'Large increase' in coronavirus cases in Hartlepool - with younger people at centre of rise

Health chiefs are warned they have started to see ‘quite a large’ increase in the number of cases in Hartlepool and called on people to follow Covid-19 guidelines around distancing, testing and self-isolating.

Craig Blundred, acting director of public health at the council, told the health and wellbeing board on September 7, they have seen ‘around 30 to 33’ cases identified over the past week, compared to an average of ‘nine or 10’ in prior weeks.

He also noted they are starting to see more cases in younger people, and an increase in people socialising could be having an impact.

He said: “Over the last few days and week or so we’ve now started to see quite a large increase in the number of cases in the area.

“So it does suggest we’re starting to see the disease coming back in a bit more of an aggressive way.

“What we’re seeing in the more recent cases is we’re starting to see more cases occurring in younger people, so the 18-35 age group particularly.

“One of the key drivers I think of cases starting to spread, people are being more sociable, and returning to work, and it’s something we’ll likely see increasing if we don’t do something to reinforce those messages about staying at home if they have symptoms, getting tested, and isolating as well.”

However he added the death rate and hospitalisations are not currently increasing, with younger people not having the pre-existing health conditions which elderly residents may have.

Hartlepool has seen a higher rate of cases than the national average for Covid-19, with health chiefs noting there are a number of reasons behind this, including deprivation and existing health conditions.

In Hartlepool the current rate of Covid-19 cases to date is 736.7 per 100,000 people, according to health chiefs.

Mr Blundred warned, as seen in other countries, the increase in Covid-19 cases in younger people could lead to an impact on the elderly, unless steps are taken to prevent this.

He therefore stressed the importance of social distancing and getting tested and isolating if symptoms are present.

He said: “This is potentially the start of another increase in the number of cases.

“If we look to other countries abroad what we’ve seen is younger people will start to have the cases and that will then spread to older people as well, with the subsequent potential for increase in hospitalisations and mortality rates.

“One of the things we need to be constantly reiterating is the need to maintain that social distancing.

“Also for people to maintain awareness of what the symptoms are of Covid-19, so when they do get symptoms they self isolate and test straight away.”

He also noted the number of positive cases comes despite a slight reduction in tests, suggesting a higher rate of infection within the town.

However an increase in testing in the town is planned to take place following the rise in cases.

Councillors on the board did note however how the national method of results being recorded per 100,000 does not necessarily give a clear picture for smaller towns like Hartlepool, and can cause ‘mixed messages and confusion’.

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