Coronavirus rates in north Northants remain "significantly higher" than England rate

The coronavirus case rate remains significantly higher in Northamptonshire compared to the overall rate across England, according to health officials.

Public health officials continued to urge residents to follow additional behavioural measures to avoid a local lockdown in Friday's press conference as director of public health, Lucy Wightman, said the county "is still not on top" of the pandemic.

Figures from the government show that Kettering and Corby both recorded 39 new Covid-19 cases each between Saturday, August 22 and Saturday, August 29.

In Friday's press conference, Northamptonshire's director of public health, Lucy Wightman, said the rate of cases per 100,000 people in Kettering remains "significantly higher" than both the county and national rate.

In Corby, officials said the borough has had a sustained high rate of cases in recent weeks.

Both boroughs recorded their highest daily totals since the middle of the pandemic. In Corby, 13 people tested positive on Tuesday, August 25 and a further 10 people tested positive the following day. Both days match the borough's peaks of 13 cases on April 30 and 10 cases on May 18.

In Kettering, 10 people tested positive in a single day on Tuesday, August 25. However, this still remains much lower than the borough's worst day for positive tests which was May 11, when 27 people tested positive for Covid-19.

Kettering and Corby's weekly coronavirus totals from Saturday, August 22 are more than three-times higher than neighbouring boroughs Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire.

Both Wellingborough and East Northants recorded 11 new coronavirus cases over the same period.

Public health official analysis shows that the overall coronavirus rate in Wellingborough remains "similar" to the county and national rate, while it is "significantly lower" in East Northants.

In Friday's press conference, Ms Wightman said: "From a point of view of Kettering and Corby, one of the things we have talked about is that increase in the young age group.

"Kettering in particular, the recent increase is very much focused on younger age groups and in Corby we are seeing an increase in the under 20s.

"We are making sure we are linking up with appropriate schools and colleges and higher education establishments to ensure that people are aware of the messaging but that also as they go back into school that they are able to access the information they need to make sure they socialise in a safe way."

She said school holidays were likely a factor in the rising number of cases in young people.

Residents in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough should follow extra guidance to avoid a local lockdown.

This includes:

- Keep two metres from others at all times

- Limit contact with those outside their household or bubble

- If you must meet with those outside your household or bubble, meet outside

- Do not share items with others outside of your household or bubble

- If social distancing at two metres is not possible, always use a face covering

- Avoid using public transport or car sharing. Wear face coverings if you must travel with others

- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly for 20 seconds each time

- Work from home if you can

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