Doncaster has the highest Covid-19 rates in Yorkshire just days before tier decision is due

Dr Rupert Suckling, director of public health, said the current infection rate stands at 210 per 100,000 and added the figures were ‘higher than hoped’ when a decision on what tier an area will be.

Before South Yorkshire first went into Tier 3 back in October, an agreement was reached that one of more of South Yorkshire’s council areas could move down a tier. This means that the whole county could be in different tiers depending on rates and pressures on the NHS.

Dr Suckling also made comments about the localised track and trace system now fully operational within the council.

If the national programme does not manage to contact a resident of potential coronavirus exposure within 24 hours, the details will then be passed on to the council.

Residents are urged to answer the phone if they are contacted by 01302 734581. The call will never be from a private or withheld number, Dr Suckling said.

The health boss also said vaccinations would soon start in Doncaster and urged residents not to call their GP and for residents to sit tight.

“Our infection rate is falling and it is obviously good news but this is still the highest in Yorkshire & Humber.

“The virus is still spreading in our community and we will need to redouble our efforts into next week when we will hear if we will remain in Tier 3.

“It’s important to remember just reducing the rate of overall infections in itself won’t be enough to take us out of Tier 3. A lot of people will focus on the infection rate.

“We also have to look at the infection rate of the over 60s as well as current pressures on the NHS.

“Currently, all of these factors are higher than we would have hoped for, next week is going to be critically important.

“This week has been a momentous stage in combating the virus with the vaccination programme now under way and it will start here in Doncaster soon.”

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