Salford has 239 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the cumulative total to 5,994, up from the previous day's 5,755. It is the highest daily new case figure since Pillar 1 and 2 cases were added.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, cases in Manchester rose to 15,541 (up from 15,081), followed by Bolton 7,650 (up from 7,331), Oldham with 6,790 (up from 6,573), Wigan 7,006 (up from 6,730), Tameside 5,046 (up from 4,907), Rochdale 6,006 (up from 5,784), Stockport 5,009 (up from 4,849), Bury 4,637 (up from 4,493) and Trafford 4,501 (up from 4,365).
The virus case rate per 100,000 people in Salford has increased from 397.7 in the week to 10th October, to 424.9 to 17th October.
There have been no new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.
Meanwhile, the war of words between the Government and Greater Manchester Leaders over moving into Tier 3 looks set to reach its denouement today, with a midday deadline to agree a deal, or a possible imposition of restrictions.
Late last night, Worsley and Eccles South MP, Barbara Keeley, slammed the offer of £22million extra funding (plus possible 'additional funding') as a "complete joke" and "an insult to the people of Greater Manchester".
A letter to GM Leaders from Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, offers £22million (£8 per head of population) "to fund additional support for vulnerable people and redouble efforts on compliance and enforcement", on top of existing support packages.
He also states that "we are open to looking at additional funding which would allow you to do more to support local businesses as well, proportionate to the approach we have taken in Liverpool City Region and Lancashire"...although no figure is mentioned.
Lancashire got a final £42million and Liverpool City Region £44million...
Jenrick's letter concludes "If we cannot reach agreement by midday tomorrow [ie today] then, with regret, I will have to advise the Prime Minister that despite our best endeavours, we've been unable to reach agreement..."
The letter also sets out details that have been agreed, including that the Tier 3 restrictions would only last 28 days, that there would be "enhanced local control" of Test, Trace and Isolate, military logistical support and a review of "business closure powers" for those not complying with the rules – these were all conditions called for by Andy Burnham.
Also, hospitality venues would be kept open apart from 'wet pubs and bars', but betting shops, casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres and soft play areas would all be closed. The letter doesn't mention gyms which, presumably, would be kept open.
Last night, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, and Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Health Lead, issued a statement saying that a Hardship Fund, proposed by the Government to top up furlough payments and support the self-employed, had been "taken off the table" and that the Government was using "selective statistics" about the state of the region's hospitals, by implication, "raising public fears".
The Salford Star understands that 31% of intensive care beds at Salford Royal Hospital are currently occupied by COVID-19 patients but the spare capacity overall is not known, although the GM Leaders last night stated that Greater Manchester's hospitals work as a total system and individual hospital statistics do not tell the full story...
"We are disappointed that the Government has today sought to raise public concern about the NHS in Greater Manchester with selective statistics" the GM Leaders said "Greater Manchester's ICU occupancy rate is not abnormal for this time of year and is comparable to the occupancy rate in October 2019. Also, providing information about individual hospitals does not reflect that our hospitals work as a system to manage demand.
"We are not complacent about the position in our hospitals and are monitoring the situation closely" they added "But in the current situation, we believe it is essential that our residents are given clear, accurate information about the state of the NHS in Greater Manchester and that public fears are not raised unnecessarily."
Perhaps if they themselves released "clear, accurate information" about current hospital capacity the public and press might understand better what is going on...How many COVID-19 patients are currently in Salford Royal? How many are occupying ICU beds and what is left in the capacity? Why aren't medics at the hospital giving details rather than politicians?
In the meantime, the statement from Greater Manchester Leaders added: "We went into today's meeting with the Government with a positive and unanimous view amongst Greater Manchester Leaders that we should seek a resolution as soon as possible.
"We had been encouraged by earlier discussions at an official level where the idea of a Hardship Fund, to top up furlough payments and support the self-employed, had been tabled by the Government" they explained "It was both surprising and disappointing when this idea was taken off the table by the Secretary of State. We are appreciative of discussions resuming later this afternoon at official levels and very much hope this will lead to a positive outcome.
"This evening we have written to the Prime Minister reiterating our willingness to continue to work towards an agreement but reminding him that Greater Manchester has been in Tier-2 style restrictions for almost three months, and that this has taken a toll on people and businesses here" they say "With this in mind, we do not believe it is in any way unreasonable for us to require better protection for our lowest-paid residents."
All should be clearer, hopefully, by midday today...
Update: 3:15pm: Government sources are indicating that, after talks broke down this morning, Tier 3 restrictions will be imposed on Greater Manchester. There is a Downing Street briefing at 5pm and the Star will report on that later...
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