Covid Plan B measures ‘set to be rolled out in 20 UK hotspots within days’

SOME parts of England are set have Plan B rules introduced as coronavirus infections continue to rise, it has been claimed. It comes as Health Secretary Sajid Javid last night warned that Covid-19 cases could hit 100,000-a-day by the winter months. Areas that were hardest hit last year by the pandemic could have further measures […]

SOME parts of England are set have Plan B rules introduced as coronavirus infections continue to rise, it has been claimed.

It comes as Health Secretary Sajid Javid last night warned that Covid-19 cases could hit 100,000-a-day by the winter months.

Areas that were hardest hit last year by the pandemic could have further measures rolled out, the i reported.

Leicester, Bolton, Luton and Blackburn and Darwen are all set to receive Enduring Transmission Area (ETA) support.

This means extra testing capacity, along with vaccine programme support and more assistance to public health staffing.

Three areas confirmed to the i that they were to receive the extra measures.

Government data states that Leicester is currently experiencing 294.0 cases per 100,000, Bolton 286.6, Luton 385.4 and Blackburn with Darwen 295.3.

Other areas are also said to be under review and include: Bradford, Rochdale, Slough, Bristol, Peterborough, Oldham, Kirklees, Preston, Hartlepool, Tameside, Middlesbrough, Burnley, Ealing, Manchester and Hyndburn.

These areas are understood to be on a ‘watchlist’, with experts keeping an eye on growing infections rates.

Despite this, the most infected area in the country is currently Blaenau Gwent in Wales, with 722 new cases in the seven days to October 16 – the equivalent of 1,031.1 per 100,000 people.

This is up sharply from 377.0 in the seven days to October 9.

Plan B measures proposed by the government could also include a working from home order and a return to mandatory mask wearing.

But so-called ‘Plan C’ measures are also being discussed by ministers which could include families being banned from mixing with other households.

Last night the British Medical Association (BMA) accused the Government of being “wilfully negligent” for not introducing Plan B.

“Life is not back to normal, I think everyone can see that, because the pandemic is still here,” Mr Javid said.

So-called Plan B restrictions, including masks and work from home orders, would only be used if cases spiral out of control and the booster jab program fails.

Yesterday Mr Javid maintained that Plan B contingency measures won’t happen “at this point” – but begged Brits not to “blow it”.

Last month Mr Javid unveiled the Plan B strategy to MPs in a 33-page document titled: ‘Covid-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan’.

An ETA area is a place which needs support as cases remain above the national average.

‘PLAY YOUR PART’

Mr Javid ​said: “We must all play our part in this national mission, and think about what we can do to make a difference. That means getting the jab when the time comes, whether it’s for Covid-19 or flu.”

The Health Secretary urged Brits to get their booster vaccinations in a bid to keep hospitalisations down.

Backing The Sun’s Give Britain a Booster campaign, Mr Javid warned it was vital to take up a third jab not just to save lives but to keep our freedoms, too.

Mr Javid said: “We need to sustain the progress that we’ve made. We could lose it. We really could lose that progress if people don’t take up their vaccination offers.”

Figures reveal 5.5million of the 7.9million eligible have so far been invited for a booster jab.

Four million have already had it — leaving 1.5million who have not yet had the third shot.

Another 1.9 million people will be asked to head to their local GP or vaccination centre this week.

Around 500,000 who live or work in social care will also be jabbed there.

Our booster programme is vital to keeping us safe over the oncoming months

Sajid JavidHealth Secretary

All over-50s, people with serious health conditions and health and care workers already double-jabbed are being offered the booster six months after their second dose.

By the end of the rollout, medics hope to have given boosters to more than 30million.

So far in the UK 49.4 million people have received a first dose of the vaccine, with 45.4 million having had two jabs.

Mr Javid last night said: “Our booster programme is vital to keeping us safe over the oncoming months.

“Although vaccines offer powerful protection, we know the protection you get reduces over time especially in older people. Without delivering a top up we will see a real world impact.

“The boosters really could not be more important. We need to sustain the progress we have made as we could lose this progress if people don’t take up the offers of vaccines.”

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said: “As set out in the Autumn and Winter plan, the government continues to work in close partnership with local authorities and we will continue to be guided by data and local insight so that we can provide targeted support to areas that need it to slow the spread of Covid-19.

The Sun has contacted the NHS.