Covid-19 infection rate doubles in one week in Rotherham

Council and health chiefs have spoken out after the local rate per 100,000 people increased from of 9.8 cases to 23.

Although it is below that of areas where local lockdowns have been imposed, a further rise would see Rotherham back on the Government’s ‘watch list’.

The latest data was shared at a meeting of the Rotherham Local Outbreak Engagement Board on September 11. The increase comes as the Government’s ‘rule of six’ restrictions come into force, banning people from meeting up with more than six people at a time.

Coun Chris Read, Rotherham Council leader and chair of the local outbreak engagement board, said infections had risen for two weeks running.

He added: “Today we are renewing our call to urge people to follow the advice and keep each other safe. Over the last couple of months, we have made really good progress, moving from one of the highest infection rates in the country, to dropping below the national average.

"We have not lost a resident in the borough to COVID for more than a month. That progress has enabled us to begin to reopen many council services.”

“It is also important to note that the evidence continues to suggest that COVID-19 cases are appearing in different parts of the borough; they are not limited to any one area. Neither is any particular age group seeming to be most affected. We do need everyone to keep doing their bit to keep Rotherham open.”

Michael Wright, deputy chief executive of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust said: “As we move into autumn and winter the seasonal pressures of flu will put additional pressures on the system. We urge people to continue to take this pandemic seriously and to follow the guidelines to try to control the virus.

“The fact that Rotherham’s infection rate has more than doubled in the space of seven days is a timely reminder that this terrible disease is still among us and we must all exercise caution for ourselves.”

Donation helps NHS help Rotherham Hospital staff facing Covid trauma

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