Doncaster Covid-19 infection rate is rising - and here are the figures

Positive cases of Covid-19 are rising weekly in Doncaster, with the climbing infection rate meaning that it is increasingly likely the area will become a coronavirus hotspot.

Sheffield’s Director of Public Health, Greg Fell, has also warned that the city could face tighter restrictions, as seen in the north east and north west, if the infection rate keeps climbing, and Doncaster could also face these tighter restrictions should they be implemented in Yorkshire.

Numerous areas of Doncaster have recorded over five new cases in the last week, and the infection rate is the highest it has been since lockdown.

The infection rate is expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

On Monday, September 28 there were 45.5 new positive cases per 100,000 people, increasing by almost 1 from the previous day.

There were 45.2 positive cases recorded on Friday, September 25, 45.5 cases on Saturday 26 and 44.6 cases on Sunday, September 27.

The number of weekly cases in Doncaster from the week up to September 25 almost doubled from the previous week, and the reproduction rate is now well above 1.

According to a university study, Doncaster now has a 97 per cent chance of becoming a coronavirus hotspot.

A hotspot is an area that has more than 50 cases per 100,000 people regularly, a figure that Doncaster is close to.

New laws have come into play today across the country to try and fight the spread of the virus and decrease the infection rate, and breaking the new self-isolation laws could now land you with a fine of up to £10,000.

There have been reported cases at Sheffield Hallam University, and should they rise a Scotland-style implementation of tighter restrictions for students in the city may occur.

Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis is warning of a potential local lockdown, and says that South Yorkshire is now in a ‘critical point’ in its fight against coronavirus, and he is urging the government to act quickly to stop the increasing of the infection rate.

Dan Jarvis said on Sheffield City Region: “Across the North, case numbers are spiralling out of control.

"I am in close contact with our Directors of Public Health, Local Authorities and our NHS to look at what further action can be taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus in our region.

"As it stands, cases are too high and we won’t hesitate to call on Government to bring in local lockdown measures if they rise further.

“Our councils and our NHS are working incredibly hard to manage coronavirus cases in South Yorkshire and as individuals we all have a contribution to make to our region’s efforts against this disease.

"If we don’t all follow guidance on social distancing, face coverings and self-isolation now, we face another lockdown – and more lives, jobs and businesses will be put in danger.”