Nottinghamshire area added to Government's coronavirus local lockdown watchlist

The infection rate, which measures the number of new cases of coronavirus per 100,000 of the population in a given area over a week, was 23.7 in Newark and Sherwood for the week up to August 17.

This means that 29 new cases were reported in the area in those seven days.

The week before the infection rate was 25.3, equating to 31 new cases in seven days.

This has led to it being labelled an ‘area of concern’ by Public Health England. This is the lowest rating for an area that has been added to the watchlist.

Areas of concern are defined as “areas with the highest prevalence, where the local area is taking targeted actions to reduce prevalence. For example additional testing in care homes and increased community engagement with high risk groups.”

At the moment mixing with another household is not prohibited in Newark and Sherwood.

Yesterday (August 20), Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire called on people in Newark to follow the rules in place to help limit the spread of the virus.

He said: “I wish to acknowledge the hard work of local businesses to make arrangements to keep their customers and communities safe. As part of this it is important that everyone follows the Government guidance, including wearing face coverings, where required.

“We have also been made aware that individuals are not always being asked to leave their details for the NHS Test and Trace service. For this scheme to be wholly effective, every party member must leave their contact details, as it is less effective if just one person leaves their information.”

The fact that Newark and Sherwood is on the watchlist does not mean that increased lockdown measures are imminent.

The area would have to be moved up to be classified as an ‘area of intervention’, which is when special measures speerate form those in place across the country would be put in place.

Areas of the country in this situation include Leicester, parts of Greater Manchester, Kirklees, Calderdale and Northampton.