As Tier 3 begins, latest data shows the Trafford infection rate is now lower than 17 of 20 boroughs in Tier 2 London

The infection rate in Trafford is now lower than 17 of London’s 20 boroughs.

The latest data, released by Public Health England, shows that for the seven days to November 27th, Trafford’s infection rate was 120.9, a week-on-week decrease of 37%.

That places it lower than all but three of London’s 20 boroughs, with only Haringey, Camden and Richmond upon Thames having lower rates in the most recently available data, for the week ending November 26th.

The data will once again bring into question the fairness of placing Trafford in the toughest Tier 3 level of restrictions, while London is in Tier 2.

The latest infection rates for London and Trafford are below:

Trafford’s placement in Tier 3 is essentially due to it being part of Greater Manchester, where the rate is generally higher.

However, all Greater Manchester boroughs now have rapidly decreasing rates, with four boroughs – Salford, Tameside, Stockport and Trafford – below the England average.

The average across the whole of Greater Manchester is currently 194.4, compared to the London borough average of 167.

When announcing the tier system last week, the government said it considered five factors in deciding which tier an area should be placed under: coronavirus case numbers across all age groups – particularly among the over 60s; whether case rates are rising or falling; the percentage of positive tests in the general population; the pressure on the local NHS; and exceptional circumstances such as a local but contained outbreak.

But Altrincham and Sale West MP Sir Graham Brady, in voting against the tier system last night, said it was “unfair” on Trafford and the government had not supplied a “serious and compelling case” for keeping people living under such harsh restrictions.

Trafford Council leader Andrew Western also described last week’s decision as a “smack in the face” for residents.