South Holland cases of COVID-19 on the rise as prevention advice is renewed

A renewed call for people across South Holland to stop the spread of coronavirus has been made after a notable rise in cases.

Health and political leaders have united in urging people to continue with social distancing, hand washing and wearing face masks as new figures showed a doubling of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.

Figures from Public Health England and the NHS showed that 142 positive coronavirus cases were recorded in South Holland between October 18 and 25, compared to just 70 between October 11 and 18.

Meanwhile, the current rate of positive cases per 100,000 population stood at 149.4 when it was previously just 73.7.

Dr Graham Wheatley, senior GP at Munro Medical Centre, Spalding, said: "This autumn and winter was always going to be a high-risk period for COVID-19 infections, which are spread by a respiratory virus that is transmitted by close contact with an infected person, particularly in an enclosed space.

"Clearly, sensible social distancing, hand sanitising and wearing a mask in enclosed spaces will substantially reduce risks.

"However, this year it is even more important than normal to ensure that anyone in a high-risk group is vaccinated against flu.

"This is to prevent high-risk people getting simultaneous infections with flu and COVID-19, which is worth avoiding.

"We also plan to vaccinate all patients over 50 but, in the meantime, we would like to thank all our patients for their sense of responsibility."

Reminders of how to minimise the risk of COVID-19 will be publicised on social media over the coming days.

Coun Gary Porter, leader of South Holland District Council, said: "In broad terms, our numbers are going up and there are quite a lot of asymptomatic carriers now so people don't only need to be bothered about those they see coughing and sneezing.

"People will have to do as much as they can to keep themselves as safe as possible and not rely on anyone else around them to do that."

Coun Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council and chairman of the Lincolnshire Outbreak Engagement Board, made up of business, health, policing and political representatives, said: "We are monitoring a wide range of numbers which would give an early warning of a small area, or whole county, resurgence of COVID-19.

"We are being vigilant and will do what is necessary going forward."