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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NHS releases list of first conditions set to be eligible for new ‘online hospital’
Emily Sergeant
The first conditions that are set to be eligible for video appointments via the new NHS online hospital have been revealed.
In case you hadn’t heard, back in September of last year, the Government has announced that the NHS would be setting up an ‘online hospital’ known simply as NHS Online – which will not have a physical site and instead digitally connect patients to expert clinicians anywhere across the country.
Ultimately, this means patients can be seen faster than normal, as teams triage them quickly through the NHS App and let them book in scans at times that suit them at centres closer to their home.
NHS Online – which will begin to see its first patients in 2027 – is expected to deliver the equivalent of up to 8.5 million virtual appointments and assessments in its first three years, according to the NHS, which is four times more than an average NHS trust.
And now, the NHS has selected nine ‘common’ conditions which will be the first to be treated by the NHS Online service.
📲 Introducing NHS Online 📲
A new digital hospital will transform healthcare.
From 2027, you'll be able to get specialist care:
✅ straight to your home via the NHS App ✅ faster than a traditional hospital appointment ✅ wherever you live in England
Women’s health issues, including severe menopause symptoms and menstrual problems that can be a sign of endometriosis or fibroids, will be among the conditions available for online referrals, as will prostate problems like prostate enlargement and a raised prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, along with eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
NHS Online will also provide support for other painful and distressing conditions, such as iron deficiency anaemia and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
So, how will NHS Online work then? Well, when a patient has an appointment with their GP, they will have the option of being referred to the online hospital for their specialist care instead, and then from there, they’ll be able to book directly through the NHS App.
Once referred to the online hospital, patients will have the ability to see specialists from around the country without leaving their home or having to wait longer for a face-to-face appointment.
The NHS has released a list of the first conditions set to be eligible for the new ‘online hospital’ / Credit: Nordwood Themes (via Unsplash) | rawpixel
If they need a scan, test, or procedure, then they’ll be able to book this in at a time that suits them at Community Diagnostic Centres closer to home.
Patients will also be able to track their prescriptions and get advice on managing their condition at home too.
“We’ve selected nine common conditions which the NHS Online service will initially provide support for when it launches next year, including some women’s health issues as well as prostate problems,” commented Professor Stella Vig, who is the National Clinical Director for Elective Care at NHS England.
“We know that these conditions can be painful and difficult to cope with so providing faster, more convenient access to diagnosis and treatments will have a real and positive impact on people’s lives.”
Junk food adverts are now banned on TV before 9pm in the UK to ‘protect’ kids’ health
Emily Sergeant
Junk food advertisements are now banned on television before 9pm in the UK in a bid to help protect children’s health.
In what is being considered a ‘landmark’ move by the Government, as of today, adverts for less-healthy food and drinks will be banned on television before 9pm and online at all times, as part of world-leading action that is expected to remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children’s diets each year, and reduce the number of children living with obesity by 20,000.
It’s also expected that this ‘decisive’ action will deliver around £2 billion in health benefits over time.
According to the Government, evidence shows that advertising influences what and when children eat – shaping their preferences from a young age, and ultimately increasing the risk of obesity and related illnesses.
At the start of primary school, 22.1% of children in England are overweight or living with obesity, and this rises to 35.8% by the time they leave.
Junk food adverts are now banned on TV before 9pm in the UK / Credit: Alan Hardman | Kobby Mendez (via Unsplash)
This change is part of a range of measures that the Government is taking to ‘lift children out of poverty’ and help give them the ‘best start’ in life – with other measures being the introduction of the Healthy Food Standard, and giving local authorities the power to stop fast food shops opening outside schools.
“We promised to do everything we can to give every child the best and healthiest start in life,” explained Health Minister Ashley Dalton, as the junk food advert ban comes into force.
“By restricting adverts for junk food before 9pm and banning paid adverts online, we can remove excessive exposure to unhealthy foods – making the healthy choice the easy choice for parents and children.
“We’re moving the dial from having the NHS treat sickness, to preventing it so people can lead healthier lives and so it can be there for us when we need it.”
Featured Image – Karolina Kołodziejczak (via Unsplash)
The Manc -
3rd December 2020 
