New figures show Covid-19 infection rate across the Harborough district has doubled

People across Harborough are being urged to step up the fight to beat Covid-19 as the infection rate across the district has more than doubled, new figures show.

There were 117.8 cases per 100,000 people throughout Harborough for the week ending Saturday October 10, the latest statistics reveal.

That number has soared from 56.2 per 100,000 people infected down by the virus in Harborough for the week up to Thursday October 1.

Mike Sandys, the county council’s director of public health, said everyone in Leicestershire has to be “extra-vigilant” to help combat the spread of the coronavirus.

New data shows that every district in the county now has rates of over 100 cases for every 100,000 people.

The rates for Oadby and Wigston (178.8 cases per 100,000 population) and Charnwood (154.4 per 100,000) have also climbed above the national average for England of 150.1 per 100,000.

Mike Sandys said: “We’ve got cases rising everywhere in the county.

“We now know that, based on the most recent data over the past few days, Charnwood has the highest rate.

“However, our drive is no longer around highlighting ‘hot-spots’ and targeting specific parts of Leicestershire – this is now around everyone being extra-vigilant.”

He added: “We all need to work together to control the virus – that’s through social distancing, wearing a face mask and washing your hands.

“It’s also about encouraging people, whether they’re on the school run, travelling to work or education, in the office or going out for a drink, to change their behaviour.”

The latest figures also show that higher infection rates are now being seen in young people aged 16 to 24.

Cllr Jonathan Morgan, the leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “The increase in the number of cases is very concerning.

“It should serve as a stark reminder to everyone in the borough that we cannot switch off and that we all have a role to play in tackling this pandemic.

“We’ll continue to work with Leicestershire County Council, Public Health England, and other agencies to help keep our communities safe.”

District breakdowns in Leicestershire are:

• Hinckley and Bosworth - 101.4 per 100,000 population

• Melton – 101.8 per 100,000 population

• North West Leicestershire – 101.8 per 100,000 population

• Blaby – 117.5 per 100,000 population

• Harborough – 117.8 per 100,000 population

• Charnwood - 154.4 per 100,000 population

• Oadby and Wigston – 178.8 per 100,000 population.

• England – 150.1 per 100,000 population

The county council, along with the NHS, local authorities, Leicestershire Police, universities and LeicesterShire and Rutland Sport, have now launched a new ‘it’s down to us’ campaign.

The county-wide drive features:

• Posters and banners for pubs – reminding customers to wear a face covering

• ‘Shop safe’ posters for businesses

• Posters for sports clubs

• Social media posts urging parents to take care at the school gates.

You can read the Government guidance at: www.gov.uk/coronavirus