More Covid testing in county as towns have one of highest rates

NUNEATON and Bedworth is the eleventh highest area in the UK for coronavirus rates per 100,000 people.

Latest data for August 16 shows the borough is just outside the top ten places in the country for the highest rate of amount of lab confirmed.

Leicester tops the nation with 1585.50 and Blackburn with Darwen has 1127.00 per 100,000 people.

Nuneaton and Bedworth’s rate is 711.40 per 100,000 people, above that of Manchester which has 689.00

The nearest area locally to the borough’s figures is North Warwickshire, which is 542.40, while Coventry has a rate of 423.70.

According to the latest Public Health England data, Nuneaton and Bedworth has now had 924 lab-confirmed cases, with 16 in the last seven days.

The news comes as Warwickshire County Council confirmed that coronavirus testing is being increased to help boost the response to complex cases and local outbreaks.

It has been revealed that local test and trace officers have been employed to work across the county.

This follows what has been described as an increase in the number of people seeking tests according to Warwickshire County Council, which is responsible for public health. Emilyvande Venter, the county’s assistant director of public health, explained: “It is great news that more residents are getting tested when they show symptoms. However, we cannot be complacent, and we need to encourage people to continue getting tested.

“Most people display at least one of the three key symptoms, but symptoms can also include shortnessof breath, sore throat, headache, fatigue and sickness. These are lesser known symptoms, but have been identified as being related to coronavirus.

“It remains important that people continue to socially distance, wash their hands regularly and wear a face covering where they are able to when on public transport or at the shops.”

She went on: “Locally, we are increasing our capacity to strengthen our response to complex cases and outbreakswith the recruitment of local test and trace officers.

“We are hopeful that this will also help to quickly identify and contact those who may be at risk following a local outbreak.”