Health and council leaders say that although Covid-19 cases are reducing, Bury should remain under extra restrictions until they are at a safe and stable level.
Last week Bury had one of the highest infection rates in England and stark warnings were issued by health and council chiefs to get the rate down immediately or risk further restrictions.
The latest figures for week ending 29 August reveal that the 7-day infection rate in Bury is down to 25.8 per 100,000 population, from 35.2 last week and 26.8 previously.This is still more than double the national average.
Cases are still concentrated among people age 18 – 39 with two thirds of cases this week in that age group. Just under half the cases were people who identified as White British and 15% of cases were people who identified as Pakistani. Cases continue to be spread across the borough.
Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “While the drop in cases since last week is good news, we still need to get the rate down to safe and acceptable levels, so there’s no room for complacency.
“As we’ve seen in nearby Bolton, a spike can occur very rapidly so now is not the time to drop our guard
“We know how hard it is for residents to not be able to mix within their homes and gardens and appreciate the sacrifices people are making, but now is not the right time to lift measures”
“With schools and colleges reopening this week and next, it’s essential that we all continue with our efforts and keep the infection rate falling.
