CASES of Covid-19 could rise again now that people are returning to work and school, a health boss has warned.

Alistair Hill, director of public health in Brighton and Hove, has urged people to not ignore Covid-19 symptoms and to keep testing to stop it spreading out of control.

It comes after there were 876 confirmed new Covid-19 cases in the city in the seven days up to September 3, lower than last weeks figure of 908.

This is the equivalent to a weekly rate of 300.3 per 100,000 residents and lower than the rates for England and the South East at 307.6 and 324.9 per hundred thousand respectively.

Mr Hill said that despite low infection rates, cases of coronavirus remain high.

He said: “I’m impressed by all the work schools, colleges, universities and businesses have been doing to slow the spread of Covid when people start to go back after the long break.

“We should all be grateful that so much thought and care has been done to keep us all safe.

“This is the time of year when we’re used to colds and other bugs spreading when we come back together after the summer holidays. This year, I’m asking everyone to be extra careful.

“Case numbers remain high and we all have an individual responsibility to stop the virus spreading.

“Please look out for the Covid symptoms and take quick action if you suspect that you, or your child or someone you care for, might be infected.

Mr Hill made a direct appeal to those unvaccinated to get a jab as soon as possible.

He said: “If you’ve been vaccinated there is still a small chance you could catch Covid but the symptoms will be less severe and it is much less likely to result in hospital care.

“That’s why it’s so important to get fully vaccinated so that you, and the people you care about, won’t become seriously ill if you come into contact with the virus.

“If you haven’t had your vaccine yet, what are you waiting for? Please protect yourself from this dangerous virus by getting vaccinated as soon as you can.”

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.