Hartlepool council chief warns 'we're not out of the woods yet' and urges people to take care

The message comes as the Government further eases the lockdown with non-essential shops allowed to reopen from Monday, June 15, and single people being allowed to stay at one other household from Saturday, June 13.

Hartlepool Borough Council says social distancing is still important as the town's Covid-19 rate of infection is currently in the worst 20% nationally.

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As of Thursday, June 11, there have been 346 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Hartlepool. There has been 134 deaths related to the virus at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

The council has come up with a number of ways to help people measure two metres for social distancing when out and about including the length of two shopping trolleys, a three-seater sofa, a surfboard, or two golden retrievers.

Chief Executive Gill Alexander said: “As Central Government releases the lockdown it would be easy to think we are through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“However, the rate of infection here in Hartlepool is currently in the worst 20% nationally and around one in three people who develop COVID-19 locally will die, as opposed to one in four across England.

“Combined with the likelihood of further spikes and the profound impact the virus has had on our economy and community, it is clear we are by no means out of the woods just yet.

“In a town like Hartlepool where everyone knows everyone, the importance of social distancing should not be underestimated.

“In normal contact with a disease which spreads like coronavirus, people who are ill and pass it on would infect around 400 people within a month. “With a 50% reduction in social contact, that number falls from 400 to about 15. If you get to a 75% reduction in social contact that drops to less than three.”

At a first meeting of the council since the lockdown began held this week, Ms Alexander warned the impact of Covid-19 will be long-lasting both socially and economically.

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