Doncaster Covid rate third worst in Yorkshire as health chief issues fresh warning

Covid infection rates in Doncaster are among the worst in Yorkshire, the town’s health boss has said after pleading with people to stay at home and follow lockdown rules.
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Dr Rupert Suckling says Doncaster’s infection rate has risen in the last week, putting the town among the worst places in the county for coronavirus.

He says more people are now in hospital in Doncaster with Covid than at the peak of the first wave last year.

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Dr Suckling, Director of Public Health in Doncaster, said: “You will know that the country is in national restrictions which means we should not be leaving our home except for certain specific reasons as we did back in March.

Dr Rupert Suckling.Dr Rupert Suckling.
Dr Rupert Suckling.

“This is news that none of us wanted to hear but in Public Health terms, it is the right thing to do given the speedy rise in infection rates in England.

“Doncaster’s rate has risen in the last week to 273.2 per 100,000 infections for the period December 23-29 which ranks us amongst the top three in Yorkshire and Humber.

"Our positivity rate is over 14%.There are more people in hospital still with coronavirus than at the peak of the first wave with some needing intensive treatment and care.

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“We are at a critical point now in combating the spread of coronavirus. The new strain transmits quicker from person to person and although we are not seeing significant levels of that particular strain here, we do expect to see more of that in future. Currently we estimate about 20% of our cases are the new variant, so it is essential that you follow the new requirements to the letter.

“So please stay at home, save lives and protect the NHS. Thank you and let’s do it for Doncaster.”

Last week, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals Teaching Hospitals Trust, which runs Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Mexborough’s Montagu Hospital and Bassetlaw Hospital at Worksop said it was treating more than 120 patients for Covid-19.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been a total of 581 deaths in Doncaster while last week, the health Trust announced it’s 1,500th Covid patient had been successfully discharged.