Atherstone residents urged to continue their efforts to avoid a local lockdown

Atherstone residents are being asked to stay vigilant as North Warwickshire has seen a worrying increase in Covid-19 cases over the last week.

Currently, the infection rate is currently 141 per 100,000 up from 81 earlier in the week.

North Warwickshire Borough Council and Warwickshire's Public Health are urging people to redouble their efforts to slow the spread of the virus by following the 'Hands, Face, Space' guidance – regular washing of hands, covering faces where necessary and reducing contact with people as much as possible.

Leader of the Council David Wright said "We are clearly now well into a second wave and thankfully we are yet to see the rise in cases in hospitals that we did earlier this year. Residents of North Warwickshire have been fantastic during this outbreak, helping each other, supporting local businesses and keeping infection rates to well below national averages.

"However it seems that the large increases we've seen in urban areas over the last month are starting to work their way into more rural areas given our strong links with those areas, so we are asking people to be extra vigilant as they go about their business, reducing contact between individuals.

"This is the most effective way to slow the rates of increase and it will give us the best chance of preventing an early return to the more stringent restrictions on our daily life and the economy."

The message from the borough council comes just a day after it was announced that neighbours Coventry would be escalated to 'High' risk as of Friday. Atherstone and North Warwickshire for the time being are remaining in the 'Medium' risk category of the government's three-tier system.

Dr Shade Agboola, Director of Public Health said "We have been working really hard with our District and Borough colleagues over the last few weeks to bring infection rates down in key areas such as the hospitality industry, and those measures have been very effective.

"Businesses have really stepped up their game and are working as hard as they can to ensure that their premises are COVID secure. However, household transmissions are on the rise, with people choosing to visit family and friends in their homes, over going out.

"I understand that residents may have concerns around visiting venues outside their homes to meet up with family or friends. However, when meeting in the home, people are becoming complacent and forgetting about essential guidance such as keeping a two-meter distance from those they do not live with.

"They are also being lulled into a false sense of security that it's ok to hug and have close contact with those they are visiting.

"In order to control the virus and reduce the chances of Warwickshire being put under stricter measures, I am urging all residents to take action now and not mix indoors with anyone they do not live with, except for close friends or family who are part of their support bubble."

The latest infection rates for the area are published daily on the council's Facebook and Twitter pages.