Rotherham 'one step closer' to local lockdown as Covid infection rate rises

The town has been named as ‘an area of concern’ on the Government’s Covid-19 ‘watchlist’ as infection rates climb to more than 80 cases per 100,000 people in the borough.

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According to Rotherham Council, the town’s hospital is currently treating 25 patients with the virus.

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The council said: “The listing means the borough is one step closer to having tighter restrictions, like those being imposed in other areas of the country with high infection rates.”

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Rotherham Council Leader, Councillor 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 is a strong and caring community, we need the community to once again rally together to keep each other safe and to protect our most vulnerable residents and all of our frontline workers.”

Consultant in public health for Rotherham, Jacqueline Wiltschinsky, said: “There is a lot of false information circulating on social media about the virus.

“No matter what you read, 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 with this disease and possibly die.

“We do not want to have tighter restrictions imposed but that is what will have to happen unless we can work together now to control the virus in Rotherham.”

Appearing on the watchlist is expected to see some additional testing capacity introduced at Covid-19 testing sites in Rotherham.

Areas with local restrictions in place include Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

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