"Sensible" to delay lockdown-lifting as Covid rates rise in Preston, Chorley and South Ribble, public health boss says

Lancashire is one of the areas that lies “at the heart” of the government’s decision to delay the lifting of the last remaining Covid restrictions by a month.

That was the message from the county’s director of public health, Dr. Sakthi Karunanithi, after the Prime Minister announced that stage four of the roadmap out of lockdown would be put back until 19th July.

The decision means that capacity limits will remain in place in hospitality, entertainment and sporting venues - while it will still not be permitted for more than six people or two households to mix indoors.

Just two hours before Boris Johnson addressed the nation from Downing Street, the latest infection data showed that the top six council areas with the highest Covid case rates in the UK were all in Lancashire - with three more in the top 20.

The county had an infection rate of 236 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 9th June - more than triple the average rate across England of 67 and Lancashire's highest since 6th February, when it was emerging from its third Covid wave.

Ribble Valley is sitting in second place after its infection rate more than doubled in the week to 9th June, compared to the rolling weekly measure seven days earlier, to hit 448 per 100,000 people - the highest since 18th January. A total of 273 individual cases were confirmed over the same period

South Ribble lies sixth after its rate leapt by 84 percent between 2nd and 9th June - reaching 327 per 100,000 residents

Until recent days, the last time South Ribble’s case rate had exceeded 300 was on 6th February. The borough registered 362 individual cases in the seven days to 9th June.

Preston is the twelfth-worst affected area in the country, with a case rate that increased by 55 percent in the week to 9th June to stand at 265 per 100,000, its highest since 10th February. The city recorded 380 cases over the period.

Meanwhile, Chorley saw its case rate almost double between 2nd and 9th June, reaching 233 infections for every 100,000 people - and reported 276 cases across the same timeframe.

The highest rates of infection across all three Central Lancashire districts are in the 15-19-year-old age brackets, followed by the 20-24 group, according to provisional data for 13th June. Case rates in those cohorts are running at at least double the all-age case rate - and are three times higher for both of those groups in Chorley, as they are in Preston for 15-19-year-olds.

In Ribble Valley, infection rates in the 15-19-year-old age range and 20-24 bracket have broken through the 1,000 per 100,000 people mark - standing at 1,326 and 1,695 respectively as of 13th June.

However, individual cases are much lower in the over-60s than other age ranges - with 32 in South Ribble, 11 in Preston, 14 in Ribble Valley and nine in Chorley across the week to 9th June.

Dr. Karunanithi acknowledged that the delay to the complete end of lockdown would “come as a disappointment to many”.

However, he added: “It is the sensible approach given the rapid rise in cases that is being felt across the country.

“Lancashire is at the heart of this, with large numbers of infections in East and Central parts of the county, which is being driven by the Delta variant that was first discovered in India. Cases are also rising fast in other parts of the county.

“We are seeing a rise in hospital admissions, particularly in younger residents, although it is still too early to know the full impact of this wave. One impact that is clear is the significant disruption the rise in cases is causing to our children and young people’s education, with new outbreaks emerging almost on a daily basis.”

Research published in The Lancet yesterday suggests that the Delta variant of the virus - which first emerged in India - doubles the risk of hospitalisation for anybody who contracts it compared to previous strains.

As the Post revealed last week, there were 19 people hospitalised with Covid in the trust that runs the Royal Preston and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital as of last Wednesday - the highest since late March and an increase of 15 in the space of a week.

The Delta variant is also thought to be up to 60 percent more transmissible than the Alpha or Kent strain that was dominant during the first half of the year.

Dr, Karunanithi said that fact was one of the reasons it was vital that Lancashire residents took advantage of the additional testing available in the county after it was declared an “enhanced response area” last week. Lab-analysed PCR tests are now available to all residents whether they have symptoms or not.

“We are therefore strongly encouraging all residents, including children of primary school age, to take up this offer so that we can break the chains of transmission.

“It is also imperative that everyone receives two doses of the Covid vaccine to give themselves maximum protection against the Delta variant.

“As part of this strengthened package of support, we are ramping up our vaccination offers. This includes a number of pharmacy vaccination sites, alongside our mass vaccination centres, that will be providing walk-in appointments all this week.

“It is important you check opening times and which doses are available at each site before you visit.

“These vaccination centres are open to anyone eligible aged 18 and over. If you are unsure if you are eligible, then please come and speak to the team who will be happy to go through the eligibility criteria.

“As well as testing regularly and coming forward for vaccinations, it is also vitally important that the public continue to play their part by following the guidance on hands, face, space and fresh air while they enjoy the many freedoms we currently have,” appealed Dr. Karunanithi.

To check walk-in pharmacy vaccine sites in Lancashire click here and for further vaccine details click here.

‘ONE MORE SACRIFICE’

The leader of Preston City Council says it is “a disappointment” that restrictions will not be lifted fully next week - but that more time is needed to get as many people as possible vaccinated.

Matthew Brown urged people who have not already done so to come forward and check their eligibility for a jab whatever their age.

“We have just got to make sure we actually knuckle down over the next four weeks - and the key thing is making sure people get vaccinated, because it’s the best way of protecting them.

“Once we’re out [of restrictions] in Preston, I don't want to end up back in them ever again - we want this to be a permanent way out.

“So I just plead to people - I know this isn't easy, but in terms of being sensible and making sure we come out of this as a community, we've got just another four weeks of it - and in comparison with what we have been through already, it is a sacrifice, but not like the severe lockdown we had in January,” Cllr Brown added.