Leicester lockdown could be extended as cases still ‘well above the country’

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that coronavirus cases in Leicester are “still well above” the rest of the UK.

This week Hancock will be reviewing the lockdown in the city, which could be set for an extension to the lockdown due to the soaring number of cases.

Speaking in the Commons Hancock told MPs on Tuesday, “There is a process for whether changes can be made in Leicester.

“The process is that we will look at 14 days of data – it is today 14 days since the measures were introduced.

“We’ll look at that on Thursday of this week and make a public announcement, as soon as is reasonably possible, about whether and if any changes can be made to the situation in Leicester.

“Thankfully the numbers have been coming down in Leicester and we have put in that extra testing.

“But the number of positive cases in Leicester is still well above the rest of the country.

“I won’t pre-judge the decision that we’ll take on Thursday and we’ll take into account all of the data.

“We won’t set out specific thresholds, instead we’ll look at all of the data – both the level and the rate of change – and make the appropriate decision in consultation with the local authorities.”

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam – one of England’s deputy chief medical officers said on Monday that any decision to lift the lockdown “can’t be rushed.”