Sheffield health boss ‘not surprised’ if city remains in Tier 3

Director of Public Health Sheffield, Greg Fell, aired his views on BBC Breakfast this morning, ahead of the Government’s review of the tier system.

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He said: “For us in Sheffield, particularly the rates of infections amongst the elderly have come down massively over the last month but they are now flat-lining.

“The rates now have stopped, and now they are flat-lining. And our hospitals are now very busy because we have a significant number of people who have had Covid and now survived.

“But they have had complex illnesses, so they're going to be in the hospitals in a longer period of time. So, we have got a very, very little wiggle room.

“I don't know, I wouldn't want to call it, but I wouldn't be surprised if we remained in Tier 3.”

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The city is currently subject to Tier Three lockdown measures, which prevents pubs and restaurants from serving customers and households from mixing indoors or in private gardens.

Ministers will announce today whether sufficient work has been done by health bosses in Sheffield to control the spread of the virus and alleviate the strain on hospitals, to enable the city to move down into Tier Two.

The lockdown tier review will confirm which level of restrictions areas across the country are subject to before they come into effect on Saturday, December 19.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.