THE rate of Covid in Oldham is continuing to rocket with cases rising 43.5 per cent this week – following the four-week delay to the lockdown easing roadmap.

Across the UK as a whole cases are rising at the slower rate of 38.8 per cent from the week before.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson set a new date of July 19 for the end of the Covid-19 restrictions on Monday evening amid concerns over the rapidly spreading Delta variant first identified in India.

Experts warned that easing restrictions as planned on June 21 could have led to thousands of deaths and hospital admissions on the scale of the first wave of Covid-19.

Scientists believe the Delta variant is driving a rapid acceleration in cases, estimating it to be between 40 and 80 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha variant first found in Kent.

Public Health England figures show a total of 173.8 people per 100,000 in Oldham currently have the virus, which is more than double the national rate of 70.2.

The data also reveals that 24,295 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday, June 15 in the borough, up from 24,250 the same time on Monday.

It came after cases rose by 200 over the weekend.

In response to the surge of cases in the borough, Oldham Council leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, said: "Monday’s government announcement to extend lockdown restrictions for a further four weeks wasn’t unexpected with cases rising across Greater Manchester and the rest of the country.

“People in Oldham have been brilliant throughout the pandemic. We’ve pulled together as a community and, despite the underlying challenges we have here – such as more people working in public-facing roles and fewer people able to work from home – we’ve worked hard to get our cases down.

“The Delta variant appears to make up a large proportion of new Covid-19 cases in Oldham. This variant is more transmissible, which means it’s even more important for people to follow the guidance and continue to take care.

“We know that recent case increases are highest amongst secondary school age children and the working age population. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as we know those in older age groups have been offered the vaccination and, if they have taken it up, will therefore now have protection against the virus.”

She added: “We would urge everyone to continue to get tested at least twice a week and have the vaccine when offered.

“We all have a responsibility to keep following the restrictions and taking care to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.”

The extension of the roadmap means limits on numbers for sports events, theatres and cinemas will remain in place and nightclubs will stay shut.

People will be asked to work from home where possible.