'Lockdown is helping,' says Doncaster health boss as town's coronavirus rate falls

Delivering his weekly update on the Covid situation in the town, Dr Rupert Suckling, Doncaster’s Director of Public Health, has praised local people for helping to reduce the numbers – and says he is optimistic for the months ahead.

He said: “Our latest data across all age groups shows our infection rate is 196.9 per 100,000 people for the period 30 January to 5 February.

“As we enter a second month of the national restrictions, I want to reflect how much we have all done since the start of the year.

“Once again I want to thank everyone within our community for all you are doing to help keep the numbers of coronavirus cases in Doncaster as low as possible. Our infection rate is now a third lower than it was at the start of 2021. The lockdown, as difficult as it has been, is helping.

“The start of large-scale community testing in Doncaster and the roll out of vaccination programme are certainly reasons to be optimistic for the months ahead. However, it is still vital that we follow the basics – stay home if you can and remember hands, face, space.

“Our large-scale community testing programme is helping to identify cases in people who are not displaying coronavirus symptoms, there is also regular testing for groups of key workers who are unable to work from home and we also have a mobile testing unit which can visit key sites in Doncaster.

Currently there are testing sites in Hexthorpe, Stainforth and Conisbrough for people in those areas.