Coronavirus infection rates have gone up in all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, according to the latest figures.
Salford now has the highest rate in the region with 1,655.1 cases recorded per 100,000 people in the week ending December 23.
The data, from the UK Health Security Agency, reveals that Rochdale has the lowest infection rate in Greater Manchester - 1,063.7 cases per 100,000 people.
Across Greater Manchester as a whole, the infection rate is now 1,394.3.
Every borough has a rate above 1,000.
The infection rate in the region is higher than the national average, which is 1,192.8.
A total of 39,539 people tested positive for coronavirus across Greater Manchester in the week which ended on December 23.
The Greater Manchester weekly total has increased by 18,397 cases compared to the previous week, which means the infection rate was up 87pc in the last week.
The trend is up in each of the boroughs of Greater Manchester and the number of cases have more than doubled in Tameside and Wigan.
Case numbers are also up by 100pc in Bolton.
In the UK, 98,515 new cases and 143 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported today (December 27).
It comes as Sajid Javid ruled out any new Covid restrictions in England before the New Year.
The announcement is to come as a relief to the hospitality sector, as bars and restaurants can go ahead with New Year's Eve celebrations which were under threat from tighter Covid restrictions.
Mr Javid said: “We look at the data on a daily basis, that hasn’t changed over the Christmas period, but there will be no further measures before the new year.
“We won’t be taking any further measures, of course people should remain cautious as we approach new year celebrations and take a lateral flow test if that makes sense, celebrate outdoors if you can, have some ventilation indoors if you can.
“Please remain cautious and when we get into the new year of course we will see then if we do need to take any further measures but nothing more until then, at least.”
Hospitalisations and deaths
In the week ending December 19, a total of 260 patients were admitted to Greater Manchester NHS hospitals with Covid-19 - 32 more than the week before and a rise of 14pc.
On December 21, there were 31 Mechanical Ventilation (MV) beds occupied by Covid patients in Greater Manchester NHS hospitals - seven fewer than a week earlier.
In the week ending December 23, a total of 43 people died within 28 days of a positive Covid test across Greater Manchester - six more than the week before.
