Oldham current rates of infection

Since the Government’s announcement of a local lockdown in Leicester there has been a lot of speculation, both in the media and online, about the possibility of further local lockdowns with Oldham named as one area that currently has high rates of infection.

The data shows that, while Oldham’s figures are higher than the Greater Manchester average, our current rate of infection is nowhere near that of Leicester and the number of cases has reduced over the last two weeks.

Nationally, information is gathered on the number of positive tests per 100,000 population* in the last seven days.  Data up to 28 June shows that Oldham has a rate of c. 28 positive tests per 100,000 population.

Council	Number of positive cases per 100,000
Leicester	135
Oldham	27.8
Bolton	21.6
Bury	6.3
Manchester	15.2
Rochdale	28.8
Salford	6.2
Stockport	5.8
Tameside	15.5
Trafford	3.4
Wigan	4.0

By comparison, neighbouring Rochdale has c.29 per 100,000 and the Greater Manchester average is c.13. Leicester has a rate of around 135 per 100,000 – almost four times Oldham’s rate.

Figures will change daily and are influenced by the number of tests carried out.  As a result, changes in testing provision – for example additional mobile testing capacity or the introduction of a new testing centre is likely to influence the rate of positive tests per 100,000 population.

It is worth noting that Oldham has one of the highest rates of testing in the country and we are working to further improve access to testing for local people.  Throughout June the MOD run mobile testing service visited Oldham several times and is due to visit for ten days at the start of July providing an additional 300 tests per day.  We have also opened a new walk-in testing centre in Oldham Town Centre.

However, we cannot afford to be complacent.  We recognise that these figures are higher than we would like, and we are working hard to reduce our rates of infection.

What are we doing in response:

• We requested and have confirmed additional testing capacity in the borough from the mobile testing facility over the coming weeks
• Engaging with communities to ensure testing is targeted in the most effective way
• We are working with the Department for Health and Social Care to make more testing available for vulnerable groups (those with substance misuse issues, learning difficulties and those who are homeless) through testing in services
• We are writing to key employers in the borough to offer tests to their staff who are not showing symptoms but may be at risk of spreading the virus, for example, taxi drivers and food businesses
• We are strengthening and further promoting key public health messaging ahead of this weekend’s lockdown easing
• We are participating in weekly calls with Public Health England to discuss local data and agree any further local measures that may be needed.

How we would respond should an outbreak occur?

Oldham has published a Covid Management Plan which outlines the measures needed to prevent the spread of the outbreak and the steps we will take should a local outbreak occur.  Our outbreak plan is available on the council’s website

https://www.oldham.gov.uk/downloads/file/6384/covid-19_management_plan

*This figure includes both Pillar 1 (tests from hospital labs) and Pillar 2 (tests from mobile testing centres and commercial testing units). Pillar 2 data has only recently been made available to local authorities giving us a much clearer picture of infection rates.