Coronavirus: Lockdown ‘came at right time for Peterborough’ after 40% rise in cases

Dr Liz Robin said Peterborough saw a 40 per cent increase in cases (435) between November 4-11 compared to the previous week, with the vast majority of people becoming infected just ahead of lockdown.

Currently, the virus is spreading in the city at the fastest rate since the first national lockdown, with more than 200 per 100,000 population infected with Covid-19.

Moreover, the number of elderly people contracting the virus is increasing, leading to a rise in deaths and further pressure on Peterborough City Hospital.

Dr Robin, who is also director of public health in Cambridgeshire, said: “What we were seeing before lockdown was cases multiplying quite rapidly and across the age groups.

“Lockdown came at the right time for Peterborough. It’s incredibly important that people follow restrictions in lockdown so we can turn the rapid rise around. We need to do something.

“It’s too early to say what the effect of lockdown is. We won’t know until the end of November. But for me, what it does mean is we have to think about the festive season when we come out of lockdown and very carefully about that balance between people wanting to socialise and enjoy themselves which is what festive season is about, and risks between social contacts which is how Covid is transmitted.

“That’s what’s exercising my mind. It needs a lot of thought which is happening at a national and local level.

“But we’re in a better position in Peterborough than we would have been if communities had not worked together.”

Dr Robin said the spread of the virus is “much more widespread than at some points in the summer” and is affecting all communities and age groups.

She added: “If people can minimise contact and keep social distancing and follow regulations during lockdown, that will help protect the elderly community and most vulnerable.”

Dr Robin is urging city residents to only leave home for essential reasons.