Coronavirus: ‘No room for complacency’ says Peterborough’s public health chief

The updated coronavirus watchlist shows Peterborough with a rate of 21.4 new cases per 100,000 of population.

Speaking after last night’s (September 4) updated watchlist was published 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 24th-30th August, shows Peterborough figures of 20 cases per 100,000 of the population. This is a moderate 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’.

“Our message remains very much the same - we have no room for complacency and we will continue to work intensively across the city to prevent the spread of coronavirus in our communities.

“We’re keen to remind people that COVID-19 hasn’t gone away and that by acting responsibly and following the guidance they can keep themselves, their friends, family and work colleagues safe.”

The new case rates for Peterborough on the watchlist 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

Peterborough’s new case rate is 37th out of 39 areas on the list.

The highest rates were in Pendle (71.1), Oldham (56.6) and Blackburn with Darwen (48.3).

The full list is: Pendle, Oldham, Blackburn, Bradford, Rochdale, Manchester, Bolton, Tameside, Trafford, Bury, Preston, Salford, Leicester, Kirklees, Calderdale, Hyndburn, Burnley, Great Yarmouth, Sandwell, Swindon, Birmingham, Breckland, Northampton, Rossendale, Stockport, Norwich, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, South Norfolk, Broadland, North Norfolk, Corby, Kettering, Oadby, Leeds, South Tyneside, Middlesbrough, Peterborough, Stoke-on-Trent, Luton.

Coronavirus testing will continue to be available at the East of England Showground, Dogsthorpe Community Centre and Gladstone Park Community Centre, and testing is also now available at the Pyramid Centre in Bretton.

The Dogsthorpe centre will be open today (September 5) and the Gladstone centre and Pyramid Centre will be open on Sunday (September 6) between 10am and 3pm.

Anyone with symptoms can book a test by visiting the NHS website.

Those unable to access the internet can call 119 to book a test.

People can also attend the mobile testing unit if they haven’t booked an appointment, although it is advisable to do so to avoid having to wait.