Pillar 2 test results in Peterborough

Dr Liz Robin, director of public health for Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “The data that has been published today tells us what we already know to be the case. Firstly, the overall trend of cases of coronavirus in Peterborough is downward and both hospital cases and deaths linked to coronavirus are continuing to fall.

“However, we know that our rates of positive Pillar 2 test results have consistently been higher than other areas in the region.

“As a result, last month we increased proactive public health messaging in Peterborough and as of this week we are using postcode level data to target our prevention and outbreak management efforts even further,through our community rapid response team, especially given the reduction of lockdown measures.

“This weekend in particular, with the relaxing of the lockdown measures and places such as pubs and restaurants being able to open, we are focussing our efforts on the city centre and Millfield and New England areas to support communities with advice around social distancing and measures they can take to keep themselves and their friends and family safe. This includes working with takeaway outlets to ask them to encourage customers to social distance, deploying a mobile video van and asking community leaders to help share messages.

“In line with our Outbreak Control Plan, we continue to have daily surveillance meetings that monitor cases, outbreaks and health trends in Peterborough and we continue to investigate any concerns with Public Health England to confirm that any outbreaks are identified and well managed.

“Most importantly, we need people to understand that coronavirus is still a part of all our lives and there is a very real risk of a second wave if we don’t all continue to social distance, wash our hands regularly and follow the other public health advice.”