Public health director talks about the main reason why Harborough and the whole of the county has been told to stay in the highest tier for Covid restrictions

The county council’s director of public health today said a jump in Covid-19 infection rates over the last week had been the “major factor” in Harborough and Leicestershire staying in Tier 3.

Mike Sandys said there had been a ‘resigned acceptance’ over the last 48 hours that the county was set to stay in Tier 3.

“We can’t escape the fact that rates have gone up in the past few days,” said Mr Sandys.

“It’s probably the news we were expecting, but it’s still disappointing as everyone has done really well in driving down the rates."

Earlier this week, Leicester’s hospitals said they are treating more people with Covid-19 than during the first wave of the pandemic - and that is coupled with the usual winter pressures.

“We’re also very aware of significant pressures on the NHS in Leicestershire – that will have been another factor behind the decision making," added Mr Sandys.

Cllr Nick Rushton, the leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “We know that being in Tier 3 is very tough for residents and businesses, in particular, and we would have hoped for a different outcome when the Government made its decision.

“However, there is a wider acknowledgment that rates have risen over the past few days.

“What we now need is a collective effort to ensure people stay safe in the run-up to Christmas and beyond.”

The Government will carry out the next review of the tiers system in two weeks’ time.

The latest figures show Leicestershire's rate for every 100,000 people is 167.2 - compared to England's figure of 173.3 - emphasising the work that has been done to drive down rates.

Oadby and Wigston has the highest rate (319.2), followed by Melton (232.4), Blaby (226.5), Harborough (148.2), North West Leicestershire (130.3), Hinckley and Bosworth (129.9) and Charnwood (122.7).

The data relates to the time period from Thursday December 3 to Wednesday December 9.

The data also shows that all districts, apart from Charnwood, have also seen an increase in cases over a seven-day period.

The public health director has also made a renewed plea for people to ‘think long and hard’ about plans they have when restrictions ease over the Christmas period.

Talking about Christmas, Mr Sandys said: “I don’t want people to not have a Christmas, but I’m urging families to take a sensible approach when making any arrangements.

“Whatever families agree on after thinking long and hard about the situation, it’s vital that the national advice is followed.

“That’s around frequent hand washing, cleaning door handles and surfaces, socially distancing from anyone who do not live with, and, where possible, opening windows and doors.

“I am concerned that, after Christmas, infection rates, which are already creeping up, will continue to rise and we’ll be facing the scenario very early in the new year of more widespread community testing, particularly around ‘hot-spots’ in certain electoral wards.”