Preston’s sees low Covid-19 cases daily increase but infection rate remains high as new ‘tier levels’ decision expected next week

Covid signs and road blocks at the top end of Chapel Street off Fishergate Pic: Blog Preston

Preston has seen one of its lowest daily increases in coronavirus cases.

Latest figures show the city recorded 45 new positive cases on Tuesday (17 November) – one of the lowest totals for weeks.

South Ribble saw 21 new cases for the same day.

Public Health England recently changed the way the positive test data was recorded, it’s now based on the person’s current address at the time of testing rather than their medical record address.

The figures have yet to wash through onto the city’s coronavirus infection rate, which remains stubbornly high.

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Preston has a coronavirus infection rate of 466 cases per 100,000 people for the seven days to November 12, down from 470 per 100,000 for the seven days to November 5.

South Ribble has seen a fall to 257.2 per 100,000 from 270.8 per 100,000 people for the same time periods as above.

Preston has the 26th highest Covid-19 infection rate of all local authority areas in England.

Prime Minister tests negative and new tier restrictions decision looms

Boris Johnson began self-isolating at the weekend after receiving an alert on the NHS app about coming into contact with an MP who had tested positive.

It has been confirmed the PM has now tested negative.

He is continuing to self-isolate and is chairing meetings virtually and on Wednesday will do Prime Ministers Questions from home for the first time.

The government is preparing to hammer out a deal on exactly what the restrictions will look like post-2 December when national lockdown ends.

Medical director of PHE, Susan Hopkins, is among those calling for a tougher set of tiers.

MPs will have a vote on the new tier system before it is introduced – says communities secretary Robert Jenrick.

An amended tier system is set to be outlined to MPs during the course of next week.