What MUST happen for Doncaster to move down to Tier 2 at first review next week

Ministers are set to review and announce which areas are moving into Tier Three and down into Tier Two on December 16.

Places which have significantly slowed the spread of coronavirus and alleviated pressure on local hospitals will be moved down into less-restrictive tiers.

Doncaster and the whole of South Yorkshire entered the highest level of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions on December 2 but since then the rate of coronavirus infections has dropped dramatically in the town.

In the week to December 4 the town had 358 confirmed cases and a rate of 203.0 infections per 100,000 people.

The number of infections and rate of cases fell from the previous week, where Doncaster had an average rate of 253.3 infections in 100,000 and 635 cases in the seven days to November 27.

The government will decide whether Doncaster can be moved from Tier Three – which only allows pubs and restaurants to operate as a takeaway – into Tier Two where customers can eat in hospitality businesses – on the basis of five key factors.

Ministers analyse the case detection rate and the number of new infections in all age groups but particularly the over 60s.

Another factor that is considered before an area is moved up or down a tier is how quickly infection rates are rising or falling.

The direction of cases is then compared to the average positivity in the general population, while the current and projected pressure on local NHS capacity is also looked at.

Other factors such as the number of new hospital admissions in Doncaster and general bed occupancy due to coronavirus patients and staff absences are reviewed.

Ministers will reference local information such as if there is a contained outbreak to inform their decision.

If all of these indicators in Doncaster are seen to be improving then the town could be moved down into Tier Two.

However if the government is not convinced sufficient progress has been made to get the number of infections in the area down, Doncaster will remain under the harshest restrictions.

Eleven more Covid-19 deaths in Doncaster as death toll rises to 470

Your Covid vaccine questions answered by an expert respiratory virologist

Number of people treated in Doncaster's hospitals for Covid reaches 2,000

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 subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.