Has Kettering passed its coronavirus peak?

At the end of last month, Kettering appeared to be emerging as a coronavirus hotspot but the latest data from the government and the Office of National Statistics (ONS) suggests the peak has passed.

Two weeks ago, the Northants Telegraph reported that the Kettering local authority area had seen the 13th highest rate of new cases in England between May 9 and May 23, according to figures from the government.

Kettering also appeared to be waiting to see a peak in Covid-19 deaths, according to death registration figures from the ONS.

In the week ending May 15, Kettering had recorded 14 deaths where coronavirus was a factor, more than any other week before. It was one of only 18 local authorities to record a higher death toll than the previous weeks.

However, in the following two weeks the rate of new cases has fallen and the number of death registrations has decreased, which all suggests the peak of the virus has passed.

Over the last fortnight, between May 23 and June 6, there were 21 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in Kettering, compared to 50 in the fortnight before.

It means Kettering has fallen from 13th to outside the top 30 for new cases in England, with a rate of 20.6 cases per 100,000 people in the last two weeks.

Ashford remains the worst local authority in England, with 81 new cases over the same period, a rate of 62.3 per 100,000 people which is the highest in England.

Figures released by the ONS yesterday (Tuesday) also suggests a coronavirus peak has passed.

There were 10 deaths registered where Covid-19 was a factor in both the weeks ending May 22 and May 29, a fall from the peak of 14 in the previous week.

The government has suggested the local lockdowns will be a possibility in areas where the virus is still spreading at a high rate.

Despite numbers falling, the director of health for Northamptonshire, Lucy Wightman, is still urging people to remain vigilant.

She said: “The people of Northamptonshire have been fantastic in the way that they have embraced social distancing and followed government and health advice so far during the pandemic – but it’s clear that we all must remain focused on playing our own part to stop the spread of coronavirus.

“Please stay at home as much as possible and limit contact with other people where it is necessary to go out, including remaining at least two metres away from people outside your own household and continue to wash your hands regularly.

"It’s also important to remember that the NHS is still here for all those who need it. Even if you are shielding or isolating at home, please contact your GP or use the NHS 111 service if you need help for your physical or mental health."

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