Latest Harborough Covid-19 figures show rapid increase among young people - and a new 'hotspot' identified in the district

The Covid-19 rate among young people across Harborough has increased to 451 per 100,000, it’s emerged.

The scale of coronavirus infection hitting 17-21-year-olds is now more than double the rate of 221 per 100,000 affecting people throughout Harborough as a whole.

Mike Sandys, director of public health for Leicestershire, is now urging anyone with the virus’s symptoms - high temperature, a constant cough and loss of sense of smell or taste – to urgently book a test at the new testing centre in Market Harborough.

He said: “It’s very important that anyone who has symptoms should get tested as soon as possible as we try to stop this virus spreading.”

Mr Sandys said people of all ages, not just young people, face a real risk of being struck down by highly-virulent Covid-19.

Some 208 new cases were confirmed in Harborough in the seven days to Saturday November 7 compared to 174 the week before, the latest figures show.

The Houghton, Thurnby and Scraptoft part of Harborough has become a new 'hotspot' – with 69 cases reported in a week.

The current national Covid-19 average is 240 per 100,000 people.

Meanwhile, a noisy power generator at the new virus test centre at Harborough Leisure Centre on Northampton Road has stopped nearby residents getting a good night’s sleep.

People on Monk Close told Harborough Council that the constant hum and vibration was “like having an HGV parked up outside their homes with its engine running”.

High-intensity lights will now be switched off overnight to slash the generator’s racket after council Environmental Health officers visited the site.

A Harborough council spokesman said: “We have spoken to the site manager regarding this issue.

“He has agreed to reduce the lighting level overnight by switching off the high-powered lighting which are linked to the generators which should reduce generator noise levels.

“Our Environmental Health Officers will continue to monitor the situation.”

Residents have now saluted the council and site operators for responding to their complaints quickly and taking swift action to solve the problem.