'Hartlepool is facing its worst ever crisis' - MP calls for town to rally round against Covid-19

Mike Hill described the development as “very serious” and says he is working closely with Hartlepool Borough Council and local Public Health authorities to make sure the town gets the resources it needs.

He said: “Being put on the watch list is a very serious matter. It means that our R rate, our reproductive rate, is pushing the 50 in 100,000 measure used by the Government to declare places to be unsafe and potentially subject to local lockdown.

“The council and the many volunteers across the town have done a marvellous job in helping all citizens to cope with the virus so far, but this is a game changing situation.”

Mr Hill revealed he has been contacted by numerous constituents who have been offered Covid-19 tests miles away including Cardiff Airport, London or Telford.

He added: “Equally so the number of emails about lack of access to loved ones in care homes, hospitals and hospices shows the human and dispassionate consequences of the virus.”

But capacity is being increased at a mobile testing facility at Hartlepool Waterfront (former Jackson’s Landing site) which is running from Monday, September 14, to Friday, September 18, and also Sunday, September 20, instead of just on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Mr Hill accused the Government of “losing the plot” over its handling of the virus and “rushing ahead” with getting pupils back to school and people back to work.

"It is clear that that was the wrong move and that people in their own ranks like Father of the House, Jacob Reece Mogg, are themselves self isolating,” he said.

Mr Hill praised the town’s response and vigilance to the virus so far but added: “So now the town needs to rally again. Hartlepool is facing its worst crisis ever.

"We don’t want to see anymore of our people put on life support we want to see an end to this pandemic so please keep to the rules.

"Keep Social distancing, stay at home where you can and protect the NHS.”

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