THE city's health boss has urged people to keep to Covid-safety measures after the number of new cases rose by more than 150 per cent.

In the seven days up to June 10 there were 213 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Brighton and Hove, which is a 160 per cent increase on the previous week.

The figure is equivalent to a weekly rate of 73.2 per 100,000 residents - higher than the South East rate of 41.2 and the England rate at 72.7 per 100,000.

In a warning to the city, director of Public Health Alistair Hill said "too many people are relaxing too soon" and urged residents to keep to safety guidelines, including the "hands, face, space and fresh air" measures when socialising indoors and outdoors.

He added that over half of the new cases were found in teenagers and young adults under the age of 25, who have not been vaccinated yet - but this is "not the full story" behind the jump in cases.

Mr Hill said: "We know that a lot of transmission is occurring when people got together in close contact at social events and take the virus home with them.

“Fortunately, many of the cases were discovered by symptom-free LFD tests in time to do something about it.

"That just shows how effective routine, symptom-free testing is at finding and stopping the virus.

"Early detection means the people with Covid and their contacts have been able to self-isolate to slow down the virus.

"The vaccination programme is making a real impact, but at the same time too many people are relaxing too soon and forgetting the Covid safety guidelines.

“The Covid virus spreads in particles on our breath when we speak, cough and laugh. When people are in close contact with each other there is a risk of catching the disease by breathing in those particles.

"That’s why keeping up the ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ guidelines when you’re with other people is so important – both inside and outdoors.

“I’m urging everyone in the city – whether you’ve been vaccinated yet or not – to make the Covid safety guidelines and regular symptom free testing part of your everyday routine.

"And if you haven’t taken up your vaccination invitation yet, please make it a priority.”