Wakefield in Tier 2: Council leader meets with government to discuss 'next steps in combating Covid'

Political leaders from across West Yorkshire have met with government ministers to discuss the next steps in tackling rising rates of Covid-19.
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Leaders from across the county, including Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery, confirmed yesterday that they had met with government ministers and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam amid rising rates of infections and hospital admissions.

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According to the latest Covid-19 figures for West Yorkshire, the rate of cases in Wakefield now stands at 373 per 100,000, compared to 198/100,000 across the UK and higher than Leeds' rate of 369/100,000.

Political leaders from across West Yorkshire have met with government ministers to discuss the next steps in tackling rising rates of Covid-19.Political leaders from across West Yorkshire have met with government ministers to discuss the next steps in tackling rising rates of Covid-19.
Political leaders from across West Yorkshire have met with government ministers to discuss the next steps in tackling rising rates of Covid-19.

A total of 6,448 people in Wakefield have tested positive for the virus to date, with more than 3,400 of these cases confirmed since the start of the month.

The rising rates have prompted speculation that West Yorkshire may be moved into the Very High Covid alert level, known as Tier 3.

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And the county's leaders have now confirmed they are calling on the government for "further local action" to be taken, including strengthening local test and trace policies.

A total of 6,448 people in Wakefield have tested positive for the virus to date, with more than 3,400 of these cases confirmed since the start of the month. Chart: FastCharts.ioA total of 6,448 people in Wakefield have tested positive for the virus to date, with more than 3,400 of these cases confirmed since the start of the month. Chart: FastCharts.io
A total of 6,448 people in Wakefield have tested positive for the virus to date, with more than 3,400 of these cases confirmed since the start of the month. Chart: FastCharts.io

In a joint statement, the leaders of Wakefield, Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees and Bradford councils said: "Today we were invited to a meeting with senior government ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer to discuss the next steps in combating COVID-19 in West Yorkshire.

"The latest data on infections and hospital admissions shows a continued rise, and we have repeated our calls to Government that further local action needs to be taken, including strengthening community engagement and test and trace.

"There will be further discussions with government in the coming days. We are absolutely committed to implementing the most effective measures to protect the people and economy of West Yorkshire.”

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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.

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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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