Almost a third of those 18-49 have had a jab as infection rate decline slows

Almost a third of people aged 18 to 49 in Greater Manchester have had their first Covid-19 vaccine, while the decline in infection rates has slowed across the region.

The overall infection rate was 34.8 cases per 100,000 people as of April 30, which is marginally lower than the 35.8 cases per 100,000 reported.

It also remains higher than the national average which is 22.5, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

The slowdown can be linked to a rise in cases in Bolton, which continues to have the highest Covid infection rates in Greater Manchester with 73.4 per 100,000.

Trafford also saw an increase in cases from 35.4 to 46.8. Six of the remaining local authorities reported a drop in cases, while Rochdale stayed level.

The number of positive cases amongst over-60s has also risen slightly in Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, and Trafford.

Sir Richard Leese, chair of the Greater Manchester health and social care partnership, has warned that a significant upticks in rates can be caused by a small number of new cases.

Public health officials had also been expecting infection rates to rise in some areas with the reopening of hospitality venues and non-essential shops.

Speaking last week, Sir Richard said: “These numbers say we still need to be taking reasonable measures to stay safe and keep other people safe and keep this ground going to continue the unlocking that hopefully will go into its next stage in around three weeks.

“For everybody who enjoys the freedoms we’re beginning to get and wants that to continue, please get vaccinated.”

The leader of Manchester council had also warned that the city-region would not reach herd immunity unless vaccination uptake increased amongst younger people.

As of May 3, first doses had been handed out to 32 per cent of people aged 18-49, a marginal increase on the week before, while 10 per cent have had a second jab.

First doses of the vaccine are also now being offered to people in the 40-50 age group.

Almost all people over the age of 70 have had both jabs, while three quarters of people aged 50 to 69 have had at least one vaccine.

A total of 1,372,650 first doses have been handed out along with a further 650,586 second jabs.

Weekly admissions to hospitals for Covid-19 doubled to 19 in the week ending May 3 while the number of patients diagnosed with the virus in hospital fell.

The number of people in intensive care fell for the fifth consecutive week, while there the number of occupied non-emergency beds rose from 100 to 117 in the week.

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