Rochdale borough has highest number of Covid-19 cases in Greater Manchester after figures continue to rise

Covid-19 cases in the Rochdale borough are rising, and the number of local cases is higher here than anywhere else in Greater Manchester, the latest figures for 12-18 July show.

The number of cases for the borough for the seven days is more than double that of neighbouring boroughs, with 46.3 cases per 100,000 population. The figure for the seven days ending 11 July was 40.0 per 100,000 and the week prior to that the figure was 28.3 per 100,000.

For the same week (12-18 July), Oldham has recorded 14.8 cases per 100,000 with Manchester at 12.5 per 100,000. Wigan has the lowest number of cases in Greater Manchester at 4.3 per 100,000 people.

To help prevent a local lockdown and reduce the number of cases in the borough, Rochdale Council brought in local guidance on Friday 17 July.

Residents of Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale including Littleborough and Milnrow are being advised to adhere to the following measures:

• Wear face coverings in shops now - do not wait until 24 July
• Wear face coverings in public as much as possible
• Limit visitors to your home to two people
• Keep two metres apart at all times
• Avoid physical contact with anyone outside your own household, including shaking hands or hugging
• Get tested and isolate if you are told to do so

The council is sending out an information leaflet to every home in the borough.

Andrea Fallon, the council’s director of public health, said: “We are taking robust action in all parts of the borough to help stop the spread of the virus. This includes increased testing, through sites at Rochdale and Middleton, and clear guidance for residents to wear face masks in public, keep two metres apart, avoid close contact with anyone outside their household and to regularly wash their hands. We all need to keep following the advice, aimed at stopping and controlling the spread of coronavirus, so that we can keep each other safe and prevent any need for a local lockdown.”

More detailed postcode-level data to support local activity was made available to all directors of public health in England on 24 June, which will be updated daily, to help with locating and preventing potential future outbreaks.

Vice Chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, Councillor Paulette Hamilton, added: “Councils need all the tools at their disposal to help with locating and preventing future local outbreaks of coronavirus in their communities.

“With the right powers, flexibilities, data and long-term funding, councils can help to manage potential outbreaks and prevent the spread of infection.”

There are two walk-through testing centres at Rochdale Town Hall and Market Place car park in Middleton.

Residents can book a coronavirus test by calling the free phone number 0808 1964 100 to book an appointment or by visiting the NHS website: 

• www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/