Hastings and Rother’s sharp rise in Covid-19 cases continues: the latest figures

The latest figures show another 152 people in Hastings tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, and another 112 in Rother during the same time period.

Hastings has recorded 746 cases in the past seven days, at a rate of 805.1 per 100,000 people. The rate of infection in Hastings is by far the highest in Sussex.

The next highest rate of infection across the county is in Rother where it is 552.7 per 100,000 people. The latest figures show 531 tested positive for Covid-19 in Rother in the past seven days.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 2,197 cases of Covid-19 in Hastings, according to government data. There have been 16 coronavirus-related deaths in Hastings registered up to December 4, the latest figures show.

In Rother, there have been a total of 1,918 cases since the start of the pandemic. The latest figures show there have been 76 coronavirus-related deaths registered in the district up to December 4.

Hastings and Rother were placed in tougher Tier 4 restrictions on Saturday evening.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation outlining the new restrictions, which are broadly equivalent to the national lockdown rules which were introduced last month.

The new tougher measures come into force on Sunday (December 20).

Hastings and Rye MP, Sally-Ann Hart said: “As we have all come to see in recent weeks, the rates of Covid-19 infections across Hastings and Rother are rising, and continue to rise, at an alarming rate.

“It is believed that in London and the South East this continued sharp rise is down to a new strain of coronavirus that seems to spread among people far more easily.

“Therefore, the Prime Minister has announced this afternoon that our area is now moving into a new tier – Tier 4.

“This means that from midnight tonight all non-essential retail must close, including gyms, leisure centres, hairdressers and beauticians; travel abroad and outside tier 4 areas is not permitted, expect for exceptional circumstances; you cannot meet anyone outside your own household unless part of a support bubble in indoor places; and now Christmas bubbles cannot be formed.

“I know this is incredibly tough for everyone, residents and businesses, however we knew that as we approached the winter months of January and February, the NHS was going to be under incredible pressure and the virus would hold the upper hand, as viruses of all kinds do in these colder periods.

“No elected representative ever wants to impose restrictions like this on anyone, and I know this will be disappointing and frustrating news with all the plans that have been made. But we must get control of this virus.

“Now that the vaccine is being rolled out, we can see hope lies ahead in 2021, but we cannot throw away all our hard effort of the last ten months in this final stretch.

“Please do take this seriously and follow the clear rules and guidance. Keep washing your hands regularly, cover your face when indoor public places and on public transport, and keep your distance from anyone who is not a member of your household. And now, most importantly, you need to stay at home once again.

“Please everyone, do keep safe this Christmas time and look out for the vulnerable and those on their own.

“These are dark days we are facing, but the sun is rising and soon a new dawn will break upon a better, safer and hopeful new year.”