THE council has warned of a "steep rise" in the number of coronavirus cases among people aged 60 and above in Brighton and Hove.

The authority issued the alert after the most recent weekly data showed a small drop in the city's seven day rolling rate.

There were 408 new cases of Covid-19 reported in the week leading up to October 30, the most recent figures used.

This marked an eight per cent decrease when compared to the figure from the week before.

The Argus:

The Public Health England figures, issued to Brighton and Hove City Council yesterday, show the city as having a weekly rate of 140,3 confirmed cases per 100,000 population, which is lower than the England average of 229.

But it is higher than the figure in the South East, which is 115 confirmed cases per 100,000 population.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "Young people still accounted for most new confirmed cases.

The Argus: A quiet West Street on the first day of the second national lockdownA quiet West Street on the first day of the second national lockdown

"But numbers rose most steeply among those aged 60 and above.

"There was also a significant rise among people aged between 30 and 59 years old."

The council's director of public health, Alistair Hill, urged people to self-isolate if they experienced any coronavirus symptoms in order to "drive down rates of infection" in the city. 

He said: “It will be tough going for us all. But lockdown gives us an opportunity to drive down rates of infection. 

The Argus: There were only a small number of people in Bond Street, Brighton, todayThere were only a small number of people in Bond Street, Brighton, today

“Our goal is to emerge from lockdown with much lower rates of Covid-19 in the city and hopefully be at the lowest national alert level, Tier 1.

"We’re asking everyone to help drive down rates of infection.

“If you experience any Covid-19 symptoms please self-isolate, along with your household members, and apply for a test immediately. There is plenty of testing capacity in the city right now.

The Argus: Brighton and Hove City Council director of public health Alistair HillBrighton and Hove City Council director of public health Alistair Hill

“Closely follow the self-isolation guidelines to stop the virus infecting more people. If NHS Test and Trace contact you, please cooperate with them so that we can break the chain of transmission.

“We know November will be tough for businesses, families and people in the city. The council’s Community Hub is ready to provide support and advice to everyone who needs it.

"Please don’t hesitate to ask for help online or by calling the council.”