Doncaster health chief issues update on new Covid variant as infection rate passes 300

The latest weekly infection rate in Doncaster is 337.9 new cases per 100,000 people during the seven days ending on January 3 – up from 236.6 the previous week.

That’s still well below the England-wide average of more than 600 but Dr Rupert Suckling, Doncaster’s director of public health, expects it to rise further.

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"Our infection rate was hovering around 220 infections per 100,000 people before Christmas but now we have reached over 300 infections. The last data I have is 330 infections per 100,000 people for the period 26 December – 1 January,” he said.

“This figure will continue to rise as we see the impacts of household mixing over Christmas but also unfortunately the arrival of the new variant strain in Doncaster.

“As we now have a lockdown in place, I would urge you to stay at home and only go out for essential shopping, or work (if you cannot work at home), or exercise. It is critical that we do what we can to reduce the infection rates, particularly with the new more contagious strain around – it is in Doncaster so we need to all do our bit.

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“As you know changes have also been made to schools and I would like to thank head teachers and all staff who did a lot to prepare for the return to school and are now supporting virtual learning and key workers’ children and our more vulnerable pupils. I’m sure there’ll be more to come on this in due course.

“These next few weeks will be difficult and of course it is good news that there are now three vaccines available for use in the UK, with the news today that the Moderna vaccine has been approved for use. Please be patient in waiting for your call from the NHS to get vaccinated. You will be contacted directly so do not call your doctor.

“Let’s continue to do it for Doncaster.”

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Dr Suckling’s message came as the latest figures from Doncaster Council showed there have now been 732 Covid deaths in the area since the pandemic began.