Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) has increased the city’s covid alert level from yellow to amber, which is the the last stage before the Government will declare the city an area of national concern.
Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) has increased the city’s covid alert level from yellow to amber, which is the last stage before the Government will declare the city an area of national concern.
In the week up to October 1 there were 115 confirmed new Covid-19 cases in the city, up from 39 cases in the previous week. Rates of infection are highest and still growing among young people aged 16-25 years old, which includes teenagers and sixth-formers as well as students and young adults.
Alistair Hill, BHCC’s Director of Public Health, said: “It’s really concerning that the number of cases has more than doubled over the past week. If transmission keeps increasing we risk the Government imposing more restrictions on the city.
“We all now need to make extra efforts or risk a local lockdown.
“I am asking everyone in the city to play your part by making extra efforts to keep your distance, wash your hands, wear a face covering, limit contact with others and follow the rule of six.
“And if you do have Covid symptoms please self-isolate, along with your household members, and get tested.”
BHCC say the rise is partly explained by an increase in testing availability in the city. Mr Hill explains: “On behalf of residents, the council worked hard to ensure that the Government increased testing capacity in Brighton & Hove.
“With the new local testing unit in East Brighton and a local mobile testing unit, in the last 10 days of September the rate of local people tested increased by more than 60%. This gives a more accurate picture of the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 than we had in the previous week.
“However, this does not explain all the increase that we have seen. In common with most areas in the country, it is likely that the data shows infection rates are on the rise.”
BHCC states it will be working closely with local businesses, including hospitality venues, to help them keep their customers and employees safe by complying with guidelines including displaying QR codes for the new NHS Test and Trace app.
To see full details of current cases of confirmed cases of Covid in Brighton & Hove, click here.
