Applications for isolation payments in Norfolk go up 1000% in some areas
The number of people applying for help with isolation has rocketed.
The number of people applying for isolation payments in parts of Norfolk has gone up over 1000% in just a month.
That's according to the County Council which says it's seen a "substantial increase" in applications for financial support.
Four of the seven districts in Norfolk have given us data showing just how much application numbers have increased by.
In the first two weeks of June, Great Yarmouth received 10 applications, over the same fortnight in July it 116 - that's an increase of 1060%.
North Norfolk also so a huge rise, from 4 to 41 - that's up 925% over the same time period.
West Norfolk also had a 900% increase, from 7 applications in June, to 70 in the first two weeks of this month.
Finally, Breckland saw a less dramatic rise, from 14 to 34 applications, up 142%.
A Norfolk County Council spokesperson said: “The data we have received so far indicates that there has been a substantial increase in applications for financial support through Test and Trace Support Payments.”
What are isolation payments?
The £500 Test and Trace Support Payment is for people on low incomes who have to self-isolate due to coronavirus.
People who are employed, self-employed, cannot work from home, and will lose income as a result can be eligible for the grant from the Government.
People can only apply though if they've been told to isolate by the NHS Test and Trace team, notified through the Covid app, or they're the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate.
Figures released yesterday also saw big rises in the number of people getting told to self-isolate in Norfolk by the Covid app, with the so-called 'ping-demic' maybe accounting for the rise in payment applications.