Trafford’s covid infection rate is currently the highest in the North West, with officials warning of outbreaks at businesses, schools and even two care homes.
Standing at 664 positive tests per 100,000 people over the last week, the borough’ s rate is also increasing.
In the week ending December 10, 1,578 Trafford residents tested positive for covid. The borough stands 53rd highest nationally in terms of infection rates as well.
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Giving an update to Trafford council at a covid-19 committee on the situation, Helen Gollins, acting Director for Public Health in Trafford, said: “We’re in a different position than we were two weeks ago. There’s a lot of movement in terms of rates at the moment, but Trafford does consistently stay higher.
“Our 0-14s are our highest age group at the moment, so we’re looking forward to the end of the week when the majority of Trafford schools close. Our age group with the second highest rate is our 30 to 40-year-olds. Our rates for double vaccination are lowest in our under 40s as well.
“Our rates [in our over 60s] did remain low, but are now starting to increase.”
The borough’s infection rate for its over 60 population now stands at 135 per 100,000 people.
Ms Gollins added: “That is a group that we are watching incredibly carefully.”
Up to December 9, the borough’s number of deaths and hospitalisations with covid remained stable.
The Timperley, Altrincham and Village wards are currently the areas with the highest infection rates in the borough. Rates in Gorse Hill and Longford are climbing too.
Ms Gollins explained public health teams are particularly worried about increasing rates in these two areas due to relatively lower vaccination uptake rates there.
Possible omicron cases, identified through lab testing, have been seen right across the borough – mirroring trends seen across Greater Manchester and nationally.
Public health teams are currently managing a number of outbreaks in the borough’s schools, mostly in primary schools.
There are also currently outbreaks of covid in two Trafford care homes, as well as some in businesses.
Enhanced protection measure guidance remains in place, with face masks required in the borough’s schools for staff and pupils in high schools and staff and parents for primary schools.
Advice to pause indoor visits for under 16s to the borough’s care homes has now been dropped and under 16s are now able to safely conduct indoor visits to elderly residents.
Ms Gollins explained: “We’ve unpaused that in recognition of the need for families to be able to see each other at Christmas, especially when they’ve got loved ones in care homes.”
She thanked the care home teams for all of their hard work in such a stressful situation to allow safe visits to care homes to go ahead.
Coun Mike Freeman, chairing the meeting, said: “I think it’s fair to say we remain in very difficult times.”
