Coronavirus: Peterborough stays on watchlist as cases show small rise

The coronavirus watchlist, which was updated yesterday (August 28), showed Peterborough as an ‘amber’ area of concern, ranked at 28th in the list of 29 areas on the list.

The watchlist shows the city had a rate of 12.9 cases per 100,000 population.

However, the watchlist is based on data covering August 14-20 and more recent figures covering August 17-23, which are also available, show that Peterborough’s figure has since risen to 15.9 cases per 100,000.

Peterborough’s figure is still much lower than other areas on the watchlist with Pendle top with a rate of 67.8, followed by Oldham with 67.1 and Blackburn with Darwen at 52.4.

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 17th-23rd August, shows Peterborough figures of just under 16 cases per 100,000 of the population.

“Although this figure is a slight increase from last week, there has been an overall decline in rates over the last two months.

“However, the city remains on the national watch list as an ‘area of concern’.

“It is clear that while our measures are having some effect, we have no room for complacency and rest assured that we will continue to work intensively across the city to prevent the spread of coronavirus in our communities.

“Above all else, we need people to understand 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.

Coronavirus test sites will be open in Peterborough over the weekend at Dogsthorpe Community Centre today (August 29) between 10am and 3pm.

Tomorrow (August 30) testing will be available at Gladstone Park Community Centre between 10am and 3pm.

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

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.

The areas on the government’s coronavirus watchlist are:

Pendle, Oldham, Blackburn with Darwen, Leicester, Bradford, Manchester, Rochdale, Northampton,

Salford, Bury, Kirklees, Calderdale, Tameside, Preston, Swindon, Burnley, Birmingham, Sandwell, Bolton,

Trafford, Stockport, Hyndburn, Stoke-on-Trent, Newark & Sherwood, Wakefield, Oadby and Wigston, Luton,

Peterborough and Slough.