Salford has 53 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the cumulative total to 2,353, up from the previous day's 2,300.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, cases in Manchester rose to 5,335 (up from 5,233), followed by Oldham with 3,455 (up from 3,417), Bolton 3,589 (up from 3,513), Rochdale 2,685 (up from 2,656), Wigan 2,678 (up from 2,639), Tameside 2,411 (up from 2,389), Stockport 2,267 (up from 2,235), Trafford 1,924 (up from 1,906) and Bury 1,953 (up from 1,917).
There has been one new virus-related death announced by Salford Royal Hospital.
Today, NHS staff in the North West - including nurses, paramedics, cleaners, domestics and porters - are campaigning for the Government to give pay rises of at least £2,000 to every worker.
It's a move that would be backed by most people, as a UNISON/Savanta ComRes poll published in July showed that 69% of the public think all NHS staff should get an early pay rise; that two thirds believe a wage increase for employees should be significant in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 85% believe that pay should increase.
Health workers now want to see the Government show its appreciation for staff by bringing forward the pay rise due in April, and agreeing to that £2,000 increase, which is equivalent to around £1 an hour extra for all staff.
Karen Kearney is a bereavement officer at Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust, giving advice to doctors and families when a patient dies. During the pandemic, her trust was taking overspill COVID-19 cases from other hospitals, as well as treating cardiac patients, meaning she was usually working seven days a week with days off only when cover was available.
"Visitors weren't allowed so patients had to come into hospital alone" she says "Often the last time people saw their loved ones was when they came in poorly. It was very difficult and emotional work. The Government briefings were all about 'We love the NHS'. And not so long ago, people were cheering for us. But now there's this sense we've been forgotten about now we've done our 'duty'. A pay rise is long overdue and is needed now."
The health workers' pay claim would take minimum earnings up from around £18,000 to £20,005 and take the lowest rate in the NHS above the real living wage. The £2,000 would be worth 8% for a newly qualified band 5 worker (for example, a nurse, paramedic or IT manager) and would take their annual salary to £26,907 – hardly a fortune when considering how much private industry has profited from the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Lark Hill Community Primary became the latest Salford school to send home pupils in two classes after suspected COVID-19 cases.
As the spike in coronavirus cases continues, the Salford Public Health Team has produced a COVID-19 myth busting guide which the Salford Star will be publishing in two parts – watch this space!
Photos by Louise Garman
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