LOCKDOWN BY FRIDAY
LOCAL MEASURES TO SLOW SPREAD OF COVID EXPECTED AS NOTTINGHAM’S INFECTION RATE SURPASSES OTHER CITIES
TIGHTER restrictions to stem the “worrying” rise in coronavirus cases in Nottingham are expected “on or before Friday”, the city’s public health director has said.
The news comes after a surge in Covid-19 cases over the past few days, with the city’s infection rate currently around 382 per 100,000 people – the sixth highest in the country.
Nottingham’s rate is now higher than Leicester, Leeds and Birmingham, all areas which are in local lockdowns of varying levels.
Alison Challenger, director for Public Health at Nottingham City Council, told the Post she anticipates restrictions to be similar to those “in the north-west and Leicester”.
“We know that the Government considers every week what measures need to be put in place in local areas and when,” she said. “With such a high rate now that’s something we are anticipating coming later this week.
“We can expect to see measures similar to those in other parts of the country.
“We know people have tried really hard with these guidelines, but with these rates we know they are not enough, so we do expect measures to be put in.
“We can expect to see instructions around household mixing for example. And urging people to think about their gatherings and meeting with other people.
“The levels are high now and I think they will continue to go up for some time. We fully expect to be on the Government watchlist.”
Speaking of which areas may be affected by further restrictions, Ms Challenger said the Government typically imposes them based on upper-tier local authorities. This means people in areas governed by the city council are likely to be affected.
She says three-quarters of all new cases have been due to household gatherings, with transmission occurring indoors.
Ms Challenger added: “I would expect the whole of the city is going to be under restrictions in order to manage the virus.
“It is increasing so rapidly. The control is not there. There is an increase in the number of people that are being hospitalised, but not the numbers we saw back in March by a long way yet.”
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care added: “We are unable to speculate on or pre-empt any decisions made.”
PEOPLE should follow tougher lock down restrictions today, rather than wait for a Government announcement later this week.
That was the advice issued by Director of Public Health Alison Challenger yesterday, who said that tougher Government restrictions are “inevitable”, with the number of cases in Nottingham doubling in less than seven days.
She said it was time for residents to start following what is expected to be the new rules as soon as possible.
Residents in Nottingham City have been immediately urged not to mix indoors with people from other households, unless they are part of a support bubble.
This includes in your own home, at others’ homes and at leisure and hospitality venues.
She said venues could still be visited but only with your own household/support bubble.
Ms Challenger told a meeting of the city’s Outbreak Control Engagement Board yesterday afternoon: “Over the last few days there has been a dramatic increase.
“We are now seeing 382 cases per hundred thousand population. That makes it one of the highest rates in the country.
“That means we are likely to be on the Government watchlist later on this week.
“We are anticipating being there because our rates mean we are now sixth highest. It’s inevitable that further restrictions are necessary and that they will come into place this week.
“What we’re saying is we will be putting in place extra restrictions but we know the infection rate is high, so we are urging people in Nottingham to take personal action now in terms of reducing their risk.
“I think the rule of six we’re currently working with is likely to change.
“I expect we will still be able to visit venues but it is likely to be limited to the household bubble, rather than mixing with other households.
“That is speculative but that is what we’re seeing in other areas and I expect it to be the case here.”
Councillor Sally Longford, deputy leader of the council, asked the director of public health during the meeting: “Just for clarification, we’re asking people to start to act in a way which we’re expecting to become the regulation in Nottingham, so we’re asking people to limit their social contact now?”
Alison Challenger replied: “Yes. We know that our rates are really high now. Rather than wait for a national message to come through, it makes sense for people to address those issues now and look at reducing household contact.”