Restrictions could be introduced in ‘ an area of concern’

ROTHERHAM

ROTHERHAM HAS been named as “an area of concern” on the Government’s Covid watchlist as its infection rates climb to more than 80 cases per 100,000 people and its hospital reports 25 patients admitted with the virus.

The status – also currently applied to Wakefield, Selby and Scarborough – means the borough is one step closer to having tighter restrictions, like those already imposed in parts of Yorkshire with high infection rates.

Council leader Chris Read said: “The data shows us that the infection is occurring across all areas of the borough and within all age groups. By speaking to people who have the disease we know most of them have contracted it through some form of social contact, whether that is through mixing with friends, relatives or workmates.

“We want to thank the majority of people in Rotherham who are following the guidelines. However,

we need everyone else to take this situation seriously and to do what is right.”

Rotherham’s public health consultant Jacqueline Wiltschinsky added: “There is a lot of false information circulating on social media about the virus. The truth is this: it is only by limiting contact with people, wearing face coverings, washing hands and isolating when infectious that we can have any chance of reducing the number of people who will get sick... and possibly die.”

Similar warnings were also issued by North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum as it said the county had reached a “tipping point”. The body – made up of police and council representatives – said the Craven and Richmondshire districts were areas of particular concern, but cases were on the rise everywhere.

Local restrictions remain in place for Bradford, Calderdale, Leeds and Kirklees which ban households from mixing in homes or private gardens.