Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Salford continue to climb, with the latest total standing at 190, compared to 158 the previous day.
Manchester now has 224 cases, Stockport 156, Oldham 149, Trafford 139, Rochdale 126, Wigan 110, Tameside 109, Bury 102 and Bolton 80. In the North West, 88 people of all ages sadly died from the virus on 3rd April.
As cases increase, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), bosses organisation the CBI and trade union umbrella, the TUC have issued an unprecedented joint call for employers to ensure safe working conditions for those still having to go into work.
The statement insists that if companies remain open they must take practical steps to minimise the threat of workers being exposed to the virus wherever possible including enabling social distancing. It warns that if employers do not comply with the latest Public Health England guidance they face being hit with enforcement notices and potential closure.
It also encourages workers to raise any concerns about working conditions first with their employer or trade union. And it notes that if concerns can't be resolved locally, workers can approach the Health and Safety Executive or their local authority for help.*
"We all want businesses to get through this crisis and keep people in their jobs" says
TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady "But this must not come at the cost of safe working conditions. Employers and unions have a crucial role to play in stopping the spread of the virus, protecting our NHS and saving lives.
"Many employers are doing the right thing" she adds "But no-one going into work should have to endanger their own health and put their families and the wider community at risk. Those companies who refuse to follow the rules must face the threat of closure."
To underline the trends, the New York Times has shown that in America, based on smart phone location analysis "Wealthier people not only have more job security and benefits but also may be better able to avoid becoming sick...Many of the nation's essential workers - in health care and public safety roles, as well as caregivers, delivery drivers, grocery clerks and plumbers - are being asked to put themselves at risk for relatively low wages, while white-collar workers are more able to work from home".
It quotes Dr Ashwin Vasan, a doctor and public health professor at Columbia University, who says "People want to talk about this virus as an equal-opportunity pathogen, but it's really not. It's going right to the fissures in our society." (to see the stats and graphs click here)
Meanwhile, following the article in Salford Star last week on a Facebook group called For The Love Of Scrubs Our NHS Needs You, which is looking for volunteers to sew together scrubs for frontline staff, Salford has now joined a regional group called Manchester and East Lancs Scrub Hub which also includes Bolton - click here . The group is still looking for volunteers to sew, for shops to donate materials and for people to help with its Go Fund Me page.
Finally, banners have appeared on buildings across the University of Salford campus to thank all NHS workers for their hard work in the fight against the pandemic. The banners can be seen at the MediaCityUK campus, and on two buildings located on the Peel Park Campus, particularly on the Maxwell Hall building which faces the Crescent.
"We are grateful to all key workers at this time, including our own colleagues and students who are working tirelessly to help the broader NHS response" says Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Marshall "They are working with Health and Social Care providers and all the other universities in Greater Manchester to find ways in which they can directly contribute to the work of the NHS in dealing with this virus."
* To read the full statement from the HSE, CBI and TUC click here
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