How many cases of Covid 19 are there where you live?

Leicestershire County Council says there is a "rising trend" in the number of positive Covid-19 cases. 

The latest data shows Oadby and Wigston’s rate has dropped to 94.6 per 100,000, but there have been increases in Blaby district to 72.7 and in Charnwood where figures are 42.7.

In parts of Charnwood and Blaby, the council is now delivering thousands of leaflets to people’s homes and businesses as well as contacting GP surgeries to highlight the need for people with symptoms to get a test.

In contrast, cases in north-west Leicestershire and Melton continue to be on the decline while the position in Harborough appears to be stabilising.

Mike Sandys, the county council’s director of public health, said: “Although we welcome the government’s new restrictions, the clear message still remains that it’s up to us all to fight this virus. We’re in it for the long haul and it’s in our hands around reducing the infection rate. “We’ve been focusing our efforts on particular areas, such as Oadby and Wigston, and we know that a good proportion of the cases we’re seeing there are down to close contact in informal settings, such as household visits and family gatherings. “We all need to wash our hands regularly, use a face covering when social distancing is not possible and try to keep your distance from those not in your household.”

The council has also identified around 20 ‘hot-spot’ areas of the county where there have been more than seven cases in the past fortnight.

These include parts of Oadby, Wigston, Loughborough and Braunstone Town Councillor Lee Breckon, cabinet member for health, said: “We are looking at these areas where there have been increases to see where the trends are and to identify if there is more work we need to do.”

A notice has also been issued today (Wednesday) requiring Saffron Banqueting in Oadby to close to the public for not complying with social distancing rules.

This means that the business, based on The Parade, must close to the public and has been served by the county council, in consultation with Oadby and Wigston Borough Council. Gary Connors, head of regulatory services for Leicestershire County Council, said: “It’s important we take action where we are aware of a serious and imminent threat to public health. We understand that this may inconvenience customers, but we have to put the health of Leicestershire’s residents first.” David Gill, Head of Law and Democracy for Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, said: “Oadby and Wigston Borough Council were pleased to collaborate with Leicestershire County Council colleagues on a breach of COVID19 regulations at Saffron Banqueting Suite in Oadby. "As part of the investigation process our Environmental Health Officers visited the premises and collected data to deliver to Leicestershire County Council. We were pleased that County today served a closure notice on the restaurant for breaching regulations.”

The Government has given councils new powers to help prevent, contain and manage local coronavirus outbreaks – and this means that councils can impose prohibitions, requirements or restrictions in relation to individual premises, events and public open spaces.

The business now has seven days to lodge an appeal to magistrates with the county council also required to review the terms of the direction in a week’s time. Businesses across Leicestershire are also being urged to create an NHS QR code poster to make it easier for their customers to check-in to the national ‘test and trace’ system. 

The areas identified as ‘hot-spots’ after reporting more than seven cases over the past two weeks are:

Oadby North & East    36
Oadby South & West   34
Wigston North  25
Mountsorrel & Rothley 19
Whetstone 16
Loughborough Lemyngton & Hastings 15
Loughborough - Shelthorpe & Woodthorpe 15
Braunstone Town 15
Narborough 14
Glenfield 14
Wigston Town 13
Leicester Forest East 12
Thorpe Astley 11
Kirby Muxloe & Thurlaston 11
Fleckney, Kilworth & Foxton 11
Thurmaston 10
Loughborough – Outwoods 10
Blaby Village 10
Earl Shilton 9
Countesthorpe & Kilby 9
Wigston Harcourt & Little Hill 8
Thurcaston, Woodhouse & Bradgate 8
Loughborough – University 8
Houghton, Thurnby & Scraptoft 8