Manchester’s coronavirus hotspots as cases in the city spike

Manchester has the second highest Covid infection rates in the city region after a steady rise in cases over the last fortnight.

As of June 2 there were 125.3 cases per 100,000 people, which is second only to Bolton and closely followed by Salford and Bury.

The city’s infection rate is also more than four times above the England national average of 30.7 cases per 100,000.

The Delta variant, formerly known as the Indian variant, is the driving force behind 80 per cent of cases across Greater Manchester.

According to the latest figures all but 11 areas in Manchester saw an increase in cases as of May 28, though the number of cases is below double figures in most parts of the city.

Just a week before, a dozen neighbourhoods had managed to suppress the virus, meaning that less than three cases were recorded.

But each of these places recorded spikes in the following week, with Moston West seeing the sharpest rise from two cases to 21.

The highest number of cases recorded in the week to May 28 was 32 in Crumpsall South, followed by 25 in Rusholme West & Moss Side East.

Other hotspots include New Islington and Miles Platting, which recorded 21 cases, while the areas of Harpurhey North and City Centre North and Collyhurst reported 18 cases apiece.

An interactive map produced by Public Health England breaks Manchester up into Middle layer Super Output Areas with populations of up to 7,200.

A meeting of Manchester council’s executive was told on Wednesday that public health teams had been managing several outbreaks in schools and colleges across the city.

In mid-May nearly 1,500 students and staff at Manchester College’s Nicholls campus were urged to get Covid tests after an outbreak of 17 cases in one class.

But the city’s vaccination programme is continuing at pace with around 277,000 people having had their first vaccine, with more than 161,000 second doses also handed out.

Councillor Joanne Midgeley, executive member for health at Manchester council, said: “We’ve asked the government for additional support for the vaccination programme in terms of supply and vaccinators to continue that rollout.

“My message to residents as always is to follow the guidelines – hands, face space – and to get a vaccine when invited for one.”