Council leader urges people to stay calm as new cases of Covid-19 across the Harborough district double in a week

Harborough council leader Phil King is exhorting people “not to panic” as new cases of Covid-19 across the district doubled in a week.

Cllr King insisted Harborough is still “heading in the right direction” despite the new statistic as the nation’s four-month coronavirus lockdown is gradually lifted.

The Conservative council chief spoke as Public Health England figures showed cases have risen from 9.7 to 20.5 per 100,000 people throughout Harborough in the seven days up to Monday July 6.

It’s one of the biggest increases anywhere in the country.

But Cllr King told the Harborough Mail: “My advice to people here is simple – stay calm and don’t panic.

“This might look dramatic but let’s put the figures in perspective.

“We are talking about a very small number of people who have been affected.”

He added: “More Covid-19 tests are being carried out in Harborough – and they are picking up more cases.

“So none of us can be blasé or complacent about this threat.

“But there is no need to get worked up.

“I’m not worried.

“I’m still going out shopping and getting out and about.”

Cllr King implored people to continue to do all they can to stop the virulent virus spreading amid the localised Leicester lockdown.

“Carry on as you have been.

“Keep your social distance, wash your hands regularly and be careful at work and how you socialise,” he said.

“Follow the Government’s guidance.

“Act responsibly and sensibly and let’s all work together to drive down the number of cases across Harborough.”

The latest figures show the rate of coronavirus cases in Harborough is 397 per 100,000 of the population since the Covid-19 pandemic flared up in the spring.

That’s less than half the rate of 1,116 cases in Leicester city but above the rate of 294 cases in Melton and 302 in North West Leicestershire.

The average rate throughout Leicestershire is 431, it’s 445 in the East Midlands and 440 in England.

“Our rate is significantly lower than for Leicestershire and England as a whole – and we are the third lowest in the county,” said Cllr King.

“This is all relative and we are talking about a small number of cases here recently in Harborough.

“People have died here, very sadly, but we are not suffering an explosion of new cases.

“Stay alert, act responsibly and we’ll continue to head in the right direction as we all unite to fight Covid-19.”

Almost 400 people are confirmed to have been struck down by coronavirus in Harborough since the pandemic broke out in March.

Cllr Phil Knowles, who leads the Liberal Democrat group on Harborough council, said: “The vital thing is that we stay vigilant and adhere to the rules.

“Covid 19 is a killer - it can’t be under-estimated.

“Enjoy socialising, enjoy meeting friends and family and enjoy getting out and about but do stay safe so that together we can beat this.”

Cllr Nick Rushton, the leader of Leicestershire County Council, told the Mail: “There has been an increase in the number of positive cases identified in the Harborough district but we’d like to stress these numbers are still relatively small and do not indicate an outbreak.

“While we cannot say for certain, it is likely that the increase in cases in the district is largely due to a higher rate of testing, possibly due to concern about the proximity to Leicester and an increase in promotion encouraging people to get tested if they show symptoms.”

He added: “Although the numbers are relatively low, we cannot emphasis enough the continued need to maintain social distancing guidelines.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and ask that residents get tested if they have symptoms - and self-isolate if contacted by NHS Track and Trace.”

Urging everyone to be vigilant, Mike Sandys, Leicestershire County Council’s director of public health, said: “The key to getting this under control is in all of our hands.

“It’s important all residents continue to heed national advice – know the symptoms, get a test if you have symptoms and isolate if you need to.

“We’re not seeing a connection with the spike in Leicester.

“But the county has moved from a position of being well below the national average, to one where we are now comparable.”

Mr Sandys added: “Latest figures suggest that the level of infection is failing to fall as far or as fast as other areas.

“We want people to play their part and protect their community.”