‘Critical moment’ as Rotherham added to coronavirus watchlist

A HUGE rise in coronavirus cases has seen the Government add Rotherham to the watchlist as an area of concern.
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region.Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region.
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region.

The borough has seen a sharp rise in cases, with 87.7 per 100,000 people between September 22 and 28 — a higher infection rate than at the peak of the pandemic.

The previous week recorded Rotherham’s infection rate as 72.9.

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Last Friday, Rotherham’s Local Outbreak Engagement Board (LOEB) heard there had been at least two Covid-19 related deaths in the borough in September, following a month without any.

The board said the most common cause of infection spread was community transmission, meaning that people are catching the virus mosty often during social or family contact.

Cases are increasing across South Yorkshire and Sheffield has been identified as an area of enhanced support. 

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said if cases continued to rise local lockdown measures would be brought in.

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Barnsley currently has 49.3 cases per 100,000, Doncaster has 47.43 cases per 100,000, and Sheffield has 95 per 100,000.

Mr Jarvis said: “We’ll have a very tough winter ahead of us if we don’t act now and slow the spread of coronavirus. Covid has not gone away and cases are rising across the country. We need everyone across South Yorkshire to play their part to protect not just themselves, but their family, friends and communities. 

 

“I know this is a deeply worrying and unsettling time. I’m working closely with our local authorities, the NHS and Public Health England to explore every option to limit the spread of the virus. However, if case number continue to increase, we won’t hesitate to call on the Government to bring in local lockdown measures. 

 

“We can prevent this. By working together, maintaining social distance, limiting our contact with others, and crucially isolating if you have symptoms or have been asked to isolate, we can stop the spread of the virus.  

 

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“I know that people in South Yorkshire are strong and resolute. We look out for each other and have the resilience and grit to get through these challenging times. At this critical moment, before winter starts to bite, I’m calling on everyone in South Yorkshire to stick to the rules so we can all stay safe, and together, we will get through this.”