Rise in Covid cases in Chesterfield, Bolsover and NE Derbyshire

A rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in Derbyshire has sparked a reminder from the county’s public health director that people must self-isolate if they test positive.
By Gay Bolton
Published 27th Oct 2020, 13:23 GMT
Updated 27th Oct 2020, 13:25 GMT
If you receive a positive test result make sure you self-isolate to avoid passing the virus onto others.If you receive a positive test result make sure you self-isolate to avoid passing the virus onto others.
If you receive a positive test result make sure you self-isolate to avoid passing the virus onto others.

Figures for Bolsover district show 136 people tested positive for coronavirus in the week October 10 to 16, up from 90 in the previous seven days. During the same period in NE Derbyshire district, the figures were 210 as opposed to 179 the previous week and in Chesterfield borough the numbers were 155 compared to 150.

The public is being urged to help stop the spread of the virus by self-isolating if they, or anyone in their household or support bubble, receives a positive test result.

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Dean Wallace, director of public health for Derbyshire, said: “Cutting off contact is the key to containing any virus – and coronavirus is no different in that respect.

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“But as a new virus which we know relatively little about, self-isolation is our only defence at the current time to prevent it from reaching the vulnerable.

“We need people to stay at home if they or someone in their family tests positive – no matter how mild their symptoms may be.

“Just because you haven’t got symptoms, doesn’t mean you haven’t got it. If you live with someone who is infected, you could be carrying the virus too and infecting others, even if you feel fine."

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People testing positive for the virus could be fined if they don’t self-isolate. Fines start at £1,000, rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders.

Mr Wallace said: “But a far worse punishment is knowing that you may have been responsible for passing this life-threatening bug to someone you love who may not be able to fight it.”

Help is available if you need to self-isolate. Derbyshire County Council’s Community Response Unit can arrange deliveries for food and prescriptions if you have no friends or family to call on, or put you in touch with someone who can have a chat over the phone if you feel lonely. Go to the online site derbyshire.gov.uk/gethelp or call 01629 535091, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Some people on low incomes may be entitled to £500 through the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme if they need to stay at home and self-isolate. Contact your district or borough council for more information.

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Related topics:DerbyshireChesterfieldDean Wallace