Health boss confirms simple reason why Covid-19 cases have risen in Sheffield

Despite a fall nationally in recent days, the amount of cases in Sheffield rose in the seven days to January 21, despite a third national lockdown beginning on 4 January.

There were 247 cases per 100,000 people during this period up from 237 the previous week. That small rise represents 62 more cases, according to Government data.

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Greg Fell, director of public health in Sheffield, told The Star: “Whilst there has been a very small rise in cases in the last week or so, which we are watching carefully, I’m more interested in what the longer term picture is looking like in the city. Our figures are pretty much in line with what’s happening elsewhere at the moment.

“Case numbers in the over 60s and over 80s age group are falling and where there is a rise, it is in the working age population with the main cause of transmission still being within and between households.”

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Mr Fell said the rise in cases is, in part, due to the new variant, which earlier this week he said currently accounts for ‘well over 60 per cent’ of new confirmed infections in Sheffield.

He added: “Also, with the recent snow and flooding we saw testing numbers reduce a little.

"They have normalised again now so we are picking up more positive cases again.”

The latest data, which covers the seven days to January 23, shows cases in Sheffield are now falling again, with 11 fewer infections recorded compared to the previous week.

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Nancy Fielder, editor.