Covid: Public Health Directors warn residents to stick to rules as Nottinghamshire cases ‘significantly higher than England average’ and reducing more slowly

A virtual Covid media briefing with Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Public Health Directors held today 5 March at 11 am.

Alison Challenger – Public Health Director for Nottingham City Council, Jonathan Gribbin for Nottinghamshire County Council and Amanda Sullivan representing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG updated and answered question from the media.

Jonathan Gribbin said: ‘We approach starting line for the Government’s roadmap positively. But there is a big challenge too, the rates in Nottinghamshire are still at a very high level.

‘In Nottinghamshire County every area of the county has seen as reduction in rates – Ashfield as the highest at 181 and Mansfield 168 ( both per 100,000 residents ).

‘The lowest rates is Rushcliffe at 121 cases per 100,000. The trajectory downwards is slow, significantly slower than the England average ( 86 / 100,000), we remain extremely vulnerable to local NHS being overwhelmed if we don’t stick to the rules.

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‘There’s a long road ahead – it’s essential that we follow all rules at each stage of the roadmap.’

Alison Challenger added: ‘We have a similar message for the city of Nottingham – we look forward to normality, rates in Nottingham is 157 / 100,000 residents on average – England is 86 per 100,000 people.’

Amanda Sullivan said: ‘There is a decline in people needing to go into hospitals but we had  153 admissions last week, and 386 people remain in hospital, sadly 32 people died with Covid last week. ‘