Infection rates revealed - plea issued to residents

Charnwood figures show rate of virus cases

LEICESTERSHIRE County Council has released more detailed data as part of efforts to urge residents to play their part in tackling the rate of coronavirus infection in the county.

As some concerned residents continue to question their inclusion in the lockdown boundary, the council hopes this new data will send a strong signal to all those in Leicestershire that the county must pull together to fight the spread.

Data from the start of the pandemic shows Charnwood had a rate of 424 cases per 100,000 of the population, and North West Leicestershire had 302, with Leicestershire as a whole at 431 - but Leicester’s figure was 1,116.

Mike Sandys, county council director of public health, said: “The key to getting this under control is in all of our hands. It’s important all residents continue to heed national advice – know the symptoms, get a test if you have symptoms and isolate if you need to.

“We’re not seeing a connection with the spike in Leicester but the county has moved from a position of being well below the national average, to one where we are now comparable. Latest figures suggest that the level of infection is failing to fall as far or as fast as other areas.

“We want people to play their part and protect their community.”

County council leader, Nick Rushton, said: “Our residents’ response to coronavirus has been exemplary. But this is the biggest health crisis in living memory – and there’s still work to do to get on top of this virus before it grows further in Leicestershire.

“This situation is unprecedented and there is no trigger rate for lockdown. As I’ve said, our map is far from perfect. We have to draw lines somewhere but I understand people’s frustration with the lockdown boundary. That’s why we have been working with Public Health England to secure agreement to share information which means that today, we can publish more localised data.

“Times remain challenging but you can help to save lives and livelihoods. Wherever you live, do the right thing. Keep your distance, wash your hands, spot the symptoms and get a test if you need one.”