Covid cases: infection rates among at-risk over-60s in Greater Manchester revealed

Covid-19 case rates have been surging across England - and the levels of infection among the most at-risk older residents is causing particular concern.

Manchester World has taken a look at data analysed by our sister title NationalWorld showing the latest case rates among over-60s.

It shows the varying infection levels among the city-region’s older residents, but also reveals that one of the 10 local authorities is among the 20 areas in England with the highest rates.

What does the data show?

Manchester World took a look at the figures for Covid-19 case rates in over-60s in the week between 6 and 12 October.

The worst figures in Greater Manchester were in Stockport, where there were 230 cases, giving a rate of 300.4 per 100,000 residents.

That was the 16th highest recorded in England for that week.

Trafford was ranked 21st highest in England with 159 cases, giving a rate of 292 per 100,000 people.

Rochdale and Bury were also in the top 50 England hotspots for cases among older residents, with the former having a rate of 251 cases per 100,000 residents and the latter having one of 239.7 per 100,000 people.

Manchester itself had 155 cases, or a rate of 216.6 per 100,000 residents.

The case rates for the city-region’s other boroughs were 236.2 per 100,000 people in Salford, 222.3 per 100,000 in Oldham, 209.2 per 100,000 in Wigan, 209 per 100,000 in Tameside and 201 per 100,000 in Bolton.

What is happening nationally?

On Monday (18 October) government data showed there were 49,156 new infections reported, the highest leap since July.

That fell on Tuesday but on that day the UK recorded its highest death toll with Covid since March.

The Government has said it is keeping a close watch on the situation.

However, ministers are coming under increasing pressure to implement “Plan B” of mitigation measures to try to slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus, including mask wearing and advice to work from home.

So far, despite the rising case rates, this is something the Government has not been willing to do.

The doctors’ trade union the British Medical Association (BMA) has become the latest health body to call for the move, sharply criticising the Government in the process.

The country is also a month into the NHS’ top-up campaign to give booster jabs to those most at risk. So far just short of two million extra jabs have been given to over-60s.