Worst day for cases since mass testing began here

NORTH East Lincolnshire has recorded its worst figures yet for the second wave of the pandemic.

Yesterday saw 115 new coronavirus cases confirmed in the area. This is the highest recorded total yet, although the true numbers were likely higher in the spring before mass testing began. This brings North East Lincolnshire’s coronavirus total to 1,171 confirmed positive tests. NHS figures show that the case rate has risen to 203 per 100,000 people – higher than Leicester when it went into lockdown. A total of 324 cases were confirmed from October 12 to 18.

The daily total cases are more than double the number reported in North Lincolnshire for yesterday, 56.

The overall figure there for the pandemic is 1,718, although health officials have expressed hope that the rate has now stabilised. The case rate is 158 per 100,000, and there were 273 cases over the seven-day period.

Parents across both regions have been asked to make sure their children are responsible over the half-term holidays, and don’t contribute to a big spike in coronavirus cases. Although younger people are usually less affected by the virus, new cases increases the chances of it reaching older and more vulnerable groups. Jilla Burgess-Allen, a public health consultant, said: “School leaders have gone to remarkable lengths to adapt to Covid-19 and keep their pupils and staff safe. But even with all the correct measures in place in schools, it is what happens outside the school gates that is causing concern.

“With half term coming next week, there is a real risk that younger people with time on their hands ignore the rules causing a spike in the numbers in North Lincolnshire.”