Coronavirus: Yorkshire outbreaks spark ‘growing concern’ about spread of infection

Wakefield could be identified as ‘area of concern’

Yorkshire residents have been “urged to protect themselves and others” amid an increase in cases of Covid-19 in Wakefield.

A total of 1,749 people have now tested positive for coronavirus in the west Yorkshire city — up from 1,615 at the start of July, according to the latest data from Public Health England.

Recent outbreaks also found most of the people who tested positive showed no symptoms.

Wakefield Council said it expects the district to be identified as an “area of concern” following the release of the figures.

Anna Hartley, Wakefield’s director of public health, said Covid-19 remains “a very real threat”, and urged people in the area to reduce the risk of infection by wearing masks in enclosed public space, washing their hands, maintaining social distancing and not sharing cars with anyone outside their household.

She also said the council is exploring options for community testing in areas of higher concern for people who do not have symptoms.

“There is a growing concern that the number of people testing positive for the virus will continue to rise, and that the risk of more localised outbreaks remains — unless people take more action to reduce the spread of infection,” she said.

Ms Hartley added that the rise in cases resulted from two large workplace outbreaks.

Earlier this month, 17 workers at Forza Foods in Normanton and four workers at Deep Sleep Beds in Ossett tested positive for coronavirus. More than 20 people also tested positive at an accommodation centre for asylum seekers and refugees in the city.

Ms Hartley said: “We have effective monitoring in place to map relevant data and spot trends, which acts as our early warning system …

“It is this early warning system that has identified the need for everyone to increase their efforts to tackle the spread of the virus, especially in areas of our lives where social distancing is not possible.

“Now is absolutely not the time to be complacent. We must all work together to take action and follow the simple safety advice to protect ourselves and each other.”