Oldham's Covid-19 infection rates continue to rise

New data from Public Health England shows that in Oldham, the coronavirus infection rate was 64.5 cases per 100,000 people in the week ending on July 30

Despite new local lockdown restrictions being imposed on the whole of Greater Manchester last week, it's emerged that Covid-19 infection rates were nearly twelve times higher in Oldham than in Wigan when the announcement was made.

New data from Public Health England shows that in Oldham, the coronavirus infection rate was 64.5 cases per 100,000 people in the week ending on July 30, while on the other side of Greater Manchester, the rate in Wigan was just 5.5.

Residents in Greater Manchester are no longer allowed to meet in different households, or people from other households inside pubs and restaurants as of last Friday (July 31).

The updated measures were imposed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock due to rising Covid-19 infection rates across the region.

As local leaders grapple with the escalating coronavirus transmission rates, Manchester Council leader Sir Richard Leese has urged residents not to be alarmed.

He explained that the move to a major incident is “standard practice for complex situations” and would allow agencies to draw on extra resources.

Oldham's Covid-19 infection rates rose from 42.4 cases per 100,000 for the week ending July 24 to 64.5 last week.

The second-highest Greater Manchester borough figure is Trafford's 38.9 per 100,000.

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