Council urges caution as latest data shows rise in Covid cases

As the country gears up for the next step of lockdown easing scheduled for Monday, May 17, Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses are urging people locally to keep on course and not get complacent.

While the general trend has seen Covid case rates falling in the borough, recent data has shown the borough’s positive cases jumping to 50.8 per 100k – meaning the rate doubled in the eight days after April 21.

Infection rates risking a surge in hospitalisations is one of the Government’s tests around lockdown easing, others include evidence around the vaccine roll out, new variants of the virus, and if hospital admissions are higher than expected.

Dominic Harrison, Director of Public Health, said:

As things unlock, and with variants circulating in the UK, we might expect to see some rises in cases. Everyone is keen to see things going in a good direction however we must continue to follow the rules so we can reopen safely.

Help us protect your family, workmates and community by following the hands, face, space, fresh air advice. Please also take up the free, regular, rapid coronavirus testing offer.

‘Test and Go’ before visiting shops, hairdressers, when eating and drinking outdoors at all further stages of the easing of restrictions. And when invited, please come forward to be vaccinated.

International travel restrictions currently remain in place in the UK but if you’re someone who’s been legally permitted to fly, please make sure to closely follow the rules including those around self-isolation and quarantining on your return.

Denise Park, Chief Executive, said:

It has been such a boost to see our town centres returning to life, more businesses coming back and council services restarting but we are still at a critical stage of the roadmap to recovery.

Let’s keep on track, stick to the rules and avoid any unnecessary risks. We can do this – but we must do it together. If we all keep doing what we can to lower transmission rates, restrictions can continue to ease and we can keep enjoying seeing things moving in the right direction.