PEOPLE in Brighton and Hove have been warned it is "too soon to relax" after the dramatic drop in coronavirus cases recorded in the city over recent months began to slow.

Brighton and Hove City council's director of public health Alistair Hill said that new symptom-free testing in schools, workplaces and communities could have lead to more positive tests.

In the latest complete figures, covering the week leading up to March 14, there were 93 cases in the city, giving it a weekly rate of 32 new cases per 100,000 population.

This was slightly up from the week before, when 83 new cases gave the city a rate of 28.5 per 100,000 population.

Brighton during the third coronavirus lockdown

Brighton during the third coronavirus lockdown

However, it is still far below the levels reported in January, when rates soared to more than 800 new cases per 100,000 population.

Mr Hill said: "The slowing down in the decreasing number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 is similar to the trend seen in the rest of England and partly explained by more cases being found due to the new symptom-free testing in schools, workplaces and community testing.

"It’s a reminder that we need to continue to follow the stay at home rule until March 29, when lockdown measures will be relaxed again.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped to drive down cases in the city so far and ask that we all remain patient and continue to follow the guidance until then.

Brighton during the third coronavirus lockdown

Brighton during the third coronavirus lockdown

"It’s vital we all do everything possible to keep the number of cases down. The government’s plan to lift lockdown in phases depends upon infection rates remaining low to keep the pressure off the NHS while the vaccination programme rolls out."

Mr Hill said the new symptom-free testing programme could help stop coronavirus from spreading in Brighton and Hove when lockdown measures were relaxed later this month.

From March 29, outdoor gatherings of two households or up to six people will be permitted. This includes meetings in private gardens.

The government's "Stay at Home" slogan is also expected to be substituted for a new "Stay Local" message, though many lockdown measures will remain in place.

Mr Hill said: "I’m asking everyone who needs to work or volunteer away from home, or has children at school or nursery, to make regular symptom-free testing part of your weekly routine.

"If a symptom-free test is not available where you work, you can book them at pharmacies around the city, Hove Town Hall and Moulsecoomb Leisure Centre through our community testing web pages.

"But if you have any symptoms of Covid-19 the symptom-free is not the right test to take. You should book a regular Covid test – known as a PCR test – if you have symptoms.

"Symptom-free testing combined with vaccinations and the hands-face-space guidelines are how we will keep to the government’s schedule to lift lockdown and get back to doing the things we miss."