The number of Covid-19 cases in Bury is on the rise again with borough worst affected in Greater Manchester

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 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 inboxThese maps show how Covid-19 cases are rapidly increasing across Greater Manchester.The striking images show a big increase in less than a week.And the latest data shows just one neighbourhood in the whole conurbation with an infection rate below 100 per 100,000 people.The first map shows rates for the week ending on Boxing Day, December 26.While the second map shows rates in the week ending January 2.They show that during that period, the area with an infection rate below

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

Greater Manchester hospitals could face a surge in patients in the coming fortnight.The number of coronavirus patients in UK hospitals is now over 30,000 and today a further 1,041 Covid-19 deaths were announced - the highest daily total since April.Boris Johnson today proposed legislation that will allow England's third national lockdown to run until March 31 but he warned that the restrictions are unlikely to be lifted wholesale and that there will be an easing back into local tiers if

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester's hospitals are at risk of 'falling over' in the next three weeks due to an 'unprecedented' surge in Covid cases, the region's health chief has warned - meaning cancer operations are very likely to be cancelled.Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, painted a bleak picture of the next few weeks in our hospital system, pointing to a 'phenomenal' increase in admissions as medics brace for the third

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.

announced a new national lockdown to curb the virus on Monday night, Greater Manchester's infection rate was just over 300 cases per 100,000 people - way below the national average of over 537.

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 inboxUp to 25pc of all new coronavirus cases across Greater Manchester can be attributed to the new strain seen spreading rapidly through southern England.Experts predict there could be even higher number of new cases down to the new variant currently due to a data lag.Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced the figures at a press conference this morning.He said that partly as a result of this new strain, he and Greater Manchester’s leaders are in agreement with the

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 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.

Sign up for the latest from M.E.N.

direct to your inboxIt has been an extraordinary year, with the coronavirus pandemic hitting the criminal justice system hard.Jury trials were stopped for about two months from March to May, as the country went into national lockdown and cases of coronavirus surged.And the virus shut Manchester Crown Court for weeks, with a spate of cases requiring further investigation.The pandemic has also exacerbated delays in bringing cases before the courts.Nonetheless, the M.E.N.

direct to your inboxCoronavirus cases in Greater Manchester continue to rise, with a 12pc increase recorded in a week.The infection rate for the region as a whole now stands at 178.3 cases per 100,000 people, as of December 20.Despite trends heading in the wrong direction, transmission rates in the region remain far lower than other parts of the country, according to data from Public Health England.The average rate for England is 351.7 cases per 100,000 people, representing a 59pc increase on