Oldham is NOT on the verge of a local lockdown

Leicester is subject to a local lockdown

Oldham is not the next area to be considered for a local lockdown following restrictions in Leicester.

Misleading data has been circulating, suggesting that the rate of infection in the town is a major cause for concern for the Department of Health.

But figures seen by the Oldham Chronicle suggest that - whilst the figures are comparatively high in Greater Manchester - they are substantially below the figures reported in Leicester.

Leaders across Greater Manchester say that the region is "not at risk [of lockdown] at this time"

A statement from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority - which represents councils across the city region - thanks the public for sticking to the health advice during the pandemic.

"The figures show that thanks to most people sticking to the public health advice, more testing and people who are asked to self-isolate are doing so, and the hard work of the ten Councils and NHS to contain any outbreaks, the Greater Manchester figures continue to decline. However, some of our ten districts have higher infection numbers and rates than others, and compared to the North West and national they are still higher than they should be."

Rochdale tops the league of infections per 100,000 across Greater Manchester at 28.8. 

Oldham comes second at a rate of 27.8.

This compares to Leicester which has a rate of 135 per 100,000, with cases on the rise.

In order to help reduce the spread of infection in Greater Manchester, save lives and reduce the risk of a local lockdown, people in Greater Manchester are advised to stick to public health guidelines to:

• stay at home as much as possible
• limit contact with other people
• wash your hands regularly
• keep 2 metres distance from anyone other than those you live with or are in a support bubble with
• meet up with other people outside only and in groups of no more than six people from different households
• wear a face covering on public transport and in enclosed spaces
• self-isolate and get a test immediately if you get coronavirus symptoms
• if you test positive, help us trace everyone you've been in contact with since your symptoms started
• stay at home for 14 days if you’re told by NHS Test and Trace that you’ve been close to someone who is infected

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