Bury Covid infection rate doubles in a week

Community leaders in Bury have called on everyone to follow the coronavirus rules as new figures show another sharp rise in new cases.

With 373 new cases recorded in the seven days to 22 September, the infection rate has shot up from 92.1 per 100,000 to 195.3.

Bury now has the second highest infection rate in Greater Manchester behind Bolton, where extra restrictions have been imposed by the Government, and one of the highest in England.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “These figures are the highest we have seen in Bury, far higher than those recorded at the so-called height of the pandemic in April.

“It shows just how rapidly this virus can spread. Now, every borough in Greater Manchester is in the ‘red zone’ and facing the risk of yet more restrictions.

“I understand people’s confusion and frustration about the rules,” he added. “But we need everyone, more than ever, to make a real effort to follow the law and the guidance - it’s our civic responsibility, not something we can leave to the council or the police.

“You might think you’re invincible, but think about your local pub, or your local shop, if the Government orders another lockdown. Think of your friends who will lose their jobs, and your elderly relatives who will be forced to isolate and remain apart from their family and friends for months. This isn’t virtual reality – real life actions have real life consequences.”

There are now roughly equal numbers of cases among older working age adults as younger adults and we are starting to see a worrying increase in the over 65s.

Cllr O’Brien added: “While the infection rate in Bury remains so high, we accept that restrictions need to be in place, as long as they strike the right balance between protecting people’s health and ensuring that society can function as normally as possible.

“But there is a risk that people are becoming confused with all these constantly changing restrictions, which is why the Government need to take action on three other fronts.

“Firstly, they must resolve the problems with the national testing system. We’ve been trying to meet the demand by opening three walk-in centres, with more to come across the borough, to make it easier for our residents to get a test.

“Track and trace must also improve, as too many people are not being contacted. We have offered to run the system locally, using our own capacity and resources, because it’s become apparent that this is the only way it’s going to get better. In the meantime, I urge everyone with a smartphone to download the new testing app, which will help.

“And finally, we need them to urgently come up with more financial support for our hard hit workers and businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector whose livelihoods are once more under threat.

“In the meantime, the rules are simple: wash your hands regularly, wear a face mask (unless you have a medical exemption) where required, and keep your distance from others.”

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 pubs/restaurants, shops/supermarkets, public transport, banks and post offices, cinemas/theatres, places of workshop, libraries/museums and community centres.

ENDS

Press release issued: 25 September 2020.