Halifax branch in Greater Manchester closes after member of staff tests positive for Covid-19

a fifth of schools across the region, comes little over a fortnight after pupils started the new academic year. And with no official list available of all the bubble closures - and the Manchester Evening News confirming cases after being alerted by parents - it's likely there are many more.

reached 177. Now a further 26 have been confirmed.

risen again today - to 177.Among the cases confirmed today is the full closure of a second primary school in Greater Manchester.St Luke's Primary in Heywood had already sent home pupils in Years 2, 3 and 6, but now it's been forced to shut to all year groups amid 'staffing issues'.While some schools continue to send home entire year groups, others have more recently been restricting self-isolations to close contacts of confirmed cases - using seating plans to help identify those individuals they

we reported how Horton Mill Primary School, in Glodwick, Oldham, had closed to all pupils after positive cases involving pupils and staff in several year groups. Elsewhere, The Duke of Norfolk CE Primary in Glossop, Derbyshire, has also shut following two positive cases including a member of the catering team who'd had widespread contact with the rest of the school.

risen again today - to 164. It comes as a new helpline has been set up by the government to make it easier for schools to get advice on what steps to take following a positive test.

Salford, where 6.4pc of tests came back positive.In comparison, just 3.4pc of tests were positive in neighbouring Wigan.The data, which was released by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, also shows that the number of positive tests in Bolton is rising far quicker than the number of tests being taken.Last week, the number of tests carried out in Bolton was up 14pc compared with four weeks earlier, in the week ending August 15.But over the same period, the number of positive tests has gone

that the number of hospital admissions is 'creeping up'.Giving an update to councillors, Steve Taylor, managing director of Bury & Rochdale Care Organisation, said: “On Monday in intensive care there was one patient at Bury, four in Oldham and two in North Manchester.“In general beds there are four Covid patients in Bury, 12 in Oldham, 11 in North Manchester and nine in our infectious disease department."Meanwhile in Bolton, the infection rate is now above 200 cases per 100,000 people.

risen again today - to 133. Testing problems are continuing to make things even more stressful for teachers and families, with many unable to book tests.

The total number of coronavirus deaths at hospital trusts in Greater Manchester, as of Tuesday September 15, currently stands at: Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app -  download it here  for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter -  subscribe here . And you can  follow us on Facebook here .

Altrincham Market or Mackie Mayor and ordered your food with an app? Well you are among millions of Britons who are now feeling safer because of app technology, designed by App4.

a wedding attended by 100 people in Bolton - the area with the highest coronavirus infection rate in the UK.

hereThe total number of coronavirus deaths at hospital trusts in Greater Manchester, as of Saturday, September 12, currently stands at:Nationally, a further eight people, who tested positive for coronavirus died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,656.Patients were aged between 61 and 91 years old, NHS England said.

straight to your inboxRio Ferdinand has outlined what Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho would bring to Manchester United.The England international continues to be linked with a big-money move to Old Trafford, after lighting up the Bundesliga for the past two seasons.United have reportedly been quoted an asking price of £108m for the 20-year-old, but it has been claimed that the player is keen to sign for the Reds.Club legend Ferdinand has been speaking about the impact that Sancho would

If the week began with concern within the Greater Manchester system about Covid rates here, that concern is turning into genuine alarm in many quarters, now expressed in expletives. Cases have continued to rocket since Monday.

coronavirus infection rates soar in the last few weeks. Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust both recorded one more death.The total number of coronavirus deaths at hospital trusts in Greater Manchester, as of Friday, September 11, currently stands at: Meanwhile in Greater Manchester, the latest figures show there are sharp increases in coronavirus infection rates in every single borough.

Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here . And you can follow us on Facebook here .

Sandbrook is one of at least 32 primary and secondary schools across Greater Manchester to have reported Covid cases since reopening at the start of the month. Coun Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children’s services at Rochdale council, has urged parents to follow coronavirus guidance so schools don’t have to close down again.He said: “Schools have worked so hard to be open and be safe for children to return and get back to vital education.

Co-op Academy in Swinton has been worst affected after positive cases in Year 7 and Year 10 meant both year groups were sent home on Monday morning.While the school initially said siblings should also stay off, parents have now been told that brothers and sisters can attend.Only if the children who are self-isolating begin to suffer symptoms should other members of their household face the same restrictions.But even if parents don't need to isolate, it's a blow for those with little ones who

The total number of coronavirus deaths at hospital trusts in Greater Manchester, as of Friday, September 4 stands at: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 instructions hereNationally a further 11 people who tested positive for Covid-19 have died, bringing the total number of reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,596.Patients were aged between 48 and 95 years old.