Worries over coronavirus in Northampton and specific advice need to be taken seriously, insist public health bosses

Northampton residents would not be issued specific advice to reduce the spread of coronavirus if it was not considered serious - that is the message from public health bosses.

Accusations of scaremongering and unnecessary negativity have been repeatedly voiced on social media in response to the town's above-average Covid-19 cases and rate of infection.

During a press conference on Friday (July 31), Northampton Borough Council leader Jonathan Nunn said: "I don't mind being accused of scaremongering as we know that we have got to get the message out.

"Potentially you are at a higher risk if you spend time in Northampton than in other parts of the country and those facts are irrefutable.

"I’d sooner be called scaremonger than in two or three months time be asked why I did nothing when people died or businesses closed.

"The right thing to do is to keep the message up."

Northampton remains an 'area of concern' for Public Health England because of its increasing number of Covid-19 cases and infection rate.

Northampton residents have been told to limit contact with others from outside their own households, especially indoors, avoid car-sharing and public transport without face masks and not to share items with anyone outside of your 'bubble'.

People can also get a Covid-19 test even with no symptoms if they feel they may have contracted the virus and simply feel worried about their recent contacts.

Sports events with more than two teams have been banned in Northamptonshire for a fortnight in a bid to slow the killer bug's spread.

Yet all this has happened against a backdrop on falls in the number of new cases in towns and around the county, according to the public data, leaving many confused as to the real situation.

Northamptonshire County Council director for public health Lucy Wightman said it is because the weekly rate of infection in Northampton is higher than the average in Northamptonshire and England and they look at more than just the daily cases.

Yet comments under stories about the issue in Northampton on the Chronicle & Echo's Facebook page have been dominated by quesioning, denials and even abuse towards reporters.

One person wrote in response to an article about the appeal to get tested in Northampton today (Friday): "What a load of ****.

"Go get tested so the numbers can be manipulated! How long you all going to listen to this garbage, we all carry lots of things, always have and here we are."

In response to an article on the concerns about the economic impact of a potential local lockdown, another wrote on Thursday: "Chronicle & Echo, please stop scaremongering and report the positives.

"Northampton had a few days of higher numbers and now the stats have returned to what they were.

"These headline will only need with people's mental health."

On the same post, someone else wrote: "What a load of tosh, glad to see The Chron is continuing with the positive reporting."

Ms Wightman insisted the town is still not in the same league as places like Leicester and Greater Manchester who have been put into local lockdowns of differing levels.

Castle and Abington wards remain the areas where the infection rates are highest while Corby and Kettering are also on alert and Wellingborough is being closely monitored.

County council cabinet member for transport, highways and environment Ian Morris added: "We wouldn’t be taking these measures if we didn’t think there was an issue in our area.

"We have to take it seriously and we understand people might be worn out by the national lockdown but we are urging people to bear with us and listen to the advice that will significantly control this virus."

Despite the improvement, a local lockdown has not been ruled out in Northampton if the cases keep rising.

The councillors and Ms Wightman admitted they are concerned about that possibility but understood why people are fatigued by the months of worry and uncertainty.

Cllr Nunn said: "Personally I'm naturally worried, I would hate to Northampton go into lockdown for many reasons.

"Firstly because it would mean a lot of people would be ill and secondly because of the economic effect especially on people's jobs and livelihoods."

However he insisted there is little to be gained from being worried as taking action is what will make the difference.

Cllr Nunn said the borough has 'achieved quite a lot so far' but it is important not to get complacent and 'keep the foot on the gas' with the public health messages.

The advice has been designed from extensive interviews beyond contract tracing with people who have tested positive for coronavirus, Ms Wightman said.

People were found to be vigilant about sticking to the social distancing rules when at work but then forgot about them when socialising out of work, according to Cllr Nunn.

Ms Wightman warned: "We've got to do everything in our power to reduce the infection rate and we'll keep supporting people in that.

"It's a novel virus and we still don't understand fully how it behaves but by interviewing people and learning from other areas and understanding how people are taking in our advice, with small steps we can get this under control.

"But if we have to take larger steps to ensure people comply with the guidance, we will do so and if we don't, then Public Health England will."