Almost a third of people aged 18-49 in GM have had a Covid jab as decline in infection rate slows down

Almost a third of people aged 18 to 49 in Greater Manchester have had their first Covid-19 vaccine, while the decline in infection rates has slowed across the region.

The overall infection rate was 34.8 cases per 100,000 people as of April 30, which is marginally lower than the 35.8 cases per 100,000 reported.

It also remains higher than the national average which is 22.5, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

The slowdown can be linked to a rise in cases in Bolton, which continues to have the highest Covid infection rates in Greater Manchester with 73.4 per 100,000.

Trafford also saw an increase in cases from 35.4 to 46.8. Rochdale stayed level at 33.3 cases and six of the remaining local authorities reported a drop in cases.

The number of positive cases amongst over-60s has also risen slightly in Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, and Trafford, from 12.3 to 18.4 in Rochdale.

 

 

Sir Richard Leese, chair of the Greater Manchester health and social care partnership, has warned that significant upticks in rates can be caused by a small number of new cases.

Public health officials had also been expecting infection rates to rise in some areas with the reopening of hospitality venues and non-essential shops.

Speaking last week, Sir Richard said: “These numbers say we still need to be taking reasonable measures to stay safe and keep other people safe and keep this ground going to continue the unlocking that hopefully will go into its next stage in around three weeks.

“For everybody who enjoys the freedoms we’re beginning to get and wants that to continue, please get vaccinated.”

Sir Richard also warned that the city-region would not reach herd immunity unless vaccination uptake increased amongst younger people.

As of 3 May first doses had been handed out to 32 per cent of people aged 18-49, a marginal increase on the week before, while 10 per cent have had a second jab.

First doses of the vaccine are also now being offered to people in the 40-50 age group.
 

Read more: If you're 40 or over, you can now have the Covid vaccinePublished: 30 April 2021

Almost all people over the age of 70 have had both jabs, while three quarters of people aged 50 to 69 have had at least one vaccine.

A total of 1,372,650 first doses have been handed out in Greater Manchester along with a further 650,586 second jabs.

Weekly admissions to hospitals for Covid-19 doubled to 19 in the week ending May 3 while the number of patients diagnosed with the virus in hospital fell.

The number of people in intensive care fell for the fifth consecutive week, while the number of occupied non-emergency beds rose from 100 to 117 in the week.

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Where to be vaccinated?

The borough has four community vaccination centres in operation; in Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and Littleborough. These local sites are run by groups of GPs with the support of the council and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group. Vaccinations are also being administered at Rochdale Infirmary.

There are also 11 large scale vaccination centres and 38 pharmacy led sites across the North West that residents can book through the national booking service online or over the phone.

The national booking system can not be used to book in at any of the local vaccination hubs within the borough. If it is not convenient for you to travel out of the borough for a vaccination, you can opt to wait to be invited to attend one of the local vaccination centres in the Rochdale borough instead.

When it is your turn to receive the vaccine, you will be contacted by Rochdale Health Alliance or your GP surgery and invited to go for your appointment. If you’re not registered with a GP, you will need to register with one.

You must have an appointment to receive the vaccine. You cannot just turn up at one of the vaccination service centres.

Answers to key questions around the vaccination process can be found at:

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/covidvaccine

 

 

The local FAST test programme has four test sites across the borough.

Anyone who cannot work from home or comes into regular contact with the public is encouraged to take up this offer of new Find And Stop Transmission (FAST) testing to protect themselves, their loved ones, and other residents.

The FAST testing programme, which use lateral flow tests, aims to identify those who unknowingly have the virus as they have no symptoms – otherwise known as asymptomatic.

As part of the national roadmap out of restrictions, the government is asking the public to take-up twice weekly FAST testing. This is quick and easy to do and you will be playing your part in helping to stop the spread of the virus, while teams work on the vaccine rollout.

You can take part at your local FAST testing site or through community collect packs.
 

Read more: Covid-19 testing packs available across the boroughPublished: 21 April 2021

FAST tests are only for people showing no symptoms. You must not attend if you have any symptoms. Tests are
free and there is no need to book you can simply turn up at one of the sites across the borough:

Rochdale – Nye Bevan House, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN

• Mon to Thurs 9am - 5pm
• Fri 10am - 6pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Heywood – York House Surgery, York Street, Heywood, OL10 4NN

• Mon 10am - 6pm
• Tues to Fri 9am - 5pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Middleton – Bowlee Sports Centre, Windermere Road, Middleton, M24 4LA

• Mon to Fri 8am - 4pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Littleborough – Hare Hill Bowling Club, Townhouse Road Littleborough, OL15 9BG

• Mon to Fri 8am - 4pm
• Sat, Sun & bank holidays 9am - 1pm

Every Monday (except Easter Monday) at Alkrington Community Centre, Hardfield Rd, Middleton, M24 1TQ – Open 11am to 6pm.

If you have Covid-19 symptoms please do not attend one of the FAST test sites. You should book a test online or by phoning 101.

 

 

The borough has three local test centres:

• Rochdale - in the car park at Rochdale Leisure Centre, Entwisle Road, Rochdale OL16 2HZ
• Middleton - in the marquee on the Market Place Car Park next to Middleton Arena, Old Hall Street, Middleton M24 1AG
• Heywood - Heywood Civic Centre, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW

You must drive, walk or cycle to the site - do not use a taxi or public transport. If this is not possible, you'll need to order yourself a home test.

• www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

Niall Griffiths, Local Democracy Reporter