Northamptonshire areas with consistently high coronavirus rates will be targeted by public health officials

Areas of Northamptonshire with consistently high rates of coronavirus cases despite the second lockdown will be targeted by the council.

Abington Vale has the highest infections per 100,000 people in the last 28 days compared to other wards before Middleton Cheney and Chipping Warden, Little Billing and Moulton.

Eleven of the 15 highest areas are in Northampton, while the town's rate as a whole remains significantly higher than the rest of the county and just over the national average.

A virtual press conference on the state of Covid-19 in the county was told work would be done to address the issue but no more details were given.

Residents are urged to continue to protect themselves and each other as Northamptonshire goes into tier two of the government's Covid-19 restrictions.

Northamptonshire County Council director of public health Lucy Wightman said: “We have been placed in tier two, which is officially high on the three-tier alert system.

"With this in mind, we must strictly adhere to the tier two restrictions and stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“Let’s do everything we can to protect ourselves and each other and make sure that Northamptonshire goes down to tier one and not up to tier three.

"A Covid-19 vaccine has now been approved but we can’t afford to be complacent.

"Simple hand washing, social distancing and face covering are all extremely effective measures and must be maintained as we continue the fight."

A total of 946 residents tested positive with Covid-19 over November 23-29 - an expected decrease from previous weeks because of the lockdown.

But the figures have only just returned to rates similar to those pre-lockdown and remain much higher than in late summer.

As hospital admissions continue to rise, public health officials are calling for all residents to protect themselves and the vulnerable older population who tend to be at greater risk of more severe disease.

People are reminded that meeting indoors remains, and will remain, prohibited under tier two restrictions as the majority of coronavirus cases continue to be passed on within and between households.

Furthermore, if you are in a bubble, and contact cannot be minimised with the over 60s for whatever reason then it must be minimised elsewhere.

Ms Wightman added: “Care homes are being sent lateral flow tests later this month to enable visiting, however, we must all take responsibility for the welfare of our loved ones and their fellow residents.

"The elderly are much more likely to suffer severe illness and die from COVID-19 and if we visit them we must ensure we are not putting them at risk.

“There is now hope but we must continue to stop the spread. It is the season to start celebrating but we just need to make sure we are sensible before that cavalry comes over the hill.”

If you have Covid-19 symptoms - high temperature, continuous cough or loss of or change in sense of smell or taste - you should immediately self-isolate and book a test.

New booking slots are available each evening for the next day and more are released each morning. Pre-booking is essential.

If you test positive, you must self-isolate for 10 days – with your household isolating for 14 days - do not go to your workplace, to school or to the shops. Either work from home or report sick.

Those who test positive for Covid-19 will be helped by the NHS test and trace service to identify the people they have recently been in contact with so they can be alerted and also self-isolate if required.

Tests can be booked on the Test and Trace app, online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Home testing kits can also be ordered subject to availability.