Star date: 19th November 2020

SALFORD COUNCILLORS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN SCHOOLS – BUT IT'S KEPT SECRET FROM RESIDENTS!

Salford has 143 new coronavirus cases, up from the previous day's 121, bringing the cumulative total to 12,522. However, in line with all other Greater Manchester boroughs, both the seven day number of cases and case rates are falling. There have been four new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.

Meanwhile, in answer to questions on the lack of information about infections and closures of schools, Salford Children's Lead, John Merry, said the "confidential" information was only given to ward councillors – not to residents. At his press conference, GM Mayor, Andy Burnham estimated that 12% of school pupils in the region were involved in temporary school closures.

Full figures and details here...

Salford has 143 new coronavirus cases, up from the previous day's 121, bringing the cumulative total to 12,522. The seven day average of cases has decreased to 1,175 from 1,197, as has the seven day rate per 100,000 population which fell from 462.5 to 454.

At yesterday's press conference, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, published statistics showing that, for the week ending 13th November, Salford's rate had fallen by over one hundred, from 573 at the week ending 6th November, to 453.2, while Greater Manchester's average rate had fallen from 525.7 to 427.6... "There is a clear downward trajectory" he said (see case rates graphic).

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, all boroughs continue to see a slight drop in seven day totals, albeit at a high rate. Cases in Manchester during the latest seven day data period were 2,092 (down from 2,141), with a rate of 378.4 (down from 387.3), followed by Bolton with 1,274 (down from 1,296), with a rate of 443.1 (down from 450.7), and Oldham 1,349 (down from 1,421), with a rate of 568.9 (down from 599.3).

Wigan has 1,452 (down from 1,533), with a rate of 441.8 (down from 466.4), Tameside 919 (down from 950), with a rate of 405.8 (down from 419.4), Rochdale 1,169 (down from 1,184), with a rate of 525.6 (down from 532.3), Stockport 982 (down from 1,003), with a rate of 334.7 (down from 341.8), Bury 906 (down from 940), with a rate of 474.4 (down from 492.2), and Trafford 811 (down from 857), with a rate of 341.7 (down from 361.1).

There have been four new virus-related deaths announced by Salford Royal Hospital.

Salford has seen transmission in all age groups decreasing, the City Mayor told yesterday's Salford City Council meeting, with the highest rates in the 22-24 age groups and amongst ethnic minorities - while Andy Burnham, at his press conference, produced age heat maps for each borough showing lighter colours in the over 65 age group – "There's a clear reduction" he said.

While other regions in England have growing infections (South East 61%, East England 54%), infections in Greater Manchester have decreased by 23% and in the North West by 47% (see graphic).

There were also some signs of "stabilisation" within Greater Manchester hospitals, with weekly admissions only slightly up from 98 on 9th November, to 104 on 16th November, while those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in hospital falling from 755 to 697 over the same period.

Virus patients occupying hospital beds, other than intensive care, fell from 1,208 on 9th November to 1,184 on 17th November. However, those COVID-19 patients occupying intensive care beds increased from 129 to 160. Burnham praised health staff on the front line, adding that the next two to three weeks will see a peak in hospital admissions.

In answer to a question about the lack of information concerning infections and the subsequent partial closures of schools, Burnham argued that councils probably wouldn't have this information as many schools are academies run by outside bodies; but estimated that around 12% of pupils were involved in some form of temporary school closures.

However, earlier in the day, at the Salford Council meeting, Deputy Mayor and Children's Lead, John Merry, was asked virtually the same question and had a different but equally elusive answer...

"Ward councillors will be aware that we deliver on a confidential basis the latest update in terms of schools in their particular area and the issues they are facing" he said. In other words, the councillors know what's going on but are not telling their residents.

"It is a very difficult thing to do at the moment to keep the schools moving as much as we possibly can" he added "We are having to make very quick decisions. In some cases schools are having to close because of shortages of staff, in others because of children isolating."

Merry added that when he met the unions "they made it very clear that they are not advocating the closure of Salford schools at the moment; in fact exactly the opposite" he said "They're desperately trying to keep them open, partly because teaching and non-teaching staff see their job as more than simply earning a wage but as a vocation for the future of Salford..."

Praising school staff and advocating more tests for them and early vaccines, he added that "I don't want our children to fall behind elsewhere in the country...We've got enough inequality which we're having to deal with at the moment without having to deal with further problems in terms of children and their future."

Meanwhile Lark Hill Community Primary School, which sent Year 2 sets home to self isolate earlier this week, has now sent Year 1 bubbles home to self isolate after another positive test at the school.

For more details on yesterday's Salford Council meeting see also previous Salford Star articles...

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