Melton borough suffers sixth highest spike in Covid-19 rates in England

The data, based on the latest Public Health England records updated yesterday (Wednesday) on the government’s coronavirus online dashboard, indicates that Melton had 15.7 positive test results per 100,000 population during that week compared with just 9.8 the week before.

It is important to understand that the numbers represent only a small number of cases in Melton but reflects a trend that positive tests are increasing at a quicker rate compared to most others areas of the country.

The Leicestershire district of Blaby tops a league table of relative coronavirus increases, rising from 18.9 to 25.9, with St Albans in second place, having reported a rise to 13.6 from 6.8, per 100,000 population.

The statistics, based on tests carried out both in laboratories (pillar one of the government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two), puts the Melton borough in 21st place in a league table of current infection rates for England.

Leicester, which was last week placed in localised lockdown following a major spike in infections, tops the league table but the city has seen a reduction in rates from 143.9 to 124.7, per 100,000 population, during that week to July 5.

Leicestershire districts Oadby and Wigston (29.8), Blaby (25.9) and Harborough (16.2) are above Melton in the table but Charnwood (13.7) and Hinckley and Bosworth (13.3) are just below the borough.

In terms of infection numbers in Leicestershire from when the pandemic first struck, the Melton borough has the lowest incidence, with 294 people testing positive for every 100,000 of the population.

This compares with North West Leicestershire 302, Harborough 397, Charnwood 424, Hinckley and Bosworth 471, Blaby 475, and Oadby and Wigston 712.

The city of Leicester has a total figure of 1,116 and this compares to average numbers for the Midlands of 445 and England 440.

Leicestershire County Council hopes the new data will send a strong signal to everyone living in the county that they must all pull together by observing social distancing safety measures to prevent the virus spreading further.

Mike Sandys, director of public health at County Hall, said: “The key to getting this under control is in all of our hands.

“It’s important all residents continue to heed national advice – know the symptoms, get a test if you have symptoms and isolate if you need to.

“We’re not seeing a connection with the spike in Leicester but the county has moved from a position of being well below the national average, to one where we are now comparable.

“Latest figures suggest that the level of infection is failing to fall as far or as fast as other areas.

“We want people to play their part and protect their community.”

County council leader, Nick Rushton, said: “Our residents’ response to coronavirus has been exemplary.

“But this is the biggest health crisis in living memory – and there’s still work to do to get on top of this virus before it grows further in Leicestershire.

“This situation is unprecedented and there is no trigger rate for lockdown.”

He said the county council was working with Public Health England to secure agreement to share more information and keep residents better informed.

Councillor Rushton added: “Times remain challenging but you can help to save lives and livelihoods.

“Wherever you live, do the right thing.

“Keep your distance, wash your hands, spot the symptoms and get a test if you need one.”

With other areas of England possibly in line to be placed into local lockdowns because of significant Covid-19 infection spikes, the county council say the current situation is an opportunity for the people of both Leicester and the surrounding county to be an example of how to respond to a local lockdown and how to get out of it.