Council chief warns Covid-19 cases in Hartlepool could be set to rise after Christmas

Denise McGuckin, Hartlepool Borough Council managing director, said cases have been falling from a ‘very high level’, although now have started to plateau.

At one point Hartlepool had 600 cases per 100,000, but the latest figures showed, as of Thursday evening, the seven day rate in Hartlepool is 233 per 100,000 of the population.

It comes after it was announced on Thursday that Hartlepool is to remain in Tier 3 of the Covid-19 restrictions, along with the rest of the North East, which will be reviewed fortnightly.

Speaking at the final full council meeting of the year, Mrs McGuckin thanked residents for their hard work in following Covid-19 guidelines to date and urged them to continue to do so.

She added although three households are allowed to mix in a bubble for a five day period over Christmas, it does not necessarily mean they should, and warned she expects there may be rise in cases following the festive period.

She said: “While we’ve seen a great drop in cases which is wonderful, and it’s down to all the behaviour of everyone in Hartlepool, and we thank everybody for all the hard work that they’re doing, its starting to plateau a little bit.

“While we can have three households mixing in our Christmas bubble, that doesn’t mean to say that you should.

“I’m desperate to hug and love my family and friends like everybody, but it is really important that we do our little bit, so when we’re sat having our Christmas dinners, just remember and reflect about what’s happened over the last year.

“It will soon be the 27th of December, we’ll be back in Tier 3 and we will, unfortunately I believe, see an increase in cases again, but that is a personal view.”

Additionally it was reported council officers are working with the Government on the previously announced mass testing programme, trialled in Liverpool, and it is hoped this will be introduced in January.

Mrs McGuckin also noted this week the first Hartlepool residents have received the Covid-19 vaccine, and encouraged others to be vaccinated, if given the opportunity.

She said: “There is obviously the good news on the horizon that we have a vaccine now, and I’m really pleased we have residents in Hartlepool who have been vaccinated this week.

“I know it’s a personal choice but I would encourage everyone to get vaccinated who is offered this.”

Cllr Marjorie James commented the town is in a ‘desperate situation’ regarding Covid-19, and although a rise in cases is expected after Christmas, residents should be trying to prevent this.

She said: “I think that as a town we are in a desperate situation with Covid and it is very likely that there will be an increase following Christmas.

“That doesn’t have to be just accepted, we should be trying to not do that wherever possible.”

Council chiefs have therefore stressed the importance of residents taking precautions and continuing to follow the hands, face, space guidance over Christmas and beyond.

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