Tesside is just one step from local lockdown as covid-19’s “enhanced support area”

Teesside is just one step away from “local lockdown” as the government is scrutinizing the spikes in the covid-19 case.

All five councils that make up Tees Valley- Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton, Hartlepool And Darlington -Called the “area with enhanced support”.

Importantly, our area is not subject to further local blockade restrictions, such as regulations brought to Tyneside, Wearside, and Durham last week.

But the Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland Council are now Asked residents not to be confused with other households To control the infection.

However Coronavirus infection rate Continuing soaring locally, all five councils in our area will be under closer national scrutiny.

Named “Area of ​​Enhanced Support,” the council is now on the second stage of a three-stage ladder on the government’s “watch list” and is ready to receive additional support. It means that.

The government will help carry out in-depth work with high-risk groups and sectors, provide more mobile test sites, and provide additional support from national experts with special knowledge of how the virus spreads. I can do it.

Middlesbrough and Hartlepool were designated as “concerns” in early September. This is the first step in government involvement in responding to regional outbreaks.

While infection rates in these two districts remain the highest, the number of cases is accelerating in other parts of Teesside and across the country.

If the incidence of new cases does not decrease, the next step is “intervention”. This is also known as local lockdown.

Why now?

The UK Government and the Public Health Service are closely monitoring the prevalence of each autonomous region across the country.

The infection rate is calculated on a 7-day cycle and simply calculates the number of new cases recorded for every 100,000 people in a particular district.

Previously, when the autonomous region rate exceeded 50 cases per 100,000 people, there was a risk of entering the “red zone” and imposing local lockdown restrictions.

However, throughout September, the number of new covid-19 cases continued to grow nationwide, with many councils now well above that number, with 200 per 100,000 in Bolton, South Tyneside and Newcastle. Is over.

This is believed to have resulted in an informal shift in the “red zone” rate of white holes. This is because the number of incidents is increasing rapidly in local governments throughout the United Kingdom.

On the tee side, the rate of Hartlepool is currently the highest. Confusingly NHS infection rate data A few days later, by September 23, the Hartlepool infection rate was 105 per 100,000 and the Middlesbrough infection rate was 84.7.

According to the latest available data, Stockton is 65.9, Redcar and Cleveland is 46.8, and Darlington is 44.1.

However, taking into account the fact that more new cases have been recorded in the last two days, the latest infection rates in all five districts will rise significantly again.

Hospital admissions are also starting to increase-and Occurred in the ward this week at James Cook University Hospital -While there were four deaths of covid-19 Recorded at the hospital for 9 daysAfter going for over a month without dying.

Scientists, doctors and public health professionals are worried that the proliferation of cases will soon spread to those most vulnerable to the disease, increasing the number of patients hospitalized for serious complications.

What will happen next?

Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced further domestic regulations, such as a 10 am stay-at-home order in Paris and restaurants, raising concerns nationwide about the rise of new incidents.

A “six-person rule” has also recently been introduced that limits the number of people you can meet indoors and outdoors.

This means that the limits that can be introduced under “local lockdown” have been reduced.

But crucially, today’s announcement means that you can visit other households in Teesside, unlike your neighbors in other parts of the northeast.

However, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland leaders (a total of about 275,000) were asked not to mix with other households after it became clear that 80% of recent incidents were this widespread. I am.

Mark Adams, director of public health at South Tea, who is in charge of both councils, said: “This virus has spread to households in the majority of cases in our area.

“The more contact you have with other people, the more likely you are to get infected.

“I ask people to consider whether contact with people who do not live together is essential. By limiting contact with others, you not only protect yourself, but also It also helps protect vulnerable people who may be at serious risk from covid.

” Increasing Covid admissions to James Cook Hospital Sadly many have Recent critical care needed..

“Middlesbrough was one of the worst affected areas in the early stages of the pandemic. It prevents friends, family and neighbors from really getting sick, and the virus causes the same confusion, pain and misery. You have to do everything you can to prevent it. Earlier this year. “

What did the Secretary of Health say?

Currently, parts of London are classified as “areas of concern” in Lang, just below Teesside, but Wigan, Stockport, Blackpool and Leeds are entering local lockdowns.

However, there are no changes to the lockdown rules already in place in Durham, Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead, South and North Tyneside, and Northumberland.

Secretary of Health Matt Hancock said discussions with local leaders continued in these areas.

Hancock said: “Especially in the northwest and northeast, the number of covid-19 cases continues to grow nationwide. To work with science and public health experts and community leaders to reduce viral infections and protect communities. Ready to take quick and decisive action.