AN MP whose Salford constituency has seen some of the highest Covid-19 death rates in the country has hit out at the government for ‘neglecting’ care homes.

Graham Stringer, MP for the Manchester area of Blackley plus Broughton – a part of Salford with some of the highest Coronavirus death rates in the country, said he understands why the figures might be so disturbing.

When talking about the virus in Salford, Mr Stringer told Salford Now: “I think it’s too early to have a full analysis of what is happening.

“While we don’t know the exact demographics of those people who died, we know this disease like many diseases attacks the elderly, those people who are already poorly, and that often means this is attacking poor people.”

When asked about the levels of PPE available, Mr. Stringer said: “I don’t think the PPE levels have been sufficient anywhere, particularly in care homes.
“I think the government has neglected care homes throughout the country, and that has been evident in Salford too.

“There are particular problems in care homes that may distort the figures, but it is much too soon to draw any conclusions.

“I think at the end of this process there should be an inquiry into all aspects of the disease, the virology, the immunology as well as central and local governments response to it.”

It was announced a fortnight ago that Salford had the highest number of care home deaths of any other local authority in the country.

The Broughton Park and Higher Broughton wards alone have a total of 28 deaths counting towards Salford’s overall total.

The Office for National Statistics places Salford as one of the worst areas in the country for COVID-19 deaths.

On average there are 93 deaths per 100,000 people in the city due to COVID-19, which is greater than any other local authority in the North West.

The pandemic is also causing some impact on mental well being, with around 45% of adults nationwide admitting that the lockdown is causing them problems.

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Infographic by Regan Kerr (2020). Data collected from the Office for National Statistics.

The nation will now wait, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to deliver a speech on Sunday, on how we will slowly exit the lockdown.

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