No plans for local Peterborough lockdowns as city still sits in top 10 for coronavirus cases

Residents are being re-assured that the rate for coronavirus cases is ‘a million miles’ from that of Leicester, which was locked down by the Government earlier this month - but Peterborough residents need to stick to social distancing measures to ensure the rate is driven down.

While much of the Peterborough spike has been in the PE1 areas around Millfield and New England, there has also been a number of cases towards Ravensthorpe in the west and Paston in the north of the city.

Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald, Deputy Leader of Peterborough City Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Public Health said work was being done to ensure cases are reduced - and said at the moment there were no plans for any local lockdowns, as seen in other places, including Blackburn, being introduced in Peterborough.

Speaking to The Peterborough Telegraph last night he said: “In perspective, there was a million miles between Leicester, which had a rate of more than 120 case, and Peterborough, which was about 22 last week.

“The figures are a moment in time, and the figures change daily. But being in the top ten - I expect the figures will show Peterborough is in sixth - does raise an eyebrow.

“We have been discussing the public health implications of the spike. We should not be overly worried, but we should be realistic, and look at what we can do to get the figures going in the other direction.

“The spoke has mainly been in the PE1 area of the city, which is an area which has a lot of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) residents, as well as a high proportion of eastern European residents, and the data shows that they can be at more risk of serious effects of this virus compared to others.

“We have to look at the connotations of this and what we can do.

“A lot of people in these communities live in extended family groups, or in more cramped conditions in HMOs, which can make it easier to spread the virus

“We have set up a mobile testing site in Gladstone Park, at the centre of the PE1 area, to encourage more people to get tested. By testing more people, we will get more positive tests

“We have also done a leaflet drop, have put out messages on Facebook and are putting together information packs in a range of Asian and European languages to get the message across.

“We have seen what it is like in Lincoln Road, for example, where there have been large groups of young men smoking and drinking. We need to really get that message across.

“Some Eastern European communities, from former Soviet states, for example, are also less keen to give personal details over. We are trying to track the virus, not the person.


“We also believe that the virus may be being picked up and being passed on as people go and work in agricultural settings.”

However, despite the high ranking, Cllr Fitzgerald urged residents to live life ‘as normally as possible.’

He said; “I would encourage people to live life as normal, while sticking to the rules that are in place.

“Wearing face masks is common sense, to protect yourself and to protect others.

“We have no plans for a local lockdown, but people have to stick to the rules.”

For the latest coronavirus advice and guidance visit https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/healthcare/public-health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-overview

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