Government confirms Stoke-on-Trent to be placed into high alert level

The Government has confirmed that Stoke-on-Trent will move to the high COVID alert level from 00.01 on Saturday 24 October.

The confirmation comes following an application by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to move the city into tier 2 – high alert level banding of Covid-19. It followed a sharp increase in cases in the city within recent days.

This means that for Stoke-on-Trent, the following measures will be in place:

• People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place;
• People must not meet in a group of more than 6 outside, including in a garden or other space; and
• People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.

These measures will be reviewed every 14 days with Government to consider whether they are still appropriate.
Cllr Abi Brown, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We welcome the government’s announcement today regarding Stoke-on-Trent moving to tier two, the high COVID alert level. This is clear recognition of the severity of the situation and the data that we have – we had 100 new cases notified in one day yesterday and our 7 day rate is now 221.2 per 100,000 of the population. Cases have risen exponentially and we need to take decisive action to do all we can to stop the spread in Stoke-on-Trent. We think the government has decided correctly.

“We understand that the move to the high COVID alert level may affect people’s lives and businesses and we understand the very strong feelings about this. Additional funding support has been announced today to help businesses in the city. We have an overriding duty of care to the people of Stoke-on-Trent, and we firmly believe that this is the best route to minimise disruptions, to save lives - not just for those with the virus, but for other patients as well - and to protect businesses.

The high alert comes following news yesterday that the number of admissions into hospital locally is rising as a result of Covid-19.

UHNM Chief Nurse and Director of Infection Prevention and Control Michelle Rhodes said: “University Hospitals of North Midlands has seen a significant increase in admissions for patients who are Covid-19 positive, particularly during the last seven to 10 days.

“While we have learned lots about this disease since the start of the pandemic and new treatments are available, the long-term effects can be debilitating , even for young, fit people who originally had mild symptoms.

“Our staff and those from our NHS partners are working around the clock to care and treat Covid-19 patients and our hospitals are continuing to treat non-covid patients as well. It’s no secret that, as infection rates rise, so do hospital admissions, that’s why it’s really important that everyone takes action now to prevent more people getting sick and dying from this disease and that our local communities work together and follow the national guidance especially by washing their hands, covering their face and keeping two metres apart. Remember Hands, Face, Space.”

More information is available on the GOV.UK website around specific restrictions which apply to the high alert level.

You can read about our request to move into high alert here.

For more information on digital services, visit www.stoke.gov.uk, download the MyStoke App, or follow the city council’s social media channels.