‘This is our last chance'
City added to Public Health England watchlist after rise in coronavirus cases brings threat of local down
Sunderland has now officially been added to a Government watchlist over its rise in coronavirus cases – with a warning a local lockdown on businesses could be next.
The city has been added to Public Health England's watchlist for “enhanced support” as leaders warned “This is our last chance.”
There were 244 new positive cases in the seven days to Tuesday, September 8.
That equals to about 75 cases per 100,000 people - three times higher than the national rate.
Sunderland City Council says there are no formal restrictions or lockdown measures as part of the move.
Council leader Councillor Graeme Miller, the chairman of the Sunderland Outbreak Control Board, said that it means more “support” at the moment, rather than restrictions, but warned the city is now very close to a local lockdown.
He said: "Yet, we are very close to a local lockdown if there is not a rapid and drastic reduction in the number of cases.
"The virus is spreading across Sunderland and we need to work together to stop it.”
Actions being taken include:
• Suspending all but essential care home visits.
• Visiting stopped on all adult in patient ward sat South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.
• Increased monitoring of licensed premises and ap
propriate enforcement focused initially on pubs, clubs and bars.
• Speaking to people who have tested positive to try and work out how and where people have been exposed to the virus.
Additional national support may include:
• Priority for mobile testing units as required.
• Priority use of NHS Test and Trace call centre tracing resources.
• Priority for test results and data sharing.
If cases continue to rise, local lockdown measures could be imposed on the city.
Restrictions on opening hours in pubs, bars, or restaurants and other venues could be considered as a rise in cases has been linked to the hospitality trade.
Cllr Miller warned: "It is very simple: The current situation is extremely serious.
"And if more people do not take more responsibility and act more sensibly then we will go back into a lockdown.
"This is our last chance."