After close discussions with local leaders, the following areas
will move from Local COVID Alert Level: Medium
to Local COVID Alert Level: High from Saturday
17th October 00:01:
- London
(all 32 boroughs and the City of London)
- Elmbridge
- Essex
(area covered by Essex County Council only)
-
Barrow-in-Furness
- York
- North East
Derbyshire
- Erewash
-
Chesterfield
This means that for these areas, the following measures will be
in place:
- People
must not meet with anybody outside their household or support
bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public
place
- People must not meet in a group of more than 6 outside,
including in a garden or other space.
- People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make
where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle
where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on
public transport.
These measures will be reviewed every 14 days to consider whether
they are still appropriate.
The rate of COVID-19 infections is rising rapidly across the UK.
The ONS estimate that one in every 240 people in England had the
virus in the week from 25 September to 1 October and that the
numbers infected are doubling every seven to 12 days. Cases are
not evenly spread, with infection rates rising more rapidly in
some areas than others.
In London, infection rates are on a steep upward path, with the
number of cases detected through NHS Test and Trace doubling over
the last ten days. The seven day average case rate today stands
at 97 per 100,000 people, rising sharply. In 13 boroughs the rate
is now above 100 per 100,000 people, with Hackney at 134,
Richmond upon Thames at 138 and Ealing at 144.
The first peak demonstrated that the infection can spread fast
and put huge pressure on the NHS. So having discussed with local
leaders the Government has taken the decision to act now to bring
infection down.
All available data for the areas that will move to Local COVID
Alert Level: High on Saturday has been assessed by the
Government, including the Health and Social Care Secretary, NHS
Test and Trace, the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), Public Health
England (PHE), the Chief Medical Officer and the Cabinet Office.
Data assessed includes incidence, test positivity and the growth
rate of the virus.
It is essential that these outbreaks are contained to protect
lives and our NHS, and prevent greater economic damage in the
future. We face a new challenge as we head into the winter, and
we know that even mild cases of COVID-19 can have devastating
consequences for people in all age groups, along with the risk of
Long Covid.
Our strategy is to suppress the virus while supporting the
economy, education and the NHS, until an effective vaccine is
widely available. Local action is at the centre of our response,
and engagement with Local Authorities is, and will continue to
be, a key part of this process.
Speaking in the House, Health and Social Care Secretary
said:
“I know that these restrictions are difficult for people. I hate
the fact that we have to bring them in. But it is essential that
we do bring them in, both to keep people safe, and to prevent
greater economic damage in the future.
“When a virus is moving fast, we cannot stay still. And if we act
collectively, we know we can control the virus, because we have
done it before.”
Notes to editors:
- On 12
October, the Government introduced a new, simplified framework
for local interventions based around three new Local COVID Alert
Levels.
- The
postcode
checker shows which alert level applies in each area.
- The NHS
Covid-19 app will also direct people to this information.
- We have
provided £3.7bn of funding to local authorities in England to
respond to pressures in all their services.
- The Prime
Minister also announced on Monday 12 October additional COVID
funding of around £1billion which will provide Local Authorities
with additional money to protect vital services. The Government
will set out further information in due course on how this new
funding will be allocated.
-
Guidance on each Local
COVID Alert Level
- Throughout
the pandemic, the government has listened carefully to the views
of the scientific community, in particular the information from
the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and its
sub-groups when taking decisions on the best way to tackle the
pandemic.
Latest data by area
The seven day average case rate per 100,000 people today stands
at:
- London
(all 32 boroughs and the City of London): 97
- Elmbridge:
144
- Essex
(area covered by Essex County Council only): District rates range
from 50 to 101
-
Barrow-in-Furness: 292
- York: 260
- North East
Derbyshire: 174
- Erewash:
165
-
Chesterfield: 140
