Lancaster and Fleetwood MP voices concern over escalating Covid-19 infection rate in city

Cat Smith has also urged the government to hand control of contact tracing to councils and local public health teams as the country reaches "crisis point".
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And the Labour shadow minister has highlighted the fact that the level has been accelerated because the city has two universities and face-to-face teaching has been continuing despite warnings from scientific advisors to the government.

She has also today urged the government to hand control of contact tracing to councils and local public health teams.

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Data reveals that the national – largely privatised – system is only making a marginal difference to addressing the rapidly rising rates of Covid-19 infection.

Lancaster and Fleetwood MP Cat SmithLancaster and Fleetwood MP Cat Smith
Lancaster and Fleetwood MP Cat Smith

“We are reaching a crisis point with the virus, and we badly need the Test and Trace system fixed and working if we are in any hope of not repeating the terrible scenes we witnessed earlier in this pandemic,” she said.

Her comments come as Lancashire looks to be heading for a Tier 3 'Very High Risk' rating which would trigger stringent restrictions and the closure of pubs, bars and gyms across the area.

Labour leader Kier Starmer has also called for a national two to three week "circuit breaker" lockdown in England, arguing it would help to bring down infection rates.

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The Lancaster district - including Morecambe, Carnforth and The Lune Valley is currently in Tier 2, and you can find out what that means HERE.On October 14, Lancaster district recorded 1,806 positive coronavirus cases, up by 89 cases on the previous day according to Public Health England figures.

Lancaster City Council leader Coun Dr Erica Lewis.Lancaster City Council leader Coun Dr Erica Lewis.
Lancaster City Council leader Coun Dr Erica Lewis.

Lancaster University recorded 140 new positive cases on campus in the 10 days up to October 12, and around 70 cases off campus.

Coun Dr Erica Lewis, leader of Lancaster City Council, said that Covid-19 is still spreading quickly within our communities and she supported any measures which will protect residents, our economy and the NHS.

But she said this must be based on a "strategy of local information and understanding", including an effective test and trace system, as well as a comprehensive and fully funded support package to protect the economy, businesses, jobs and residents.

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Ms Smith said: "In Lancaster the infection rate is increasing really quite fast, and I think a lot of that is to do with the fact that we've got two universities in the city, and with students coming back and teaching is happening face to face - completely against the Government's scientific advice from September 21 – it’s very clear that all university and college teaching should be going online now unless face to face teaching is absolutely essential.

Coun Lewis has called for more effective test and trace.Coun Lewis has called for more effective test and trace.
Coun Lewis has called for more effective test and trace.

"That's not actually happening right now, and I would support calls by the unions and many of my constituents that, where face to face teaching is essential, okay, - where it's not essential, get it online.”

Coun Lewis added: "Our communities can be assured that the city council will continue to fight for them and for additional Government support to be made available to affected businesses and residents.

“By working together we have the power to slow the spread and we can all play our part by washing our hands regularly, wearing a face covering in enclosed public places, and keeping our distance from people who aren’t in our household.”

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As the Lancaster Guardian went to press, Lancashire was in Tier 2, meaning pubs, bars, cafes and gyms could remain open, with a 10pm curfew.

Lancaster is currently in Tier 2 of the government's new coronavirus restriction hierarchy.Lancaster is currently in Tier 2 of the government's new coronavirus restriction hierarchy.
Lancaster is currently in Tier 2 of the government's new coronavirus restriction hierarchy.

It also means that people can now meet in private gardens in groups of up to six people from different households.

However, they can no longer meet up in pubs, restaurants or cafes with anyone from outside their household, unless they sit outside.

Lancaster landlords have continually made the case for more support if restrictions are tightened.

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