Greater Manchester tells care homes not to use rapid tests for visitors as government roll-out faces 'chaos'

direct to your inboxHospital bosses in Greater Manchester are meeting today (December 21) for a rapid review of testing, site access and visiting rules in light of a new variant of coronavirus in the UK.Northern Care Alliance (NCA) - the NHS group which runs hospitals and other health care services in Salford, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale - will today decide whether its infection prevention control measures must be strengthened.It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed that the new

direct to your inboxFifteen more lives have been claimed by coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's coronavirus hospital death toll has risen to 4,019, the latest NHS figures show.Eight more deaths have been recorded by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in the last 24 hours.The trust runs the city's main hospitals including the Manchester Royal Infirmary and Wythenshawe Hospital.Three more Covid deaths were recorded the Royal Bolton, two at Pennine Acute and two at

direct to your inboxAnother 15 people who tested positive for Covid-19 have died in Greater Manchester’s hospitals.This brings the region’s hospital death toll to 3,982, according to the latest NHS figures.NHS England gives an update on virus-related fatalities at hospital trusts in England each day.These are cases where a patient has tested positive within 28 days of their death or where Covid-19 is mentioned on their death certificate.Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust recorded the highest

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester and Lancashire are staying in Tier 3 restrictions after a review of Covid rules across England.Matt Hancock announced in the House of Commons on Thursday morning that Bristol and North Somerset were coming out of Tier 3 into Tier 2 - but that every other part of England currently in Tier 3 was staying there.  He also announced a list of areas that would be moved up into Tier 3 including Surrey, Berkshire and Peterborough.

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester is expected to remain in Tier 3 under the government’s latest review of Covid measures, senior local sources have told the M.E.N.The Health Secretary is to address the House of Commons this morning to announce any further changes to local restrictions in England over the coming fortnight.Hopes in some quarters, including among a fair few local leaders and the hospitality sector, had been high that Greater Manchester - or at least parts of it - would be

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester leaders have urged the government to base their review of tiering arrangements on what is happening in the north of England instead of the south.Mayor Andy Burnham remains confident that there is a case for all ten boroughs to come out of Tier 3 at once with Covid-19 infection rates falling by 20 per cent since December 2.However he admitted ahead of the government’s announcement tomorrow that it was ‘more borderline’ in boroughs where rates remain above

direct to your inboxCoronavirus has brought heartache to thousands of families across Greater Manchester.More than 3,800 people have died in our region's hospitals alone. And tragically, this number is continuing to rise.Behind the Covid-19 death statistics that we publish each day are human beings who all had stories to tell.

direct to your inboxFifteen more people have died in Greater Manchester's hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus.The region's hospital death toll has risen to 3,915, the latest NHS figures show.Six more Covid-related deaths were recorded at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

direct to your inboxTier 3 areas such as Greater Manchester will get more community testing programmes to try and reduce the spread of coronavirus, the government has said.Our region will be one of the areas to receive more than 1.6 million rapid turnaround lateral flow tests, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.He says it is hoped that these quick turnaround tests will allow areas in tier three to relax lockdown restrictions.But concerns have been raised over the accuracy of such tests.It

direct to your inboxAndy Burnham criticised the Government again tonight after it emerged that their scientific advisers urged more support for local lockdown areas like Greater Manchester four months ago.He lashed out after documents released today (Friday) revealed that SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) told the government on July 30 more help was 'probably' required particularly in areas of deprivation to help people abide by the tougher restrictions being imposed.The first

direct to your inboxTwenty-six more people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has risen to 3,900, the latest NHS figures show.Nine more Covid-related deaths were recorded by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in its 24 hour data.The trust runs the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI), Wythenshawe Hospital, the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Saint Mary's hospital.Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed five new deaths.

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 inboxForty-six more people have died in Greater Manchester's hospitals after contracting coronavirus.The latest NHS figures bring the region's hospital death toll to 3,833.Thirteen more Covid-19 deaths were recorded by Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in their 24 hour data.The trust's figures include those for the Royal Oldham, Rochdale Infirmary, Fairfield General and North Manchester General.The Royal Bolton Hospital recorded 12 new deaths while Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh

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 inboxAnother three people have died in Greater Manchester's hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus.It takes the death toll from the virus in the Greater Manchester's hospitals to 3,769. Each day the NHS gives an update on coronavirus related fatalities at hospital trusts in England.

direct to your inboxThe UK property market enjoyed a mini boom when it reopened following the first national lockdown.House prices increased by 2.4 per cent in July, compared to the period before lockdown, according to Rightmove.But, if you're thinking this surge will mean it's nigh-on impossible to purchase a property at the moment, then don't lose all hope.There are at least a dozen houses in our area, advertised on Rightmove at the moment, that come in at £50,000 and even less.The slashed

direct to your inboxA further 20 people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has now reached 3,735, the latest NHS figures show.Five more deaths were confirmed at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, the organisation in charge of North Manchester General, the Royal Oldham, Rochdale Infirmary and Fairfield General..Four more Covid deaths were recorded at Stepping Hill Hospital while Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Tameside and Glossop

direct to your inbox Care homes in Rochdale have been warned not to rely on Covid-19 rapid test kits for visitors due to serious concerns over their accuracy. The council has stepped in after the government announced lateral flow tests were now available to allow care home visiting to take place.

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust.

coronavirus  deaths have been recorded in Greater Manchester's hospitals.