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The entire capacity of Greater Manchester’s intensive care unit (ICU) will take care of coronavirus patients in less than a month “if nothing changes” in the region, Downing Street warned.
A spokesman for the prime minister also said coronavirus cases tripled in the area over a two-week period as the government remains at a standstill with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham over plans to impose restrictions on Level 3 in the region.
Boris Johnson’s spokesman said in a statement Monday: “Cases in Greater Manchester continue to increase in the 60-plus age group. Cases have tripled between September 27 and October 12.”
“Hospital admissions are doubling every nine days. Intensive care unit (ICU) capacity is currently at 40% of first wave maximum, given the two to three week delay, we expect it to worsen significantly.
“If nothing changes, we expect the full ICU capacity to be filled with COVID patients by November 8. The entire ‘surge’ ICU capacity in Greater Manchester will be full on November 12.”
Talks continue between government and local leaders
The Downing Street screening came after Burnham told Sky News that he is “not going to turn around seeing a check.”
He added that he was waiting for the government to promise more aid for workers and companies that would be affected by tougher restrictions.
The talks have dragged on for several days, erupting into acrimony late last week, but continue on Monday.
A high-ranking minister pressured Burnham and other local leaders to agree that the area must move to England’s highest band of measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News’ Kay Burley that an agreement must be reached by the end of Tuesday or the government could step in and impose the restrictions unilaterally.
Meanwhile, data from the Greater Manchester Critical Care Network (GMCCN) suggested that some of the 12 hospitals in the region were running out of space on Friday.
The figures showed that Stepping Hill Hospital and the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust were operating at full capacity.
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It also showed that the Royal Bolton Hospital was operating at 94% capacity.
Figures show that Greater Manchester hospitals are operating at an average of 82% capacity.
The NHS said in a statement: “We are monitoring the situation with our hospital admissions, general beds and UTI beds very, very closely.
Manchester Royal Infirmary Hospital was at 87% capacity on Friday
The NHS has admitted that the coronavirus crisis in Greater Manchester is ‘serious’
“It is not unusual for 80% to 85% of ICU beds to be in use at this time of year and our hospitals work together if there are particular pressures in any area, to ensure the best care for patients in need. a high level of support that the UCI provides, both for COVID and for other reasons. “
A GMCCN source told Sky News that the NHS generally says they are “at capacity” when they reach 85%, not 100% of the beds full.
An NHS spokesperson in the Northwest has said: “Coronavirus cases are increasing and it is obviously a serious situation, so it is vital that everyone do what they can to control the virus. “
And Downing Street said Monday that cases among those over 60 in Manchester “continue to rise”, warning that if no action is taken, the capacity of the intensive care unit will be full of COVID patients on November 8 and the augmentation capacity will be complete four days later.
The figures emerged after Lord Burnham accused Boris johnson to exaggerate the severity of the crisis in the region.
But there were reports of progress, with The Times saying the prime minister is willing to offer “tens of millions of pounds” to stop a revolt, while The Telegraph says it’s more like £ 100 million.
Greater Manchester Mayor is in a showdown with Westminster over his tiered status
Burnham had written to Johnson and other party leaders proposing a Commons debate and vote to “break the impasse” and establish a cross-party consensus on financial aid for Level 3 areas.
Jenrick suggested that there was an agreement within reach and stated that “the contours of an agreement are there.”
And he hinted that parts of South and West Yorkshire could also be placed on the highest band of restrictions in England, telling Kay Burley that we will “discuss the same issues” with local politicians there.
In total, the UK recorded another 16,171 positive cases Sunday and another 150 COVID-related deaths.
That brings the total number of deaths to 43,579.
But separate figures from UK statistical agencies suggest that as many as 58,500 people have died from the virus mentioned on their death certificate.
Watch and follow ‘Postcode Lockdown: A Divided Nation’ on Sky News from 9pm Monday as it examines which strategy is best for Britain
