‘Cafe culture’ blamed for high Covid rate
RESIDENTS SAY PEOPLE AREN’T STICKING TO RULES
RESIDENTS in Sherwood have spoken out about having the highest Covid cases in Nottingham.
The case rate for Sherwood North is currently 2,879.5 per 100,000 people.
Student Charlie Brooks, 18, from Sherwood, said: “I’m not actually that surprised that Sherwood has the highest Covid rates because the area does get really busy.
“Sherwood is a popular area. The Covid rates in Nottingham in general are quite high and not all students are back yet so people can’t blame them.”
Retired Trevor Perry, 67, also from Sherwood, was aware of the figures.
He said: “Basically over the last few years, I’ve been disappointed in people in the shops especially and those going out. Lockdown has not been different for me.
“The general ignorance of people has caused Nottingham to have such high Covid rates and, in Sherwood, if you go out on the weekend, a lot of people are out at all the shops and bars.
“It’s the coffee culture in Sherwood that is a reason for cases rising.”
Nottingham Prison says that outbreaks of Covid in the jail are not to blame for the high rates.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We have taken precautionary measures at HMP Nottingham in line with public health guidance, and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
A spokesperson for Nottingham HMP has outlined what they are doing to keep staff and prisoners safe and said it was inaccurate to suggest the prison was driving infection rates locally.
As of January 5 there were 38 confirmed cases at the prison. The total for the area is currently 239. The prison insists:
Staff dealing with Covid-infected prisoners have access to full PPE.
If a prisoner tests positive during routine testing, they have to self- isolate in line with public health advice. No prisoner who has tested positive would be subsequently placed in a shared cell.
Every prisoner at HMP Nottingham has been offered the Covid19 vaccine.
But retiree Jean George, 69, from Rise Park, still feels concerned about the way things are going. She said: “Sherwood is busier than people think,
“It’s difficult because you can’t stay cooped up forever but people do need to be careful and use their common sense. “Don’t go too close to people, wear a mask in crowded places and things like that which people are not doing. “It’s not just people to blame, it’s the Government too – it’s tricky to get hold of tests. “Taking time off of work isn’t an option for some but Sherwood can be heaving with people at times.”
This week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that Plan B measures would continue for another three weeks and PCR tests for those with symptoms and pretravel tests would not be needed anymore. Lucy Hubber, Director of Public Health in Nottingham, said: “Throughout the pandemic we have seen how quickly case rates across areas of the city can change so it is remains important that we all continue to do all we can to reduce the impact and take care of each other.
“Please take a rapid lateral flow test before you go out to meet with others to be confident you are Covid-free
“If you have symptoms of Covid then isolate immediately and order a PCR test.
“Keep isolating until to get your test results – please don’t take the risk of spreading the virus to others.
“The best protection is vaccination, especially when people have had two doses and a booster.
“The people in hospital with Covid are more likely to be unvaccinated. There are plenty of vaccination appointments that can be booked and you can also walk in without appointment to vaccination centres at the Forest Recreation Ground and Victoria Health Centre.
“It’s really important that we continue to take action to reduce the impact of Covid and do everything we can to take care of ourselves and others this winter.”
The general ignorance of people has caused Nottingham to have such high Covid rates Trevor Perry, 67