Council leaders are warning against public complacency after Northampton was removed from the Public Health England Covid-19 watchlist.
The borough was first made an area of concern on July 23 following a rise in cases linked to the Greencore sandwich-making factory in Moulton Park.
Recent falls in the number of new positive tests in the town meant officials could remove it from the latest list, although extra guidance to limit mixing between housholds and to avoid car-sharing and using public transport wherever possible remains.
Fresh Government rules making it a legal requirement to self-isolate after a positive test come into force today with fines of up to £10,000 for those who do not comply.
Borough Council leader Jonathan Nunn said: “Our rights to go to work as normal have been stolen from us and so many other things have been stolen from us.
“But we have to allow them to continue to be stolen.
“All the additional precautions we have made locally like not car sharing have to carry on. I’m really sorry and I wish it was different but we just have to stick with them.
“Complacency remains our biggest enemy.
“We still have to stick to the precautions. There is no perfect answer.
“We’re balancing the needs of health and the economy. Let’s see this thing through and let's not give up now.”
According to the latest weekly surveillance report, 136 Northamptonshire residents tested positive with Covid-19 in the period September 14 to September 20.
But Public Health officials in the county expect the number of new cases to rise again — as they are nationally — as the winter flu season approaches.
Public Health consultant Rhosyn Harris said: “We have seen further Government legislation come into force, restricting the opening of entertainment and hospitality venues between 10pm and 5pm, office workers are required to work from home if they can and there are further requirements to wear face coverings.
“I would also urge all residents to download the new NHS test and trace app which enables you to check-in to Covid-19 secure venues with a QR code and book a test on the app. You can also enable the contact tracing function.
“If you have Covid-19 symptoms — a high temperature, continuous cough or loss of or change in sense of smell or taste — you should self-isolate and book a test. New booking slots are available each evening for the next day and more are released each morning. Pre-booking is essential.
“If you test positive, you must self-isolate for ten days and your household must also isolate for 14 days. Do not go to your workplace, to school or to the shops. Either work from home or report sick.
"Those who test positive for Covid-19 will be helped by the NHS test and trace service to identify the people they’ve recently been in contact with so they can be alerted and also self-isolate if required."
1.
Cllr Jonathan Nunn says extra precautions still need to be taken to battle the spread of Covid-19 in Northampton