Corby Covid rates 'unacceptably high' with police issuing nearly 100 fines

The rates in Corby of positive Covid cases are dropping more slowly than elsewhere
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Corby Covid case rates are still amongst the highest in the country with the authorities continuing to join forces in an attempt to lower the rate amongst the town's population.

Northamptonshire Director of Public Health Lucy Wightman reminded people to abide by the lockdown regulations to cut the number of cases.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mixing of people from different households continues to be the greatest cause of transmission as 1,342 Northamptonshire residents have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last week.

Tom Beattie insetTom Beattie inset
Tom Beattie inset

As Northamptonshire Police maintain their increased Covid patrols, Assistant Chief Constable Simon Blatchly said: " In the past four weeks we have given 96 fixed penalty notices in the Corby area with a particular increase in the last couple of weeks - that's 15 to 20 per cent of the tickets issued overall [in the county].

Wellingborough, Northampton, Kettering and Corby’s Covid rates are significantly higher than the national average but Corby has amongst the highest case rates in England and despite decreasing case numbers, rates elsewhere are falling faster than they are in Corby.

Leader of Corby Council, Cllr Tom Beattie outlined the numerous measures that they have taken to address the 'stubbornly slow decline' in Covid rates.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

An eight-page leaflet has been delivered to every household in the town with many residents receiving the booklet today.

Covid cases in the Corby reamain the highest in the countryCovid cases in the Corby reamain the highest in the country
Covid cases in the Corby reamain the highest in the country

He said: "We have an eight-page leaflet - that dropped through my letterbox this morning - it's just one of the things we are doing to drive down the unacceptably high levels.

"That advice has been very well received. Alongside that we continue to push out messages via different methods of communication via the press of safe behaviour, face masks and social distancing.

We have adverts on the radio regularly, there are posters up in and around the town, we have the lateral flow testing centre at Lodge Park Sports Centre all of which are attempts to try and get on top of that unacceptably high rate that we have here in Corby.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I'm aware that those rates are coming down and I'm pleased about that. What we are acutely aware that we need to get those figures down than where we are currently - but we are heading in the right direction."

He added: "We are getting that message across: understand the rules and regulations and abide by the rules and regulations. If that happens we will get the levels down here in Corby, as we are seeing elsewhere, and the rates go down instead of the stubbornly slow decline that we are seeing at the moment."

Ms Wightman reminded people to keep following the lockdown rules and pointed out that young people had been gathering in skateparks and other outdoor areas.

She said: "The data clearly shows that following the guidance and abiding by lockdown measures works in cutting the numbers of coronavirus cases, hospital admissions and tragic deaths of loved ones.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“However, it is of deep concern that we have received reports of group gatherings which are simply not allowed, whatever your age or hobby.

"We know the virus is transmitted through close personal contact and that is why restrictions forbidding gatherings have been put in place.

"This applies to all age groups. Whilst we are under these restrictions please adhere to them, whether that be in a skate park, outside a coffee booth or in gardens and homes.

“This is a community effort so let’s work together and do the right thing so we don’t put friends and family at risk of severe disease. Exercise only with your household or with one other person only from outside of your household."