The latest coronavirus infection rates in Greater Manchester with tiers set to be reviewed this week

The latest figures for the week ending December 9th have been released and they are down 7.7% from the week before.

The coronavirus infection rate has fallen again across Greater Manchester, meaning hopes for Tier 2 have risen.

On average across Greater Manchester for the week ending December 9th, there were 153.4 positive tests for every 100,000 people in the local population, down 7.7% compared to the week before.

This puts the region significantly below the infection rate for England, which increased by 15% to 172.8 over the same period. 

The current infection rates across Greater Manchester vary dramatically from borough to borough, however, they all remain lower than London’s average (241.5 in the same period).

The falling case numbers across Greater Manchester is likely to raise hopes for the region to be placed into Tier 2 this week, where restrictions are more relaxed. This would mean pubs and restaurants would be able to reopen on the run-up to Christmas. 

The lowest infection rate in Greater Manchester is in Tameside with 91.8, a fall of 32% from the previous week.

Two boroughs (Trafford and Manchester) saw an increase in infection rates by a single percentage point. 

In Bury, the infection rate was down by 4% to 211.5, making it the highest in Greater Manchester.

Overall, the infection rates continue to fall across Greater Manchester, however the trend in Trafford remains upwards suggesting it could be reaching 100 again this week.

The government is set to review all tiers on Wednesday December 16th, with announcements of any changes to the tier system expected to be revealed the following day. 

Andy Burnham has warned that the disparity in rates could see the region split up into different tiers on Wednesday, adding that he would prefer the region to move ‘as one’ but that discussions with local MPs would need to take place.