Oldham's Covid infection rate rises again with "working age" people seeing the biggest increase.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said the Northwest was in a "different position" to the rest of the country.

The Covid infection rate has increased again in Oldham, official figures show.

The rate of positive cases per 100,000 population now stands at 200.3 in the borough, one of the highest in Greater Manchester.

Only Rochdale has a higher number of infections.

The figure compares to an average of 162.7 across Greater Manchester.

Speaking about the figures this afternoon, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said many of the increases were "slight".

Asked if the new Coronavirus strain was in the region, he said the information was not yet available, but it was "very likely" that the strain was here.

However, the Mayor was keen to pause any decision about Greater Manchester being moved into Tier 4 restrictions, which are in place across much of the South East of England.

"Greater Manchester has been under significat restrictions for five months.  We need to bear that in mind in terms of what that has meant for people.

"Tier 4 would create significant issues over the Christmas period.  The figure in Greater Manchester is showing a 1% growth at the moment, and that wouldn't justify Tier 4 on the evidence that we have."

Mr Burnham said the North-West was in a different position to the rest of the country but would look again at any new evidence as it was presented.

The rate of infection is now rising in 7 of the 10 Greater Manchester boroughs.

In Oldham, the biggest increases were recorded in people of "working age" between ages 30 and 64, and showing a slight decrease in rates in the over 65s.

The latest review of all tiers took effect last Wednesday and the next will take place on Wednesday 30 December.

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