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Northants County Council’s weekly Covid-19 media briefing
Last updated: Friday, 13 November, 2020, 15:52
- Numbers of new cases are rising at the fastest rate since pandemic began
- More coronavirus deaths have been reported in county hospitals
- School bubbles closed and students self-isolating at home
Today’s press conference is now ending. Thank you for following it on the Chronicle & Echo and Northants Telegraph
Lucy Wightman adds: “It is clear that wherever we are in three weeks time, it is unlikely to see the same level of Christmas festivities.”
Lucy Wightman also played down expectations of a vaccine becoming available, as has been widely publicised this week. She says it is not a silver bullet and it does not stop us adhering to the guidance at the moment.
Jonathan Nunn adds: "Let’s be careful we don’t feel complacement because the whole country is in lockdown.
"There is a significant risk if we don’t make the necessary effort we could go into a higher tear when the national lockdown is removed.
“We need to push, push, push to make sure our shops and businesses can reopen.”
A question about where Northamptonshire could be when the national lockdown ends on December 2.
Lucy Wightman reveals she has been in conversation with the Chief Medical Officer and there will likely be changes to the old three-tier system.
If current trends continue there is a strong chance Northamptonshire will face tighter restrictions.
Paul Andrews, from the County Council education service, addresses changing situation since half-term. Position from week-to-week have worsened wnd expect to see that tend continue.
Education settings are doing a fantastic job, but they are at the heart of our communities and it is inevitable there will be cases in schools.
In response to a question about significant breaches of Covid regulations, Supt Elliot Foskett says: Six fixed penalty notices were issued at a house party this week, last night two people travelling down from Yorkshire to commit crime were also charged with coronavirus offences.
Lucy Wightman admits there was a “hive of activity” between lockdown being announced and it starting. That results in an increase in both the number of cases and the R number.
She adds that there was a risk of that happening with such a gap after the announcement which is why the PM was so frustrated by leaks regarding the lockdown announcement.