Local leaders fear Rochdale’s rising infection rate is beginning to mirror the surge that saw an explosion of cases in Bolton.
Official figures show that the borough recorded 218 positive tests over the week to May 30 - 93 more than the previous seven days.
This was a rise of 74 pc, and at 98 cases per 100,000 people, its rate is now the fifth highest in the region.
A recent update from Rochdale council chief executive Steve Rumbelow said the rise was ‘very concerning’ and ‘seems to mirror Bolton’s early trajectory’.
Mr Rumbelow added: “Around 80pc of these cases are thought to have the ‘s’ gene associated with the Indian variant (which is also referred to as the delta variant).
“The rate is particularly high among the Asian/Asian British and Black/Black British population.”
The latest hyperlocal data shows that, while infections remain suppressed in some areas, they are rising sharply in others.
Cases have rocketed in Norden East and Bagslate Moor, for example, where the infection rate has risen by a worrying 800pc.
The area recorded 18 cases during the week to May 29, having seen just two over the previous seven days.
Its infection rate is now the highest in the borough at 210.4.
Other areas that have seen a steep rise include Littleborough North and Heywood Town, whose infection rates per 100,000 now stand at 123.3 and 114.1 respectively.
Other hotspots appear to be clustered in the centre of the town.
Wardleworth and Newbold Brow is a long-standing hotspot and has the second highest infection rate in the borough a 180.7.
It saw eight cases over the seven day period - although that is two fewer than the previous week.
Meanwhile Central Rochdale and Mandale Park and neighbouring Spotland Bridge have the borough’s third and fourth highest rates at 149.9 and 144.4 respectively.
The former recorded 19 cases - more than anywhere else in the borough.
But it is Langley and Woodside, in Middleton, which has the third worst infection rate.
It saw 18 cases over the seven days - three more than the week before - and now has a rate of 156.2.
But there is some good news for the borough.
The virus remains ‘suppressed’ in four areas of Rochdale, meaning they are virtually Covid-free.
The places with fewer than three cases are Littleborough South and Smithy Bridge, Milnrow West, Milnrow East and Newhey, and Balderstone and Kirkholt.
Cases also dropped in Littleborough West and Wardle, Kingsway, Deeplish, and North Middleton and Stakehill.
