BREAKING: Greater Manchester moves into Tier 4 as latest coronavirus restrictions announced

direct to your inboxThe week-on-week coronavirus infection rate for Greater Manchester has fallen for the first time since before Christmas.Figures released today (Saturday) by Public Health England revealed there were 410.9 positive tests in Greater Manchester for every 100,000 people in the week ending January 12, which was the first full week of the national lockdown.The rate was 2.3 per cent down compared to the infection rate for the previous week (420.5).The last time the week-on-week

direct to your inboxA flood 'alert' has been put in force in Greater Manchester today after hours of heavy rainfall overnight.The alert warns of 'possible' flooding around the area of the middle River Mersey catchment area.It includes areas near Bramhall in Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and Urmston.The Environment Agency warned: "Flooding is possible - be prepared."And Transport for Greater Manchester said: "With heavy rain in Greater Manchester this morning, expect flooding in some areas.

direct to your inboxThe latest coronavirus infection rates have been revealed, as cases continue to rise across Greater Manchester.Rates are still rising in all ten boroughs, but week-on-week percentage rises do not appear to be increasing as rapidly as they have in previous days.The average infection rate for England was the same as it was the previous week.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletterYou can sign up very simply by

direct to your inboxThe latest coronavirus infection rates have been revealed, as cases continue to rise across Greater Manchester.Cases are increasing in all ten boroughs, with Wigan remaining the worst hit area across our region.The statistics from Public Health England show that the average infection rate across England and in London has decreased.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletterYou can sign up very simply by following the

direct to your inbox One more person has died with coronavirus in our region's hospitals. It takes the death toll from the virus at hospitals in Greater Manchester since the start of the pandemic to 4,420.

direct to your inboxThe latest coronavirus infection rates for Greater Manchester show cases are continuing to rise across all ten boroughs - but at a slower rate than they were.Statistics released by Public Health England show the post-Christmas rise in cases appears to have slowed.The average infection rate across England has dropped off slightly, while the average for Greater Manchester has flattened off.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free

direct to your inboxCoronavirus infection rates across Greater Manchester are continuing to surge, the latest figures show.Across the region rates are below the national average, which stood at 671.9 cases per 100,000 people, as of January 5.But every town and city in Greater Manchester is seeing a spike in cases.Wigan is the worst-affected area, with an infection rate of 459.7, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.But the week-on-week growth of cases in the borough has

direct to your inboxA further 24 people have died in Greater Manchester's hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus.The region's COVID-19 hospital death toll has risen to 4,381, the latest NHS figures show.Seven more Covid-related deaths were recorded by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; the organisation in charge of the city's main hospitals including the MRI and Wythenshawe hospital.Six additional deaths were confirmed by Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Royal

direct to your inboxCoronavirus cases are continuing to rise across Greater Manchester as the government starts the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.Our region currently has a Covid-19 infection rate of 374.8 per 100,000 people in the week ending January 3.That’s a 73.4 per cent increase on the previous week.However the regional rate here is still far below that of London - where it was 971 on January 1.Across all ten Greater Manchester boroughs the upward trend in infection rates is

direct to your inboxA Greater Manchester Police officer who repeatedly sexually assaulted a young girl has been jailed.Farooq Ahmed, 37, walked into a police station with a confession note before Christmas.

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester’s Covid-19 infection rate has crept above 300 for the first time since November 19.It is currently 300.9 per 100,000 people in the seven days up to December 31.That represents a 45 per cent week-on-week increase and is the first time it has risen above 300 since November 19.Despite the rising number of cases here, our region’s rates are still well below the English rate - which is currently 537.5.The fastest growth is happening in Wigan, where cases are up

direct to your inboxA further 14 people have died in Greater Manchester's hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus.It brings the total death toll in the region to 4,272.Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust recorded eleven more deaths.Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust registered another death while there were two more recorded at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.Earlier today it was revealed dialysis patient Brian Pinker received his jab of the Oxford vaccine at

direct to your inboxThe streets were empty as Greater Manchester said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in a new year - but many were determined to keep alive at least one tradition.Our video from Werneth Low shows how many parts of Greater Manchester were ablaze with colour as people set off fireworks at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2021.Around 200 socially distanced people gathered on the popular spot to watch the moment our region said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in the New Year.Car horns

direct to your inboxIt has been a year like no other.However Great Mancunians have still made headlines across the world, for all sorts of reasons.Here we look at those who have put the region on the map in 2020, a year we will never forget.2020 has undoubtedly belonged to Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.However it is his incredible work off the pitch which has made the headlines, even more than his impressive goal-scoring feats on it.The Withington-born and Wythenshawe raised

direct to your inbox"It's absolutely gut-wrenching."Hair salon owner Jane Nixon describes how she felt as Matt Hancock announced that Greater Manchester would be moving into Tier 4.And it's a feeling thousands of business owners across the region will be familiar with.A change in restrictions, businesses finally being allowed to open then being forced to shut again just a few weeks later.

direct to your inboxDoctors and paramedics say they are bracing themselves for a new tide of Covid patients to hit Greater Manchester's hospitals within weeks. Speaking as plans for the region's move to Tier 4 were announced and the return to school for secondary pupils was delayed, Dr Carole Gavin, a consultant in Greater Manchester, said concerns were growing as hospitals in the south battle to find beds as infection rates - largely found to be caused by the new mutant strain - rise.

direct to your inboxAfter another change to coronavirus lockdown rules, we're all trying to get used to what Tier 4 means in practice.Falling just short of a national lockdown, Tier 4 restrictions aim to limit the amount of contact between people to stop the spread of the virus.People are being told to stay at home, unless for valid reasons including work or education.We also have to limit the amount of social contact with family and friends.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester

direct to your inboxA Greater Manchester Police chief has urged people to stay at home in Tier 4 tomorrow night instead of celebrating New Year's Eve as they normally would. Under Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, people are required by law to remain at home unless they need to leave their home for essential reasons.

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester, along with large swathes of the country, will wake up to the strictest coronavirus measures tomorrow.An additional 20 million people will be in Tier 4 of the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions from Thursday (December 31).This means a total of 44 million people will now be in Tier 4 - or 78 per cent of the population of England.And for those living in an area that has now been moved to Tier 4, things are about to be very different.From socialising, going to

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester and even more areas of England are set to be moved to Tier 4 restrictions from tomorrow.Matt Hancock announce the latest tier review in the House of Commons today, and the new rules will take effect from Thursday December 31. Tier 4 is currently the highest level of Covid-19 measures that can be allocated to an area - with much of the south east and London already under the toughest rules.