Melton people urged to keep social distancing over holiday weekend

A mobile testing unit was recently set up in the town following a spike in new cases and, although the number of new positive tests is relatively low, there is still cause for concern locally.

Latest figures show that Melton borough is one of three county districts which remain above the national coronavirus infection rate average of 10.9 per 100,000 people – Melton has a figure of 11.7, Blaby is 16.9 and Oadby and Wigston 17.5 – although Leicestershire as a whole remains lower than the rate for England.

Melton has had 18 new cases in the two weeks to August 22 with Charnwood (39) the highest, followed by Oadby and Wigston (36) and Blaby (23).

In terms of the neighbourhoods, the west of Melton town (mainly those living in Egerton and Dorian Wards) has had eight new cases during that fortnightly period and only Thurmaston (9) and Oadby North and East (16) have had more in the whole of Leicestershire.

Mike Sandys, Leicestershire County Council’s director of public health, said: “We’ve made big strides in Leicestershire – and that’s down to the hard work of residents.

“Although we’ve seen rates fall in some hot spots, we’re not seeing the countywide drop we’d hoped for meaning that numbers are nearly half of our districts are higher than we’d like.

“We need to bring rates down further.

“That’s the route to avoiding further restrictions – and so it’s important we all play our part.”

He gave the following advice to residents for the holiday weekend: “If you’re meeting up with friends in the park, make sure you keep two metres apart and if you’re visiting the pub, follow the guidance on socialising.

“If people are coming round to your house, stick to the rules and if you’re travelling to work, adopt the same habits you would whilst you’re in work.

“This may sound simple – but the key to getting this under controls really is in all of our hands.

“And it still lies in maintaining social distancing, good hand hygiene and wearing face coverings where you need to.”

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) were unable to say how many people were tested at the mobile test site near the borough council offices, when approached by the Melton Times.

The centre was there for 10 consecutive days up to August 20, testing people who had Covid-19 symptoms.

A spokesperson for the DHSC said: “There are no immediate plans to replace the mobile testing unit at that Melton site.

“Test units are deployed as and when required depending on the local situation.

“Due to the huge volume of queries we receive about testing sites nationwide, we do not provide breakdowns of tests carried out at individual sites.”

Leicestershire health guidance for limiting the spread of coronavirus:

-If you have a high temperature, a new continuous cough or loss of smell/taste, book a test;

-Wash your hands regularly;

-Wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces, including public transport – unless you have a good reason not to;

-If you’re meeting up with friends, keep two metres apart;

-If you’re contacted by test and trace, you must isolate for 14 days;

-Avoid car sharing, if possible.