The areas which remain in Tier 2 despite having higher Covid-19 rates than every Greater Manchester borough

Four areas in England have remained in Tier 2 after the latest updates, even though they have a higher infection rate than all ten boroughs in Greater Manchester.

It was confirmed yesterday that Greater Manchester will remain in Tier 3 despite hopes the area would drop down to Tier 2.

Some areas in the South East of England also moved up from Tier 2 to Tier 3 following a rise in Covid-19 cases.

However, the MEN points out that some areas which remain in the second tier currently have higher infection rates than every borough of Greater Manchester.

Northampton has the highest infection rate of those that are remaining in Tier 2 when the new rules come into play on Saturday. 

For the week ending December 12th, Northampton had an infection rate of  232.0 cases per 100,000 population, which is way above the national average of 205.7.

Other areas remaining in Tier 2 include Gloucester, with 219.9 cases per 100,000 people over the same period.

Bromsgrove in Worcestershire has 219.3 and Rushmoor in Hampshire 217.8, which are both also remaining in Tier 2.

Seven other areas remaining in Tier 2 also have a higher infection rate than Greater Manchester as  whole, including Ipswich, Forest of Dean, Wellingborough, Oxford, Scarborough, Uttlesford and Wealden. 

Greater Manchester’s overall rate is 156.2 cases per 100,000, people with Rochdale being the borough with the highest individual rate (206.8).

Tameside has the lowest infection rate in Greater Manchester with 91.4 cases per 100,000 people.

The MEN concludes that there are 72 council areas in England remaining in Tier 2 with a higher infection rate than Tameside.

However, the government took into account five factors when determining the tiers in different areas, not just infection rate.

These are:

1. The case detection rate in all age groups
2. Case detection rates in the over 60s
3. How quickly case rates are rising and falling
4. Positivity in the general population – the percentage of tests that return a positive result
5. Pressure on the NHS including current and projected capacity, bed occupancy, and staff absences

Matt Hancock confirmed that the pressure on the NHS in Greater Manchester was the deciding factor for keeping the region in Tier 3.