Trafford has the fifth highest rate of positive COVID-19 cases in the country following a ‘significant uplift’ in cases among young people.
Council leader Andrew Western puts increase down to ‘a sudden rise in cases amongst young people' in the borough, which started in Hale and Hale Barns, but is now being seen across the borough.
Coun Western said he supports the move to impose new restrictions across Greater Manchester.
In the week beginning July 11, there were nine positive cases in Trafford among those aged 15 to 25. The following week beginning July 18, that had risen to 39.
After Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced new restrictions for Greater Manchester and other areas of the north late last night, Coun Western said he was ‘understandably’ inundated with questions.
He wrote on Twitter: “Understandably getting lots of questions about the change for GM. Still had no contact from government at all or info from Department of Health beyond their initial discussions with mayor. I support taking steps given the steep rise in Trafford but this is very poor and muddled communication from Hancock.
“As soon as we are sent any clear information – or indeed any clarity at all – I will share. In the meantime the sketchy details publicly available are all I’ve seen so please do your best, try and be cautious, and stay safe.
“There are so many questions here but the principle of taking action is right. We need to get our rate down here in Trafford and across the areas affected so please bear with us as we await any details that may be forthcoming so we can advise and assist.
“For those who aren’t aware after a sudden rise in cases amongst young people in Trafford (initially starting in Hale and Hale Barns, now broadening) we currently have the fifth highest rate of cases per 100k in the country. That’s why for all the confusion I support taking action.”
Sir Graham Brady, Conservative MP for Altrincham, said: “Latest update for Trafford says ‘infections continue to be at a low level’.”
The MP said he agrees with Hazel Grove’s MP William Wragg, who said: “‘Greater Manchester’ is not one homogeneous area. We must always err on the side of caution with COVID, but to treat all 10 boroughs the same is not the right approach. I will update constituents as soon as I am given further information, other than what has been announced.”
In response, Coun Western offered Sir Brady a ‘briefing’ on Trafford’s statistics – saying: “It’s all relative, but we have an issue here.”
