"Too many people are meeting up," warns Doncaster public health boss as town's Covid-19 infection rate confirmed to be among worst in England

Dr Rupert Suckling, director of public health at Doncaster Council, said the borough is now in the top 10 for the highest infection rates in England, with an average seven-day figure of 530 per 100,000 people.

“The situation is still very serious and I cannot emphasize that enough,” he said.

“This is the second highest in South Yorkshire and we are now in the top 10 in England. This is not good news.

“It’s clear to me that too many people in Doncaster are meeting up and not following the guidance to keep our distance, wear face coverings and to wash our hands.

“The infection is spreading very quickly and we need to stop it. If we do not put the fire out now iit will continue to flare up and continue burning.”

Dr Suckling said he needed people to go ‘above and beyond’ to control the spread and urged people not to travel unless it was ‘essential’ and he urged people to ‘stay in Doncaster’ if people can.

The health boss also said he has written to businesses, schools, charity and faith organisations to reiterate the Tier 3 guidance and another letter to those who are in the ‘extremely vulnerable’ category in order to keep them safe.

“This has been a very difficult week for Doncaster not least because we’re coming to the end of the first week of being in Tier 3 of the government’s coronavirus alert levels,” Dr Suckling added.

“I do appreciate this has caused a lot of challenges, worry and confusion and I’ve explained some of the guidance through social media channels and the council’s website and we will continue to do this over the coming days.

“I’m asking you to go above and beyond the Tier 3 restrictions to help keep everyone in the borough safe.

“If everyone does this then the infection rates will fall and we will get out of this situation quicker.”

Under Tier 3 restrictions, households can only mix in outdoor public spaces, and businesses including casinos, adult gaming centres and pubs and bars that do not serve “substantial meals” have been forced to close.