'Worrying' Covid-19 trends in Milton Keynes could see town bumped up to 'high alert' tier

Milton Keynes Council leader Pete Marland warned residents that 'early indications' show as many as 40 people tested positive in one day in MK within the last week.

Mr Marland said in his weekly Covid-19 update: "We are seeing worrying trends this week. Early indications are that as many as 40 people tested positive in a single day. If this rate of increase in our numbers continues unchecked, it's inevitable we will enter a higher alert level and further restrictions will be imposed."

The council leader said 4,794 people have been tested in MK in the last two weeks, and of those 4,794 people, 291 tested positive.

Mr Marland went on to say that the number of cases is currently 62.7 per 100,000 people in Milton Keynes.

The leader reminded residents the town is still in the 'medium' tier, the government's lowest level, but urged them to continue to try and stop the spread of the virus.

He said: "The best way to to stop the spread of the virus is to reduce mixing between households and support bubbles. I know this is a hard thing to do and we enjoy the company of our family and friends, but by thinking about spacing out contact or staying in contact in other ways such as a video call, it'll help."

MK Council said it is currently giving help to 12 schools in the town where students or staff are isolating and that extra funding and PPE has been given to care homes.