Outbreak of Covid-19 cases at a jail near Harborough has fuelled a surprise increase in the district’s infection rate

We reported yesterday (Tuesday) that Harborough is one of just 12 local authority areas in England to suffer a weekly rise in Covid-19 cases
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A sudden outbreak of Covid-19 cases at a high-security jail near Market Harborough has fuelled a surprise increase in the district’s infection rate.

Up to 20 people have been infected by the coronavirus at Gartree Prison, which has about 700 inmates, in the last fortnight.

And that new cluster has helped to make Harborough one of just 12 local authority areas in England to suffer a weekly rise in Covid-19 cases.

Up to 20 people have been infected by the coronavirus at Gartree Prison, which has about 700 inmates, in the last fortnight.Up to 20 people have been infected by the coronavirus at Gartree Prison, which has about 700 inmates, in the last fortnight.
Up to 20 people have been infected by the coronavirus at Gartree Prison, which has about 700 inmates, in the last fortnight.

Mike Sandys, the Director of Public Health for Leicestershire County Council, told the Harborough Mail this afternoon: “We have had an outbreak of Covid cases at Gartree Prison.

“I haven’t got the exact figure of people affected.

“But I think it’s probably in the low teens, up to about 20.

“I’m not sure at the moment if it’s inmates or staff or a mix of both who have been affected.”

He added: “At least this incident appears to be self-contained within the jail.

“There are no signs that it’s spilled out into the wider community.

“And it’s a lot smaller than the really serious outbreak of about 100 cases we had at nearby Stocken Prison in Rutland earlier this month.”

The coronavirus infection rate in Harborough was 179.1 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to Thursday February 11.

That was up from 173.8 the week before and is above the national average of 148 as cases continue to drop in almost every part of the country.

“The cases at Gartree have obviously helped to push up the rate here in Harborough.

“But they are by no means the only factor.

“We are still concerned about the 17-21-year-old age group right across Leicestershire while both the East Midlands and West Midlands are right up there nationally,” said Mike.

“We also have to look at people who still have to go to work.

“Workplaces such as distribution centres and warehouses, for example, could also be playing a part.

“So Lubenham is at the top of the current Covid cases table in Harborough due to the Gartree outbreak.

“But we also have Lutterworth and Fleckney up near the top too.

“And that could well be due to the huge Magna Park logistics complex being just up the road.

“Corby, which is just a few miles from Market Harborough, currently has the highest Covid infection rate in the country.

“There’s bound to be some crossover and inter-action between the two areas – and that could be having some effect too,” said Mike.

“We are now working closely with the Ministry of Justice and Public Health England to tackle the outbreak at Gartree Prison.

“And I’d just like to exhort people in Harborough again to continue to do all they can to combat the coronavirus.

“Wash your hands, keep your distance, wear a face covering, observe the lockdown and don’t mix with people outside your bubble.

“Stay vigilant and don’t let your guard down.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Our priority is to limit the spread of the virus and protect the lives of those who live and work in our prisons.

“We have taken precautionary measures at Gartree, in line with public health guidance, and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”