Wakefield in Tier 2: Covid cases in Wakefield rise by 500 in two days as leaders confirm West Yorkshire will not enter Tier 3 lockdown 'this week'

Official figures reveal that 5,525 people in the district have now tested positive for the virus, up from 5,035 on Monday.

Of these cases, 2,476 have been confirmed since the start of the month.

Wakefield in Tier 2: The latest Covid figures for every area of Pontefract, Castleford, Ossett, Normanton and more

Some of the cases date back to Tuesday, October 13, but have only been added to the data in the last few days.

It comes as West Yorkshire's leaders confirm that the county will not enter Tier 3 this week, despite reports of mounting pressure on local authorities to accept stricter restrictions.

Wakefield Council has repeated calls for people to abide by the rules, which it says are "vital to protecting each other and saving lives".

Councillor Faith Heptinstall, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, said: “Following another surge in positive cases, we must continue to follow additional local restrictions to help control the rapidly increasing infection rate in our district.

“I understand that the new restrictions placed on our lives are difficult but they are vital to protecting each other and saving lives.

“If we don’t follow the new rules, we run the real risk of further measures being imposed and even more lives could be lost to this virus.

“I urge everyone to take action now and please follow the new restrictions at all times."

In their latest coronavirus dashboard, which covers the seven days up to October 13, Wakefield Council said the largest increase of cases had been reported in Normanton and Knottingley, while the wards of Pontefract North and Wrenthorpe and Outwood West saw the largest decreases.

Wakefield in Tier 2 Covid lockdown: Council issues new guidance on social distancing, self-isolating and social bubbles in West Yorkshire

The rate of cases across the Wakefield district now stands at 324 per 100,000 people, almost double the national average of 174 per 100,000.

Anna Hartley, Director of Public Health for the Wakefield district, said: “The High Alert level we now find ourselves in is due to the rapid rise in positive cases across our district.

“The virus is prevalent across the district and the increase in cases does not just relate to a handful of community or work place outbreaks.

“The new measures are in place to help reduce transmission. It is vital that everyone takes the necessary action to protect ourselves and others from the very real threat of COVID-19.

“Hospital admissions are increasing, including admissions to Intensive Care. We need to act now to break that cycle and we can only do that by working together.

“Please act now - isolate and get tested if you have any symptoms. If you do not have any of the symptoms of coronavirus - of a high temperature, a new continuous cough or loss of taste or smell - please do not get a test as we need to make sure tests are readily available for those who really need them."

A local testing offer has opened in Wakefield, to work alongside and to enhance the national programme.

Residents in the district who suspect they have symptoms of the virus can now access tests via a home delivery service but people are urged to try the national system first.

Those without symptoms (asymptomatic) should not be seeking a test unless they have been advised to do so by a health professional, Public Health England or the council's public health teams – it could take a test away from someone who really needs it.

The local testing service is available from Monday to Friday and bookings for appointments can be made at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 01924 224497. Or email the person's name and contact details to [email protected] so the booking team can get in touch.

Anyone displaying coronavirus symptoms is urged to get a test by accessing local testing or by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119.

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