Level of Covid-19 infection throughout Leicestershire is 'failing to fall as far or as fast as other areas' - here are the figures for Harborough

Health chiefs and council leaders are imploring people across Leicestershire to redouble their efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19.

They are calling on people to be extra-careful as the latest figures warn that the level of infection throughout the county is “failing to fall as far or as fast as other areas”.

And they warned that we all have to continue to be extremely vigilant as we face the “biggest health crisis in living memory”.

The urgent appeal comes days after Leicester became the first city in the UK to be subjected to a localised coronavirus lockdown.

New statistics show that the rate of coronavirus cases in Harborough district is 397 per 100,000 of the population.

That’s less than half the rate of 1,116 cases in Leicester city but significantly 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.

Oadby and Wigston are being included in the new Leicester lockdown zone because their rate of virus infection is 712 cases per 100,000.

“Leicestershire County Council has released more detailed data as part of efforts to urge residents to play their part in tackling the rate of coronavirus infection in the county.

“As some concerned residents continue to question their inclusion in the lockdown boundary, the council hopes this new data will send a strong signal to all those in Leicestershire that the county must pull together to fight the spread,” said Leicestershire County Council.

Mike Sandys, the 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.”

County council leader, Cllr Nick Rushton, said: “Our residents’ response to coronavirus has been exemplary. “But this is the biggest health crisis in living memory.

“And there’s still work to do to get on top of this virus before it grows further in Leicestershire.

“This situation is unprecedented and there is no trigger rate for lockdown.”

He added: “As I’ve said, our (lockdown) map is far from perfect.

“We have to draw lines somewhere but I understand people’s frustration with the lockdown boundary.

“That’s why we have been working with Public Health England to secure agreement to share information which means that today we can publish more localised data.

“Times remain challenging but you can help to save lives and livelihoods.

“Wherever you live, do the right thing.

“Keep your distance, wash your hands, spot the symptoms and get a test if you need one.”

The council stressed: “We should all be concerned – and everyone in Leicestershire should be taking steps to stay safe.

“This isn’t a case of people living in the lockdown areas are somehow in the ‘infected’ zone – we’re all at risk if we’re not able to dampen the rate of infection.”

FIGURES

District and the rate per 100k/pop’n

Blaby 475

Charnwood 424

Harborough 397

Hinckley & Bosworth 471

Melton 294

North West Leicestershire 302

Oadby and Wigston 712

Leicestershire 431

Leicester City 1116

East Midlands 445

England 440