Follow health advice to help keep risk at medium
HULL STILL BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE
HULL has seen a further rise in the weekly coronavirus rate of infection as it remains on medium risk status.
The seven-day rate of confirmed cases in Hull is 119.7 per 100,000 of the population, according to the latest Hull City Council figures.
Despite the rise, Hull remains below the national average, which stands at 168.7 per 100,000 of population.
Across Yorkshire and the Humber the rate is 280.5 per 100,000 with South Yorkshire set to go into Tier 3 at the weekend, which will see the region face the toughest restrictions.
Julia Weldon, director of public health for Hull, has warned Hull is likely to head into Tier 2 soon, which would signal an extra restriction on households mixing indoors.
She said: “The coronavirus tier alert system is now in place. Hull is currently rated medium, however based on all available data we do anticipate that we will soon move to high, which will mean an increase in restrictions, particularly around personal and social interactions.
“Make sure you take notice of which tier we are in and any changes to this. Visit the government coronavirus website for full detail of the three tiers.”
Mrs Weldon has reiterated the advice to ensure the city can get on top of the spread of the virus.
She said: “Like many areas across the country, our coronavirus rate continues to rise. It’s as important as ever that we all continue to follow public health advice, which includes practicing social distancing, washing our hands regularly and wearing a mask when required.
“The only way to control and stop the spread of the virus is for everyone to take responsibility and follow the guidance.”
The city is currently subject to the national restrictions such as 10pm closures for hospitality venues and “rule of six” gathering will continue.
Last week deputy director of public health for Hull Tim
Fielding said positive cases in Hull were spread across age groups and community settings with no significant outbreaks in places such as factories or at the city’s university.
He said: “We are not seeing the high rates in young people aged between 18 and 30 that are being seen in other towns and cities, particularly where there have been major outbreaks in universities.
“Our rates are still lower than elsewhere across the Humber with some areas on the South Bank now experiencing very significant increases.
“Sadly, we do ultimately expect an increase in Covid-related mortality, but it is worth pointing out that we are currently experiencing lower than expected mortality rates for this time of year.”
Yesterday, East Yorkshire saw another jump of Covid cases in the region with 181 further cases - the total now stands at 6,544.
Hull saw the number of positive cases increase, but by a lesser number than the day before.
Following an increase of 80 confirmed cases the total in the city now stands at 2,855 with the daily infection rate jumping to 1,099 per 100,000 of the population - much higher than the council’s weekly rate.
East Riding saw its total rise to 3,689 – an increase of 101 in 24 hours – with the infection rate in the area now at 1,081.3.