Highest rate in country – but app says ‘medium risk’

THE Government’s track-and-trace app states that Nottingham is of “medium risk” for coronavirus – despite the area having the highest weekly rates of infection in the country.

Postcodes such as NG5, which covers areas such as Sherwood, Carrington, Bestwood, Top Valley, Woodthorpe and Arnold are labelled “medium risk”.

The same risk level applies to NG7, which covers Lenton, The Park, Forest Fields, Hyson Green and the Arboretum, where most of the cases have been recorded.

NG2, which covers the West Bridgford area, also has a medium risk.

The Government says that medium risk is “likely to have an impact” while high risk is “highly probable it will have a significant impact”.

Nottingham is currently in the national spotlight after the city recorded the highest weekly rate of new Covid-19 cases in England.

A total of 2,532 new cases were recorded in Nottingham in the seven days to October 6 – the equivalent of 760.6 cases per 100,000 people.

It is an enormous leap from 527 in the previous seven days (to September 29), or 158.3 per 100,000 people.

Across Nottinghamshire, there have also been sharp rises in Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe.

Every district area of the county has recorded an increased rate in the latest seven days available.

Leaked Government documents have revealed when new local restrictions are expected to be introduced across the county.

The Department for Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.