A HEALTH chief says Brighton and Hove is "emerging from lockdown in a better position than when we entered it four weeks ago".

There has been a "significant reduction" in the number of coronavirus cases recorded in the city for the second consecutive week, director of public health Alistair Hill said.

He said he was particularly pleased to see a dramatic drop in the number of people aged 60 and above contracting the illness.

The Argus: The coronavirus rates in Brighton and Hove, the South East and England over recent monthsThe coronavirus rates in Brighton and Hove, the South East and England over recent months

"In the past seven days (leading up to November 27) the number of cases per 100,000 residents has fallen by 32 per cent," Mr Hill said.

There were 174 Covid-19 reported in this time, a 49 per cent reduction on the number recorded the week before.

This is equivalent to a weekly rate of new cases of 59.8 per 100,000 residents, far below the English average of 157.6 per 100,000.

The weekly coronavirus rate in Brighton and Hove on November 5, when the national lockdown was introduced, was 133.4 new cases per 100,000 residents.

This rose steadily to 181.5 new cases per 100,000 by November 13 - one of the highest figures recorded in the city, with the peak coming on October 26 when the rate was 191.1 new cases per 100,000 people.

However, the Brighton and Hove weekly coronavirus rate decreased every day between November 13 and November 26.

The Argus: A quiet Brighton Clock Tower during lockdownA quiet Brighton Clock Tower during lockdown

It is now 59.8 new weekly cases per 100,000 residents, less than a third of its lockdown peak.

As well as an overall decline, the weekly coronavirus rate fell in all age ranges between November 5 and November 27 (the most recent complete figures).

  • For children aged 0-14, the coronavirus rate was 45.2 new cases per 100,000 people in the seven days leadingn up to November 5. This figure peaked at 78.5 on November 12. It has now fallen to 28.5 new cases per 100,000 people in the week leading up to November 27.
  • For people aged 15-29, the coronavirus rate was 171.7 new cases per 100,000 people in the seven days leading up to November 5. This figure peaked at 253.8 on November 13. It has now fallen to 78.4 new cases per 100,000 people in the week leading up to November 27.
  • For people aged 30-39, the coronavirus rate was 137 new cases per 100,000 people in the seven days leading up to November 5. This figure peaked at 180.3 on November 13. It has now fallen to 55.3 new cases per 100,000 people in the week leading up to November 27.
  • For people aged 40-59, the coronavirus rate was 123.1 new cases per 100,000 people in the seven days leading up to November 5. This figure peaked at 193.3 on November 13. It has now fallen to 70.2 new cases per 100,000 people in the week leading up to November 27.
  • For people aged 60 and above, the coronavirus rate was 97.5 new cases per 100,000 people in the seven days leading up to November 5. This figure peaked at 148.2 on November 16. It has now fallen to 44.8 new cases per 100,000 people in the week leading up to November 27.

The Argus: An slmost silent Brighton seafront during lockdownAn slmost silent Brighton seafront during lockdown

But Mr Hill urged people to "remain on high alert" following the end of national lockdown measures, asking Brighton and Hove residents to follow the new Tier 2 restrictions which came into force yesterday.

He said: "We are in Tier 2 together with the rest of Sussex. This means we can begin to enjoy fewer restrictions but I urge you all to remain on high alert.

"Lockdown has shown us what we can achieve when we all pull together as a city.

"Let’s keep it up and follow the Tier 2 rules so we can continue to drive down the rate of infection.

"This is especially relevant in the run-up to Hanukkah and Christmas."

The Tier 2 rules are: 

  • People must not socialise with anyone they do not live with or who is not in their support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
  • People must not socialise in a group of more than six people outdoors, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the "rule of six"
  • Businesses and venues can continue to operate in a COVID-Secure manner
  • Hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to provide table service only in premises which sell alcohol, only serve alcohol with substantial meals and close between 11pm and 5am