People in Newark and Sherwood have been urged to play their part to slow the spread of coronavirus as councils throughout Nottinghamshire called for stricter guidelines to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

The director of public health for Nottingham has strongly advised people anywhere in Nottinghamshire to remain in their social bubbles and not to mix in their homes with people from other households.

It follows an increase in positive cases of Covid-19 across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, as well as a rise in the rate of infection. The rates across the county currently vary between 53 and 150 per 100,000.

Nottinghamshire County Council said the Government is expected to announce tougher restrictions for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire later this week, which could include measures similar to those in place in other parts of the country in which movements are restricted.

The number of positive tests in Newark and Sherwood is 113.5, up from 74.3, per 100,000.

Coun David Lloyd, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “There’s been a sudden and significant increase in Covid-19 cases over the past few days and this is a huge cause for concern. As a district, we managed to contain our local outbreak in August this year. We all took action and did what was needed to be done.

“I now need to ask everyone to step up again to protect each other. We need to protect those who were shielding, those who are vulnerable, our parents, our grandparents and our community. No one can be complacent and being so is a threat to people’s lives.

“We know that community transmission within Nottinghamshire has risen considerably. Whatever you may have heard, let me tell you now, this is not an issue just linked to students in Nottingham. There are cases in every populated area of Nottinghamshire and I know that the number of cases in the over 60s group, for example, those who are more at risk, are on the rise.

“The anticipated restrictions will not be easy for anyone. We have been living with Covid-19 in our community for more than eight months. Our lives have been impacted and inconvenienced for long enough. But we cannot lose any more loved ones to this virus. We must act now. We are facing a critical point in controlling the spread of the virus as we head towards winter.

“So we just have to keep going. We have to continue to work together by sticking to all the rules to stop the spread and protect the people of Newark and Sherwood.”

All councils in Nottinghamshire are asking the public to act now. The government’s threshold for concern is currently 80 per 100,000.

The county council said: “Therefore, the expectation is that all of the county’s districts and boroughs will be the subject of additional restrictions and measures.”

Director of public health for Nottinghamshire Jonathan Gribbin (pictured) said: “Covid-19 does not recognise geographical boundaries so we must stand together with our local authority partners to do all we can to fight this virus across all our communities.

“The rapid and sustained increase in the numbers of positive cases is a serious cause for concern and the very dramatic rates in the city are a clear sign that action is needed now across the whole of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

“We must now ask every resident to do their bit and not mix indoors with people from other households.

“It is critical that if you have symptoms of Covid-19 – high temperature, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell – to self-isolate immediately and book a test by calling 119 or by going online to gov.uk. Please do not go to A&E or call your GP to get a test.

“And I wholly support calls from the director of public health for Nottingham to strongly advise people, anywhere in Nottinghamshire, to remain in their social bubbles and not mix in their homes with people from other households.

“Despite the efforts of our best scientists the fact remains there is no vaccine for COVID-19 at present. The single best way to suppress the spread of the virus is in all of our hands. This is through effective handwashing, wearing a face covering where needed, and maintaining a distance of at least two metres where possible. Get tested if you have symptoms, then self-isolate and follow the advice when the results are given.”

County council leader Coun Kay Cutts said: “We recognise how challenging these restrictions are for our freedoms in everyday life, but we ask that you don’t wait until you are told to take action by the government but act now and do all you can to tackle the virus in our communities.

“If we want to see a return to normal life; to see our families again, to see our businesses flourish again, we must act now. No one group is responsible for the spread of this virus. It is circulating in all our communities and it is in the hands of each and every individual to take action to stop it from spreading further.”

Director of adult social care for Nottinghamshire County Council, Melanie Brooks, added: “We are advising care homes to restrict visiting to exceptional circumstances only. We thank carers and relatives for their patience as we work to protect those most at risk of adverse consequences of Covid-19.

“Please contact care homes to ask about their specific restrictions before you visit. We appreciate how hard these new restrictions will be, but we must prioritise the safety of our residents and workforce.”

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