THE weekly coronavirus rate in Brighton and Hove has fallen after a 37 per cent drop in positive tests among young people.

But the city's director of public health, Alistair Hill, has warned it is "too early to predict a sustained downward trend from these numbers".

In the seven days leading up to November 5, the day the second national lockdown measures came into force, there were 364 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Brighton and Hove.

This is equivalent to a weekly rate of 125 new cases per 100,000 population, lower than the average seven-day rolling rate for England of 237 per 100,000.

There were 408 positive tests reported in Brighton and Hove during the week leading up to October 30, meaning the city previously had a weekly rate of 140 cases per 100,000 population.

The Argus:

Mr Hill said: "The overall fall in rates in the past week is due to a significant 37 per cent drop among young people.

"We want to thank young people and students in the city for helping to slow the spread of infection, often at great sacrifice of the freedom they would normally expect to enjoy at this stage in their lives."

Young people have, in recent months, accounted for the majority of new coronavirus cases in Brighton and Hove.

However, Mr Hill warned that it is now the rates of infection among working age adults which are too high.

He said: "The level of infection in working age people remains a concern.

"Therefore, I am asking everyone to follow the national lockdown directive to work from home if possible.

"If you cannot work from home, you can continue to travel to your workplace.

The Argus:

"It is important that tradespeople and other workers who move between people’s homes should closely follow Covid safety measures including washing hands, keeping your distance and wearing a face covering where required.

"At the first sign of any of the Covid symptoms - even if very mild - please self-isolate right away along with your household members and apply for a test.

"There is plenty of testing capacity in Brighton and Hove at the moment.

"To stop the virus infecting more people in the city and help break the chain of transmission, anyone waiting for a test must self-isolate and respond to NHS Test and Trace if they contact you."

The Argus:

Brighton and Hove, like the rest of England, is currently under national restrictions after a second coronavirus lockdown was introduced last week.

People are being urged to stay at home wherever possible, with no household mixing currently allowed indoors or in private gardens. Pubs and restaurants have been forced to close, as well as non-essential shops, and leisure and entertainment venues.