THE ‘COMPLICATED’ reasons for Rugby remaining in the ‘Tier 1’ Covid Alert Level have been spelled out by Rugby Borough Council (RBC), as the infection rate in the borough continues to rise.
The council has reiterated its request that residents avoid mixing with other households to avert a local lockdown, as today’s (Friday October 16) figures showed the infection rate in Rugby had risen to just over 116 per 100,000 people.
A council spokesperson explained the town was still at ‘medium’ risk – the lowest of the three tiers of local Covid Alert Levels which were introduced by the Government this week – due to a number of factors.
They said: “Many residents have asked how high infections might have to be to move to Tier 2. The answer is complicated.
“There is no single threshold to move to Tier 2. The infection rate is one factor among many that are considered.
“Others include the demographic of the people who test positive, the number of tests and positivity rate, and information about how the virus is spreading in the area.
“Although some places are moving to Tier 2 with a lower infection rate, these other factors weigh against moving Rugby to Tier 2 at the moment.”
Last week, RBC and Public Health Warwickshire asked residents to take urgent steps now to avoid harsher lockdown measures.
Dr Shade Agboola, Director of Public Health Warwickshire, said: “All of the data shows that the biggest cause of transmission of Covid-19 in Rugby is social visits to friends and family. Sadly, without knowing it residents are putting their loved ones at risk.
“Our best defence from Covid-19 is to make sure that we don’t take it home with us. This means washing our hands, wearing a face covering, keeping the social distancing rules and, for now, not visiting or socialising with other households.
“We could have further restrictions imposed upon us if we don’t take the virus more seriously. If we don’t reduce our contacts, transmissions levels will continue to rise and we will be moved into the ‘high’ alert level.”
Minimal restrictions currently apply in Rugby and Warwickshire under the ‘medium’ alert level.
A ‘high’ alert level would mean more severe action, including banning all mixing between households, and the closure of gyms and leisure centres.
The top ‘very high’ alert level would impose measures such as prohibiting all social mixing, closing pubs which do not serve food, and restricting travel in and out of the area.
Visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-levels-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
