Coronavirus infection rates across Greater Manchester are continuing to fall, the latest figures reveal.
Infection rates declined in every area in our region other than Bolton, which remained the same week-on-week.
Bolton still has the highest infection rate in Greater Manchester, at 280.3 cases per 100,000 people.
The M.E.N. reported yesterday that the town was one of only 12 areas in England where rates had gone up in the week ending February 7.
But today's figures show that rates are no longer on the increase in comparison to last week.
All of our boroughs other than Trafford are above the national average for England.
The biggest week-on-week decrease in infection rates came in Tameside, where they fell by 29 per cent.
Oldham had the smallest week-on-week decrease, with rates declining by two per cent.
The average rate for England was 176.9 cases per 100,000, a fall of 28 per cent in comparison to last week.
The only Greater Manchester borough now below the England average was Trafford, where rates are 158.8 per 100,000.
It comes as figures show the R rate, which measures the reproduction of coronavirus, has fallen below one for the first time since July last year.
The rate of coronavirus transmission across the UK is now estimated to be between 0.7 and 0.9.
R represents the average number of people each Covid-19 positive person goes on to infect.
When the figure is above one, an outbreak can grow exponentially, but when it is below 1 it means the epidemic is shrinking.
The estimates for the R rate are provided by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).
Later this month, the Prime Minister is expected to set out his 'roadmap' out of lockdown.
At some stage in the week beginning February 22, Boris Johnson will outline a review of current lockdown measures, and reveal what will happen next.
Schools are expected to be the first to reopen in March.
