The latest data has shown that coronavirus (COVID-19) infection rates in Greater Manchester are 65% lower than when the region was first placed under Tier 3 restrictions.
Rates have fallen fastest in Salford, where they have gone down by 76% in the last six weeks.
Across the Greater Manchester region, the number of cases has fallen far quicker than in the rest of the country, with a 30% in England as a whole, and it means that the infection rate in the region is now only slightly above the national average.
These new statistics arrive as England’s second national lockdown has come to an end, and a return to the government’s new “tougher” three tiered regional system has commenced.
Greater Manchester entered into Tier 3 restrictions as of Wednesday 2nd December.
At the time of entering into the first round of Tier 3 restrictions, the rate for the region as a whole was 547.5 cases per 100,000 people and was still going up, but that rise began to slow down in the following days and by the time the national lockdown was introduced on 5th November, the region’s rates were beginning to show a downward trend.
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This trend accelerated rapidly in the last four weeks.
As we move into the tiering system, we should all keep trying to suppress the spread of #COVID19.
Every action counts when it comes to protecting ourselves and our loves ones from coronavirus.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) December 2, 2020
The number of cases has dropped by three quarters in Salford, falling from 643.6 to below the England average at 157 cases per 100,000 people, with Trafford seeing the second largest drop of 72% over the same time period and is also now below the national average.
Rochdale – which currently has the highest infection rate in Greater Manchester – has had the slowest fall in cases, but has still seen a drop by 55% since original Tier 3 restrictions first came into effect.
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Most areas in Greater Manchester reached peak levels around the end of October and first week of November.
Manchester recorded the highest infection rate of any area in the region – 812.2 per 100,000 – which came a few weeks earlier on 3rd October when there was a large number of cases detected among the student population, and Oldham is the only other area to post a weekly infection rate above 800, which was on 4th November.
Mark WaughMark Waugh
In England as a whole, rates have fallen by just 30% since 23rd October, but rates were much lower in the rest of the country at that point.
This new data follows the news that the UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use, with the Department of Health and Social Care confirming it has been given the go-ahead by the health regulator MHRA for the vaccine to become administered from next week.
Pfizer and BioNTech reported final trial results on 18th November, showing its vaccine was 95% effective in preventing coronavirus (COVID-19), with no major safety concerns.
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Studies have shown the jab works in all age groups.
Greater Manchester leaders believe the fall in cases mean the region should be placed in Tier 2 when the current tiers are first reviewed on 16th December.
For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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One million UK adults who have never smoked before are now vaping, new stats reveal
Emily Sergeant
More than a million UK adults who claim to have never smoked cigarettes are now vaping.
According to alarming new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), relating to people aged 16 and over, around 2.8 million men (11.3%) and 2.1 million women (8.2%) are thought to be smokers in the UK… but more than a million people, who have never smoked before, have now made the decision to start vaping instead.
People in the 25 to 34 age group were found to be the most likely to vape, according to the data, overtaking those aged 16 to 24, as it was the only age group to see a rise in e-cigarette usage.
Daily or occasional vaping is still higher than the proportion of people smoking cigarettes too, the ONS revealed, at 5.4 million, or 9.9%, versus 4.8 million (8.7%).
One million UK adults who have never smoked are now vaping / Credit: Lil Artsy (via Pexels) | Pxhere
“Fewer than one in 10 adults now smoke,” commented David Mais, from the ONS.
“This is the lowest proportion on record and continues the long-term decline in smoking. [But] at the same time, e-cigarette use remains more common than smoking and has followed an overall upward trend since 2020.
“E-cigarette users are also getting older, with those aged 25 to 34 now overtaking 16 to 24-year-olds as the age group most likely to use them.
“This may reflect existing users getting older, growing popularity among this age group, or a combination of both.”
Overall, the prevalence of smoking dropped in all four UK nations between 2024 and 2025.
Featured Image – Elsa Olofsson (via Unsplash)
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Three Manchester motorways named in UK’s top 10 ‘most challenging’
Emily Sergeant
Three motorways in and around Manchester have been named the ‘most challenging’ in the UK.
As part of MoneySuperMarket’s new Great British Motorway Report, new research has found that one in three UK motorists find motorway driving ‘stressful’ – despite more than 70 billion miles being travelled on Britain’s motorways each year.
From delays and congestion to high traffic levels, there are a number of factors that can contribute to driver stress levels.
But are some motorways more challenging for drivers than others? According to the data, yes. And three of the top 10 worst motorways in the UK are in and around Greater Manchester.
To find out which are the most challenging, MoneySuperMarket analysed everything from collision rates and roadworks, to lane closures and driver feedback in order to reveal the top 10.
Manchester is home to three of the UK’s top 10 most challenging motorways – the M602, M62, and M60, the latter of which took the top spot on the list.
Three Manchester motorways have been named in the UK’s top 10 ‘most challenging’ / Credit: pxfuel
Encircling Greater Manchester and linking many of the region’s motorways, the M60 recorded the lowest overall score in the index.
Despite handling significant volumes of traffic, the M60 experienced some of the highest average delays, at 15.58 seconds per vehicle per mile, and alongside this, it saw 34 collisions in the past year alone. But despite these challenges, the M60 remains an essential route for regional connectivity, and often cannot be bypassed.
“If you’re feeling anxious, allow extra time for your journey so you don’t feel pressured to rush or make last-minute decisions,” commented Alicia Hempsted at MoneySuperMarket.
“Plan your route in advance, including where you’ll stop for breaks, as regular rest stops can help you stay alert and reduce stress on longer trips, and if you’re travelling alone, consider sharing your route with someone you trust if it helps you feel more comfortable.”
The Manc -
3rd December 2020 
