What MUST happen for Mansfield to move down to Tier 2 at first review next week

Ministers are set to review and announce which areas are moving into Tier Three and down into Tier Two on December 16.

Places which have significantly slowed the spread of coronavirus and alleviated pressure on local hospitals will be moved down into less-restrictive tiers.

Mansfield and the whole of Nottinghamshire entered the highest level of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions on December 2 but since then the rate of coronavirus infections has dropped in the town.

In the week to December 4 the town had 129 confirmed cases and a rate of 118 infections per 100,000 – significantly lower than the previous seven days.

The rate of coronavirus infection in Mansfield was 267.1 cases in every 100,000 people in the seven days to November 27 – which equated to 292 confirmed cases.

The government will decide whether Mansfield can be moved from Tier Three – which only allows pubs and restaurants to operate as a takeaway – into Tier Two where customers can eat in hospitality businesses – on the basis of five key factors.

Ministers analyse the case detection rate and the number of new infections in all age groups but particularly the over 60s.

Another factor that is considered before an area is moved up or down a tier is how quickly infection rates are rising or falling.

The direction of cases is then compared to the average positivity in the general population, while the current and projected pressure on local NHS capacity is also looked at.

Other factors such as the number of new hospital admissions in Mansfield and general bed occupancy due to coronavirus patients and staff absences are reviewed.

Ministers will reference local information such as if there is a contained outbreak to inform their decision.

If all of these indicators in Mansfield are seen to be improving then the town could be moved down into Tier Two.

However if the government is not convinced sufficient progress has been made to get the number of infections in the area down, Mansfield will remain under the harshest restrictions.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.