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