Kettering emerging as a coronavirus hotspot after surge in new cases - and Wellingborough and Corby aren’t far behind

There has been a surge in new cases over the past two weeks
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There has been a surge in new coronavirus cases in Kettering over the past fortnight, suggesting it could be an emerging hotspot.

The number of confirmed cases in local authorities is released daily by the government and analysis shows Wellingborough, Corby and East Northants have also seen a significant rise in confirmed cases.

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The news comes as the Government announced plans for 'local lockdowns' in areas where the virus continues to spread as a way to end nationwide restrictions.

Kettering has seen a surge of new coronavirus casesKettering has seen a surge of new coronavirus cases
Kettering has seen a surge of new coronavirus cases

Kettering is 13th in England for new coronavirus cases between Saturday, May 9, the day after VE Day, and Saturday, May 23.

The area had 50 new confirmed cases during the two week period, taking the total number of cases from 180 to 230. As of yesterday (Wednesday) there were 232 confirmed cases in Kettering.

This works out as the equivalent of 49.1 new cases for every 100,000 people in the previous two weeks. This is the 13th highest rate in England and suggests Kettering is emerging as a coronavirus hotspot.

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Lockdowns on towns seeing spikes in infection rates are set to be part of the ‘test and trace’ system being introduced in England today (Thursday, May 28).

At Tuesday’s daily press briefing, health secretary Matt Hancock said: “We will have local lockdowns in future where there are flare-ups.

“We have a system that we are putting in place with a combination of Public Health England and the new Joint Biosecurity Centre, along with the local directors of public health, who play an absolutely crucial role in decision-making in this system, to make sure if there is a local flare-up, we have a local lockdown.”

Just yesterday, KGH’s medical director warned people that the situation locally “is still a serious one and it should not be underestimated”.

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Elsewhere in the north of the county, Wellingborough saw a significant increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases.

In the two weeks between May 9 and May 23, there were 36 new cases, a rate of 45.9 per 100,000 of the population.

This places Wellingborough as 25th in England for new coronavirus cases in the past fortnight.

Corby saw an increase of 25 new cases in the same period, a rate of 34.6 per 100,000 people which makes it 52nd in England for emerging hotspots.

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East Northamptonshire is 53rd, with 31 new cases in the past two weeks, a rate of 32.8 per 100,000 people.

There are 313 lower tier local authorities in England, so the four areas in the north of the county are all in the top 20 per cent for emerging hotspots.

The worst hotspot in England over the past two weeks is Ashford in Kent, where there were 143 new confirmed coronavirus cases, the equivalent of 110 for every 100,000 people.

Yesterday, Northamptonshire's director of public health, Lucy Wightman, 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.

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"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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