County sees 159 new Covid cases

THERE have been six further fatalities linked to Covid-19 recorded in Derbyshire, according to the latest NHS England figures.

In the same 24-hour period, another 159 positive coronavirus tests have been reported.

Across the UK, the death toll now stands at 58,245 and there have been 1,617,327 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. This represents an increase of 215 and 12,115 respectively.

Here is the breakdown for each local authority area:

Amber Valley – 3,463 (up 29) Bolsover – 2,475 (up 4) Chesterfield – 2,647 (up 19) Derby – 7,758 (up 48) Derbyshire Dales – 1,217 (up 5) Erewash – 2,866 (up 16)

High Peak – 2,342 (up 10)

N E Derbyshire – 2,846 (up 12) South Derbyshire – 2,960 (up 16)

England could face a third wave of coronavirus if ministers fail to “get the balance right” with restrictions, the Foreign Secretary warned yesterday, as he tried to persuade Tory rebels to back the tier system.

Dominic Raab refused to rule out a third national lockdown if there is another spike in cases in the new year, saying only that the Government was “doing everything we can to avoid that”.

But he sought to win over his Conservative colleagues who are critical of the three-tier system ahead of a crunch Commons vote on the measures tomorrow when MPs could reject the plan.

Mr Raab insisted the restrictions are necessary to “bear down” on the pandemic and keep the country out of a national lockdown.

A CAMPAIGN is being launched for volunteers this Christmas after new research suggested more than one in five people will not see anyone over the festive period.

The Royal Voluntary Service said the next few weeks will be tough going for the most vulnerable, amid continuing Covid-related restrictions. A survey of 2,400 adults found that 22% fear they will not see anyone over the festive break, while around one in six said they were “dreading” Christmas.