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A second wave of coronavirus cases appears to be affecting Greater Manchester, the latest data shows.
For three weeks, the number of confirmed cases in the region has risen sharply.
Infection rates are increasing in all ten counties, with all but three in the government’s ‘red alert’ zone for areas with more than 50 cases per 100,000 residents.
Bolton is the highest at 160.7 with Tameside and Salford in the 80s, Oldham, Rochdale and Manchester in the 70s and Bury in the 60s.
Wigan, Trafford and Stockport are all in their 30s, but they are also on an upward trend.
There were 2,029 positive cases in the week ending September 7, the first time the number has exceeded 2,000 since April 24.
The first coronavirus spike in Greater Manchester was in late April, with the numbers gradually declining to their lowest ebb in early July.
The government lifted a series of closure measures on July 4, including allowing bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes to reopen.
Two households were also able to meet indoors and spend the night.
In mid-July, the numbers rose again, particularly in Greater Manchester, leading to the first local restrictions being imposed on July 30.
Throughout August, the number of positive cases continued to rise steadily, especially among younger and less vulnerable people in their 20s and 40s.
As a consequence, hospital admissions and the number of deaths have remained low.
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But with the end of the summer break, the reopening of schools and the return of many people to work, the mixture of households appears to have caused a much more pronounced increase in the infection rate in the last fortnight.
The government fears that this will eventually result in more vulnerable people contracting Covid-19 and requiring hospital treatment and losing lives.
Starting Monday, it will be illegal to gather in groups of more than six people, indoors or out.
(Image: PA)
Local restrictions also remain in effect in Greater Manchester.
There is currently a curfew at 10 p.m. M. In Bolton for hospitality businesses, which means they must be closed between 10 p.m.
Ministers are said to be considering imposing such a measure domestically in a bid to stem the rise in infections.
When asked about measures imposed in other countries this week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “In some countries, not only in the Far East but also closer to home, they have seen an increase in cases, especially among the youngest, they took action and that has turned the curve.
“That’s particularly true, for example, in Belgium, which we were very concerned about a month ago, but the case rate dropped when they put the curfew.”
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