Latest Wigan Covid-19 case figures are among region's lowest

The data shows that as of June 30 there are four positive Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in the borough.

Of the 10 unitary authorities in the city-region, Wigan's figure is the second-lowest, with only Trafford having a smaller rate.

By way of comparison Leicester, where a local lockdown has just been introduced by the Government, has 135 positive cases per 100,000 residents.

The highest figure in Greater Manchester is 28.8 positive cases per 100,000 people in Rochdale.

The Wigan figure published by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is also slightly lower than the one of 5.5 cases per 100,000 people for the borough given by Public Health England (PHE) for the week up to June 21.

Both figures include testing done in Pillar and Pillar 2, the latter referring to commercial organisations.

The GMCA said its figures showed cases in Greater Manchester were continuing to decline.

It said this was helped by people following the guidelines and self-isolating if asked to do so, as well as increased testing.

The GMCA said more data than ever was available for local government and committed to publishing information regularly to keep the public up to speed with the latest developments.

However, authorities said it was vital that people did not think the coronavirus had been beaten and continued to follow public health advice.

Professor Kate Ardern, Wigan Council's director of public health and leader of Greater Manchester's public health response to Covid-19, said: "Although we’re easing back into a new normality, the threat from coronavirus is still with us.

"That’s why we must continue to protect ourselves and save lives by following good hand hygiene practice, continue to physically distance and wear face coverings in confined public spaces.

"Every life lost in Greater Manchester is a tragedy and the Greater Manchester Covid-19 Management Plan to control outbreaks aims to limit the spread of the disease and keep us safe.”

Residents are being reminded to stay at home as much as possible, limit contact with other people, wash their hands regularly, keep two metres distance from anyone other than those you live with or are in a support bubble with, meet up with other people outside only and in groups of no more than six people from different households, wear a face covering on public transport and in enclosed spaces, self-isolate and get a test immediately if they get coronavirus symptoms and co-operate with test and trace efforts.

An expert group has also been established to focus testing where it is most needed and help those, including care home residents, school staff and workers in some factories, who are at greatest risk from contracting Covid-19.