Covid case figures up ‘due to new strain’

A new strain of Covid-19 is the reason for Sunderland’s alarming rise in positive cases, according to its health chief.

Case rates more than doubled according to figures, with the rate up to Saturday, standing at 514.2 per 100,000 people, compared to the seven days before, when it was 216.1 per 100,000 people.

As of January 6, a total of 14,856 cases had been re c o rd e d i n th e c i ty s i n c e f i g u re s were first shared in March. South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has reported 670 deaths in the same period.

Gerry Taylor, Executive Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning, said: “Sunderland’s rise is of course worrying. We’ve had the third highest daily infection rates in the North East in recent days, and the country is also of course recording a high rate of cases.

“The new strain is circulating, causing cases to accelerate rapidly, and so increase the risk of more widespread transmission. This is in line with what’s happening nationally and why it is more important than ever that we all follow the rules of the national lockdown.

“It’s a very straightforward message and the regulations are very clear: Stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out. “You should only leave home for a number of specific reasons, such as going to work if you can’t work from home; shopping for basicsand essentials;exercising once a day; to seek medical attention.

“Staying at home and avoiding all contact with thoseoutsideyourhousehold or support bubble will help deny this virus the opportunity to spread further.”