Tier 3 Blackburn saw its rate climb from 466.3 cases per 100,000 from 634.6 after 950 people tested positive for the virus in a week. And Rossendale, which is also subject to the toughest restrictions, went from a rate of 362.3 to 607.1, the alarming data shows. Parts of Greater Manchester also showed worrying rises, despite having been subject to local lockdown restrictions since August. Manchester, which was unceremoniously put in lockdown this week, has seen a slight fall in the number of infections. The SAGE committee said in a statement: "SAGE is almost certain that the epidemic continues to grow exponentially across the country.

Source: Daily Mirror October 23, 2020 16:56 UTC