'Don't wreck the bitter battle against Covid-19 by breaking the rules' say Leicestershire Police

A year since the first case was confirmed, there have now been over 77,000 cases across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland - and tragically almost 2,300 people have died
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Leicestershire police chief Simon Cole is begging people across Harborough as well as throughout the region not to “wreck” the bitter battle to defeat Covid-19.

The county’s Chief Constable is issuing his powerful plea ahead of the first anniversary of the first confirmed coronavirus case in Leicestershire on Saturday March 7, 2020.

A year on there have now been over 77,000 cases across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland - and tragically almost 2,300 people have died.

Leicestershire police Chief Constable Simon Cole is begging people across Harborough as well as throughout the region not to “wreck” the bitter battle to defeat Covid-19.Leicestershire police Chief Constable Simon Cole is begging people across Harborough as well as throughout the region not to “wreck” the bitter battle to defeat Covid-19.
Leicestershire police Chief Constable Simon Cole is begging people across Harborough as well as throughout the region not to “wreck” the bitter battle to defeat Covid-19.

Mr Cole said: “We are at a crossroads now and it is very important we maintain what the lockdown has achieved.

“My plea at this stage would be don’t wreck it – we have come so far, let’s get safely to the return to normality.”

Thinking back to that fateful moment last March, he added: “I vividly recall the Director of Public Health calling me to tell me that we had our first Covid case in Leicestershire.

“It has been a difficult year for us all.”

The county’s top police officer said they had received over 25,000 calls about potential Covid breaches and issued over 2,500 penalty notices.

“The force has continued to engage with the public in a positive way throughout.

“And despite officers and staff putting themselves at risk they have been up to the task and continued to work tirelessly to keep the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland safe,” said Mr Cole.

“I could not be more proud of the efforts of all of my colleagues and we are grateful to all of those who have followed the rules.”

Mike Sandys, director of public health for Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council, said: “The call about the first confirmed case came in early March and wasn’t travel related, offering a glimpse into what we were dealing with, plus the ease of transmission.

“And with our second case, which was connected to travel, family members then contracted it giving us early sight of the importance of space and reducing close contact.”

Mike said the last year can be broken down into three stages.

“Each phase has brought different challenges requiring lightning-quick responses.

“Providing PPE (personal protective equipment) and translating guidance was very much the priority at the start, whilst the localised lockdown brought our area into the national spotlight in June,” he said.

“Over the summer and autumn, the focus switched to localised testing and tiering.

“And the pop-up, asymptomatic testing we brought into Oadby and Wigston and Melton generated a big fall in rates.

“And since December, we’ve set up seven rapid community test centres across the county and are continuing to target hot spots whilst urging people to get vaccinated.

“The realities of the pandemic are stark.

“People are continuing to struggle with the effects of coronavirus, experiencing hardship or struggling with isolation and mental health issues,” said Mike.

“And there are thousands of families in our area who have lost loved ones and my thoughts are with all those affected.

“It’s been a relentless year for everyone - but our role remains keeping people safe.”

Andy Williams, Chief Executive of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: “Leading the local Covid response has been challenging.

“But I’ve been touched by the tremendous effort, dedication and goodwill of our NHS staff, volunteers, local partners and communities. “Thank you for coming together and looking out for one another, during a year which has been like no other.

“We entered this year with fresh hope as we introduced our vaccination programme, which over time, will play a vital part in ending the pandemic.

“Please do take up the vaccine when it is your turn.”

Andrew Furlong, Medical Director at Leicester’s hospitals, said: “The challenges and pressures of caring for patients during the pandemic continue to be very real for all NHS staff.

“Our teams go above and beyond daily to deliver the best possible care and we’re proud to have been able to support thousands of people in getting home to their families.

“But we have also experienced significant loss and sadly every day, people are still dying from this virus.”

He added: “As we mark 12 months of living and coping with the pandemic, we remember those we have lost and our thoughts go out to everyone now living without a loved one and all those living with the long term effects of Covid.

“In recent weeks we’ve seen a slow drop in cases in our hospitals.

“But we are still treating many very poorly patients and our services remain under pressure.

“The amazing NHS vaccination programme is a beacon of hope but now is not the time for people to ease up.

“It’s so important we all continue to play our part in preventing the spread of the virus.

“Lives depend on it.”

Cllr Nick Rushton, who leads Leicestershire County Council, said: “We’ve been working with partners to fight coronavirus together for over a year.

“I want to thank all those essential workers who have kept vital services running, the volunteers who’ve stepped up to help people and send my sympathies to families who have lost loved ones.

“With the vaccine roll out increasing, things will open up slowly – and that will be vital for the future economy.

“But it’s also no time for complacency and people need to remain vigilant.”

The local Covid-19 factfile at a glance:

There have been 77,000 cases of coronavirus across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland so far

Some 2,300 people have died

4,000 people have been treated in hospital for coronavirus and discharged

An incredible 342,885 vaccinations were carried out by the end of February

100 Covid champions recruited – to help share facts in communities

Some 1,362 licensing checks, 2,582 fixed penalty notices and 24,037 reports of breaches managed by Leicestershire Police.

Residents are still being urged to:

Stay at home - unless you have to go out for an essential reason

Take extra care on public transport or in supermarkets

Avoid car sharing, if you can, or take extra safety precautions

Remember the 'hands, face, space' guidance at all times.