Health Secretary Matt Hancock has revealed plans to have COVID-19 testing systems available in “every care home by Christmas” to allow people to visit their loved ones.
Mr Hancock made the announcement in an appearance live on BBC Breakfast this morning.
He insisted that it is “the goal” to enable visitors at care homes over the festive period, and that the government is “working closely with the social care sector to try to make that happen”.
It comes after the UK government announced a “regular testing” pilot, which launches at 20 care homes today.
Regular testing will be offered to one family member or friend per resident, which – when combined with other infection-control measures such as PPE – will support “meaningful visits”, and these will enable, where possible, indoor visits without a screen to take place while reducing the risk to care home residents, staff and visitors.
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Visitors will be offered either PCR tests which they can do at home, or the new 30-minute rapid lateral flow tests (LFTs), which can be administered in person at care homes before a visit.
According to the government, the pilot – which forms part of plans to roll out mass testing technology across the country – has been made possible thanks to a huge expansion in the country’s testing capacity, which currently stands at over 500,000 per day.
It will take place in local authorities with lower transmission rates and is today being launched in certain areas of Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall.
This is to ensure it can be done as safely as possible and care staff are being trained to ensure tests are administered safely and accurately, and it will also further develop “the evidence base for how testing with fast, reliable COVID-19 tests can be delivered at scale”.
If successful, care home testing will be rolled out in a phased way across the country.
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Speaking on the announcement of the testing pilot roll-out via a statement on the gov.uk website this past weekend, Mr Hancock added: “I know how heart-breaking restricting visits to care homes has been, not only for residents, many of whom will feel disoriented and confused by the situation, but also their loved ones who aren’t able to simply hug each other to support them in this difficult time.
“Thanks to the expanding testing capacity, we have in place we can now begin to trial a new way to allow safer visits to take place and prevent the spread of COVID-19 [but] I must stress this is only possible if the public takes the right actions now to bring the transmission rate under control while national restrictions are in place.
“By respecting social distancing and staying at home as much as possible we will help reunite families and friends with loved ones in care homes as quickly as possible.”
It is anticipated the LFTs will be used across the country to support rapid access, and if these faster tests work in this setting, the government we will “ring-fence supply to open up more chances for visiting”.
Exact details of the national roll-out will be published in due course and will be guided by the pilot.
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You can find more information on the pilot testing scheme here.
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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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Local Olympian Keely Hodgkinson named as official starter of the 2025 Great Manchester Run
Danny Jones
One of our very own is getting ready to get thousands of racers underway as local Olympian, Keely Hodgkinson MBE, has been named as the official starter for the 2025 Great Manchester Run.
Atherton’s very own generational trackstar, who picked up gold at Paris 2024 and has earned several other medals, not to mention smashing multiple British records, will be leading the hordes of runners taking on the annual AJ Bell challenge through central Manchester next month.
We couldn’t think of anyone better suited to fly the flag for Greater Manchester.
HUGE NEWS incoming… 👀🔥
We’re super excited to announce that Olympic champion @keelyhodgkinson will be the official race starter for this year’s AJ Bell Great Manchester Run! 🏃♀️💥👏🐝 pic.twitter.com/aHHxeaMQ9p
Hyping up the news on social media, the Great Run company went on to add: “A true hometown hero, an Olympic champion, and now, kicking off Manchester’s best running party of the year – the BIGGEST in a decade! We’re proper BUZZZZZING! Let’s have it, Manchester!”
Safe to say they’re pretty ecstatic with the news, and so are we, as Keely Hodgkinson becomes the latest Team GB member to bring their pedigree to the event, following in the very fast footsteps of Sir Mo Farah, Kelly Holmes, Amir Khan and many more.
Although the 800m specialist is yet to comment on the announcement directly, the magic of getting to put the hard yards in front of a home crowd won’t be lost on her, and it goes without saying that she’ll get an unreal reception from the Manc spectators – of which there are expected to be more than 100,000.
Better yet, over 35,000 participants are set to take on the Great Manchester Run this year, therefore teeing potentially record-breaking crowds for the event.
2025 marks the 22nd edition of the event, and the atmosphere throughout the city centre, as well as out into East Manchester and Trafford, is always spectacular. There are still places left if you’re tempted…
Undoubtedly one of the very best athletes to ever come out of the underdog borough that is Wigan, whether you argue the case for old Lancashire or not, surely we can all be proud to call her a Greater Mancunian this spring, just as we did back in the summer?
Once again, it isn’t long before the annual race day kicks off as the Great Manchester Run arrives on Sunday, 18 May, with Keely Hodgkinson beckoning everyone towards their own hero moments.
There are still places left for both the 10k and half marathon distances, and now we’ve seen the medal design for this year, we might just have to sign up again ourselves.
You can find out more and decide for yourself HERE.
Murder investigation launched after 93-year-old woman found dead in Stockport suburb
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched after a 93-year-old woman was found dead at a property in a popular Stockport suburb.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called to an address on Altrincham Road at 9:38am yesterday morning (Wednesday 16 April), but when they arrived at the scene, a 93-year-old woman was sadly found deceased in the property.
Following the discovery of the body, police proceeded to carry out initial enquiries, and a scene is still in place whilst this continues.
At this time, police say this is an isolated incident, with a 39-year-old woman having been swiftly arrested on suspicion of murder and remaining in police custody.
#ARREST | This morning we were called to an address on Altrincham Road. Sadly, a 93-year-old woman was found deceased in the property.
A 39-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder. She remains in police custody.
Due to previous contact with the woman found dead, GMP has confirmed that a mandatory referral of this incident to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) has been made, but following an initial assessment by GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, it has been concluded that all officers remain fully operational.
“The priority for our investigation is understanding the full circumstances which led to this tragic incident and getting justice for the victim,” explained Detective Inspector Adam Hitchen, who is a Senior Investigating Officer on the case.
Altrincham Road in Gatley, where the murder took place / Credit: Google Maps
“We recognise that this investigation may cause concern within the local community, but I want to assure the public that this is an isolated incident, with a swift arrest made, and no wider threat.
“You will notice an increased presence in the area today whilst we conduct enquiries, but also across the coming days as the local neighbourhood team look to provide reassurance to those living close by.”
Police are also appealing to the public for information.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact police on 101, quoting the log number 726 of 16/04/25, or reporting it online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
16th November 2020 
