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Andy Burnham faces a new confrontation with Boris Johnson over claims that Greater Manchester hospitals are running out of beds to treat people infected with COVID-19.
As the Greater Manchester The mayor fights with the prime minister for Level 3 status and cash to support businesses forced to close, some of the 12 hospitals in the region are reported to be already full.
The claim, in a leaked NHS document reported in The Guardian, comes after Lord Burnham accused Mr johnson to exaggerate the severity of the crisis in the region.
It is also reported that after Mr Burnham had “constructive” talks with Johnson’s senior aide Sir Edward Lister, the prime minister is now ready to offer tens of millions of pounds to prevent a Level 3 revolt.
Greater Manchester Mayor is in a showdown with Westminster over his tiered status
Mr. Burnham has written to Mr. Johnson and other party leaders proposing a Commons debate and vote to “break the impasse” and establish cross-party consensus on financial aid for Tier 3 areas.
According to The Guardian, the leaked NHS document shows that last Friday the resurgence of the disease had left hospitals in Salford, Stockport and Bolton at full capacity, without spare beds to help with the growing influx.
An NHS spokesperson in Greater Manchester told Sky News: “It is not unusual for 80-85% 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 who need the high level of support that the ICU provides, both for COVID-19 and for other reasons. “
But an NHS spokesperson in the Northwest admitted: “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. “
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.
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The reported bed crisis in Manchester came after Burnham challenged a claim by the prime minister at a Downing Street press conference on Friday, when he said the coronavirus outbreak in Manchester was “tomb” and cases have doubled in the last nine days.
Burnham said in a television interview on Sunday: “I think it was an exaggeration of the position we are in. Of course, it is a cause for concern, and we actually looked at the numbers very closely.
“But the numbers have been falling in Manchester itself for the last few days, in Greater Manchester they went up slightly, but they certainly didn’t double every nine days.”
Although Burnham’s criticism of Johnson led Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove to accuse the mayor of “posing”, it is reported that the PM is ready to offer additional cash for the region if an agreement is reached at Level 3.
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The Times reports that Downing Street has not ruled out imposing Level 3 status on Greater Manchester, but has accepted that it is more likely to work if it has the backing of local leaders.
Significantly, Burnham’s demands for more cash are supported by Sir Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham and Sale West and chairman of the 1922 Conservative Committee.
But cracks began to appear in Conservative support for Burnham when five Conservative MPs from Greater Manchester wrote to him urging him to make a deal “around the negotiating table and not over the megaphone.”
Measures at levels 1, 2 and 3 of the UK blockade system
Earlier, proposing a debate and a Commons vote, Mr. Burnham urged party leaders: “We recognize the uncertainty this is causing and we write to ask for your help in breaking the deadlock and finding a just solution.
“This could be done by parliament by calling for an urgent debate and vote this week to establish a cross-party consensus on what constitutes a fair financial framework for people in areas under Level 3 restrictions.”
Elsewhere, Welsh is expected to announce a blocking “firewall” to slow down the infection rate. If it gets the green light, it will start on Friday and last 17 days, according to a document leaked last week.
In Ireland, the cabinet will meet to make a final decision on whether to impose its highest ‘Level 5’ measures, equivalent to England’s Level 3, as part of a six-week lockdown, after its National Public Health Emergency Team recommend more severe restrictions.
A middle ground between Level 4 and Level 5 is understood to be a likely scenario for the next few weeks.
Watch and follow ‘Postcode Lockdown: A Divided Nation’ from 9pm Monday, as you examine which strategy is best for Britain
