Bolton hit with ‘sudden’ ‘virus’ spike during lockdown – when you are testing with a test not testing for the ‘virus’ to get your ‘cases’ what the difference is lockdown going to make?

A Covid spike in Bolton and Trafford has prompted council bosses to ask for restrictions to remain in place, a day before they were due to be lifted. Tighter rules were introduced in July in Greater Manchester and parts of Yorkshire after concerns the virus was being spread between households.

Bolton currently has one of the highest rates of new virus cases per 100,000 residents in England. Its council said it had made the decision “with a heavy heart”.On Friday, the government said measures banning people from different households from meeting indoors or private gardens would be lifted in Bolton, Stockport, Trafford, Burnley, Hyndburn and parts of Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees.But Bolton Council said the “unforeseen spike” in the local infection rate means restrictions should remain in place “until further notice”.

Bolton has recorded 170 new cases in the week to 29 August, up from 53 the week before, meaning it has one of the highest rates in England at 59 new cases per 100,000 residents.The rate in Trafford has risen from 19.4 to 35.4, with 84 new cases.