themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--Manchester City evening headlines as Eric Garcia nears exit

Here are the latest Manchester City evening headlines on Thursday August 6 .
Barcelona to land Eric Garcia after he tells City he wants to leave Eric Garcia has turned down a new contract at Manchester City and is now set to leave the club .
Garcia , 19 , joined the club from Barcelona and is now poised to return to Spain despite a strong season at the Etihad .
The defender 's contract with City expires next summer , but the club will be eager to try and sell him this summer to avoid losing him for free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to re-sign the player this summer following his departure from their academy at the age of 16 .
Garcia is a lifelong Barca fan , and it is believed he would jump at the chance to return home to the club .
Man City confirmed the signing of Nathan Ake this week , but they will likely be back in the market for a defender , with Pep Guardiola confirming the situation in his press conference .
`` He announced to us he does n't want to extend his contract with City , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one more year and then after that , he does n't want to extend .
We wanted to but he does n't want to .
We imagine he wants to play in another place . ''
Rodri says Man City are better than Real Madrid but sends warning to teammates has claimed Manchester City are better than Real Madrid - but stressed they must prove it on the pitch .
The Spanish midfielder was also quick to warn his teammates that history means their opponents are always a dangerous side to face .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 16 home leg against Real Madrid on Friday knowing the newly-crowned La Liga champions will do everything in their power to overturn City 's 2-1 lead from the first leg .
`` They are more than a team .
They have that way of playing .
You can never relax , '' he said .
`` They always come back .
They are the biggest team in this competition .
`` But now distances between teams are not so narrow .
We have a better team , the better squad and if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be good for us .
We have to show it on the pitch .
`` That 's just a general opinion of mine .
I think we have got a better team but words are worthless if you ca n't generate that on the field .
`` I would just say we are a side that is full of goals with talented players in every position , every area of the field and everyone can contribute with scoring but it is useless to say that if we do n't show it out on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play well and match Real Madrid in what they may have better than us which is more experience than us and the mentality - and if we can match that it will decide .
But I think we have a good chance . ''
You can read his full quotes .
Sergio Aguero is losing his battle to be fit for Manchester City 's Champions League meeting with Real Madrid .
Pep Guardiola has spoken with optimism about the chances of Aguero being able to join the squad , with the striker undergoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
Asked if the Argentine could see action in what remains of this season , Guardiola said : `` Right now , I do n't know .
He is still in Barcelona .
`` He is getting better .
I spoke with the doctors .
Everything is like I thought but he is still in Barcelona .
Hopefully . ''

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Here are the latest Manchester City evening headlines on Thursday August 6.
Barcelona to land Eric Garcia after he tells City he wants to leave
Eric Garcia has turned down a new contract at Manchester City and is now set to leave the club.
Garcia, 19, joined the club from Barcelona and is now poised to return to Spain despite a strong season at the Etihad.
The defender's contract with City expires next summer, but the club will be eager to try and sell him this summer to avoid losing him for free next year.
Barca have been keen to re-sign the player this summer following his departure from their academy at the age of 16. Garcia is a lifelong Barca fan, and it is believed he would jump at the chance to return home to the club.
Man City confirmed the signing of Nathan Ake this week, but they will likely be back in the market for a defender, with Pep Guardiola confirming the situation in his press conference.
"He announced to us he doesn't want to extend his contract with City," he said. "He has one more year and then after that, he doesn't want to extend. We wanted to but he doesn't want to. We imagine he wants to play in another place."
Rodri says Man City are better than Real Madrid but sends warning to teammates
Rodri has claimed Manchester City are better than Real Madrid - but stressed they must prove it on the pitch.
The Spanish midfielder was also quick to warn his teammates that history means their opponents are always a dangerous side to face.
City will head into a Champions League last 16 home leg against Real Madrid on Friday knowing the newly-crowned La Liga champions will do everything in their power to overturn City's 2-1 lead from the first leg.
"They are more than a team. They have that way of playing. You can never relax," he said. "They always come back. They are the biggest team in this competition.
"But now distances between teams are not so narrow. We have a better team, the better squad and if we do things well, things will be good for us. We have to show it on the pitch.
"That's just a general opinion of mine. I think we have got a better team but words are worthless if you can't generate that on the field.
"I would just say we are a side that is full of goals with talented players in every position, every area of the field and everyone can contribute with scoring but it is useless to say that if we don't show it out on the park.
"We have to play well and match Real Madrid in what they may have better than us which is more experience than us and the mentality - and if we can match that it will decide. But I think we have a good chance."
You can read his full quotes here .
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Pep Guardiola gives Sergio Aguero injury update ahead of Man City v Real Madrid
Sergio Aguero is losing his battle to be fit for Manchester City's Champions League meeting with Real Madrid.
Pep Guardiola has spoken with optimism about the chances of Aguero being able to join the squad, with the striker undergoing surgery on a meniscus problem two weeks ago.
Asked if the Argentine could see action in what remains of this season, Guardiola said: "Right now, I don't know. He is still in Barcelona.
"He is getting better. I spoke with the doctors. Everything is like I thought but he is still in Barcelona. Hopefully."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--Real Madrid boss Zidane explains Gareth Bale absence vs Man City

Zinedine Zidane has revealed Gareth Bale expressed a desire not to be included in Real Madrid 's squad to face Manchester City in the Champions League .
The Welshman was a notable absentee from Madrid 's travelling squad ahead of the second-leg .
Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is suspended for the game but travelled to Manchester to provide support to his teammates .
Bale came off the bench for Madrid in the first-leg and has proven to be a valuable option in the Champions League for Zidane , scoring two goals as a substitute in the 2018 final win against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear and Zidane has revealed it was Bale 's decision not to be involved in the match day squad .
`` People say a lot of things but we have respect between manager and player , '' he said during his pre-match press conference .
`` It 's clear that the only thing , and this is a personal conversation I 've had with him , he preferred not to play .
`` The rest remains between me and him but he said he did n't want to play . ''
When pressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Zidane refused to comment .
He added : `` I answered before to say what the situation was and I do n't want to add anything else .
The rest is a private conversation between player and coach .
`` That 's it , nothing else .
I really respect Gareth and all the other players and things which are in the dressing room stay in the dressing room between players and staff .
`` He 's our player .
I respect him like everyone else .
He preferred not to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
The rest of us are all here ready to prepare for tomorrow night 's game and the only thing we 're concentrating on is the game tomorrow night . ''

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Simon Bajkowski, Marcus Banks)

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Zinedine Zidane has revealed Gareth Bale expressed a desire not to be included in Real Madrid's squad to face Manchester City in the Champions League.
The Welshman was a notable absentee from Madrid's travelling squad ahead of the second-leg. Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is suspended for the game but travelled to Manchester to provide support to his teammates.
Bale came off the bench for Madrid in the first-leg and has proven to be a valuable option in the Champions League for Zidane, scoring two goals as a substitute in the 2018 final win against Liverpool.
His future at Madrid remains unclear and Zidane has revealed it was Bale's decision not to be involved in the match day squad.
"People say a lot of things but we have respect between manager and player," he said during his pre-match press conference.
"It's clear that the only thing, and this is a personal conversation I've had with him, he preferred not to play.
"The rest remains between me and him but he said he didn't want to play."
When pressed for more details on Bale's absence, Zidane refused to comment.
He added: "I answered before to say what the situation was and I don't want to add anything else. The rest is a private conversation between player and coach.
"That's it, nothing else. I really respect Gareth and all the other players and things which are in the dressing room stay in the dressing room between players and staff.
"He's our player. I respect him like everyone else. He preferred not to play, that's all I can tell you. The rest of us are all here ready to prepare for tomorrow night's game and the only thing we're concentrating on is the game tomorrow night."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--The huge racist horde loner kept - and disgusting act that saw him locked up

A man found with hoards of Nazi paraphernalia has been jailed for eight weeks after writing racist abuse at a prospective neighbour who wanted to move in across the road .
52-year-old Andrew Howard had watched the family from his doorstep as they viewed the empty house .
The next day , he spray painted 'We don ’ t want Muslims here ' across the front of the property , alongside signs stating : “ No Muslims here , f*** off ” , and “ you ’ re not wanted here , you Musrat scum , f*** off back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court heard .
The family were going to move into the house but , after Howard 's racist graffiti , decided against it .
A police search of Howard 's house revealed a vast array of racist items such as Nazi flags - that were hung inside - a hanging picture of Adolf Hitler , swastikas and copies of ‘ Mein Kampf ’ .
Officer ’ s also discovered a room containing ‘ sophisticated radio equipment ’ and numbers - the door to the room had a sign reading : “ Do good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
In a victim personal statement , the father of the family who viewed the house said : “ We no longer want to move into the address .
“ I don ’ t feel safe there with my family .
I don ’ t feel like my children can play in the street , as I feel someone will harm them .
“ I don ’ t feel like my wife can go outside as someone will harm her .
“ This is the first time something like this has happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hurt someone because of religion ?
“ I ’ m also worried because my wife wears Muslim dress and it ’ s made me fear for her safety in that area.
” Howard , of Newton Heath , pleaded guilty to one offence of racially aggravated harassment .
Outlining the facts of the case , prosecutor David Morgan said on April 18 last year , the victim and his family went to view the house , and being happy with it , they wished to take the tenancy .
“ That day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his doorstep across the road as they looked around the area , ” Mr Morgan said .
“ The next day they went to the house to find 'we don ’ t want Muslims here ' spray painted on the front door .
“ On the water pipe it said 'No Muslims here , f**k off ' .
“ Then along the front of the property it said : 'you ’ re not wanted here , you Musrat scum , f**k off back to your own country . '
“ The family immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tenancy .
“ As a result of this graffiti , police undertook a house search of the defendant and they found a substantial amount of racist paraphernalia .
“ This included three Nazi flags which were hung from the property , swastikas and books .
“ There was also a room containing a large amount of sophisticated radio equipment and phone numbers , and on the front of the door a sign read : “ Do good for the community , shoot a P*** ’ .
“ There was also a painting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wall and copies of ‘ Mein Kampf ’ .
Howard was said to have no previous convictions .
In an earlier hearing , it was suggested that he had served time in the army and as a result suffered from PTSD .
However , following the preparation of a pre-sentence report and various investigations , this was proved not to be the case .
In mitigation , Howard ’ s defence lawyer Daniel Weed said : “ In the pre-sentence report there is reference to the defendant serving in the army - that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ references PTSD as a result of his time in the army - that is incorrect also .
I can ’ t mislead you .
“ The defendant comes before the court through me and accepts the information provided in the report is incorrect .
“ It was totally unacceptable , in anyone ’ s view .
The defendant lives at home on his own - he accepts he is an isolated individual .
“ He has a very close bond with his mother .
In the report he said if his mother died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm concerned that , in my opinion , he lives in his own little fantasy world .
Regarding the references to the army , his use of the CB radio is placing himself into this world .
“ I feel that we have a loner before the court , who has done an isolated incident in relation to the offence before the court .
“ He accepts he drinks heavily and he accepts he was drunk at the time of the offence . ''
Speaking from the dock , Howard said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know I ’ m sorry for my actions , it ’ ll never happen again .
I will never do a crime again whatsoever.
” Sentencing him , JP Jacqueline Berry said : “ Normally the circumstances of a harassment charge warrant a community order .
“ However , because of the racial element of this , we are going to go with the maximum sentence .
“ Because of the serious harm to the victims who have chosen not to go along with the tenancy , the material found in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making false statements to the court , we have no reason to suspend this sentence.
” Howard , of Woodgarth Avenue , was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay £200 compensation .
The items found at his house were forfeited and destroyed .

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A man found with hoards of Nazi paraphernalia has been jailed for eight weeks after writing racist abuse at a prospective neighbour who wanted to move in across the road.
52-year-old Andrew Howard had watched the family from his doorstep as they viewed the empty house. The next day, he spray painted 'We don’t want Muslims here' across the front of the property, alongside signs stating: “No Muslims here, f*** off”, and “you’re not wanted here, you Musrat scum, f*** off back to your own country,” Manchester Magistrates Court heard.
The family were going to move into the house but, after Howard's racist graffiti, decided against it.
A police search of Howard's house revealed a vast array of racist items such as Nazi flags - that were hung inside - a hanging picture of Adolf Hitler, swastikas and copies of ‘Mein Kampf’.
Officer’s also discovered a room containing ‘sophisticated radio equipment’ and numbers - the door to the room had a sign reading: “Do good for the community - shoot a P***”.
In a victim personal statement, the father of the family who viewed the house said: “We no longer want to move into the address.
“I don’t feel safe there with my family. I don’t feel like my children can play in the street, as I feel someone will harm them.
“I don’t feel like my wife can go outside as someone will harm her.
“This is the first time something like this has happened to me - why does someone have to hurt someone because of religion?
“I’m also worried because my wife wears Muslim dress and it’s made me fear for her safety in that area.”
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Howard, of Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to one offence of racially aggravated harassment.
Outlining the facts of the case, prosecutor David Morgan said on April 18 last year, the victim and his family went to view the house, and being happy with it, they wished to take the tenancy.
“That day they noticed a male watching them on his doorstep across the road as they looked around the area,” Mr Morgan said.
“The next day they went to the house to find 'we don’t want Muslims here' spray painted on the front door.
“On the water pipe it said 'No Muslims here, f**k off'.
“Then along the front of the property it said: 'you’re not wanted here, you Musrat scum, f**k off back to your own country.'
“The family immediately left the house and pulled out of the tenancy.
“As a result of this graffiti, police undertook a house search of the defendant and they found a substantial amount of racist paraphernalia.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“This included three Nazi flags which were hung from the property, swastikas and books.
“There was also a room containing a large amount of sophisticated radio equipment and phone numbers, and on the front of the door a sign read: “Do good for the community, shoot a P***’.
“There was also a painting of Adolf Hilter which was on the wall and copies of ‘Mein Kampf’.
Howard was said to have no previous convictions.
In an earlier hearing, it was suggested that he had served time in the army and as a result suffered from PTSD.
However, following the preparation of a pre-sentence report and various investigations, this was proved not to be the case.
In mitigation, Howard’s defence lawyer Daniel Weed said: “In the pre-sentence report there is reference to the defendant serving in the army - that is not correct.
“The report references PTSD as a result of his time in the army - that is incorrect also. I can’t mislead you.
“The defendant comes before the court through me and accepts the information provided in the report is incorrect.
“It was totally unacceptable, in anyone’s view. The defendant lives at home on his own - he accepts he is an isolated individual.
“He has a very close bond with his mother. In the report he said if his mother died, he would die.
“I'm concerned that, in my opinion, he lives in his own little fantasy world. Regarding the references to the army, his use of the CB radio is placing himself into this world.
“I feel that we have a loner before the court, who has done an isolated incident in relation to the offence before the court.
“He accepts he drinks heavily and he accepts he was drunk at the time of the offence."
Speaking from the dock, Howard said: “I’d just like the court to know I’m sorry for my actions, it’ll never happen again. I will never do a crime again whatsoever.”
Sentencing him, JP Jacqueline Berry said: “Normally the circumstances of a harassment charge warrant a community order.
“However, because of the racial element of this, we are going to go with the maximum sentence.
“Because of the serious harm to the victims who have chosen not to go along with the tenancy, the material found in your house of a racist nature and by making false statements to the court, we have no reason to suspend this sentence.”
Howard, of Woodgarth Avenue, was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay £200 compensation.
The items found at his house were forfeited and destroyed.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--Cyclist seriously injured and man arrested following crash in Oldham

A cyclist has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a collision on a busy road in Oldham .
Emergency services were called to reports of a collision between a cyclist and a van on Huddersfield Road , in Lees , at around 5.15pm on Thursday .
The cyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries , Greater Manchester Police ( GMP ) said .
A 35-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs is due to be questioned by police .
Huddersfield Road ( A62 ) is currently closed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened between Dunham Street and Culvert Street .
The road has been closed since around 6.30pm .
An air ambulance is reported to have landed at a local school .
Man Traffic tweeted : `` A62 Huddersfield Rd , Waterhead in Oldham `` UPDATE : Involves a cyclist and van at Stamford Rd .
Air Ambulance landed near the Academy .
`` Closures in place from Culvert St to Dunham St. Avoid the area , traffic very slow on approach . ''
Stotts Buses ( Oldham ) also reported details of the incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Unfortunately our 343 service can not access Huddersfield Road to and from Oldham to Hyde and vice versa due to a serious RTA the service is following a diversion from Springhead .
`` Thankyou for your understanding '' .
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said : `` At around 5.15pm on Thursday 6 August 2020 , police were called to reports of a collision between a cyclist and a van on Huddersfield Road in Lees .
`` Emergency services attended and the cyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs .
He remains in custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing . ''
Anyone with any information should GMP ’ s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 2342 of 06/08/2020 , or the independent charity Crimestoppers , anonymously , on 0800 555 111 .

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A cyclist has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a collision on a busy road in Oldham.
Emergency services were called to reports of a collision between a cyclist and a van on Huddersfield Road, in Lees, at around 5.15pm on Thursday.
The cyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
A 35-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs is due to be questioned by police.
Huddersfield Road (A62) is currently closed in both directions following the collision, which happened between Dunham Street and Culvert Street.
The road has been closed since around 6.30pm.
An air ambulance is reported to have landed at a local school.
Man Traffic tweeted: "A62 Huddersfield Rd, Waterhead in Oldham "UPDATE: Involves a cyclist and van at Stamford Rd. Air Ambulance landed near the Academy.
"Closures in place from Culvert St to Dunham St. Avoid the area, traffic very slow on approach."
Stotts Buses (Oldham) also reported details of the incident on their Twitter account.
They wrote: "Unfortunately our 343 service can not access Huddersfield Road to and from Oldham to Hyde and vice versa due to a serious RTA the service is following a diversion from Springhead. "Thankyou for your understanding".
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "At around 5.15pm on Thursday 6 August 2020, police were called to reports of a collision between a cyclist and a van on Huddersfield Road in Lees.
"Emergency services attended and the cyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
"A 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs. He remains in custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing."
Anyone with any information should GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 2342 of 06/08/2020, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--Mayor and Greater Manchester MPs embroiled in row over 'unacceptable approach'

Andy Burnham has hit back at Tory MPs who called the decision to keep Wigan in lockdown an “ unacceptable approach ” .
The mayor of Greater Manchester took to Twitter this evening after Bury Conservatives revealed they had written a letter to Matt Hancock regarding lockdown measures today .
The letter came after comments made by Andy Burnham during a coronavirus press conference yesterday .
The Mayor said it would be ‘ impossible ’ to lift the lockdown in Wigan while the remainder of Greater Manchester remained under tighter restrictions , despite the borough having the lowest infection rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously urged the government to reconsider its decision to impose new measures on the borough but Mr Burnham warned a spike could happen at any moment .
But Greater Manchester 's Conservatives wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care opposing the comments today , calling the claims made by the mayor “ categorically false ” .
The letter reads : “ We are writing to you to express our grave concerns about the comments of The Mayor of Greater Manchester , Andy Burnham , regarding the recent measures put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester in his press conference on the afternoon of Wednesday , August 5 .
“ During the press conference , Andy Burnham was quoted by Manchester Evening News journalist Jen Williams , stating that it was 'impossible ' to lift the restrictions in any single borough , implying that the new Greater Manchester wide COVID-19 measures must remain in place across the whole conurbation , even in communities that may have not registered a single case for weeks , until the outbreak has been dealt with everywhere across the metropolitan county .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was signed by Greater Manchester 's nine Conservative MPs ; James Grundy , Leigh MP , Sir Graham Brady , Altrincham and Sale West MP , James Daly , Bury North MP , Christian Wakeford , Bury South MP , Chris Clarkson , Heywood and Middleton MP , Chris Green , Bolton West and Atherton MP , Mark Logan , Bolton North East MP , Mary Robinson , Cheadle MP , and William Wragg , Hazel Grove MP .
Quoting a Tweet revealing the letter on Twitter , Mr Burnham revealed he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said : “ I ’ ve seen it all now .
A group of Tory MPs write to a Tory Health Secretary trying to blame me for a decision which their own Tory Government made .
“ So self-serving to politicise a serious public health issue like this .
Not sure it merits a response but I will send one later.
” Yesterday 's press conference heard how Wigan had 7.3 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people , the lowest in Greater Manchester .
But newly-released data shows that during the height @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borough had the highest number of cases in the region with 120 per 100,000 people .
And Mr Burnham pointed to the borough 's previous spike , saying : “ This shows you that this can happen at any point , and it would have been much higher if testing had been more advanced .
“ The virus is endemic within all boroughs now .
Wigan is in close proximity to other boroughs where the number of positive cases is currently high .
“ As the virus is bubbling under the surface it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go up again.
” Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here .
And you can follow us on Facebook here .

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Andy Burnham has hit back at Tory MPs who called the decision to keep Wigan in lockdown an “unacceptable approach”.
The mayor of Greater Manchester took to Twitter this evening after Bury Conservatives revealed they had written a letter to Matt Hancock regarding lockdown measures today.
The letter came after comments made by Andy Burnham during a coronavirus press conference yesterday.
The Mayor said it would be ‘impossible’ to lift the lockdown in Wigan while the remainder of Greater Manchester remained under tighter restrictions, despite the borough having the lowest infection rate in the region.
Local MPs had previously urged the government to reconsider its decision to impose new measures on the borough but Mr Burnham warned a spike could happen at any moment.
But Greater Manchester's Conservatives wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care opposing the comments today, calling the claims made by the mayor “categorically false”.
The letter reads: “We are writing to you to express our grave concerns about the comments of The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, regarding the recent measures put in place to combat COVID-19 across Greater Manchester in his press conference on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 5.
“During the press conference, Andy Burnham was quoted by Manchester Evening News journalist Jen Williams, stating that it was 'impossible' to lift the restrictions in any single borough, implying that the new Greater Manchester wide COVID-19 measures must remain in place across the whole conurbation, even in communities that may have not registered a single case for weeks, until the outbreak has been dealt with everywhere across the metropolitan county. This would be an unacceptable approach...”
It was signed by Greater Manchester's nine Conservative MPs; James Grundy, Leigh MP, Sir Graham Brady, Altrincham and Sale West MP, James Daly, Bury North MP, Christian Wakeford, Bury South MP, Chris Clarkson, Heywood and Middleton MP, Chris Green, Bolton West and Atherton MP, Mark Logan, Bolton North East MP, Mary Robinson, Cheadle MP, and William Wragg, Hazel Grove MP.
Quoting a Tweet revealing the letter on Twitter, Mr Burnham revealed he would be issuing a response later today.
He said: “I’ve seen it all now. A group of Tory MPs write to a Tory Health Secretary trying to blame me for a decision which their own Tory Government made.
“So self-serving to politicise a serious public health issue like this. Not sure it merits a response but I will send one later.”
Yesterday's press conference heard how Wigan had 7.3 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people, the lowest in Greater Manchester.
But newly-released data shows that during the height of the pandemic in mid-April, the borough had the highest number of cases in the region with 120 per 100,000 people.
And Mr Burnham pointed to the borough's previous spike, saying: “This shows you that this can happen at any point, and it would have been much higher if testing had been more advanced.
“The virus is endemic within all boroughs now. Wigan is in close proximity to other boroughs where the number of positive cases is currently high.
“As the virus is bubbling under the surface it doesn't take much for that spike to go up again.”
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here . And you can follow us on Facebook here .


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--Kate Ferdinand looks stunning as she shows off her pregnancy style

Kate Ferdinand has bowled followers over with her pregnancy style .
The radiant mum-to-be has shared a new snap of herself looking chic in a black outfit teamed with a navy and red polka dot turban .
She was flooded with compliments on the 70s look , rounded off with a pair of over-sized square sunglasses .
Kate , 29 , the wife of Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand , added a coordinating pop of colour with a red lip and nails .
`` Looking lovely , '' said one Instagram follower .
And celeb makeup artist Mikey Phillips said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
!
!
! ''
Former The Only Way Is Essex star Kate recently posted a photo from their family holiday after returning home to the UK , and she looked incredible in a red bikini .
In June the doting stepmum shared the exciting news that she was expecting her first child with Rio by posting a video of the moment she told her hubby 's three children Lorenz , 13 , Tate , 11 , and Tia , nine .
The couple , who married in September , were sitting around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who Rio had with his late wife Rebecca Ellison , when Kate told them .
They jumped to their feet and the family cheered and hugged as they shared their joy .
Last month the former TOWIE star asked her Instagram followers 'am I losing my mind ? '
as she shared her experiences so far of expecting her first baby .
She told followers that she 'd been suffering terrible migraines and ca n't stop touching her baby bump .
In the first eight weeks of pregnancy the fitness fanatic felt 'sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constantly ' but at the 12 week mark she started to feel gradually better and started doing pilates and some weight training .
She said there are days she feels 'absolutely wiped out ' and has to go back to bed after suffering with migraines .
`` There are still days I feel absolutely wiped out , have terrible migraines and I do just go back to bed , she wrote on her Instagram .
Kate and Rio , 41 , started dating in 2017 and the couple married in September 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kate : Becoming a Stepfamily .
It followed Rio 's emotional BAFTA-winning 2017 documentary Rio Ferdinand : Being Mum And Dad , which followed the footballer having to come to terms with losing his wife and being the sole parent to their children .

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Kate Ferdinand has bowled followers over with her pregnancy style.
The radiant mum-to-be has shared a new snap of herself looking chic in a black outfit teamed with a navy and red polka dot turban.
She was flooded with compliments on the 70s look, rounded off with a pair of over-sized square sunglasses.
Kate, 29, the wife of Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand, added a coordinating pop of colour with a red lip and nails.
"Looking lovely," said one Instagram follower.
"Gorgeous," said another.
"OMG so stunning," commented another follower.
And celeb makeup artist Mikey Phillips said: "Obsessed with this!!!!!!"
Former The Only Way Is Essex star Kate recently posted a photo from their family holiday after returning home to the UK, and she looked incredible in a red bikini.
In June the doting stepmum shared the exciting news that she was expecting her first child with Rio by posting a video of the moment she told her hubby's three children Lorenz, 13, Tate, 11, and Tia, nine.
(Image: Kate Ferdinand/ Tia Ferdinand Instagram)
The couple, who married in September, were sitting around the table chatting with the children, who Rio had with his late wife Rebecca Ellison, when Kate told them.
They jumped to their feet and the family cheered and hugged as they shared their joy.
Last month the former TOWIE star asked her Instagram followers 'am I losing my mind?' as she shared her experiences so far of expecting her first baby.
She told followers that she'd been suffering terrible migraines and can't stop touching her baby bump.
(Image: Kate Ferdinand Instagram)
In the first eight weeks of pregnancy the fitness fanatic felt 'sick, tired and all over the place constantly' but at the 12 week mark she started to feel gradually better and started doing pilates and some weight training.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
She said there are days she feels 'absolutely wiped out' and has to go back to bed after suffering with migraines.
"There are still days I feel absolutely wiped out, have terrible migraines and I do just go back to bed, she wrote on her Instagram.
Kate and Rio, 41, started dating in 2017 and the couple married in September 2019.
Their story featured in the documentary Rio and Kate: Becoming a Stepfamily.
It followed Rio's emotional BAFTA-winning 2017 documentary Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum And Dad, which followed the footballer having to come to terms with losing his wife and being the sole parent to their children.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--Man spat at police officers after his arrest for 'fighting' on Market Street

A man spat at officers after he was arrested for fighting in the street .
The ugly scenes played out today on Market Street in Manchester city centre .
The Greater Manchester region is under new laws to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
The man is said to have 'started a fight in the street ' on Market Street .
Officers arrived and he started to shout abusive and offensive language towards members of the public stood nearby .
Police said he then spat at officers from the back of a police van after his arrest .
No age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no mention of any injuries during the incident .
The suspect remained in custody on Thursday night , police said .
In a tweet , GMP City Centre said : `` Male arrested on Market Street having started a fight in the street .
`` He made it worse for himself when officers attended , shouting abuse and offensive language at members of the public , then trying to spit towards officers in the van 's cage .
No further details were revealed .
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here .
And you can follow us on Facebook here .

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A man spat at officers after he was arrested for fighting in the street.
The ugly scenes played out today on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
The Greater Manchester region is under new laws to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Greater Manchester Police's city centre division revealed details in a tweet.
The man is said to have 'started a fight in the street' on Market Street.
Officers arrived and he started to shout abusive and offensive language towards members of the public stood nearby. Police said he then spat at officers from the back of a police van after his arrest.
No age for the man was revealed.
There was no mention of any injuries during the incident.
The suspect remained in custody on Thursday night, police said.
In a tweet, GMP City Centre said: "Male arrested on Market Street having started a fight in the street.
"He made it worse for himself when officers attended, shouting abuse and offensive language at members of the public, then trying to spit towards officers in the van's cage.
"Male remains in police custody. Sgt K."
No further details were revealed.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here . And you can follow us on Facebook here .


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--What Greater Manchester leaders were privately briefed about Covid situation

Throughout the height of the Covid pandemic , Greater Manchester ’ s leaders have been meeting regularly to discuss the outbreak here .
That meeting is usually on a Wednesday morning , followed by a press conference - but the meetings themselves are held in private , with the internal papers not published as a matter of course .
The M.E.N .
has now obtained a copy of yesterday 's Covid briefing to leaders , which features a dashboard of data and minutes from their meeting last week , the day before new lockdown measures were introduced .
As well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are already published , it shows ‘ positivity rates ’ - the proportion of those tested who are shown to have Covid - as well as the rate of tests carried out in each local authority area .
It also looks at hospital admissions , what kind of establishments are seeing localised outbreaks , calls to the police about Covid-related concerns , care homes , school uptake and the number of vulnerable people asking for help .
The paper includes an ‘ action note ’ from last week ’ s Wednesday meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health secretary announced new restrictions for Greater Manchester the next day , public health officials were worried about how variable pub safety measures seemed to be , plus a rise in infections among young people and a consciousness that Eid was due to be marked the following weekend .
All of this has contributed to the concerns we ’ ve heard about in the last week , so here we try and translate it .
Much of this data is already out there , but it ’ s worth a quick recap .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ published by Greater Manchester for the week to Saturday , August 1 , depicting a situation health lead Sir Richard Leese said had deteriorated ‘ very slightly ’ on the numbers they published last week .
Most places had seen a slight increase in the number of cases per 100,000 people since the week to July 25 , apart from Rochdale , Oldham and Trafford , which remained high but had slightly fallen .
Manchester had the most cases in the week to Saturday - 183 - with a peak of 39 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for population , Oldham still had the highest infection rate at 56.1 , however , with 133 cases in total over the previous seven days .
( This has since been revised up to 58.1 . )
That makes it the only place in Greater Manchester rated red by Public Health England on that measure .
Manchester , Rochdale , Salford , Stockport , Tameside and Trafford are all rated amber .
Everywhere bar Bolton and Rochdale now has a higher infection rate than at the end of June and in some places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Stockport , it is considerably higher .
It ’ s worth mentioning , too , that in the week to July 26 four wards across Rochdale and Oldham - Wardleworth & Newbold Brow , Alexandra Park , Chadderton South East and Werneth - were in the top 20 wards nationally for infection rates .
The paper also shows for the first time how many people are being tested in each borough .
Everywhere saw increased testing in the week to August 1 , with Greater Manchester seeing a 37pc rise in testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't clear what the longer term trend has been .
Oldham saw the highest testing rate after measures were stepped up due to particular concerns .
Rochdale had the next-highest level of testing , then Trafford , Stockport , Tameside and then Bolton .
Wigan and Bury had the lowest , while Manchester is mid-table .
So what proportion of those tests are coming back positive ?
This is also a dataset that has not been in the public domain until now .
The figures show everywhere bar Oldham is rated ‘ green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classed as amber , with 4.3pc of tests coming back as positive .
That ’ s down on a week or two ago when it was around 5.5pc .
It would need a rate of 7.5pc to be classed as ‘ red ’ .
Everywhere else is rated ‘ green ’ , at 3.3pc or lower , which may fuel the frustration in some parts of the conurbation that their area shouldn ’ t be included in the current extra measures .
But Greater Manchester insiders stress that the direction of travel is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percentage is going up in Manchester - where it has risen from less than 2pc three weeks ago to 3.3pc - and in Salford , Bolton , Bury and Wigan .
They also argue the situation can change pretty quickly and depends on whether the right people are being tested , over which they do n't have full control , although they have been pushing for it .
Overall , they believe that the virus is so dispersed in the general community , as opposed to in specific settings , that the measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
None of this data is routinely published in England , although two senior figures said there was no particular reason it could n't be as it isn ’ t sensitive , so that may yet change in Greater Manchester .
The minutes from last week ’ s meeting also show officials were concerned about plans for the military to withdraw from mobile testing .
“ Military mobile units are the most useful vehicle to manage local outbreaks , '' they say .
“ The military are due to withdraw from service at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the services transferred to a number of private companies , with some concerns regarding the consistency of support going forward .
`` Discussions are underway regarding the retention of some flexibility to take testing kits to particular areas/communities identified by directors of public health.
” It is understood that since then , the mobile testing units are now provided by a mixture of the military and private companies , including G4S .
These numbers are more encouraging , although they are also part of the reason leaders are worried the virus is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t tend to get as sick with the disease but could pass it on to those who do .
The numbers for new hospital admissions with Covid have fallen slightly - an average of 3.6 a day compared to 4.4 a day the previous week - and remain low .
At the peak , we were seeing more than 50 admissions a day .
There were 12 Covid patients in intensive care beds on Tuesday compared with 11 a week earlier , while those in non-ICU beds had fallen from 115 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either inside or outside hospital , had been recorded on the previous week .
Currently 6pc of care homes here are reporting cases , the same as a week earlier , compared to more than half at the peak .
Meanwhile 0.5pc of residents were showing as having Covid symptoms , down from 1pc .
The PPE and staffing situation looks reasonable too - only seven out of 527 care homes are reporting that they will run out within 72 hours , while 96pc of care home staff were recorded as being available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - as elsewhere - have their own track and trace teams to deal with so-called ‘ complex ’ cases referred in from the national system .
These are the cases involving individual hospitals , businesses , schools , care homes , police stations or other places deemed to require more skilled intervention under the government ’ s structure , which aims to contain any such outbreaks fast .
So the data in the report only relates to those kinds of situations and not the majority of general cases handled at national level , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows a clear increase in outbreaks during the week to August 1 , particularly in places other than healthcare settings , schools , nurseries and colleges .
Their busiest day was Wednesday , July 29 , when there were 28 cases dealt with by the local track and trace system , 20 of them in Manchester - most of them relating to workplaces that weren ’ t health or education settings .
( It doesn ’ t break the numbers down any further , but this would include outbreaks in bars , restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two thirds of the cases handled by the local system relate to hospitals , which those inside the system don ’ t see as any great surprise .
Of the 224 that remain , they are fairly evenly split between other healthcare settings ( 33pc ) , nurseries , schools and colleges ( 31pc ) and by other workplaces and businesses ( 27pc ) .
Broadly , local contact tracers have seen their caseloads steadily increase since mid-June .
Last week ’ s minutes show there had recently been an outbreak at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 cases were recorded , along with nine at a city centre workplace .
In both cases the infections related to staff and not customers .
The dashboard shows an increase in calls to local support hubs for humanitarian assistance - up from 1,850 in the previous week to 2,180 in the seven days to Saturday .
There had been a slight fall in people receiving food deliveries through the system , however , along with a drop , from 480 to 470 , in homeless people living in temporary emergency accommodation due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved into new housing .
The figures for schools only run to July 14 , but show there had been a decrease in children attending from 14.7pc to 13.6pc .
That compares to the Department for Education ’ s national estimate for England , which was at 17.5pc .
Around one in five vulnerable children with a social worker were attending school , along with a similar proportion of children with an Educational and Health Care Plan due to special educational needs .
After the new lockdown measures were announced at the back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more than tenfold increase in Covid-related calls to Greater Manchester Police .
In the week to July 27 , there had been just six such incidents with a ‘ Covid ’ flag against them closed on the GMP system .
The following week there were 80 , the highest since the bank holiday weekend of May 31 .
Andy Burnham highlighted this rise in his press conference yesterday afternoon , stressing - as did Sir Richard Leese - that as the latest measures have come in , Greater Manchester is now moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , the briefing paper shows that even yesterday officials were puzzled about how the legislation published on Tuesday related to pubs and restaurants .
“ Further analysis [ is ] needed of how this prevents two or more households meeting in a pub or restaurant , as had been expected – it doesn ’ t appear to , ” says the paper .
The leaked report shows leaders were already worried last week about the variability of safety measures in bars and the need to step up enforcement , however .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The main issue around track and trace in licensed premises does need to be addressed and GM should consider doing more that [ sic ] the national guidance around enforcement or encouragement to do better.
” They add : “ Some license [ sic ] premises chains are taking the approach more seriously than others , with a suggestion that messaging be sent to major breweries across GM .
`` Premises will have undertaken a risk assessment in advance of opening , although they may have underestimated the numbers returning to pubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailed age breakdown of cases in the report , although it continues to flag that younger people and large households are a key concern .
Last Wednesday , the day before Matt Hancock announced the new restrictions , they were briefed : “ There appears to be less of an impact on the number of positive cases and the numbers of hospitalised and/or deaths than previously experienced .
Suggested this could be related to the change in age profile of local outbreaks , which are currently younger people between ages of 19 – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ‘ concern that this may change over the Eid Festival and impact more households rather than individuals ’ , although it says boroughs including Oldham and Rochdale were already carrying out targeted messaging and working with local mosques to enforce safety messages .
In Oldham , the pandemic continued to hit the south Asian community hardest .
The borough ’ s testing had ‘ seen the south Asian communities most affected due to the nature of living conditions rather than ethnicity ’ , leaders heard .
“ Many of those that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lower wage occupations with increased contact with the public and live in larger , multi-generational households .
`` Tests on individual who live in those circumstances will result in the whole household being tested and concentrated areas of positive tests results .
Younger people in all parts of Oldham are also testing positive.
” Greater Manchester-wide , ‘ some areas [ are ] reporting the spread of transmission in larger , multi-generational households , some in smaller housing ’ , including outbreaks in North African and Portuguese African communities - and among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in infections in Trafford was not so much in BAME communities , with a ‘ small increase in transmission in Hale and Hale Central wards and particularly in the 70 – 75 cohort ’ .
New data on neighbourhood level infection rates is currently being analysed by the M.E.N .
Overall , the paper highlighted by officials last week pinpointed overcrowded and multi-generational housing as an issue , including - but not limited to - deprived South Asian communities , as well as younger people , patchy bar enforcement and gaps in the @ @ @ @ @ @

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Throughout the height of the Covid pandemic, Greater Manchester’s leaders have been meeting regularly to discuss the outbreak here.
That meeting is usually on a Wednesday morning, followed by a press conference - but the meetings themselves are held in private, with the internal papers not published as a matter of course.
The M.E.N. has now obtained a copy of yesterday's Covid briefing to leaders, which features a dashboard of data and minutes from their meeting last week, the day before new lockdown measures were introduced.
As well as borough by borough infection rates, which are already published, it shows ‘positivity rates’ - the proportion of those tested who are shown to have Covid - as well as the rate of tests carried out in each local authority area.
It also looks at hospital admissions, what kind of establishments are seeing localised outbreaks, calls to the police about Covid-related concerns, care homes, school uptake and the number of vulnerable people asking for help.
(Image: Getty Images)
The paper includes an ‘action note’ from last week’s Wednesday meeting, which shows that even before the health secretary announced new restrictions for Greater Manchester the next day, public health officials were worried about how variable pub safety measures seemed to be, plus a rise in infections among young people and a consciousness that Eid was due to be marked the following weekend.
All of this has contributed to the concerns we’ve heard about in the last week, so here we try and translate it.
Cases
Much of this data is already out there, but it’s worth a quick recap.
Yesterday saw infection rates for each borough published by Greater Manchester for the week to Saturday, August 1, depicting a situation health lead Sir Richard Leese said had deteriorated ‘very slightly’ on the numbers they published last week.
(These numbers are also released by Public Health England on a daily basis, but the most recent ones are provisional. They are revised as new data is added in, so there tends to be a slight lag on the data highlighted by Greater Manchester.)
Most places had seen a slight increase in the number of cases per 100,000 people since the week to July 25, apart from Rochdale, Oldham and Trafford, which remained high but had slightly fallen.
Manchester had the most cases in the week to Saturday - 183 - with a peak of 39 cases on Wednesday, July 29.
Adjusted for population, Oldham still had the highest infection rate at 56.1, however, with 133 cases in total over the previous seven days. (This has since been revised up to 58.1.) That makes it the only place in Greater Manchester rated red by Public Health England on that measure.
Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford are all rated amber.
Everywhere bar Bolton and Rochdale now has a higher infection rate than at the end of June and in some places, including Trafford, Manchester, Salford and Stockport, it is considerably higher.
It’s worth mentioning, too, that in the week to July 26 four wards across Rochdale and Oldham - Wardleworth & Newbold Brow, Alexandra Park, Chadderton South East and Werneth - were in the top 20 wards nationally for infection rates.
Testing
The paper also shows for the first time how many people are being tested in each borough.
Everywhere saw increased testing in the week to August 1, with Greater Manchester seeing a 37pc rise in testing per 100,000 people, although it isn't clear what the longer term trend has been. Oldham saw the highest testing rate after measures were stepped up due to particular concerns.
Rochdale had the next-highest level of testing, then Trafford, Stockport, Tameside and then Bolton. Wigan and Bury had the lowest, while Manchester is mid-table.
So what proportion of those tests are coming back positive? This is also a dataset that has not been in the public domain until now.
The figures show everywhere bar Oldham is rated ‘green’ on this measure. Oldham is classed as amber, with 4.3pc of tests coming back as positive. That’s down on a week or two ago when it was around 5.5pc. It would need a rate of 7.5pc to be classed as ‘red’.
Everywhere else is rated ‘green’, at 3.3pc or lower, which may fuel the frustration in some parts of the conurbation that their area shouldn’t be included in the current extra measures.
But Greater Manchester insiders stress that the direction of travel is part of the equation too. That percentage is going up in Manchester - where it has risen from less than 2pc three weeks ago to 3.3pc - and in Salford, Bolton, Bury and Wigan. They also argue the situation can change pretty quickly and depends on whether the right people are being tested, over which they don't have full control, although they have been pushing for it.
Overall, they believe that the virus is so dispersed in the general community, as opposed to in specific settings, that the measures are still needed across all ten boroughs.
None of this data is routinely published in England, although two senior figures said there was no particular reason it couldn't be as it isn’t sensitive, so that may yet change in Greater Manchester.
The minutes from last week’s meeting also show officials were concerned about plans for the military to withdraw from mobile testing.
“Military mobile units are the most useful vehicle to manage local outbreaks," they say.
“The military are due to withdraw from service at the end of the week, with the services transferred to a number of private companies, with some concerns regarding the consistency of support going forward.
"Discussions are underway regarding the retention of some flexibility to take testing kits to particular areas/communities identified by directors of public health.”
It is understood that since then, the mobile testing units are now provided by a mixture of the military and private companies, including G4S.
Deaths, hospital admissions and care homes
These numbers are more encouraging, although they are also part of the reason leaders are worried the virus is now circulating more among younger people, who don’t tend to get as sick with the disease but could pass it on to those who do.
The numbers for new hospital admissions with Covid have fallen slightly - an average of 3.6 a day compared to 4.4 a day the previous week - and remain low.
At the peak, we were seeing more than 50 admissions a day.
There were 12 Covid patients in intensive care beds on Tuesday compared with 11 a week earlier, while those in non-ICU beds had fallen from 115 to 105.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Six more deaths, either inside or outside hospital, had been recorded on the previous week.
Currently 6pc of care homes here are reporting cases, the same as a week earlier, compared to more than half at the peak. Meanwhile 0.5pc of residents were showing as having Covid symptoms, down from 1pc.
The PPE and staffing situation looks reasonable too - only seven out of 527 care homes are reporting that they will run out within 72 hours, while 96pc of care home staff were recorded as being available to work.
Outbreaks
Councils in Greater Manchester - as elsewhere - have their own track and trace teams to deal with so-called ‘complex’ cases referred in from the national system.
These are the cases involving individual hospitals, businesses, schools, care homes, police stations or other places deemed to require more skilled intervention under the government’s structure, which aims to contain any such outbreaks fast.
So the data in the report only relates to those kinds of situations and not the majority of general cases handled at national level, but is still worth noting.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
It shows a clear increase in outbreaks during the week to August 1, particularly in places other than healthcare settings, schools, nurseries and colleges.
Their busiest day was Wednesday, July 29, when there were 28 cases dealt with by the local track and trace system, 20 of them in Manchester - most of them relating to workplaces that weren’t health or education settings. (It doesn’t break the numbers down any further, but this would include outbreaks in bars, restaurants and offices.)
To date, two thirds of the cases handled by the local system relate to hospitals, which those inside the system don’t see as any great surprise.
Of the 224 that remain, they are fairly evenly split between other healthcare settings (33pc), nurseries, schools and colleges (31pc) and by other workplaces and businesses (27pc).
Broadly, local contact tracers have seen their caseloads steadily increase since mid-June.
Last week’s minutes show there had recently been an outbreak at a workplace in north east Manchester, where 12 cases were recorded, along with nine at a city centre workplace. In both cases the infections related to staff and not customers.
Vulnerable people and schools
The dashboard shows an increase in calls to local support hubs for humanitarian assistance - up from 1,850 in the previous week to 2,180 in the seven days to Saturday.
There had been a slight fall in people receiving food deliveries through the system, however, along with a drop, from 480 to 470, in homeless people living in temporary emergency accommodation due to Covid, as people are gradually moved into new housing.
The figures for schools only run to July 14, but show there had been a decrease in children attending from 14.7pc to 13.6pc.
That compares to the Department for Education’s national estimate for England, which was at 17.5pc.
Around one in five vulnerable children with a social worker were attending school, along with a similar proportion of children with an Educational and Health Care Plan due to special educational needs.
Policing, enforcement, pubs and restaurants
After the new lockdown measures were announced at the back end of last week, there was a more than tenfold increase in Covid-related calls to Greater Manchester Police.
In the week to July 27, there had been just six such incidents with a ‘Covid’ flag against them closed on the GMP system.
The following week there were 80, the highest since the bank holiday weekend of May 31.
Andy Burnham highlighted this rise in his press conference yesterday afternoon, stressing - as did Sir Richard Leese - that as the latest measures have come in, Greater Manchester is now moving to high-profile, targeted enforcement.
Notably, however, the briefing paper shows that even yesterday officials were puzzled about how the legislation published on Tuesday related to pubs and restaurants.
“Further analysis [is] needed of how this prevents two or more households meeting in a pub or restaurant, as had been expected – it doesn’t appear to,” says the paper.
(Image: PA)
The leaked report shows leaders were already worried last week about the variability of safety measures in bars and the need to step up enforcement, however.
The minutes from July 29 state: “The main issue around track and trace in licensed premises does need to be addressed and GM should consider doing more that [sic] the national guidance around enforcement or encouragement to do better.”
They add: “Some license [sic] premises chains are taking the approach more seriously than others, with a suggestion that messaging be sent to major breweries across GM.
"Premises will have undertaken a risk assessment in advance of opening, although they may have underestimated the numbers returning to pubs and restaurants.”
Household spread, young people and Eid
There’s no detailed age breakdown of cases in the report, although it continues to flag that younger people and large households are a key concern.
Last Wednesday, the day before Matt Hancock announced the new restrictions, they were briefed: “There appears to be less of an impact on the number of positive cases and the numbers of hospitalised and/or deaths than previously experienced. Suggested this could be related to the change in age profile of local outbreaks, which are currently younger people between ages of 19 – 39.”
The minutes show that there was ‘concern that this may change over the Eid Festival and impact more households rather than individuals’, although it says boroughs including Oldham and Rochdale were already carrying out targeted messaging and working with local mosques to enforce safety messages.
In Oldham, the pandemic continued to hit the south Asian community hardest.
The borough’s testing had ‘seen the south Asian communities most affected due to the nature of living conditions rather than ethnicity’, leaders heard.
“Many of those that have returned to work are in high risk and lower wage occupations with increased contact with the public and live in larger, multi-generational households.
"Tests on individual who live in those circumstances will result in the whole household being tested and concentrated areas of positive tests results. Younger people in all parts of Oldham are also testing positive.”
Greater Manchester-wide, ‘some areas [are] reporting the spread of transmission in larger, multi-generational households, some in smaller housing’, including outbreaks in North African and Portuguese African communities - and among young people in general.
The rise in infections in Trafford was not so much in BAME communities, with a ‘ small increase in transmission in Hale and Hale Central wards and particularly in the 70 – 75 cohort’.
New data on neighbourhood level infection rates is currently being analysed by the M.E.N.
Overall, the paper highlighted by officials last week pinpointed overcrowded and multi-generational housing as an issue, including - but not limited to - deprived South Asian communities, as well as younger people, patchy bar enforcement and gaps in the national track and trace system.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--The care home residents who can no longer see loved ones

Joyce Stansfield , 87 , is prone to suffer from severe depression following a series of strokes which have also affected her memory .
A resident at a care home in Rochdale , she has relied emotionally through much of the Covid-19 crisis on visits from her family who wave and talk to her every evening through a window , at a safe distance , from the private garden on-site .
But - and as is the case for thousands of care home residents across the country and especially those suffering from dementia - the latest lockdown measures have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Amid rising infection rates , and because Government guidance stipulates people must not meet in private gardens , the home has banned relatives from visiting the grounds - even to wave through the window .
The care home , which the family requested we do n't name , is simply following the regulations to keep residents as safe as possible after a very difficult period in which the industry has struggled with lack of PPE , Government guidance and a coherent testing procedure .
But since the start of the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there has been a 52 per cent rise in non-Covid related deaths in care homes and it 's thought the impact of the crisis on mental health could have contributed to this .
And this new guidance , which exists despite beer gardens still being allowed to open , has left Joyce facing a downward slide into depression - and her family are worried about her .
Her daughter Pauline , 63 , a mum of two from Rochdale , told the Manchester Evening News : `` This is n't just about me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody else as well , all the families and all the homes .
There will be so many people not able to see their family .
`` I do feel so much for those families who have lost relatives to Covid but I think the people who are left do need to see their family .
My mum has severe depression and I know she wo n't be able to cope without seeing us .
`` She 's had a lot of mini strokes and has lost a lot of her memory .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she 's says that 's what makes her happy in the day .
We do n't blame the care home , they ca n't change the law .
But why ca n't the Government make an exception for looking through windows from care home grounds ?
`` To me it ' s a bit of common sense , I ca n't see what the harm is .
Whenever we 've been there have been two other people there at most and we are all a very long way away from each other .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mum is struggling from their daily phone calls , adding : `` I can hear it in her voice , she 's all of a dither .
`` We are all worried sick about her . ''
Pauline is also concerned about the small patch of flowers she planted outside her mum 's window which she can no longer tend to .
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on care homes across the country .
The number resident deaths has been horrific for their families and for staff , who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which critics claim have been on the back foot throughout the crisis .
But the original lockdown , and subsequent local restrictions , have also had a serious impact on the psychological welfare of residents , especially on those with dementia who rely even more heavily on family support .
Fiona Carragher , Director of Research and Influencing at Alzheimer ’ s Society , said : `` People with dementia account for 70 per cent of people living in care homes and like us all , they have a human right to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that keeping the cognitive and communication skills of someone with dementia sharp is vital in preventing increased deterioration of their condition .
Friends and family often play a vital care-giving role , without their presence we are concerned that people with dementia are deteriorating rapidly . ''
She said they understood that public health leads are seeking to protect lives when local Covid-19 oubreaks occur .
But she added : `` Decision makers must balance the immediate risk from an outbreak of COVID-19 in the care home with the important benefits that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In the short term , care homes providers should be looking at offering alternative ways for residents to stay connected to their families such as phones and video calls .
With a massive 52pc increase in non-virus-related deaths , getting family carers safely back in homes is a matter of life and death for people with dementia . ''
What the Department for Health and Social Care says : '' We understand this is a very difficult time for families who want to visit their loved ones .
But our priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by preventing infections in care homes , and this means that visits should still be restricted where local lockdown restrictions have been imposed . ''
As background , they also said : • If you live in one of the affected areas , in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus , you should not visit someone else ’ s home or garden , or visit friends or family in care homes , other than in exceptional circumstances .
Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances .
• All our guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to ensure that individuals are treated with dignity and respect and that their particular needs are addressed .
• Policy around visits to care homes is led by local Directors of Public Health , who should give a regular professional assessment of whether visiting is likely to be appropriate within their local area , taking into account the wider risk environment .
• The decision on whether or not to allow visitors , and in what circumstances , is an operational decision and therefore ultimately for the provider and managers of each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be based on the advice from the DPH , as well as any additional advice or guidance from the local infection control lead within the Clinical Commissioning Group ( CCG ) and the local PHE Health Protection Team .
• Our guidance will be updated as the risk posed by coronavirus continues to change .
• As before , any visitor restrictions should have regard for exceptional circumstances , such as end of life .

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Joyce Stansfield, 87, is prone to suffer from severe depression following a series of strokes which have also affected her memory.
A resident at a care home in Rochdale, she has relied emotionally through much of the Covid-19 crisis on visits from her family who wave and talk to her every evening through a window, at a safe distance, from the private garden on-site.
But - and as is the case for thousands of care home residents across the country and especially those suffering from dementia - the latest lockdown measures have had a huge impact on Joyce's wellbeing.
Amid rising infection rates, and because Government guidance stipulates people must not meet in private gardens, the home has banned relatives from visiting the grounds - even to wave through the window.
The care home, which the family requested we don't name, is simply following the regulations to keep residents as safe as possible after a very difficult period in which the industry has struggled with lack of PPE, Government guidance and a coherent testing procedure.
But since the start of the pandemic, according to the Alzheimer's Society, there has been a 52 per cent rise in non-Covid related deaths in care homes and it's thought the impact of the crisis on mental health could have contributed to this.
And this new guidance, which exists despite beer gardens still being allowed to open, has left Joyce facing a downward slide into depression - and her family are worried about her.
Her daughter Pauline, 63, a mum of two from Rochdale, told the Manchester Evening News: "This isn't just about me and my mum, it's about everybody else as well, all the families and all the homes. There will be so many people not able to see their family.
"I do feel so much for those families who have lost relatives to Covid but I think the people who are left do need to see their family. My mum has severe depression and I know she won't be able to cope without seeing us.
"She's had a lot of mini strokes and has lost a lot of her memory.
"She needs to see us, she's says that's what makes her happy in the day. We don't blame the care home, they can't change the law. But why can't the Government make an exception for looking through windows from care home grounds?
"To me it' s a bit of common sense, I can't see what the harm is. Whenever we've been there have been two other people there at most and we are all a very long way away from each other."
Pauline says she can tell her mum is struggling from their daily phone calls, adding: "I can hear it in her voice, she's all of a dither.
"We are all worried sick about her."
Pauline is also concerned about the small patch of flowers she planted outside her mum's window which she can no longer tend to.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on care homes across the country.
The number resident deaths has been horrific for their families and for staff, who have also had to deal with a Government which critics claim have been on the back foot throughout the crisis.
But the original lockdown, and subsequent local restrictions, have also had a serious impact on the psychological welfare of residents, especially on those with dementia who rely even more heavily on family support.
Fiona Carragher, Director of Research and Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, said: " People with dementia account for 70 per cent of people living in care homes and like us all, they have a human right to see the people they love.
"We know that keeping the cognitive and communication skills of someone with dementia sharp is vital in preventing increased deterioration of their condition. Friends and family often play a vital care-giving role, without their presence we are concerned that people with dementia are deteriorating rapidly."
She said they understood that public health leads are seeking to protect lives when local Covid-19 oubreaks occur.
But she added: "Decision makers must balance the immediate risk from an outbreak of COVID-19 in the care home with the important benefits that visits from carers and loved ones offer.
"In the short term, care homes providers should be looking at offering alternative ways for residents to stay connected to their families such as phones and video calls. With a massive 52pc increase in non-virus-related deaths, getting family carers safely back in homes is a matter of life and death for people with dementia."
What the Department for Health and Social Care says:
"We understand this is a very difficult time for families who want to visit their loved ones. But our priority must be to protect residents and staff by preventing infections in care homes, and this means that visits should still be restricted where local lockdown restrictions have been imposed."
As background, they also said:


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--Map reveals latest coronavirus hotspots in Bury

The latest coronavirus hotspots in Bury have been revealed in a new interactive map .
Fernhill and Pimhole had 10 @ @ @ @ @ – more than double the number of cases recorded in any other part of the @ @ @ @ @ Heaton Park , Buckley Wells and Fishpool all had four positive tests during July 27 @ @ @ @ @ o ' th ' Barn and Whitehead Park recorded three cases while Sedgley Park had @ @ @ @ @ the country are shown in the government map which breaks the country down into areas @ @ @ @ @ 7,000 residents which are generally larger than council wards .
In Bury , there over @ @ @ @ @ known as Middle Super Output Areas - listed on the map .
The biggest spike @ @ @ @ @ came during the week of May 24 , when 40 people tested positive for Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ During the week ending April 19 , 20 people tested positive in the Whitehead Park @ @

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The latest coronavirus hotspots in Bury have been revealed in a new interactive map.
Fernhill and Pimhole had 10 positive Covid-19 tests last week – more than double the number of cases recorded in any other part of the borough.
Crumpsall North, Heaton Park, Buckley Wells and Fishpool all had four positive tests during July 27 to August 2.
Besses o' th' Barn and Whitehead Park recorded three cases while Sedgley Park had two cases.
Hotspots around the country are shown in the government map which breaks the country down into areas with a population of around 7,000 residents which are generally larger than council wards.
In Bury, there over 20 of the districts - known as Middle Super Output Areas - listed on the map.
The biggest spike in coronavirus cases in Bury came during the week of May 24, when 40 people tested positive for Covid-19 in Walmersley and Limefield.
During the week ending April 19, 20 people tested positive in the Whitehead Park area.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--Paul Scholes explains how Solskjaer is copying Sir Alex Ferguson

Paul Scholes believes that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is following in the footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson by handing opportunities to young players at Manchester United .
Teden Mengi became the eighth academy graduate to make his debut for United this season , the first time that tally of debutants from the youth ranks has been hit since the 1950s .
United have a proud history of blooding academy players into the first-team , evidenced by Mason Greenwood 's and Marcus Rashford 's rises to prominence .
“ Sir Alex Ferguson was desperate to get young players playing and Ole has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told BT Sport .
`` They have to be good enough of course and they think highly of this lad and let ’ s hope this is his first of many to come .
Vote for your United player of the season here : “ He looked to have a good size about him .
We didn ’ t see that much of him as it was only the last five or ten minutes but the academy are producing players and you ’ ve got to give people credit for that at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been very instrumental in that , bringing Mason Greenwood in , was involved with Marcus Rashford as well and Brandon Williams , another one who has burst onto the scene this season and has been really good .
“ The future is bright .
Let ’ s hope they can still keep on producing these young players that the club is all about .
”

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Paul Scholes believes that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is following in the footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson by handing opportunities to young players at Manchester United.
Teden Mengi became the eighth academy graduate to make his debut for United this season, the first time that tally of debutants from the youth ranks has been hit since the 1950s.
United have a proud history of blooding academy players into the first-team, evidenced by Mason Greenwood's and Marcus Rashford's rises to prominence.
“Sir Alex Ferguson was desperate to get young players playing and Ole has gone the same way," Scholes told BT Sport. "They have to be good enough of course and they think highly of this lad and let’s hope this is his first of many to come.
Vote for your United player of the season here:
“He looked to have a good size about him. We didn’t see that much of him as it was only the last five or ten minutes but the academy are producing players and you’ve got to give people credit for that at the club.
“Nicky Butt especially has been very instrumental in that, bringing Mason Greenwood in, was involved with Marcus Rashford as well and Brandon Williams, another one who has burst onto the scene this season and has been really good.
“The future is bright. Let’s hope they can still keep on producing these young players that the club is all about.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--Clarks outlet stores just made back to school shoe shopping a whole lot easier

There is n't much to celebrate at the moment , but parents can rejoice in the fact that Clarks outlet stores have made back to school shopping a whole lot easier .
The branch inside the Lowry Outlet at Salford Quays is massively popular with parents , as it sells the popular brand around a third cheaper than the main stores .
Because of the need to maintain social distancing , the retailer is letting parents book their children 's shoe fitting appointments in advance .
Previously they would have had to turn up at the store and take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ queue , causing tantrums galore - and that was just the mums !
It 's not quite as fancy as the general Clarks stores - where appointments can be booked online via the website here - but all it needs is a quick phone call to the store to get booked in and it 's already proving popular with time-poor parents .
As in previous years , there 'll also soon be an additional measuring area installed outside the store to offer more space for fittings .
What do you think about schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the survey below : If you can not see this survey please click here You can still just turn up without an appointment and if it 's busy then you can book a slot for later in the day .
At Salford 's Lowry Outlet , appointments can be made between 10am and 5pm Monday to Saturday and between 11am and 5pm on Sundays .
Call 0161 872 8440 to book .
Cheshire Oaks is offering the same telephone booking system via 0151 356 7492 and it opens 9am to 9pm Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturdays and 11am to 4.30pm on Sundays .

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Get the M.E.N.'s Manchester Family newsletter for all the latest from back to school news to ways to entertain the kids
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Get the M.E.N.'s Manchester Family newsletter for all the latest from back to school news to ways to entertain the kids
There isn't much to celebrate at the moment, but parents can rejoice in the fact that Clarks outlet stores have made back to school shopping a whole lot easier.
The branch inside the Lowry Outlet at Salford Quays is massively popular with parents, as it sells the popular brand around a third cheaper than the main stores.
Because of the need to maintain social distancing, the retailer is letting parents book their children's shoe fitting appointments in advance.
Previously they would have had to turn up at the store and take a ticket to wait in the seemingly endless queue, causing tantrums galore - and that was just the mums!
It's not quite as fancy as the general Clarks stores - where appointments can be booked online via the website here - but all it needs is a quick phone call to the store to get booked in and it's already proving popular with time-poor parents.
As in previous years, there'll also soon be an additional measuring area installed outside the store to offer more space for fittings.
What do you think about schools reopening in September? Let us know in the survey below :
If you cannot see this survey please click here
You can still just turn up without an appointment and if it's busy then you can book a slot for later in the day.
At Salford's Lowry Outlet, appointments can be made between 10am and 5pm Monday to Saturday and between 11am and 5pm on Sundays. Call 0161 872 8440 to book.
Cheshire Oaks is offering the same telephone booking system via 0151 356 7492 and it opens 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 7.30pm on Saturdays and 11am to 4.30pm on Sundays.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-06--London Marathon 2020 mass event cancelled due to coronavirus

Chiefs at the London Marathon have announced the mass running event has now been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
The race , which sees thousands compete along the streets of the capital has been now been scrapped and replaced with an elite-athlete only event , organisers have announced .
Elite races for men , women and wheelchair athletes will take place on an enclosed looped course in St James ’ s Park on October 4 in a secure biosphere , with the times counting towards Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification .
Athletes already confirmed for the race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s world record holder Brigid Kosgei and para athletes David Weir and Manuela Schar .
No spectators will be allowed at the 40th London Marathon , but BBC Sport will broadcast coverage of the race , encompassing 19.8 laps around the park and finishing in the traditional place on the Mall .
“ Today is a day of sadness , but also I think it ’ s a day of certainty , ” event director Hugh Brasher said , hailing the “ inclusivity ” of the new-look race .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re announcing what is appropriate – we think – for the 40th race .
It ’ s certainly not something we ever expected to do.
” He added : “ We hope people will get inspiration from the gods of our sport still battling it out over those 26.2 miles in the only world marathon race that is taking place in the fall .
“ And still having Eliud Kipchoge , Kenenisa Bekele , Brigid Kosgei , Manuela Schar , David Weir… they ’ ll take the inspiration from those athletes , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them .
We will celebrate that journey from a distance , but in spirit , together.
” Those who had planned to take part in the event – originally postponed from April 26 to October due to the coronavirus pandemic – have been offered the option to defer their places to the 2021 , 2022 or 2023 events .
The 41st race in 2021 is also set to take place in the autumn , on October 3 , to give people more certainty and confidence in the event going ahead .
Additionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take part in the event in the spring will take part in a “ virtual race ” across the world , receiving a finisher ’ s medal and T-shirt for completing the 26.2-mile distance from home anywhere in the world within 24 hours on October 4 .
Brasher said : “ We believe it ’ s the greatest marathon in the world , the greatest athletes in the world are still coming , and we hope that Britain gets behind the 45,000 who will run or walk that 26.2 miles on October 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the pieces to celebrate in a way – is that actually this will make it the most inclusive London marathon , we believe , in history – because people have 23 hours , 59 minutes and 59 seconds in which to take part.
” In 2019 , the event raised a record-breaking £66.4million for charitable causes , and Brasher said £20m had been raised for good causes this year at the time of cancellation .

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Chiefs at the London Marathon have announced the mass running event has now been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The race, which sees thousands compete along the streets of the capital has been now been scrapped and replaced with an elite-athlete only event, organisers have announced.
Elite races for men, women and wheelchair athletes will take place on an enclosed looped course in St James’s Park on October 4 in a secure biosphere, with the times counting towards Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification.
Athletes already confirmed for the race include Eliud Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele, women’s world record holder Brigid Kosgei and para athletes David Weir and Manuela Schar.
No spectators will be allowed at the 40th London Marathon, but BBC Sport will broadcast coverage of the race, encompassing 19.8 laps around the park and finishing in the traditional place on the Mall.
“Today is a day of sadness, but also I think it’s a day of certainty,” event director Hugh Brasher said, hailing the “inclusivity” of the new-look race.
“It’s a day where we’re announcing what is appropriate – we think – for the 40th race. It’s certainly not something we ever expected to do.”
He added: “We hope people will get inspiration from the gods of our sport still battling it out over those 26.2 miles in the only world marathon race that is taking place in the fall.
“And still having Eliud Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele, Brigid Kosgei, Manuela Schar, David Weir… they’ll take the inspiration from those athletes, on the journey that will be incredibly personal to them. We will celebrate that journey from a distance, but in spirit, together.”
Those who had planned to take part in the event – originally postponed from April 26 to October due to the coronavirus pandemic – have been offered the option to defer their places to the 2021, 2022 or 2023 events.
The 41st race in 2021 is also set to take place in the autumn, on October 3, to give people more certainty and confidence in the event going ahead.
Additionally, 45,000 people who were supposed to take part in the event in the spring will take part in a “virtual race” across the world, receiving a finisher’s medal and T-shirt for completing the 26.2-mile distance from home anywhere in the world within 24 hours on October 4.
Brasher said: “We believe it’s the greatest marathon in the world, the greatest athletes in the world are still coming, and we hope that Britain gets behind the 45,000 who will run or walk that 26.2 miles on October 4.
“And in that journey, one of the pieces to celebrate in a way – is that actually this will make it the most inclusive London marathon, we believe, in history – because people have 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds in which to take part.”
In 2019, the event raised a record-breaking £66.4million for charitable causes, and Brasher said £20m had been raised for good causes this year at the time of cancellation.