EVERYONE in the district is being urged to do what they can to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

The plea has been issued as infection rates continue to rise, despite local restrictions being in place across Keighley and Bradford.

Figures show that in the seven days to September 22, there were 832 new Covid-19 cases recorded in Bradford district – compared to 549 the previous week.

Bradford Council leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, says: “Infection rates in all parts of the district are continuing to rise and admissions into hospitals are increasing. I ask every resident and business to do what they can to stay apart and limit the spread of this accelerating virus.

“Rapid turnaround on testing and easy access to testing are a big part of how to keep the virus at bay. Many residents have had issues accessing a test. But I would still encourage anyone who is concerned that they have symptoms to seek a test. Over 11,000 people in the district were successfully tested this last week.”

A number of schools district-wide have now reported Covid-19 cases.

In the latest Government update, no changes were made to the local restrictions the whole of Bradford district is currently subject to. Under the restrictions, people must not not meet or host others they do not live with in private homes or gardens unless they’re in their support bubble.

In South Craven, residents and businesses are being urged to adhere to national Government guidelines as infection rates across North Yorkshire also continue to soar. Cross Hills and Sutton have been identified as areas with high transmission of the virus.

Lincoln Sargeant, the county’s director of public health, said: “We have seen a step change in the number of Covid-19 cases in North Yorkshire. At the end of July we were seeing just one or two, but in the last fortnight there have been 388 new cases – and this figure is growing.”

Richard Flinton, chairman of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, says everyone has a role to play in combating the spread. He added: “We thank traders who’ve done a great job in serving the community during the first lockdown and have adapted to be Covid-secure as lockdown has eased, but with the resurgence we must all pull together. We are doing everything possible to keep residents and businesses out of more serious lockdown measures and are asking everyone to help.”