Warning as East Sussex Covid cases rise ahead of tier review

There have been 598 positive Covid-19 tests in the area in the last seven days, East Sussex County Council said, marking a stark increase from the week before.

Hastings and Rother have witnessed the greatest rise in confirmed cases. 

• READ MORE: Sussex town records second highest coronavirus rate increase in England

All of East Sussex, along with West Sussex and Brighton and Hove, is currently under Tier 2 restrictions.

"I'm worried...and you should be too," East Sussex director of public health Darrell Gale said, with the government set to review the area's Tier 2 status next week.

We are seeing a worrying rise in some areas of the county. It is vital that you do not have any unnecessary contact with people outside your household or bubble.
Remember you must isolate and test as soon as you have any symptoms, no matter how slight.https://t.co/ocw9RAf6yd pic.twitter.com/r9hKxlcCEl

— East Sussex County Council (@EastSussexCC) December 9, 2020

"We’re seeing a worrying rise in Covid infections in parts of East Sussex. We must act now to change this trend, or our lives will get much more difficult.

"The number of people with new cases of Covid has doubled in the Hastings area in recent days and is climbing sharply in Rother.

The number of coronavirus cases in Tier 2 Hastings have increased dramatically

"We aren’t seeing the same rises in other parts of the county yet, but that could change quickly.

"The good news is that we can control this situation together."

• READ MORE: School shuts until next year after dramatic increase in coronavirus cases in local area

He urged people to stick to Tier 2 restrictions, with all of Sussex currently being under the "high alert" measures.

Mr Gale asked people to: 

• Not meet people from other households in indoor settings, both public and private
• Reduce social contact where possible
• Avoid crowded places, such as picking less busy times to go shopping
• Self-isolate and book a test if they have even mild Covid-19 symptoms
• "Think carefully about your Christmas socialising. Up to three households will be able to meet in a ‘bubble’ from 23-27 December. But could you manage with less contact just for this year?"

The (Middle Layer Super Output) areas in Sussex with the highest coronavirus rates

He said: "If we all choose to take these actions (and keep washing hands and covering faces), we’ll be able to put the virus into reverse in East Sussex.

"We’re in the medium tier (high alert) of Covid restrictions but the government will review this next week.

• READ MORE: These are the Sussex towns with some of the lowest coronavirus rates in England

"The actions you, your family and your friends take will decide what happens next. None of us wants tighter restrictions.

"We can change this, together."