North East to receive extra support from Government after rise in Covid-19 cases
The North East currently has some of the highest rates of cases across the country
Extra Covid support - including more testing and help delivering vaccines - is being deployed to the North East
The region's experiencing some of the highest coronavirus case rates in the country.
Seven local authorities across Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, the Tees Valley and County Durham are among areas being targeted.
It'll be in place for five weeks from Monday, to help drive infections down - but there are no local lockdowns or added restrictions in place.
Local residents are urged to remain cautious and follow the national guidance; including to wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport; meet outdoors where possible; let fresh air into homes or other enclosed spaces, and consider minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts.
Stockton's Council Leader Bob Cook said:
"We expect the focus of any such support here to be on encouraging vaccine take-up, particularly among groups and in areas where take-up is lower, and slowing the rising infection rates.
"The “Enhanced Response Area” status will take effect from Monday (July 26). It will last for an initial five weeks and will be reviewed by Government after four weeks.
"The announcement comes at a time when the region has the highest infection rates in the country.
"This is a big reminder that the situation is serious and we all need to continue to do our bit to get infection rates down.
"Restrictions may have lifted but now is a time for caution as we learn to live with the virus. It has not gone away.
"Now is also a time to be considerate and respectful of the fact that some people are feeling more anxious than others about the easing of restrictions."
For the week ending July 18 the COVID-19 dashboard shows the North East rate stood at 951.7 new cases per 100,000 people.
That compares with the national rate of 523.0 per 100,000.
In Stockton, the rate over that same period was 1,192 per 100,000, with 2,352 new cases recorded in the week ending July 18, compared with 1,407 cases the previous week.
While as of Thursday, Middlesbrough's infection rate was 1,321 per 100,000 of population.
Figures up to July 18 show that around 19,000 eligible under-40s in Middlesbrough are still to come forward for a jab.
Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald released a statement earlier;
"This support is welcomed but it is overdue. It has been clear for some time that infection rates in our area have been rising sharply and compared with other regions, the take-up of the Covid vaccination has been low.
“It is vital that our public health team and local authority are given all the support they need to put in additional resources for targeted testing and encouraging people to get their vaccination.
“It feels the North East has been overlooked again – we should have had this support before now to avoid such high infection rates.”
Public Health Minister Jo Churchill, said:
“As the data changes it is vital that our public health response continues to change with it.
“By working in lockstep with local authorities and directors of public health, this additional support should help turn the tide on these growing case numbers and extend the wall of protection that vaccines is creating across the country.
“We all have a part to play in the continued fight against this virus and our message is a clear one: the best thing we can all do to protect ourselves and our loved ones is getting jabbed. If you haven’t had your first or second doses, I’d urge you to book your vaccination at the first opportunity.”