Public Health England lists Northampton as "an area of concern" over rising Covid-19 cases

Northampton has been highlighted as an "area of concern" by Public Health England following recent rises in Covid-19 cases in the town.

PHE's weekly bulletin issued on Thursday showed eight local authority areas which are "taking targeted actions to reduce prevalence" with "additional testing in care homes and increased community engagement with high risk groups."

The news came just hours after the Local Resilience Forum issued a warning that spikes in the number of positive tests in Northampton required measures to stave off the possibility of a local lockdown similar to the one imposed in neighbouring Leicester 3½ weeks ago.

A statement warned: "The rate of infection is increasing and the amount of positive tests are also increasing within the borough.

"This increase in the infection rate means that we need to take action now to prevent further spread of the virus and potential local lockdown measures."

Thursday's official figures showed nine new positive tests reported from people living within the Borough Council area in the 24-hour period up to 9am today.

That takes the number of new cases to 47 in the last week, which equates to 22 per 100,000 of the population.

Leicester's equivalent figure rose to around 140 per 100,000 before the government ordered the city back into lockdown.

PHE — which has led the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic — also added Luton and Blackburn with Darwen alongside Leicester and neighbouring Oadby & Wigston as "areas of intervention."

Blackburn with Darwen's infection rate jumped from 49.7 cases per 100,000 to 81.9 in, with 122 new cases recorded in a week.

HERE'S THE ADVICE YOU NEED TO FOLLOW IN AND AROUND NORTHAMPTONNorthampton's health officials issued a ten-point list of what the public should and should not do, including advice on continuing to work from home, avoid using public transport or car sharing, avoid meeting anyone from outside your own household or 'bubble' in indoor spaces.

Borough Council leader Councillor Jonathon 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.”

Health officials have drafted in an extra mobile testing unit to the town centre until Monday (July 27) which will allow more people to get a drive-through or walk-in test Covid-19 test.

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