Everything we know so far about the rising Northampton coronavirus cases and local lockdown warning

With positive coronavirus cases on the increase in Northampton, residents are being asked to strictly adhere to the social distancing rules to avoid a local lockdown.

But how did we get to this point? And what has happened since the first warning came from the team monitoring the town's Covid-19 levels and co-ordinating the response?

Here is everything we know about the threat of a local lockdown and what you can do to help.

What should I do?

The guidance for Northampton residents is as follows:

• Limit contact with others outside of your household or bubble

• Work from home if you can

• Keep two metres from others at all times. Use a face covering where you are less than two metres apart

• Avoid using public transport or car sharing. Wear face coverings if you cannot avoid these

• If you have Covid-19 symptoms, stay at home, self-isolate and get a test

• Avoid meeting those outside of your household or bubble in an indoor space

• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly for 20 seconds each time

• Do not share items with others outside of your household or bubble

• If you have Covid-19 symptoms, do not go to work, either work from home or report sick, self-isolate and get a test — even if you only have mild symptoms

• If you are contacted by Test and Trace and asked to self-isolate, stay at home for 14 days

• Tests can be booked online or by calling 119. Home testing kits can also be ordered subject to availability.

When did the warnings about a local lockdown start?

On July 14, Northamptonshire County Council first admitted the number of Covid-19 cases was on the rise again in Northampton and Kettering after leaked reports about the high rates.

Rida Elkheir, consultant in public health at the council said: "While there have been cases associated with care homes and workplaces, there is evidence of transmission occurring in households meaning we cannot definitely attribute the increase in cases to any one source.

"It is therefore all the more important that all residents of the county, particularly those in Northampton and Kettering, follow the advice on social distancing and hand hygiene and wear face coverings where social distancing is not possible.”

However the Local Resilience Forum insisted Northampton was, and remains, not at the same level as Leicester which was the first place to be put under a local lockdown, or Blackburn with Darwin, where some businesses did not reopen at the same time as the rest of the country.

The number of new reported Covid-19 cases in Northampton was around 23 per 100,000 of the population during the last seven days.

Leicester's equivalent figure was around 140 when the city was ordered back into lockdown a month ago.

'Area of concern'

But as cases kept rising higher than expected, the council issued specific advice for the people of Northampton to follow to reduce the infection rate last week, with a local lockdown warned for the first time.

Track and trace discovered that car sharing was prevalent among those who were testing positive for coronavirus - hence why it has been included in the advice.

The advice is the same as the rest of England but people should take extra care not to go beyond the guidelines and limit their time with other households.

By Thursday (July 23), Public Health England identified Northampton as an 'area of concern' because of the rate of positive Covid-19 cases.

Eight wards were 'taking targeted actions to reduce prevalence' with additional testing in care homes and increased community engagement with high risk groups, according to health officials.

Northampton Borough Council leader Jonathan Nunn said: “We have been urging caution for a number of weeks, but now we are asking for action from our local residents.

"If we follow the additional advice provided now, and if we are successful in reducing our rate of transmission, we can avoid having to introduce further restrictive measures.”

A second mobile testing unit was brought into Northampton for the weekend alongside the drive-through and walk-in facility in the town centre.

Women aged in their 20s and men in their 30s have been found to be the most common age groups for the most recent positive cases.

Around 4,000 leaflets were handed out around Northampton explaining the new precautions while officials were at 'key gathering areas' like Abington Park over the weekend.

Cllr Nunn warned the town 'could be in a different position to the rest of the country' in terms of its coronavirus lockdown restrictions by the end of this week during a press conference on Friday.

'Great response'

Today (Monday) health chiefs reported a 'great response' to the extra Covid-19 testing in Northampton over the weekend following concerns over high infection rates.

Public Health England have so far showed 12 positive tests in the town in 24 hours up to 9am on Sunday morning as extra testing was made available over the weekend.

But public transport is still a concern for the officials, particularly people waiting in crowds to get on a bus.

Extra Covid-19 testing has been made available at St Andrew’s Health Centre car park until Friday to get a drive-through or walk-in test closer to where they live. Appointments can be made HERE.

A walk-in test site will return to Northampton's Market Square later in the week while a second mobile unit is available by appointment only in Daventry until Thursday.

Any further updates will be added.