Calls to avoid extra Covid-19 measures

Leeds has been added to Public Health England’s weekly watch list of areas of concern following a rise in incidence rates and cases of the virus in parts of the city over the past few weeks.

The latest seven-day infection rate shows Leeds as having 29.4 cases per 100,000 people, with 44 new cases today identified last Wednesday and a testing positivity rate of 4.2 per cent.

In an effort to manage the rise in the infection rate, Leeds City Council and partners have recently undertaken a string of preventative steps to stay on top of community transmission, including targeted community work, mobile testing units and public awareness campaigns.

But with case numbers continuing to show an upward trend, the board is calling on the people of Leeds to play their part in controlling the spread and keeping Leeds open.

Coun Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council and chair of the Outbreak Control Board, said: “This is a pivotal moment in our efforts to control the spread of the virus in Leeds and to keep our city open.

“Nobody wants to see further restrictions on life in Leeds and we want to assure everyone that we’re doing absolutely everything within our power to avoid that happening.

“But the harsh reality is that if our infection rate continues to rise as it has been, we will be left with no alternative.

“With that in mind, now more than ever we need a collective effort from the people of Leeds who have shown so much resilience and civic pride throughout this crisis.

“It’s up to us all to keep our families, friends and neighbours safe and to play our part in keeping Leeds’s recovery going.”

People in Leeds can play their part by following the following key advice:

Don’t leave home if you, or anyone in your household, has COVID-19 symptoms.

Keep a safe distance from others.

Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.

Wear a face covering over your mouth and nose on public transport and in indoor areas such as shops, places of worship, hairdressers, libraries and healthcare settings.

Anyone with symptoms can book a free test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. If this proves positive, isolation regulations should then be followed.