This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-53217095

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Leicester lockdown: Restrictions could be extended for two weeks Leicester lockdown: Restrictions could be extended for two weeks
(32 minutes later)
Pubs and restaurants in Leicester may stay closed for two more weeks due to a surge in coronavirus cases, the city's mayor has said.Pubs and restaurants in Leicester may stay closed for two more weeks due to a surge in coronavirus cases, the city's mayor has said.
Sir Peter Soulsby said the government has recommended current restrictions are maintained for a further fortnight.Sir Peter Soulsby said the government has recommended current restrictions are maintained for a further fortnight.
Sir Peter told the Today programme the city could "remain restricted for two weeks longer than the rest of the country".Sir Peter told the Today programme the city could "remain restricted for two weeks longer than the rest of the country".
On Sunday the home secretary said the city faced a possible local lockdown. The home secretary previously said the city faced a possible local lockdown.
There have been 2,987 positive cases in Leicester since the pandemic began, with 866 of those - 29% - reported in the two weeks to 23 June.There have been 2,987 positive cases in Leicester since the pandemic began, with 866 of those - 29% - reported in the two weeks to 23 June.
Coronavirus restrictions across England are due to be eased from 4 July, with pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and hotels allowed to reopen.Coronavirus restrictions across England are due to be eased from 4 July, with pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and hotels allowed to reopen.
But Sir Peter said he had received an email from the government overnight and "it seems they're suggesting we continue the present level of restriction for a further two weeks beyond 4 July".But Sir Peter said he had received an email from the government overnight and "it seems they're suggesting we continue the present level of restriction for a further two weeks beyond 4 July".
He criticised the analysis as "superficial" and said "it does not provide us with the information we need if we are to remain restricted for two weeks longer than the rest of the country".He criticised the analysis as "superficial" and said "it does not provide us with the information we need if we are to remain restricted for two weeks longer than the rest of the country".
Sir Peter added it was unclear whether the government had the power to impose an extension on the city if council officials concluded it was not necessary.Sir Peter added it was unclear whether the government had the power to impose an extension on the city if council officials concluded it was not necessary.
Local and government officials are due to meet later.Local and government officials are due to meet later.
On Sunday's Andrew Marr Show Home Secretary Priti Patel said a localised lockdown had been mooted, and "extra support" would be going into the area, adding: "With local flare-ups, it is right we have a local solution." On Sunday's Andrew Marr Show, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "With local flare-ups, it is right we have a local solution."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "We are concerned about Leicester, we are concerned about any local outbreak. I want to stress to people that we are not out of the woods yet."Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "We are concerned about Leicester, we are concerned about any local outbreak. I want to stress to people that we are not out of the woods yet."
He said a local "whack-a-mole" strategy had worked in Weston-super-Mare and for outbreaks around GP surgeries in London. He said a local "whack-a-mole" strategy used to deal with outbreaks in Weston-super-Mare and around GP surgeries in London would be "brought to bear in Leicester as well".
"That's the same approach that we will bring to bear in Leicester as well," he added. We should get used to these local flare-ups - they are going to become a way of life over the coming months.
The Department of Health said four mobile testing sites and thousands of home testing kits have been sent to the city. The virus, while at low levels, is still here.
We should get use to these local flare-ups - they are going to become a way of life over the coming months. There are around 1,000 positive tests every day across the UK on average - and then there are the unknown number of silent spreaders, those who do not show symptoms and hence do not get tested.
Given the amount of virus still around - there are still around 1,000 positive tests every day across the UK on average - there will be clusters developing as people return to something near normal life. What's important is that these clusters are brought under control quickly and don't spread.
What's important is that they are brought under control quickly and don't spread.
The fact a local outbreak has been identified in one part of Leicester suggests the system is working to some extent - although it's fair to ask whether it could have been spotted more quickly given cases have been growing for a number of weeks.The fact a local outbreak has been identified in one part of Leicester suggests the system is working to some extent - although it's fair to ask whether it could have been spotted more quickly given cases have been growing for a number of weeks.
With extra testing facilities parachuted in officials will be desperately trying to get a clear idea of just how far it has spread so delaying the further easing of restrictions is the logical step.With extra testing facilities parachuted in officials will be desperately trying to get a clear idea of just how far it has spread so delaying the further easing of restrictions is the logical step.
If more cases keep emerging a local lockdown will be on the cards.If more cases keep emerging a local lockdown will be on the cards.
Should it be like this? Some argue we should have suppressed the virus further before easing - essentially going for elimination like New Zealand.Should it be like this? Some argue we should have suppressed the virus further before easing - essentially going for elimination like New Zealand.
But for a country like the UK where the virus had spread further before lockdown and with its size of population and packed cities that is somewhat harder.But for a country like the UK where the virus had spread further before lockdown and with its size of population and packed cities that is somewhat harder.
Ivan Browne, Leicester's director of public health, said detailed data on local cases suggested they were "very much around the younger working-age population and predominately towards the east part of our city".Ivan Browne, Leicester's director of public health, said detailed data on local cases suggested they were "very much around the younger working-age population and predominately towards the east part of our city".
"I don't think at the moment we're seeing a single cause or single smoking gun on this, so we really need to try to dig down and find out what is going on and it's likely to be a combination of factors," he added. "I don't think at the moment we're seeing a single cause or single smoking gun on this...it's likely to be a combination of factors," he added.
Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe has called for a lockdown due to a "perfect storm" of poverty, positive tests and higher ethnic diversity.Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe has called for a lockdown due to a "perfect storm" of poverty, positive tests and higher ethnic diversity.
About 28% of Leicester's population is of Indian heritage, and a further 21% are from black or Asian backgrounds.About 28% of Leicester's population is of Indian heritage, and a further 21% are from black or Asian backgrounds.
Dr Manish Pareek, a consultant at Leicester Royal Infirmary, said many recent cases were from "inner-city areas...which have high levels of ethnic diversity, pockets of deprivation but also quite crowded housing with inter-generational and multi-occupancy households".
These factors "are almost like a perfect storm for a virus to be spread within", he added.
What the data does and doesn't tell usWhat the data does and doesn't tell us
By Daniel Wainwright, BBC England Data UnitBy Daniel Wainwright, BBC England Data Unit
The figure for confirmed cases in Leicester is more than double that published by the government.The figure for confirmed cases in Leicester is more than double that published by the government.
This is because the government's published data for local cases only cover tests carried out in hospitals and for health workers - known as Pillar 1.This is because the government's published data for local cases only cover tests carried out in hospitals and for health workers - known as Pillar 1.
Tests outside of hospitals, known as Pillar 2, are not broken down by local authority but Public Health England has started publishing a weekly round-up by region.Tests outside of hospitals, known as Pillar 2, are not broken down by local authority but Public Health England has started publishing a weekly round-up by region.
In the week of 18 to 24 June the East Midlands went from 18,516 confirmed cases to 19,861, equivalent to 28 new confirmed cases for every 100,000 people.In the week of 18 to 24 June the East Midlands went from 18,516 confirmed cases to 19,861, equivalent to 28 new confirmed cases for every 100,000 people.
In its weekly report Public Health England said case detections were highest in the north of England and there had been increases outside of hospital testing in Yorkshire and the Humber over the previous two weeks.In its weekly report Public Health England said case detections were highest in the north of England and there had been increases outside of hospital testing in Yorkshire and the Humber over the previous two weeks.
"At a local authority level, activity was highest in parts of West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and in Leicester," it added."At a local authority level, activity was highest in parts of West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and in Leicester," it added.
Dr Manish Pareek, a consultant at Leicester Royal Infirmary, said many of the recent cases were from "inner-city areas...which have high levels of ethnic diversity, pockets of deprivation but also quite crowded housing with inter-generational and multi-occupancy households".
"It brings together a number of factors which are almost like a perfect storm for a virus to be spread within," he added.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We are working alongside Public Health England to support the council and local partners in Leicester to help prevent further transmission of the virus.A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We are working alongside Public Health England to support the council and local partners in Leicester to help prevent further transmission of the virus.
"Based on the latest data, there are now four mobile testing units deployed and thousands of home testing kits available, to ensure anyone in the area who needs a test can get one.""Based on the latest data, there are now four mobile testing units deployed and thousands of home testing kits available, to ensure anyone in the area who needs a test can get one."
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.
Do you live in Leicester? What do you think about a local lockdown extension? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Do you live in Leicester? What do you think about a local lockdown extension? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: