Mansfield coronavirus figures were 'eighth worst in the country' last week - we look at the bigger picture

With the news that Mansfield was one of very few areas with increasing coronavirus figures during lockdown, we took a look at the figures to work out what is happening.
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Mansfield hit the headlines on Tuesday as one of the top 10 areas in the country where coronavirus infections were increasing.

Thankfully, the figures have begun to drop since the news, which Mansfield District Council says is an ‘encouraging start’ and hopes will continue as the asymptomatic testing centres in the area begin to locate those unaware they are carrying the virus.

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Latest figures show that, since testing began, Oak Tree Leisure Centre has conducted 1,158 tests with seven positives, and Mansfield Town Football Club has carried out 1,802 tests with 20 positive cases.

Testing booths are cleaned between each person's test to avoid cross contamination.Testing booths are cleaned between each person's test to avoid cross contamination.
Testing booths are cleaned between each person's test to avoid cross contamination.

Jonathan Gribbin, Director for Public Health in Nottinghamshire, said: "The reduction in cases in Nottinghamshire is roughly in line with what we have seen across the East Midlands and I want to extend my thanks again to everyone who is making it their business to follow the lockdown rules during these difficult times.

"Unfortunately the reductions in parts of Nottinghamshire, including Mansfield, are not as strong or sustained as other parts of the country.

"There is the prospect of some easier times ahead but, for the time being, it is essential that everyone makes it their business to follow the lockdown rules in full."

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The good news is that King’s Mill Hospital is beginning to see a reduction in admissions figures, with patients currently testing positive for coronavirus in the Sutton-in-Ashfield hospital steadily declining.

Damien Calko from Andwhynot and Canvas - their whole workforce are taken for regular asymptomatic testing.Damien Calko from Andwhynot and Canvas - their whole workforce are taken for regular asymptomatic testing.
Damien Calko from Andwhynot and Canvas - their whole workforce are taken for regular asymptomatic testing.

At their peak around two weeks ago, they had 220 patients being treated for the virus – occupying 40 per cent of all the hospital’s beds.

By last week, when I visited, the number had fallen to 150, and sources at the hospital state it stands at 129 patients as of February 12.

Coun Marion Bradshaw, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities, Housing and Wellbeing, said: "We are really pleased with the numbers of people attending the rapid community testing centres.

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"It is an encouraging start and we hope those getting tested will continue to keep going back, because it is important to keep being tested at least once a week, preferably twice.

Mansfield's M, Ben Bradley, says he is 'not overly concerned' with the figures.Mansfield's M, Ben Bradley, says he is 'not overly concerned' with the figures.
Mansfield's M, Ben Bradley, says he is 'not overly concerned' with the figures.

"We also hope others will be encouraged to go along, too.

"This is how we can start to control the spread of the virus and keep Mansfield safe.

"The process is quick and easy and results are sent to your phone, usually within 30 to 40 minutes.

"It is especially useful for people who cannot work from home to get tested regularly and also important for people who may have caring responsibilities for a vulnerable person.

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"The numbers who have tested positive are thankfully small but, even if we pick up a handful of cases among people who may have no idea they are carrying the virus, that could potentially protect many others.”

The two test sites are open to residents throughout the district, or who work in the area.

Some residents are continuing to breach lockdown rules, police were called to a one year old’s birthday party where 24 people had gathered, so the message is clear – people need to stay at home and stick to the rules.

Coun Bradshaw added: “It should also be remembered that community testing will not work on its own so it’s vital that everyone keeps following the restrictions and the ‘Hands, Face, Space’ guidance."

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Mansfield MP Ben Bradley says he is ‘not overly worried’ by the figures as the country heads towards a review of the current restrictions later this month and says he is ‘pretty optimistic’ for the town.

The MP explained: Mansfield has slightly higher figures as obviously, with our additional asymptomatic community testing, we are doing far more than other areas to identify people with COVID-19 locally.

"With more tests comes more ‘positives’.

“The PM has already suggested we will have a national system rather than going back to regional tiers after this lockdown, and that decisions about restrictions have always been based on far more than just that headline figure of cases per 100,000 people.

“They will look at our hospital capacity, at vaccinations and at all sorts of different trends.”

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The PM is set to announce the next steps to take the country out of national lockdown in the week of February 22.

As the community testing seems, at present, to be working successfully in Mansfield, it was announced this week that two new testing centres were being launched in Sutton-in-Ashfield to try and combat the town’s virus figures.

Ashfield District Council, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, is launching a new community testing site at Lammas Leisure Centre, which will open on February 16.

And a new a walk-through local testing site for those with coronavirus symptoms is due to start operating at Sutton Market North car park from February 13.

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Coun Jason Zadrozny, council leader, said: “As a council, we want do all we can to help tackle the pandemic

"Ashfield residents with coronavirus symptoms will be able to access a local facility and we hope this helps reduce transmission rates in the district.

“Community testing doesn’t work on its own so it’s vital that we all keep following the national lockdown restrictions in addition to the hands, face, space guidance.

"I know people are committed to reducing the spread of the virus, and this community testing site and the new local testing site in Sutton, will help with this.”

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