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Reopening of outdoor markets in Tameside delayed over fears the rate of coronavirus infections is creeping up
hereIt follows advice from Tameside’s director of public health, Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, to delay the wider reopening of schools until there is ‘further assurance’ that the COVID-19 infection rate is reducing and the R rate is firmly below 1.The R number tracks how fast the virus is able to spread from an infected person and is vital to ascertaining whether the pandemic is being kept under control.If it is below 1, the virus is on the decline, but figures of above 1 suggest it is growing.Last week, scientists from Public Health England and Cambridge University said their analysis showed that the R rate is hovering just above or below the crucial figure of 1, with the north west having the highest figure at 1.01.