Cases rise in secondary school age children

In the seven days up to 17 September the number of confirmed new Covid-19 cases in Brighton & Hove dropped by 33% to 489, which is equivalent to a weekly rate of 167.6 per 100,000 residents and lower than the rate for England of 258 per hundred thousand people and the South East rate of 217.1 per hundred thousand.

Alistair Hill, Director of Public Health at Brighton & Hove City Council, said:

“Cases in Brighton & Hove have continued to fall in most age groups over the last week, however similar to the rest of the country we are seeing an increase in cases in secondary school aged children and young people.

“I want to thank school staff, families and pupils for everything they are doing to prevent further transmission.

“Covid vaccinations are now widely available to anyone aged 16 and over, and in the last few days the NHS Covid vaccination programme for 12-15 year olds began rolling out locally.”

What you can do

• Get the vaccine when you’re offered it.
• Wear face coverings in crowded places and on public transport.
• Meet outside where possible, or let fresh air in when you are inside.
• Keep taking twice-weekly lateral flow tests at home (over 11s only).
• Get a PCR test if you have any symptoms, even if they are mild, or if you test positive from a lateral flow test. Stay at home and isolate for 10 days if you test positive.
• Close contacts should get a PCR test. If you are a close contact and not fully vaccinated you should stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days even if your PCR is negative. If you are a contact and fully vaccinated (where you received your second dose more than two weeks ago) or under 18 years and 6 months, you no longer need to self-isolate.