Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) has introduced an ‘escalation framework’, using a traffic light system – from green to yellow, amber and red – to keep everyone in the city informed and up to date about the current rate of confirmed cases of Covid-19. The city’s current status is yellow, which means rates of infection are increasing.
Starting this week, the city’s current status will be updated weekly on a new Current Alert Level and Guidance web page, which clearly explains the traffic light system so members of the public can understand the implications of the escalation level and how they can help prevent the spread of infection.
The weekly alert status is recommended by BHCC’s Public Health team based on local data on Covid-19 case numbers, testing and contextual factors such as the location and any connections between clusters of cases. Groups and settings that are particularly affected will be highlighted so people can make extra efforts to reduce their risk.
Alistair Hill, Director of Public Health, said: ‘The recent increase has been greatest amongst young people, particularly those aged 16-24. This isn’t a ‘blame game’, this group of people have had a really unsettling time over the past six months but, we do think that most 16-24 year olds who have caught the virus did so when they were visiting friends’ houses and at parties.
‘It’s really important everyone plays their part and follows the guidance to reduce the risk of passing on Covid to others.
‘We are renowned in Brighton & Hove for our care for one another and I know this includes young people. Please, everyone, make sure you continue to wash your hands regularly, wear face coverings where advised, maintain a safe distance, limit contact between households and follow the ‘rule of six’.’