​Act now – we’ve the 13th highest Covid-19 rate in the country

“We are in the last chance saloon – we need to obey the rules or go into further lockdown.”

This is the stark message from health and council leaders as new figures for today (Wed 26 Aug) show that Bury has the 13^th highest coronavirus infection rate in England.

While rates across Greater Manchester are dropping, Bury’s continues to rise – and is now three times the national average.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This is the sixth weekly rise in a row in Bury, and we are now firmly in the Government’s sights. Unless this infection rate comes down immediately, we may be placed into the sort of extra measures that Oldham and Blackburn were, and possibly more.

“Too many people are not wearing masks in shops, are still meeting up in large groups from several households, and not keeping two metres apart.

“A few then catch the virus, and bring it home to spread among their families.

“It has to stop, and now. We simply must take responsibility for our own actions. I urge everyone – residents, families and businesses - to obey the law and follow the guidance, or we may be be put into lockdown.”

The latest figures reveal that there were 67 confirmed new cases in the week ending 22 August – up from 63 the previous week, and 51 the week before that.

The 7-day infection rate in Bury is now 35.2 per 100,000 population, up from 33.1 last week and 26.8 previously.

The largest number of new cases was recorded in Whitefield, but cases are spread out evenly across all five neighbourhood areas across the borough.

Household transmission remains an important source of new infections, as people spread the virus they caught in the community to their families.

Those aged 18-39 account for more than half of the new cases in Bury, and the percentage of positive tests has also increased.

In Bury:

• you must not meet people you do not live with inside a private home or garden.
• you must not visit someone else’s home or garden - even if they live outside the affected areas.
• you should not socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions.
• Face coverings must be worn in shops/supermarkets, public transport, banks and post offices, cinemas/theatres, places of workshop, libraries/museums and community centres.
• Wash your hands frequently and stay two metres apart wherever possible.

The Government has published a list of Frequently Asked Questions on what you can and cannot do: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-of-england-local-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do

ENDS

Press release issued: 26 August 2020.

Note to editors:

Bury’s data is based on the number of confirmed cases, which explains why it differs from Greater Manchester/England data which is based on positive tests (which may include multiple tests on the same person).

The four-week summary in Bury:

Week ending 22 August: infection rate 35.2 (67 new cases)

Week ending 15 August: infection rate 33.1 (63 cases)

Week ending 8 August: infection rate 26.8 (51 cases)

Week ending 1 August: infection rate 20.0 (38 cases)

New case breakdown by neighbourhood (week ending 22 Aug):

Bury North: 15 cases (infection rate 35.0)

Bury East: 12 cases (32.9)

Bury West (includes Radcliffe): 11 cases (24.2)

Whitefield: 16 cases (53.3)

Prestwich: 13 cases (37.0)