Recent spike in Covid cases in the East Riding 'likely from school pupils'
Public health officials in the East Riding have been giving an update
Recent spikes in coronavirus cases in the East Riding are likely to have come from pupils mixing in school, public health officials have said.
A spokesperson for East Riding Council’s public health team said pupils and their siblings are being asked to self-isolate and learn from home if they test positive for coronavirus.
They added people were advised to be cautious when visiting friends and relatives or going to large gatherings and should take tests regularly in line with government guidance.
It comes as UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data showed coronavirus cases rose in north Howden, Swinefleet and Eastrington by 47 to 77 in the week up to Saturday, December 11.
The case rate in Cottingham East, on the border with Hull, is currently among the highest in East Yorkshire at 882 per 100,000 people.
Overall cases in the East Riding rose by 5.7 per cent, or 88, to 1,619 with a rate of 471.1 during the same period.
The number of cases in Hull dropped by 75 or 5.7 per cent, to 1,252, with a rate of 483.2.
Hull city centre and neighbouring areas including Drypool and Victoria Dock, Boulevard and St Andrews Quay and Sculcoates saw case numbers and rates below overall local averages.
The city centre had a case rate of 140.1, with neighbouring areas seeing rates between 300 and 400.
But in the city’s western and eastern suburbs, rates were between 400 and 600 and 693.9 in Southcoates Central and Docks, where cases have risen by 10 to 62.
In the East Riding, the Bridlington area of Hilderthorpe saw cases increase to 29, up by three, with a rate of 523.8.
The south of Beverley saw an increase of 22.2 per cent, or eight to 44, with a rate of 437.7, but the north of town remained stable at 29 cases, 458.
East Riding Council’s public health team spokesperson said getting vaccinated, either with a booster or first and second jabs, was more important than ever.
The spokesperson said: “Across the East Riding, there continues to be a high number of coronavirus infections, and on occasion we will see widespread household transmission in a particular community, where we have siblings in different schools or year groups for example or households mixing.
“East Riding Council’s public health team and the schools’ pandemic support officers continue to advise individual schools and headteachers through any outbreak situation where a threshold is met, such as asking siblings of positive cases to remote learn or seek a PCR test, in line with the latest Department of Education guidance.
“The public health team also continues to monitor both the local and national position.
“At a time when we are seeing high community infection rates within our local authority and region, it is strongly advised that residents take extra care if visiting vulnerable individuals or attending large events or gatherings given the proportion of cases in our community and continue to test regularly, as well as wearing a face covering, unless exempt, in most indoor settings as outlined in the latest government guidance.
“We also strongly recommend that they are worn outside in busy or crowded spaces.”