Covid-19: weekly cases rise by almost 60 per cent in Brighton and Hove

The latest available data for up to Friday, June 25 shows there were 537 confirmed new Covid-19 cases in the city, which is a 59 per cent increase on the previous week and equivalent to a weekly rate of 184.6 per 100,000 residents.

The rate of infection is higher than the South East rate of 88.1 per 100,000 and the England rate of 149 per 100,000.

It means Brighton and Hove continues to have one of the highest rates in the South East region.

The city council said cases are rising fastest in those aged 15 to 29, but there is also an increase in all age groups, except the over 60s.

Cases are rising in every part of the city, but the number of people needing hospital treatment remains very low.

Alistair Hill, Director of Public Health, urged everyone to get vaccinated if they have not done so and to keep up regular testing twice a week.

He said that "about half" of those in the 18 to 39 age group in the city remain unvaccinated.

Mr Hill said: "First and foremost, we need anyone who hasn’t had their first vaccination to get one as soon as they can.

"Everyone aged 18 and above can now be vaccinated. If you haven’t had your first dose, book online now or go to one of the walk-in sessions at Hove Lawns, St Peter’s Church or the Racecourse this weekend.

“It won’t take much time out of your day and I also urge employers to make sure your staff can take some time out to get their vaccine done quickly.

"It’ll benefit you as businesses because you need a healthy workforce, and it will benefit your customers too.

"We need to keep testing so people with Covid can self-isolate and stop onward transmission.

"The vaccination programme is still rolling out, and we need to prevent new variants from developing that could be more transmissible or make the vaccines less effective.

“Please, don't go out if you have symptoms, test positive or are a close contact of someone who has. You must stay at home, get a test and save the socialising for another day.

“With rising cases it’s increasingly important we make sure we’re not spreading Covid without realising. Keep taking symptom-free tests twice a week – particularly if you’re heading out to work or meeting friends.

"If you do have a positive Covid test result there’s financial help of up to £500 if you will lose your pay by having to self-isolate, as well as practical or wellbeing support from our community hub whilst you’re unable to work.”

Mr Hill also reminded people to follow guidance for socialising safely.

He said national trends show Covid rates are increasing in places where more young people live which are also tourist destinations - which poses a "very real and serious" challenge for Brighton and Hove.

He said: "There are so many interesting and diverse places to eat and drink in the city and we’re seeing more and more people enjoy them in recent weeks but unfortunately, during this time, we’ve also seen a growing number of cases linked to people socialising.

“We’re helping our hospitality venues to be as safe as possible, and where outbreaks are linked to a business we’re offering them advice so they can take all the right actions.

"Thank you to all those businesses who are working so hard to protect their customers and their staff.

“With the right Covid safe practices in place, these venues are safe for us to enjoy.

“But I stress again that as individuals or as groups of friends planning to meet out, we can also help make the city’s bars and restaurants safer places to be by taking our twice weekly tests.

“If we all follow the rules properly when we’re out mixing with others we can all help keep each other safe and help keep our city recover and thrive again.

"Even if you have had two doses of the vaccine, remember to please keep up with the new behaviours we’ve all learned.

"They are: keep your distance, cover your mouth and nose with a face mask - especially when shopping - use hand sanitiser, socialise outside where you can and stick to the rule of six inside."