Rates more than double the average in parts of city
DOOR-TO-DOOR DELIVERY OF TESTS WHERE INFECTIONS HIGH
SOME neighbourhoods in Leicester have a coronavirus infection rate that is more than twice the national average.
The latest analysis from public health officials has revealed parts of the city where the seven-day incidence of Covid-19 is more than 300 cases per 100,000 people.
Leicester City Council says there were 868 new virus cases across the city in the week up to December 4, and it has resumed volunteer door-to-door delivery of PCR testing kits in areas where the virus is high.
It hoped by doing this it will be able to “search out” the virus and encourage more people to self-isolate and break the chain of transmission.
The city council’s latest data shows that in the seven days up to December 4, coronavirus cases in the following areas were above 300 per 100,000 people:
Belgrave - 458.6 (cases per 100,000 people)
Hamilton - 396
Charnwood - 352.5
Spinney Hill - 345.9 Braunstone West - 342.5 Rushey Fields - 337.8
New Parks West - 320.9 Northfields - 318.5
St Matthew’s and St Peter’s - 318.3
In the week up to December 4, the seven-day average for the whole of Leicester was 275.1 cases per 100,000.
In the week up to December 4, the national average infection rate was 153.5 cases per 100,000.
The council is also working on plans to roll out rapid lateral flow testing and has been told it can take full charge of the test and trace operation in Leicester, from the government, to try to shorten delays between positive tests being confirmed and people being contacted and told to self-isolate.
The government is set to review Leicester’s Tier 3 restriction status next week.