‘We may need virus marshals to patrol’

Ian Gilbert, Labour leader of Southend Council, said if virus rates keep rising his borough may need to join the newest tier - now dubbed ‘tier one plus’.

Bristol has been placed under the new rules which sees more control over test and trace, targeted focus on working adults and introduction of Covid marshals to patrol the city.

It comes as the borough’s director of public health, Krishna Ramkhelawon, warned the majority of new cases being recorded in Southend are because people are simply not following the rules.

Worryingly, he also said there is a continued rise in cases in the 60+ age group.

In a stark warning, Mr Ramkhelawon said: “In recent weeks we have continued to see a rise in confirmed cases across the country, across Essex and across Southend.

Warning - Mr Ramkhelawon

“Most of these are attributed to people not following the public health advice that has been in place for many months now.

“Although we remain below the regional average and have done all we can to slow this rise in cases locally, we must remember that Coronavirus is still very much with us and we must not become complacent.

“We must all do our bit to help and follow national guidance.”

He added: “We are starting to see a rise in positive cases in the 60 plus age range and this is concerning.

“If you are 60 plus, and particularly if you are vulnerable, please follow the national guidance which will help stop you catching this disease.

“For the younger members of our community, please protect your family and don’t expose them to the virus.

“It is extremely important that we all maintain social distancing by keeping at least two metres from others, maintain good hand-washing, wear face coverings and follow the ‘rule of six.’ Please do all of this to try and help our communities to stay safe and keep our rate as low as we possibly.”

On the possibility of Southend moving into tier one plus, Mr Gilbert said: “I think it’s possible that if rates keep increasing it may be something to look at.

“There is a very good cases of preventative measures is we get to the point where the current restrictions are not working we will have no choice.

“I do not want to see further restrictions as they impact of people’s health and wellbeing.

“We are monitoring the situation and will act before there is an escalation.”

In Southend the infection rate is now between 92.8 and 95.6 with 175 confirmed cases in the last seven days and the rate approaching 100 cases per 100,000 - widely accepted to be the threshold for a move into Tier 2, in keeping with the rest of Essex.

In Thurrock the rate has risen to 169.8 – well over the more than 100 cases per 100,000 people.

But despite now having one of the highest rates in the county, Thurrock Council leader Rob Gledhill, said: “Thurrock remains in Tier 1 – medium alert. Sending confusing messaging like you should practice Tier 2 restrictions but not being able to enforce them makes it appear that the police or council are not doing their job – something I assure you isn’t the case.

“I would say to all Thurrock residents we need you to prevent Tier 2. Please practise hands, face, space and the rule of six and act sensibly.

“We are constantly monitoring the situation on the ground in Thurrock. Last week there were 155 positive tests per 100,000 people in Thurrock.

“There are 48 people from Thurrock aged over 60 who have tested positive for coronavirus in a care setting.

“For comparison there were 26 residents who tested positive among over 60s in the community last week. As of last week only 2 people were admitted to Basildon Hospital from Thurrock were Covid-19 positive on admission.”

Kerry Smith, Independent deputy leader of Basildon Council said the real issue is hospital bed capacity, especially since Basildon Hospital has been designated as a central Covid treatment centre for the whole of south Essex.

He said: “Thurrock Council need to decide what’s best for the borough.

“I think the real debate has been avoided and that’s the issue of hospital bed availability - it doesn’t matter what lockdown or rules you bring in we need the beds.

“We need more accountability for our NHS at council level and also sizeable bed capacity in hospitals.”

Record numbers transferred to test and trace amid new high in positive cases

Southend’s Covid contact tracing success rate has fallen for the fourth week running, amid a record number of new positive cases.

Data from the Department for Health and Social care shows 757 people who tested positive for Covid-19 in Southend were transferred to the Test and Trace service between May 28 and October 21.

That means 168 new cases were transferred in the latest seven-day period – the largest increase since the regime began.

Testing - 168 new cases were transferred in Southend in the latest seven-day period

Contact tracers ask new patients to give details for anyone they were in close contact with in the 48 hours before their symptoms started.

This led to 1,572 close contacts being identified over the period – those not managed by local health protection teams, which are dealt with through a call centre or online.

In the Essex County Council area 5,669 people who tested positive for Covid-19 in Essex were transferred to the Test and Trace service between May 28 and October 21.

That means 1,655 new cases were transferred in the latest seven-day period – the largest increase since the regime began.