Star date: 10th April 2020

SALFORD POLICE NOT SOCIAL DISTANCING...UNIVERSITY TRAINS STAFF FOR NIGHTINGALE HOSPITAL OPENING...AND AD HOARDING ATTACKS FARAGE NHS STANCE

Confirmed cases of coronavirus virus rose by twelve cases on the previous day - up to 285 from 273. For the last four days of reporting, the rise in cases have been in the teens compared to rises in their twenties and thirties the week before. This could be the start of a levelling out, although the figures require major caution.

Meanwhile, Salford police were yesterday pictured on Kersal Wetlands seemingly bereft of social distancing; a huge ad hoarding has gone up in Salford attacking Nigel Farage's stance on migrants working in the NHS; and Salford University is training medics for an Easter Sunday opening of the new Nightingale Hospital at G-Mex.

Full details here...

Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Salford have hit 285, up by twelve on the previous day's 273. This is the fourth consecutive day that rises of cases in the city have been in their teens, compared to jumps of cases in their twenties and thirties the previous week.

While it looks like the cases are levelling off slightly, only over a sustained longer period would it be possible to get an accurate picture. Manchester still has rises in the thirties and forties this week. Indeed, Manchester now has 454 cases, compared to 395 the previous day, which appears to show no levelling off at all. The Stay At Home message for Easter is vitally important.

Manchester still has the highest number of cases in Greater Manchester, followed by Stockport on 338, Trafford 272, Oldham 267, Bolton and Wigan on 223, Tameside 217, Rochdale 209 and Bury 177. Sadly, three more patients have been reported to have died at Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, the NHS Nightingale North West hospital is due to open at Manchester Central, or G-Mex, on Sunday with 36 beds being available to start. And the University of Salford is providing training for clinical staff in topics including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), assisted breathing techniques (CPAP), communication and refreshing clinical skills.

"We are proud to be opening up our facilities to support this vital training for NHS clinical staff at the new Nightingale hospital" says Professor Margaret Rowe, Dean of the School of Health and Society at the University of Salford "In these challenging times it is more important than ever that we all pull together to defeat this devastating virus, and we're delighted to be able to support our NHS partners in this way."

Elsewhere, on Ducie Street, a giant advertising hoarding has gone up, sponsored by Led By Donkeys, showing the 'Hero' migrant medics who have made the 'ultimate sacrifice for us'. Next to it is the 'Zero' quote by Nigel Farage during the ITV election debate saying it's 'terrible' so many migrants work in the NHS...

And finally, members of the Salford police were photographed on Kersal Wetlands yesterday, seemingly not quite practicing social distancing and discouraging groups of people to loiter. The photo was taken by Dan Costello, whose dad told the Salford Star that his son takes social distancing very seriously and 'He was appalled'...