People in Oldham are being told today to act now, to reduce the spread of Coronavirus and stop a local lockdown being imposed.

Additional measures were put in place in the borough two weeks ago, to help stop the spread. But since then, the numbers of positive cases have continued to increase.

Latest figures, for the week ending 8 August, show there have been 255 new cases in Oldham, which is a rate of 107.5 cases per 100,000 people. The week prior to this, there were 137 cases, which is a rate of 57.8 per 100,000.

When Government imposed a local lockdown on Leicester, their cases were at 135 per 100,000. If numbers continue to increase in this way, Oldham could face a second lockdown very soon.

This could mean the closure local services and businesses such as gyms and leisure centres, libraries, restaurants, bars and non-essential shops. These businesses are only just beginning to recover after the last period of lockdown and desperately need your support.

Councillor Arooj Shah, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council and cabinet member for Covid-19 recovery, said: “We know people in Oldham have, on the whole, been behaving responsibly and abiding by the Coronavirus restrictions.

“But Coronavirus has not gone away – and rates are now rising. To avoid a second lockdown, there is no time to lose. We need everyone to act now and make changes to the way they live, to prevent strict lockdown restrictions being implemented in the coming days or weeks.

“Figures are showing us that cases are rising here in Oldham in all areas, in all age groups, and in all communities. We are all at risk of this terrible virus and it is our responsibility to protect ourselves, our friends and wider society by obeying this tougher guidance and acting responsibly.”

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