Coronavirus situation "extremely serious" as UK heads for national lockdown

The coronavirus situation in Barnsley is "extremely serious", as cases have risen to 548.9 per 100,000 people - which is one of the highest rates in the country.
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As the UK heads into a second national lockdown Julia Burrows, director of public health for the borough says she is concerned at the number of people in intesive care with the virus.

"I’m concerned by the increase in people being hospitalised and the rise in number of people who are in intensive care with COVID-19. This is now extremely serious," she said.

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"Some of these are people who were infected several weeks ago when our rates were lower. I am very worried that when rates climb, it can only mean more people becoming seriously ill.

A digital display shows NHS health advice on the coronavirus displayed on October 30.  Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty ImagesA digital display shows NHS health advice on the coronavirus displayed on October 30.  Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images
A digital display shows NHS health advice on the coronavirus displayed on October 30. Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images

"As you know we have seen a steep rate of increase over the past few weeks and we are now seeing hopeful signs the rate of increase is steadying. We need to work hard together to prevent further steep rises and protect vulnerable people in our community."

During the government's national annoucementt of a second lockdown on Saturday (October 31), a graph showed that Barnsley Hospital had more than half of the covid inpatients than the previous peak by October 10, and inpatient numbers had exceeded the previous peak by October 22.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said during the address: "From Thursday until the start of December, you must stay at home.

"You may only leave home for specific reasons.

"We’ve got to be humble in the face of nature.”

"And in this country alas as across much of Europe the virus is spreading even faster than the reasonable worst case scenario of our scientific advisers."

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