Two areas in the Harborough district classified as Covid-19 'hotspots' in the county

Some 62 people tested positive for Covid-19 across Harborough over a two-week period this month, the latest figures show.

The figures are for the fortnight leading up to the end of Saturday September 26, Leicestershire County Council has revealed.

The number of positive tests has pushed Harborough district’s rate of coronavirus cases per 100,000 up to 42.2.

That almost matches the current rate of 43.4 throughout the whole of Leicestershire while the rate for England stands at a higher 55.8 cases per 100,000.

Two areas of Harborough have also been pinpointed as among 22 ‘hotspots’ in the county after reporting more than seven cases over the last two weeks.

Houghton, Thurnby and Scraptoft have been hit by 14 new cases while Kibworth and Great Glen have experienced 10 more positive tests.

Mike Sandys, the county council's director of public health, said: “Because of the large jump in cases nationally, none of our areas of the county feature in the top 30 areas of concern across the UK, but our rates are still concerning.

"The latest figures, however, do show that we are putting a bit more distance between the Leicestershire weekly incidence rate of Covid-19 cases and the picture nationally.”

He added: “The message remains that it’s up to us all to fight to restrict this virus.

“You have to get tested if you have symptoms, stick to the rules around social distancing, wear a face covering and follow hand-washing routines.”

Oadby & Wigston continues to have the highest weekly incidence rate in Leicestershire (91.1 per 100,000 population) with 52 positive tests recorded in the week of Thursday September 17 - Wednesday September 23.

Other parts of the county have also seen a rise in rates per 100,000, with the exception of Blaby, where the rate has fallen.

The council is delivering thousands of leaflets to people’s homes and businesses in Blaby as well as contacting GP surgeries to highlight the need for people with symptoms to get a test.

Residents in Oadby & Wigston and Charnwood are also receiving text message reminders from their GP with the council also distributing leaflets to parts of Charnwood.

Cllr Lee Breckon, the county council’s cabinet member for health, said: “This targeted work will continue and is clearly having an impact, for example, in the Blaby area.

“Again, it’s down to all of us to play our part.”

You can find out more and keep up to date at: www.leicestershire.gov.ukTo book a test, visit: nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or call 119

Here are the figures for all the districts for a two-week period up to the end of Saturday September 26:

Area: Blaby

Fortnightly number of cases: 115

Latest Incidence per 100,000 population (weekly): 52.8

Area: Charnwood

Fortnightly number of cases: 168

Latest Incidence per 100,000 population (weekly): 47.1

Area: Harborough

Fortnightly number of cases: 62

Latest Incidence per 100,000 population (weekly): 42.2

Area: Hinckley & Bosworth

Fortnightly number of cases: 66

Latest Incidence per 100,000 population (weekly): 31.1

Area: Melton

Fortnightly number of cases: 11

Latest Incidence per 100,000 population (weekly): 11.7

Area: NW Leicestershire

Fortnightly number of cases: 46

Latest Incidence per 100,000 population (weekly): 26.4

Area: Oadby and Wigston

Fortnightly number of cases: 87

Latest Incidence per 100,000 population (weekly): 91.1

Area: Leicestershire

Fortnightly number of cases: 555

Latest Incidence per 100,000 population (weekly): 43.4

England

Latest Incidence per 100,000 population (weekly): 55.8

Areas identified as ‘hotspots’ after reporting more than seven cases over the last two weeks are:

Oadby North & East - 45

Mountsorrel & Rothley - 20

Loughborough - Lemyngton & Hastings - 18

Loughborough - Shelthorpe & Woodthorpe - 18

Braunstone Town - 17

Narborough - 15

Houghton, Thurnby & Scraptoft - 14

Loughborough – Outwoods - 12

Hinckley Clarendon Park - 12

Wigston North - 11

Whetstone - 11

Leicester Forest East - 11

Kirby Muxloe & Thurlaston - 11

Wigston Harcourt & Little Hill - 10

Sileby - 10

Loughborough Dishley & Hathern - 10

Kibworth & Great Glen - 10

Hinckley West - 10

Thurmaston - 9

Oadby South & West - 9

Glenfield - 9

Blaby Village – 9