'The nightmare continues' with worse expected as virus 'out of control' warns Hartlepool MP

Mike Hill said it is “a very real possibility because” the virus is “out of control” and the town’s R rate, meaning the number of people one infected person passes the virus on to, is increasing.

It is said to be down to a much more virulent strain of Covid-19 that has caused large part of the South East of England to be placed into Tier 4 lockdown.

Hartlepool and the Tees Valley remains in Tier 3 for now.

Mr Hill said: “For the people of Hartlepool the nightmare continues and further restrictions are a very real possibility because the virus is out of control and our ‘R’ rate is increasing once again due to a strain of Covid that has been identified as being up to 70% more transmissible than other variants.

"The rise of the new variant in our area is lower than other parts of the country, but we cannot afford to be complacent.

"If the number continues to rise in Hartlepool we will most certainly end up in tier 4.”

Hartlepool had 326 new positive cases in seven days up to December 19, or 348.1 per 100,000 people.

That is an increase from 218 new cases and a rate of rate 232.7 per 100,000 people the previous week.

Mr Hill accused the Government of dithering in its approach to the virus, particularly in the south, and said it is now dealing with the consequences.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed on December 23 that Essex, Norfolk, Sussex, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Hampshire will enter Tier 4 restrictions from midnight on Boxing Day.

Mr Hill said: "Frankly it is clear to me that the Government have been wrong footed and rugby tackled by not one, but three, new variant strains of Covid; the latest variant strain originating in South Africa.”

Mr Hancock said Covid-19 is spreading at a “dangerous rate” across large parts of England and it was “better to act sooner”.

Tier 4 restrictions include a warning to stay at home, a limit on household mixing to two people outdoors and closure of non-essential shops, hairdressers and gyms.

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.