Disappointment as Northampton coronavirus infection rate increases to national average despite lockdown

Officials have been left disappointed as Northampton's coronavirus infection rate has increased despite the second lockdown.

The town recorded 280.9 cases per 100,000 people from November 7 to 13, which is similar to the national average having previously been significantly lower.

The figure is also significantly higher than Northamptonshire's - but the number of cases in Northampton during that period did go down compared to the previous seven days.

Northampton Borough Council leader Jonathan Nunn urged people to adhere to the national lockdown rules to protect the vulnerable, particularly those aged over 60.

"I think it's really disappointing that we have overtaken the national average - it's quite something but we've been here before and the people of Northampton responded," he told a virtual press conference today (Friday, November 20).

"But it's really sad that it's back. We may be starting to see the line flatten or come down which may have been inevitable with lockdown but it's not for certain.

"It shows that far too many people are carrying it around and taking it home and living with the threat of it.

"It's time for the people of Northampton and Northamptonshire to show us what they can do and do it again, particularly to avoid seeing the over-60s or avoid seeing other people if you have to be around the vulnerable."

Northamptonshire recorded 1,642 cases last week, about the same as the previous seven days but almost nine times more than the average weekly figures for October.

The figures may be down to people having 'one last hurrah' before the lockdown, according to a concerned Northamptonshire County Council director of public health Lucy Wightman.

"The rapid and steep escalation has gone against the national trend and that's extraordinarily worrying," she said.

"We were miles behind a couple of weeks ago so this demonstrates how rife the virus is in our community and the risks to the vulnerable."

If you have COVID-19 symptoms (high temperature, continuous cough or loss of or change in sense of smell or taste), you should immediately 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 10 days – with your household isolating 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.

Tests can be booked on the Test and Trace app, online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Home testing kits can also be ordered subject to availability.