Sheffield 'performing very well' in coronavirus pandemic, MP says

Labour MP for Sheffield South East Clive Betts made the comments when he addressed frequently asked questions from his constituents on Friday.

He said: “Sheffield, and more specifically Sheffield hospitals, are performing very well currently.

“The figures may be misleading as it shows Sheffield has a particularly high number of cases, but this just reflects the number of tests the city has managed to perform so we can identify those who do have Covid-19 faster than other parts of the UK.”

Last week Sheffield’s most senior public health official Greg Fell said the city had reached the peak of coronavirus cases.

Mr Betts added: “The testing has been nearly all on hospital staff which is allowing the health service in the city to establish who and who cannot work to ensure those vulnerable are protected. We should be very proud of how the city is dealing with this crisis.”

Mr Betts also said health professionals will be “working around the clock to ensure that any local action is taken, if required.” It comes as north Sheffield suburb Fir Vale was found to have twice as many coronavirus deaths as any other area of the city.

Despite describing the situation of coronavirus in care homes nationally as “very serious”, Mr Betts said he has received “positive reports that the majority of care homes are coping well” in Sheffield.

He added: “Once Covid-19 is allowed into a care home an outbreak becomes almost certain at that particular home. That is why it is vital that we protect care homes by making sure no patients are discharged into them without proper testing and isolation where necessary.”

The former Sheffield City Council leader said the biggest issue he has been made aware of in Sheffield’s lockdown is large group gatherings, but not within his constituency.

He said: “If this is the case the police should use every power at their disposal to disperse such large gatherings.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to The Star website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor