Coronavirus: Campaign to target Peterborough’s under-30s as city remains on national watchlist

A medical worker takes a swab to test for the novel coronavirus Covid-19 from a visitor to a drive-in testing facility.

The city remains on the government’s coronavirus watchlist with a new case rate of 27.9 per 100,000 of population - a rise on last week’s figure of 21.4.

Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health for Peterborough City Council, said: “The most recent weekly surveillance data released by Public Health England, which quotes information on Covid-19 cases 28th August to 3 September, shows Peterborough figures of 28 cases per 100,000 of the population. This is an increase compared to the previous week, and similar to rates we were seeing in the second half of July. The city remains on the national watch list as an ‘area of concern’.

“We continue to work intensively across the city to prevent the spread of coronavirus in our communities and from Monday we will be launching a new campaign called Cancel COVID.

“This will target the under 30 population who we know are one group catching and spreading the virus, and features posters, social media activity and endorsements from local and national celebrities - highlighting the key steps everyone must take to avoid further restrictions being placed on the activities everyone enjoys.

“We continue to encourage people to get tested, but only if they are displaying at least one Covid-19 symptom - a fever, a new continuous cough or a loss or change of taste or smell. If people have trouble booking a test online, they can also call 119 or try again at a later time. By following this advice, people can ensure that tests are available for those who really need them.

“There will still be nationally organised mobile testing sites available across Peterborough, but walk-in appointments are no longer available for the MTU sites due to the national increase in demand We are recommending people with symptoms or who have been told to get a test - for instance if they are going into hospital for surgery – book a test appointment online or by calling 119, and they will be directed to the nearest place to get a test.”

The new case rates for Peterborough on the watchlist (published every Friday) in recent weeks have been:

July 31 - 19.4

Aug 7 - 28.4

Aug 14 - 11.4

Aug 21 - 16.4

Aug 28 - 12.9

Sept 4 - 21.4

Sept 11 - 27.9

Peterborough’s new case rate is 37th out of 48 areas on the list.

The full list is:

Areas of intervention: Bolton, Bradford, Oldham, Salford, Blackburn with Darwen, Preston, Pendle, Rochdale, Tameside, Manchester, Birmingham, Bury, Leicester, Kirklees, Solihull, Calderdale, Trafford and

Sandwell.

Areas of enhanced support: Rossendale, Burnley, South Tyneside, Leeds, Hyndburn, Gateshead, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Stockport.

Areas of concern: Hertsmere, Wirral, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Corby, Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Sheffield, Peterborough, Northampton, Stoke-on-Trent, St Helens, Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Swindon, Breckland, South Norfolk, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Broadland, North Norfolk.

Coronavirus cases in the UK have risen to the highest level since mid-May.

A total of 3,539 new Covid-19 cases were recorded on Friday, the Department of Health said.

It is the highest daily figure since May 17 and Public Health England’s medical director Professor Yvonne Doyle warned it is a reminder of the “ongoing risk as the virus spreads throughout the UK”.

The figure rose sharply from 2,919 the previous day and most cases are people who have been tested in the community.

Prof Doyle said there are now “worrying signs” of infections among the elderly.

She said: “Although younger people continue to make up the greatest share of new cases, we’re now starting to see worrying signs of infections occurring in the elderly, who are at far higher risk of getting seriously ill.

“This is a reminder of the ongoing risk as the virus spreads throughout the UK.

“People should continue to follow social distancing rules, wash their hands regularly and wear a face covering in enclosed spaces. You should not mix with others when unwell.”

Testing capacity has increased since the previous high in May, meaning more tests are being carried out.

Data released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) shows the estimate for the R value – the reproduction number of coronavirus transmission – across the UK is between 1.0 and 1.2. In effect that means that for every 10 people who catch the virus, between 10 and 12 other people are likely to get infected.

For the East of England, the R rate is currently between 0.9 and 1.2.

Compared to the rest of England, that figure represents the joint second lowest rate, behind the Midlands and level with the South West.