Coronavirus cases in Greater Manchester have risen by 4pc week-on-week, according to latest figures, as the region prepares to enter 'Tier 3' of the lockdown system.
Tougher new measures, such as the closure of pubs and other venues, will be introduced in the region from Friday at 00.01am.
People will also be banned from meeting other households indoors and in most outdoor settings.
More than 2,000 cases of the virus (2,162) were confirmed in Greater Manchester today - only the third time that total has been recorded in a day.
And the infection rate for Greater Manchester as a whole is about to pass 400 for the first time (it's now at 399.4).
The 4pc week-on-week increase is higher than yesterday, and provisional data suggest this will go up to over 6pc tomorrow (Wednesday).
Rochdale has the highest levels of infection in the region - with a rate of 476.6 per 100,000 population.
It is closely followed by Wigan, which has a rate of 452.8.
Bolton's rate has gone over 400 and it remains the borough with the fastest rising rate of infection - up 33 pc in the last week.
Oldham has recorded 1,002 cases in the week ending Oct 16 - the first time it has had over 1,000 cases in a week.
In Manchester, the rate of transmission has fallen again - for the ninth day in a row.
The city now has the fifth highest rate of infection, with Salford and Oldham overtaking today.
In Trafford (319.3) and Stockport (278.1), rates of infection are also on a downward trend.
After negotiations broke down between local leaders and central government, it was today (Tuesday) announced that Tier 3 restrictions would be brought in to Greater Manchester.
Andy Burnham accused the Government of “playing poker with people’s lives” as he refused to accept the financial package offered by Westminster.
It was later confirmed that the region would be given £22m to support workers, a sum labelled as 'frankly disgraceful' by Mr Burnham as he received the news live on TV.
During a Downing Street press conference shortly afterwards, Boris Johnson said: "Over the last 10 days, we have sought to agree an approach with local leaders in Greater Manchester. Unfortunately, agreement hasn’t been reached. And I do regret this.
"As I said last week, we would have a better chance of defeating the virus if we work together. In addition I must say, to the support outlined above, we made a generous and extensive offer to support Manchester’s businesses.
"This offer was proportionate to the support we have given Merseyside and Lancashire, but the Mayor didn’t accept this unfortunately.
"And given the public health situation, I must now proceed with moving Greater Manchester, as I say, to the Very High alert level. Because not to act would put Manchester’s NHS, and the lives of many of Manchester’s residents, at risk.
"Despite the failure to reach an agreement, I hope the Mayor and council leaders in Greater Manchester will now work with us to implement these measures."
