Official figures reveal biggest increase in two weeks in Covid-19 cases in Northampton and Kettering

News comes two days after Northamptonshire is told to avoid car sharing on the way to work
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Health chiefs issued another reminder about wearing face coverings as official numbers showed a fresh jump in Covid-19 cases in Northampton and Kettering.

And, just two days after county official's advice to be careful about car-sharing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson officially ditched his "work from home" advice from August 1. to told people to get back to the workplace.

Thursday's bulletin showed 22 new positive tests had been reported in Northampton and Kettering during one 24-hour period up to 9am yesterday.

Covid-19 is now known to have claimed 521 lives at Northamptonshire's two main hospitalsCovid-19 is now known to have claimed 521 lives at Northamptonshire's two main hospitals
Covid-19 is now known to have claimed 521 lives at Northamptonshire's two main hospitals

Last week, the two towns were identified among England's top 20 "areas of concern" by Public Health England chiefs with around 18 new infections per 100,000 of the population per week.

Yesterday's figures, collated using postcodes of where those getting tested live, took the number of new cases to nearly 22 per 100,000 in Northampton and 24 in Kettering during the last seven days.

Leicester's equivalent figure was 140 when the city was put into local lockdown two weeks ago so immediate action seems unlikely.

But Northamptonshire health officials this week admitted concern over rises in cases, some of which could be linked to car sharing among workers.

Leicester saw 140 new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 of the population before it was put in lockdown. Photo: Getty ImagesLeicester saw 140 new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 of the population before it was put in lockdown. Photo: Getty Images
Leicester saw 140 new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 of the population before it was put in lockdown. Photo: Getty Images

Rida Elkheir, Consultant in Public Health at Northamptonshire County Council added: “We have said many times now that everyone has a role to play in reducing the spread of the virus.

“When the virus first arrived, one of our key messages was to wash hands thoroughly and regularly and this message remains as important today as it was then.

"Alongside social distancing and the use of face coverings, these measures are essential in reducing transmission rates.”

Covid-19 is so far known to have claimed the lives of 652 people in Northamptonshire's two main hospitals and care homes.

PM Boris Johnson today announced everybody can go back to their workplaces  but county health officials are warning of the dangers of car sharing. Photo: Getty ImagesPM Boris Johnson today announced everybody can go back to their workplaces  but county health officials are warning of the dangers of car sharing. Photo: Getty Images
PM Boris Johnson today announced everybody can go back to their workplaces but county health officials are warning of the dangers of car sharing. Photo: Getty Images

The latest victim was confirmed in Northampton General Hospital on Wednesday — the 521st at the Cliftonville site. A further 217 have died at Kettering General Hospital while 131 fatalities in county care homes have been linked to coronavirus.

Two further deaths were recorded at facilities run by Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, which also operates outside of the county. Locations of deaths among patients of the Trust are not made public so it is not known if they were in Northamptonshire..

The total number of infections in Northampton stands at 1,157 — a rise from 1,109 last Friday (July 10) a week ago. The jump of 17 in one day is the highest in the town since the Public Health England started using results from tests taken outside hospitals back on July 2.

Kettering's new total stands at 582, an increase from 568 over the same seven-day period.

Across the rest of the county, Corby and East Northants both saw eight new cases in a week, Wellingborough six and Daventry two.