Government publishes list of Tier 3 areas set to receive mass testing from Monday
Oldham will be among the first areas to launch rapid testing - focusing on communities most significantly affected by the virus, higher risk supported living settings, health and social care staff, schools and colleges.
The ten boroughs of Greater Manchester have been included on the list of 67 areas set to participate in a mass programme of rapid testing like the one seen in Liverpool earlier this year.
Oldham is among the first to launch a testing strategy – which will focus on communities most affected by the virus such as supported living settings, health and social care staff, schools and colleges.
The rapid test scheme – which involves lateral flow tests – is being rolled out to high risk areas to help identify COVID cases even when carriers have no symptoms.
It is thought that as many as one in three COVID sufferers could be asymptomatic.
The government will provide additional support and resources to run the mass testing programmes for up to six weeks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Oldham / Wikimedia Commons
More than 1.6 million lateral flow tests will be immediately delivered for use – with more set to follow in 2021.
The government claims that ‘community testing will help put Tier 3 areas on a route out of toughest restrictions’.
ADVERTISEMENT
Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the programme a “vital tool” in the fight against coronavirus, stating: “I urge all those living in areas where community testing is offered to come forward and get tested.”
The full list of local authorities aiming to begin testing in December include:
Bolton
Bury
Manchester
Oldham
Rochdale
Salford
Stockport
Tameside
Trafford
Wigan
Every resident in Greater Manchester is currently living under the tightest restrictions despite most areas seeing a significant drop in cases over the past few weeks.
ADVERTISEMENT
The region’s leaders have already said they will “press very hard” for Greater Manchester to be reclassified as a Tier Two area before Christmas.
A tier review is due on Wednesday.
News
Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
The Manc -
14th December 2020 
