Hard-hit area ‘needs tougher restrictions’
RESIDENTS SAY NEW YEAR IS TOO LATE TO TRY TO HALT VIRUS SPREAD
LOCALS in the Rise Park and Top Valley area were angry about the lack of new Covid restrictions as the area recorded the highest rate of coronavirus cases in Nottingham.
In the week leading up to Christmas Eve, Rise Park and Top Valley West recorded 127 cases.
The area has a case rate of 2,203.3 cases per 100,000 people – one of the highest rates in the country at more than double the England average.
This comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that there would be no new Covid restrictions before the new year.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister urged people to “act cautiously” and encouraged people to get vaccinated.
But not every resident in the area was pleased with the choices made by the Prime Minister, with many blaming the decision to keep hospitality venues open for the high infection rate.
Ann Belore, 66, of Lechlade Road, said: “It does concern me, and they should be doing something about it.
“There should be more things in place to stop it from spreading.
“The pubs should have been shut and football crowds should have been stopped.
“I know we all wanted Christmas and to celebrate, but I’d rather be here next year.”
Corrina, 33, moved to the area in 2021 and believes the Government should be doing more with testing. “The pandemic in general is terrifying and this Govern
The pubs should have been shut and football crowds should have been stopped
Ann Belore
ment has been a joke. “My partner works for the NHS so needs to take a lateral flow test before he goes to work every day and we can’t find them anywhere. “They’re not bringing in any restrictions, telling people to test and then you can’t get tested.” Tracey Bignell, 59, Manley Close, said: “I think he [Boris Johnson] should have put restrictions in place from Boxing Day onwards.
“I think after the new year is going to be too late because the cases are just going up and the hospitals are not going to be able to cope with it.” However, some residents feel as though the current restrictions in place are enough to deal with the cases, suggesting that coronavirus is something we need to learn to live with.
Margaret Beni, 79, of Stanstead Avenue, said “I try not to let the rise in cases concern me, because I think you can go mad, so I just do my best. I’ve been vaccinated, I wear a mask and I can’t do more.
“A lot of people feel like they can’t do things anymore, but you can – you’ve just got to be careful. You can’t hide away from this because it’s going to go on and on.”
David Johns, public health consultant at Nottingham City Council, said: “Like all areas of the country, we continue to see an increase in Covid-19 cases across the city.
“When you do need to meet people over the new year period, try to do it outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, wear a mask, and take a lateral-flow test before you go to be confident you are Covid-free.
“The latest data suggests that previous Covid infection does not provide protection from Omicron. The best advice is to be vaccinated, so book your vaccination right now. Third ‘booster’ jabs will offer the most protection against Omicron, but if you have yet to be vaccinated you can still book a first dose. Every bit of protection will help.”