Residents in Trafford have reported receiving message alerts from their GPs and doctors surgeries today following a spike in coronavirus cases in the borough.
New cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) were confirmed to have jumped in the Greater Manchester borough of Trafford last week, but health officials have insisted that the numbers remain “very low” overall.
A total of 77 new cases were recorded overall for the week between 18th – 25th July.
57% of those were people aged 25 or below.
Trafford Council has described this spike in cases “striking”, but is putting it down to the number of people between the ages of 17-23 choosing to get tested and have praised young people for doing so.
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It’s great to be out and about but make sure you stay covid alert!
We have low numbers of cases in Trafford but have seen a rise amongst young people so please stay outdoors if you can, avoid crowded places and protect your more vulnerable friends and family. pic.twitter.com/03wPNnIi99
Now, people across the borough have started receiving message alerts from their GPs or doctors surgeries warning them to take extra care.
The message alert – received by residents either via text, email or other – states that “numbers are low”, but cases are in fact rising “especially amongst 17-23 year olds” and they should “take extra care if seeing family and friends”.
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It reads in full: “While numbers are low, COVID-19 cases are rising especially amongst 17-23 year-olds in Trafford.”
“If you, or members of your family go to public places, please do the right things to protect yourself and those around you; keep social distance, wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering where possible, and if you have symptoms, book a test here.”
“If you are in a higher risk group, please take extra care if seeing family and friends.”
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In a statement released yesterday, Eleanor Roaf – Director of Public Health at Trafford Council – said: “We have seen a rise in young people coming forward to be tested and this has led to an increase in positive cases.”
“We don’t know exactly why this is but we are thanking younger people for acting responsibly in coming forward for tests when they feel ill. We think that the young people have been contacting each other and raising awareness of the importance of testing.”
“If this is the case, we would like to thank them for their efforts, as this will help us stop further spread of the disease.”
“I would urge everyone to continue to stick to the rules around social distancing and hand-washing when they are meeting up with friends or going out to pubs and restaurants.”
Health leaders in Trafford are praising young people for coming forward to be tested for coronavirus.
Cllr Jane Slater – Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Equalities – added that while any increase in cases was a “cause for concern”, she was “reassured” that people were coming forward to be tested.
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She said: “No one should be complacent as the virus has not gone away and still poses a risk especially to the vulnerable in our society”.
For more information, visit the Trafford Council website here.
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For further information and guidance amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, do refer to official sources via gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Manchester City hit with backlash from season ticket holders after ‘divisive’ North Stand update
Danny Jones
Manchester City have shared a new update on the impending North Stand expansion and concourse upgrade, but the most recent reveal has been met with plenty of backlash from supporters set to suffer the consequences.
The Etihad is currently undergoing a major transformation that will see numerous new facilities added to the wider campus experience – most notably the increased capacity of the North Stand, which will make room for a further 7,000 or so fans.
Back in March, the club revealed the official brand partners for their upcoming on-site hotel, which will also accompany a new sky bar and rooftop stadium walk experience as part of the wider plans, but while adding more seats and things for matchgoers to do sounds good on paper, it’s come at a cost for many.
Reacting to the news of social media, many regular fans are now set to be forced out of their seats to make way for more hospitality sections at the end of the stadium, meaning the post has proved ‘divisive’ to say the least.
Are you joking? I’ve sat in the same seat for almost 20 years and this is how I find out I’m ‘relocating’. It’s an absolute disgrace the way you’re treating loyal fans in favour of tourists. I was there when we were shit, do you think they will be here if we go to shit again?
As you can see, both Blues, neutrals, and even rivals alike are expressing their shock and disappointment in not only the decision but the manner in which the announcement was made.
One person said on X: “You turfed me and hundreds of others out of our seats four seasons ago when you dug them up for digital signage. We were all split up and had to scrape around for new seats. Had enough of all the new rules and digital tickets/transfers. I sit on my sofa now and save £3k.
Reply in the comments underneath the response, a Manchester United fan added: “I don’t like City, but this is something I can stand with [fans] on.”
Even well-known online commentators like ‘HLTCO’ (Hopkin Looking To Curl One), a.k.a. Dan Cook – a notable Crystal Palace die-hard – shared his two cents online.
“Man City season ticket holders are being told that they’re being permanently moved from the seats they’ve had for years to accommodate a new corporate seating area”, he wrote, adding: “This is the sort of thing that fans everywhere have to push back against; these clubs see us as a nuisance.”
In terms of what the stadium overhaul looks like, the latest CGIs show the first proper glimpse of the new ‘Cross Bar’ that will “offer a relaxed, social atmosphere” for around 300 fans, as well as the new ‘City Hall’ concourse area, which will cater to around 500 punters both on game-days and beyond.
As detailed in the full statement on the club website, they have insisted that they will be supporting those “may need to move seats ahead of the commencement of the 2026/27”, clarifying that no one will need to be relocated to accommodate the Cross Bar, specifically.
They go on to add: “We understand that relocating seats may be unsettling, and we are here to support these fans”. They have promised things like a “priority relocation window” and, most crucially, a guarantee that they won’t have to pay more to sit in what is typically a more expensive stadium block.
However, while they have also assured that people will be able to move groups of seats so as to stay around their friends, as explained by a user above, this is easier said than done and ticket uncertainty remains a big concern among the fan base.
What do you make of the latest Etihad Stadium news, City fans?
A first look into the highly-anticipated TV soap crossover ‘Corriedale’ has just dropped
Thomas Melia
The wait is nearly over for TV soap fans, as producers behind the highly-anticipated ‘Corriedale’ crossover have just dropped an exclusive first look.
Whether you’re team Coronation Streetor team Emmerdale, this show has all areas covered as it merges both the iconic TV soaps into an hour-long special.
Now, it feels like Christmas has come early as pictures of two very distinctive cast members smiling next to each other while filming the crossover episode have been released.
In the newly-released images we can see Vicky Myers, known for playing the assertive and dedicated DS Lisa Swain, representing the Manchester-based production Coronation Street.
Vicky Myers (DS Lisa Swain) and Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle) pictured together ahead of upcoming TV soap crossover Corriedale / Credit: ITV Press Centre (Supplied)
Stood by her side is Danny Miller known for his role as the complex and vulnerable Aaron Dingle in Leeds-based hit soap Emmerdale.
Both can be seen on-set and are pictured in front of a white trailer filming for the upcoming Corriedale special.
Although the shows are set just a one hour’s drive away from each other, separated by The Pennines, this soap special marks the first time that characters from each drama will have ever crossed paths.
Most details for this soap crossover are being kept very tight-lipped although filming kicked off in September with this latest update marking the first-ever major cast announcement for Corriedale.
ITV Executive Producer for Continuing Drama Iain Macleod said: “It’s beyond exciting that filming is under way on Corriedale.
“There is a massive buzz around both the Leeds and Manchester sites and the images coming out of the shoot are utterly spectacular. And that’s before we’ve even got to all the brilliant transpennine interactions between characters from the different shows!
“As a soap fan myself, I think my head is going to explode when the episode airs next year. It will be mind-blowing, historical and unmissable.”
Corriedale is coming to our TV screens in early 2026 and heralds the start of a new soap power hour with 30 minute episodes of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale to air every weekday.
The Manc -
29th July 2020 
