It's too soon! Northampton's reaction to easing the lockdown restrictions as number of victims rises

Locals are voicing fears that lockdown restrictions are being lifted too soon after a rise in the number of Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital.

Hundreds joined in a conversation on the Chronicle & Echo Facebook page after we reported 17 deaths last week is already higher than the previous two seven-day periods — with more still likely to be added.

Duncan Carter echoed the thoughts of many by saying: "The UK has been a bit hasty. All the recent changes were designed to move the spotlight off Dominic Cummings.

"The UK figures are coming down but far slower than all other countries. We are a few days away from 40,000 deaths, still the second worst in the World.

"Boris Johnson has so much blood on his hands."

And Aaron Azza added: "Why are people surprised? It was inevitable the figures will go up!

"Police said people were ignoring the rulels before June 1 and people are doing what they want now! Good luck to all those doing what they want."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has eased lockdown restrictions in the last two weeks — following the storm that hit the Government after the PM's chief advisor Dominic Cummings' lockdown trip to Durrham was revealed.

From yesterday (June 1) From Monday 1 June, people can spend more time outdoors, including private gardens and other outdoor spaces, in groups of up to six people from different households but still following social distancing guidelines.

Some children have returned to primary schools and elite athletes and train and compete using gyms, pools and other facilities.

Those in the clinically extremely vulnerable group can also spend time outdoors for the first time in ten weeks while hundreds have queued to get into DIY stores as they reopened last month.

Yesterday, more queues snaked around the Ikea car park in Milton Keynes as the furniture giant unlocked its doors for the first time in ten weeks.

Northampton General Hospital saw 33 deaths in the week ending May 9 and 15 in each of the two weeks following that

Figures relelased yesterday revealed 17 patients have already died in the week up to May 30. But a lag in reporting means that the figures for the final three days of that week are not yet complete and more victims are likely to be added to the total.

In all, 243 Covid-19 patients have died at NGH since the first victim — a 92-year-old man — on March 16.

Yvonne Clark railed: "Come on Northamptonshire, it’s time to lockdown again and get on top of this. There’s too many good people dying when we could stop it.

Kay Godier added: "This is why we are staying shielded. It is too soon!"

Claire Lisa Smeathers warned: "All I can say is to those who are not abiding by the rules I wish you all the best. Don't go using all the ventilators up due to your ignorance and selfishness."

Anne Theakstone wrote: "People are acting as is its gone away, it's so complacent."