Preston hits Covid top three - and a sharp rise in South Ribble

Preston has seen another sharp increase in its coronavirus case rate which has put the city in the top three worst-affected areas of England.
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Press Association analysis of Public Health England data shows that in the seven days to 7th September, 122 cases of Covid-19 were identified in the city council area - the highest number since 27th May.

That equates to a case rate of 85.2 people per 100,000 of the population. The figure is an increase of 14 on the rolling seven-day rate from just 24 hours earlier.

Over course of a week, the measure has more than trebled.

Covid case numbers are up across Central LancashireCovid case numbers are up across Central Lancashire
Covid case numbers are up across Central Lancashire
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The stark statistics were published the day before the government's weekly review of local lockdown restrictions - with mixing of households in private homes and gardens and indoor public spaces having been banned in Preston for more than a month.

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On Tuesday, ministers imposed additional restrictions in Bolton - including forcing the hospitality industry to go takeaway-only - after sudden hikes in its coronavirus numbers. However, Preston's case rate remains just over half of that in Bolton.

The parts of Preston with highest numbers of cases in the seven days to 6th September were Frenchwood and Fishwick, with 15 positive tests, Moor Park (13) and Ashton-on-Ribble and Larches (12).

Figures have also risen significantly in South Ribble - with 51 positive tests in the week to 7th September - up from eight a week earlier - and and a case rate increase from 7.2 to 46.0 over the same period.

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Chorley's Covid numbers are up, but less markedly - the rate in the borough increased from 8.5 to 25.4 and positive tests went from 10 to 30 over the course of a week.

Responding to the latest increase in Preston, council leader Matthew Brown said: "This is a league table we have never wanted to be near the top of. Whether taking the figure provided by the Press Association or from the latest report we have received from Public Health England which puts Preston with 69.1 cases per 100,000 and a positivity rate of over 5% for the rolling seven-day rate, it is clearly worrying data.

"We do not want this spike to continue and are keen to avoid additional restrictions being applied to the district.

"I cannot urge Prestonians strongly enough to play their extremely important role in stopping the spread of the virus. Thoroughly wash your hands, keep enough space between you and others and wear your mask wherever appropriate.

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"Don't be the one to pass it on. Please take this situation seriously and help protect our vulnerable," Cllr Brown said.

Four out of the 10 areas with the highest case rates in England lie in Lancashire - with Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley and Hyndburn rounding out the top ten and all showing significant increases over the course of the last week.

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