MAYOR URGES SOUTH YORKSHIRE TO STOP THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS

Published 1 October 2020 at 2:24pm

Today the Government announced that Rotherham has been added to the watchlist as an area of concern and Sheffield has been identified as an area of enhanced support.

Cases of Coronavirus are increasing across South Yorkshire with current cases at:

• Barnsley – 49.3 cases per 100,000
• Doncaster – 47.43 cases per 100,000
• Rotherham – 85.8 cases per 100,000
• Sheffield – 95 cases per 100,000

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region said: “We’ll have a very tough winter ahead of us if we don’t act now and slow the spread of Coronavirus. Covid has not gone away and cases are rising across the country. We need everyone across South Yorkshire to play their part to protect not just themselves, but their family, friends and communities.

“I know this is a deeply worrying and unsettling time. I’m working closely with our Local Authorities, the NHS and Public Health England to explore every option to limit the spread of the virus. However, if case number continue to increase, we won’t hesitate to call on the Government to bring in local lockdown measures.

“We can prevent this. By working together, maintaining social distance, limiting our contact with others, and crucially, isolating if you have symptoms or have been asked to isolate, we can stop the spread of the virus.

“I know that people in South Yorkshire are strong and resolute. We look out for each other and have the resilience and grit to get through these challenging times. At this critical moment, before winter starts to bite, I’m calling on everyone in South Yorkshire to stick to the rules so we can all stay safe – and together, we will get through this.”