Fresh concern over potential local lockdown as Covid-19 cases are still on the rise in Northampton

Covid-19 cases are rising faster than at any time in the last month in Northampton despite health chiefs' bid to ward off the danger of a local lockdown.

Wednesday's government bulletin revealed 25 more positive tests across the county — 14 of them in Northampton, seven in nearby Wellingborough and three in Corby.

Public Health England is due to publish its latest weekly surveillance report later today (Thursday) with Northampton likely to be on a par with some areas of Greater Manchester where extra measures were imposed last week in a bid to slow down the transmission of the virus.

Among complex data used to assess the Covid-19 situation, is calculations showing a number of new positive tests over a seven-day period assuming each area has the same population.

Northampton's 'seven-day rolling rate' climbed to 33.32 cases per 100,000 people with 75 new positive tests over the last week. The equivalent figure stood at 15.99 on July 25.

Variations in figures between areas can be explained away by how many tests are being carried out.

But Northampton's current figure is now at its highest since the government changed the way it publishes data by including results from tests taken outside hospitals on July 2.

Northamptonshire County Council ramped up coronavirus testing and issued extra advice for locals to stay safe after PHE highlighted the town as an "area of concern" two weeks ago.

HERE'S THE ADVICE YOU NEED TO FOLLOW IN AND AROUND NORTHAMPTON AND CORBYFour testing sites are set up on Thursday, two in Northampton and one each in Corby and Kettering. Click HEREfor details.

The council's director of public health, Lucy Wightman, said: "The more people who get tested the more likely we are able to understand the situation and then we can take measures to address them.

““It is essential that if you are concerned you have coronavirus or experience symptoms — high temperature, continuous cough or change in sense of smell or taste — you book a test.

“If you test positive, you must self-isolate for ten days, do not go to your workplace 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.”

Tests can be booked online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

Similar advice asking residents to limit contact with other households — particularly indoors — avoid car sharing and public transport, and to work from home was issued to residents in Corby last week.

Mrs Wightman added: "As a population we must take collective responsibility to adhere to the guidelines so we can get on top of this situation."

Restrictions imposed in Greater Manchester last week included forbidding people from meeting other households in homes or gardens and allowing only two households to meet up outdoors while staying two metres apart.

But the extra measures stopped short of closing down shops and pubs.

Covid-19 is so far known to have claimed the lives of 664 people in Northamptonshire's two main hospitals and care homes.

Monday's latest death revealed yesterday by NHS officials was the first in the county in more than a week.