I’m confused about the suggestion that the high Covid levels are only in South Wales, as that isn’t the case, there are some major hotspots in the North as well? The problem with this virus is that it can flare up very quickly - I live in Powys, which has a low rate overall - but my nearest town has gone in one week from being in the lowest decile to the highest. It isn’t an area of deprivation either, just a market town - but doesn’t hit the headlines because in the scheme of things it’s insignificant.
I’d guess that the population of Greater Manchester is probably similar to the population of the whole of Wales, so fine tuning because one area is lower than another that week is a lot to ask in my opinion. Manchester is by no means the only place in England in this position either, I’ve got family in Nottingham and Leicester, and they are in the same boat.