Greater Manchester is still planning to take control of the bus network despite the Covid-19 pandemic

direct to your inboxVisitors to care homes in Greater Manchester will be given rapid Covid-19 tests before seeing their loved ones - but only if they have already tested negative for the virus after taking a standard test.Care homes had been warned against relying solely on lateral flow tests after concerns were raised around their accuracy and there being a lack of guidance for staff on how to use them.Lateral flow tests detect three quarters of positive cases within 30 minutes if carried out

direct to your inboxEighteen more people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has now risen to 3,787, the latest NHS figures show.Thirteen new deaths were recorded at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation in charge of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital, Saint Mary's and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed four new deaths.

direct to your inboxThe coronavirus infection rate was higher in London than in Greater Manchester on the day our area moved into Tier 3.In the week ending December 2, cases of Covid-19 in the capital were in fact rising, unlike here.The rate of infection in London was 169.32 per 100,000 people on the day the city went into Tier 2.This means that hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants were allowed to re-open, as long as a substantial meal is served alongside alcohol.On the same day in

direct to your inboxIt's the moment that has been long anticipated in the UK's fight against coronavirus.The very first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have now finally arrived in English hospitals and are set to be rolled out in the next 48 hours.Hundreds of thousands of doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine arrived in the country on Friday on refrigerated trucks from Belgiam.They were transported to specialist refrigerated storage facilities before being shipped to 50 hospitals taking part in the

direct to your inboxTalks over the uncertain future of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) will continue, despite Stockport councillors voting against the proposals.Opposition groups argued that the long-delayed masterplan for jobs and housing favoured the needs of developers over residents, and would lead to unnecessary green belt development.Labour had hoped that by removing or scaling down schemes planned up to 2037, that it could appease Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, and the

direct to your inbox The latest coronavirus rates for each local authority in England over the last week have been revealed. Thursday's update of the rolling seven-day rate of new cases for the seven days to November 29 reveal which areas of the country are seeing reductions in infections - and the ones that are increasing.

most recent available data.At its peak, the area had 238 confirmed positive tests in the week ending September 29 as the virus spread rapidly through the student population.It's infection rate at the time reached 2,201.1 per 100,000.Only Poynton East and Poynton West on the Stockport - Cheshire border recorded less than three cases in the same week.Meanwhile, the area referred to in government statistics as 'Hulme and University' had just 22 cases in the week ending November 24.The

Coronavirus infection rates are falling faster in Greater Manchester than at any time during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest data from Public Health England.The rate for the Greater Manchester region is now 246.9, the lowest it has been since the end of September.There were exactly 7000 confirmed cases in Greater Manchester for the week ending November 23, which is 3,796 fewer cases than in the previous week.That represents a week-on-week fall of 35.2 per cent, the highest

Greater Manchester’s plans to bring the local bus network into public ownership have been approved for a further public consultation considering the effects of Covid-19.But questions have been asked around the timing and financial implications for both residents and councils given the ongoing financial impact of the pandemic.The combined authority wants a London-style franchising system costing £134.5m which would give them control over fares, timetables and routes - instead of private bus

Local Democracy Reporting Service .

The latest infection rates for Greater Manchester are:Oldham 366.9, down 31pcRochdale 342.2, down 32pcWigan 301.2, down 27pcBury 300.5, down 33pcBolton 294.6, down 32pcSalford 246.5, down 42pcManchester 245.3, down 32pcTameside 241.1, down 36pcStockport 204.5, down 36pcTrafford 169.4, down 45pcThe national average in England is 202.4 per 100,000 population.Trafford is the only Greater Manchester borough to sit below the national average with 169.4 per 100,000.There were 661 positive tests across

Manchester council has thrown its weight behind the beleaguered regional masterplan for jobs and housing - despite uncertainty over its future.With no end in sight to the political standoff in Stockport, plans to approve the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) have been postponed in Salford, Trafford, Oldham, Rochdale and Bury.Councillors in Manchester were told this week that there was a ‘very high risk’ that the GMSF would not get the support it needed.Under the proposals the city

The latest infection rates for Greater Manchester are:Oldham 388.4, down 30pcRochdale 360.6, down 31pcBury 314.1, down 33pcBolton 306.4, down 31pcWigan 304.6, down 30pcSalford 260.0, down 42pcManchester 249.6, down 34pcTameside 249.4, down 37pcStockport  208.6, down 37pcTrafford 170.6, down 50pc Stockport's transmission rate has dropped below the national average too, with a rate of 208.6 - down 37pc in the week ending November 21.Overall, rates are falling faster in every Greater Manchester

Manchester Evening News has seen an early internal planning document circulated within Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

Covid-19 hotspot in Chadderton Central, Oldham, it increased by 15 per cent and the neighbourhood recorded an infection rate of 704.9 per 100,000 in a week.

here.The Card Factory is looking for Seasonal Sales Assistants to join stores over Christmas.Retail experience is not a necessity, but the retailer says they look for "personality and a passion for customer service" in candidates.Various hours are available at the following stores:The role will be available up until January 3.

revised tier system, which will come into force on December 2 when the national lockdown ends, government ministers will impose the top level of restrictions on the highest risk areas.Previously, ministers had entered into discussions with local leaders over the what measures would be needed and how they would be funded.In Greater Manchester, mayor Andy Burnham led several days of intense talks as he tried to negotiate a more substantial financial package than the one the government had

Public Health England (PHE) data shows that the spread of infection across all 10 boroughs continues to fall.

Public Health England (PHE) on Sunday.