"People have made a lot of sacrifices, people have been under restrictions for a long time and it's because of those sacrifices that we're in a better position – but let's not throw it all away..."
As Salford and Greater Manchester moved into Tier 4 restrictions today, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, at his press conference this morning said that the move from Tier 3 was "not necessarily expected" and "came out of the blue" but was to prevent the region experiencing infections at a scale seen in other parts of the country.
"The view from the Public Health Directors in Greater Manchester is that the decision to place the city region in Tier 4 is the correct decision, very much justified from a preventative point of view because of the prevalence of the new strain in Greater Manchester" he explained "They say, and it is very much accepted by myself and the Leaders, that without the measures we would see the new strain increase very rapidly as it has done in other parts of the country."
An estimate from the testing site that can spot the new strain of virus is that 25% of new cases in Greater Manchester, and probably more, can be attributed to the new strain.
That said, Burnham reported that at the moment the situation in the region is "challenging but manageable", noting that increases in weekly COVID-19 admissions to GM hospitals and in-patient diagnoses have risen from 553 on 21st December to 565 on 28th December.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID patients in intensive care has risen from 80 on 22nd December to 92 on 29th December, with intensive care beds for COVID and non-COVID patients running at 82.3% of capacity (see graphic).
While weekly case rates per 100,000 people for Greater Manchester averaged 200.3 for the week ending 26th December (Salford 196.3), this was still way below the national average, Burnham explained, adding that Greater Manchester was in a better position than most of the country.
However, according to the Government criteria of case rates, cases in those over the age of 60, hospital capacity and positivity rate, Greater Manchester is seeing rises...
"It all depends on human behaviour" Burnham said "Clearly, there is a level of mixing that is increasing cases again, that is how cases spread. Having said that, given the position that we're in, it's clear that the vast majority of people in Greater Manchester are following the guidance and have done over this period...what has changed is the level of prevalence of the new strain of COVID-19...
"The view is that if we didn't take action we would see the very steep rise in cases that other parts of the country have seen" he added "Although we do believe that national arrangements would be more appropriate..." In other words, another national lockdown in Tier 4.
"This is the moment of maximum danger, it is critical that we follow the advice now" Burnham emphasised "The NHS is on the brink of the most challenging January it's had, certainly in my memory, and we need to focus on getting through that.
"...If there's one thing that should motivate people to stay in tonight and do the right thing, it's thinking about people who are out there working in the NHS...it's a selfish thing to do to put extra pressure on those people at this particular moment in time...If people follow the rules we can prevent our hospitals from experiencing the kind of pressure that's being seen in other parts of the country..."
On a positive note, 35,000 people, including front line NHS staff and health workers, have now been vaccinated with plans for dozens of new vaccination sites coming on line in January in Greater Manchester, with the main issue being one of staffing rather than supply...
"We've got a route out now with what is about to happen with the vaccinations, so let's not drop our guard at this moment in time, given what lies ahead of us in January" Burnham said "January's going to be tough. It's going to be tough for people, but certainly tough for anyone who works in our ambulance service, anyone who works in social care, anyone who works in primary care or in our hospitals.
"My message to everyone is please think about them before you think about yourself – because we can change January for them if we do what's being asked of us" he added "If we do that we can look forward to a New Year where the restrictions are removed more quickly and we start to manage this thing down.
"I'm pretty certain that 2021 is going to be much better than 2020 but we've just got a couple of hurdles to get over before we can be certain of that" he said "People have made a lot of sacrifices, people have been under restrictions for a long time and it's because of those sacrifices that we're in a better position – but let's not throw it all away. This new strain can quickly turn all that around on us and we don't want to be in that place.
"I urge everyone to stay at home this evening, get the old rave gear out and dance...celebrate the end of this terrible year" he concluded, bigging up the 24 Hour Hacienda House Party that's going around the world...
The New Year's Eve Hacienda House Party with twenty DJs and live acts including Moby, DJ Paulette, Greg Wilson, Peter Hook, Norman Jay, Jon Dasilva and more is being streamed all day and night today at www.unitedwestream.co.uk with donations asked for the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity to combat homelessness.
For details of the latest Salford coronavirus cases and more see this morning's Salford Star article – click here
See also how the retired nurse who went back to wards at Salford Royal Hospital was rewarded with the BEM in the New Year's Honours List – click here
To follow – Burnham slates Government over school and college returns and subsequent exam fairness.
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