Residents urged to stay home despite early signs COVID rate is falling in Peterborough

In the seven days up to January 19 there were 1,023 positive tests in the city - a reduction of 25 compared to the previous seven days.

In the same period 12 of the 22 Peterborough neighbourhoods did not see a rise in coronavirus cases.

The seven day average for cases in the city has seen a steady fall for several days now, Government data shows.Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health for Cambridgeshire, said: “Covid-19 infection rates in Peterborough have remained stable over the past week. There has been a slight fall of around 4 to 6%.

"The fact that cases have stabilised and are no longer rising means that lockdown is having an impact. It’s so important at this time that local residents continue to follow the Stay at Home rules and only go out for essential purposes. This will help to protect our local NHS and the pressures it is facing.

“If you have to go out for essential reasons, it's important to keep at least two metres away from anyone you don’t live with and wear a face covering when required. Avoid crowded and poorly ventilated spaces, wash or sanitise your hands frequently, and make sure to wash them for at least 20 seconds when you get back home.

"If you have symptoms, please self-isolate at home with your household, and get a test promptly. We have testing sites at Gladstone Park Community Centre and at the East of England showground as well as mobile testing sites which visit other areas in the City. Tests can be booked on-line through the www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test."

Yesterday a new vaccination hub opened in Peterborough, which will help speed up the vaccination programme in the city.However, health services still remain stretched, and health staff have made pleas for residents to stick to lockdown rules to ease pressure.