Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

City council leader David Mellen has urged people to take action now and said the possible announcement of restrictions on Monday "is not a reason go out and party this weekend".

He added: "This is a serious situation, there are greater numbers of people in our hospitals, some of them are in ITU.

Image source, PA Media

"This is clearly an issue not just for students but for the whole community.

"We have redouble our efforts to patrol student areas, with police, community officers and staff from the university.

"Messages have been sent out to students saying just because we may have restrictions this week, don't go out and party now."

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Here's a summary of the key points in case you missed yesterday's breaking story:

• Nottingham has the highest Covid-19 rate in the UK, with 689.1 per 100,000 people testing positive for the virus over the past week
• Leaked documents indicate new restrictions will be announced on Monday that will come into effect on Wednesday
• It's understood Nottinghamshire will go into level two of a new three-tier system of restrictions
• Local politicians across the county have asked people to observe immediately guidance about households not mixing
• Nottingham City Council Leader David Mellen said the delay in introducing tighter measures "makes absolutely no sense" and that "strict interventions are needed urgently"

Image source, PA Media

Alex Smith
BBC News Online

Good morning.

We'll be bringing you the latest updates after data revealed Nottingham has the highest Covid-19 infection rate in the UK.

Figures from Public Health England showed a seven-day rate of 689.1 per 100,000 in the week up to 5 October.

The number of cases in the same time period has shot up from 407 to 2,294.

No local lockdown restrictions have been brought in for the city yet, but government documents leaked yesterday suggested that new rules for the whole county will be announced on Monday.

Image source, Getty Images

Kit Sandeman
Local Democracy Reporter

Conservative MPs from the north of the county have voiced concerns about the necessity of a Nottinghamshire-wide lockdown.

It would mean Bassetlaw, Ashfield and Mansfield would have the same restrictions as Nottingham City, despite having far lower numbers.

Numbers are increasing throughout the county, but are far higher in Nottingham itself.

Now, Conservative MPs for those districts have said their areas may need to be treated differently to the city.

One also said it was "not necessarily helpful" to have continued speculation about what the new measures could be.

Image source, Google

Mansfield MP Ben Bradley said: "When you look through the figures it is clear that currently Mansfield’s rates are significantly lower than other areas, though they are rising quite quickly.

“Personally, given that announcements are now not likely to happen until next week, I am keen to watch those figures closely.

"If they do rise steeply in line with predictions then we’ll have to enter the restrictions along with everywhere else, but that is not yet clear and I will be pushing for proper assessment for Mansfield in particular over the weekend as I wouldn’t want to impose additional measures unless they are totally necessary."

Ashfield MP Lee Anderson said: “Let me be clear. I will not support a lockdown in Ashfield just because the R Rate is high in Nottingham city centre.

“If Ashfield folk are doing their best to keep their R Rate down to the right levels whilst City levels rise then they should not be penalised.”

Data shows the infection rate is 689.1 per 100,000, with restrictions yet to be imposed in the city.

Alex Regan
BBC News

The government has told Nottinghamshire residents to follow "the advice of the local authority", which is to avoid mixing households.

Although the government has yet to introduce formal measures, county and city health bosses have asked people to avoid meeting indoors with those who are not in their household or support bubble after a surge in coronavirus cases.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson added: "The local authority has our full backing and support.

"We are constantly monitoring the data across Nottinghamshire, and in light of rising cases we are working hard with local leaders and public health experts to agree how best we can suppress the virus at a local level."

The spokesperson also said it was "vital" that everyone continued to practise social distancing, wear face coverings, and get tested if they exhibit symptoms.

BBC Radio Nottingham

Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said the delay in imposing extra restrictions in Nottinghamshire was "more complicated than on face value".

The Conservative MP said this was due to the variations of the infection rate across the county.

His constituency, which includes towns like Worksop and Tuxford, has an infection rate of 84.3 per 100,000 people - significant lower than the England average of 127.

This is however nearly double the rate of the previous week.

Image source, Google

He said: "If you look at Nottinghamshire's geography, we're very much in the north of the county, it takes well over an hour to get to Nottingham.

"We are trying to help the economy and local businesses as much as possible and these restrictions are still going to have an impact on people's lives.

"We want to make sure that if we are going to bring those in they're absolutely justified."

Alex Regan
BBC News

City council leader David Mellen has said the government's lack of action on stricter coronavirus restrictions in Nottingham "makes absolutely no sense".

The Labour politician said "strict interventions" were "needed urgently" after the city's infection rate dramatically rose from under the national average, to the highest in the UK.

Mr Mellen said: "The delay leaves this weekend open to potential abuse of the existing rules, which could result in yet more Covid cases in our city."

The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

The medical director at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust said the number of Covid-19 patients it is now treating is comparable to May and June.

Image source, Getty Images

Dr Keith Girling said there has been a "significant increase in admissions" over the past three or four days.

A "very small number" are in intensive care with the virus.

PA Media

Nottingham's director of public health has said there is "serious concern" about an increase in patients with coronavirus being admitted to hospital in Nottingham.

Alison Challenger has made a plea for people to stick to their social bubbles and not mix with other households.

Image source, Getty Images

Ms Challenger said: "There is no need to wait for additional government restrictions - it is clear that infection rates are rising which means that we need to do more than we have been so far in Nottingham to curb the spread of the virus.

"We are seeing an increase in Covid patients being admitted to hospital locally which is of serious concern."

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

When Leicester became the first city in England to face local coronavirus restrictions it had an infection rate of 135 cases per 100,000 people.

Nottingham's infection rate is currently more than five times higher than this.

Image source, Getty Images

The tighter restrictions have remained in place in Leicester and the infection rate is now at 142.57.

In Derby the infection rate is just 81 per 100,000 people.

Alex Regan
BBC News

Today's Public Health England figures confirm Nottingham has the highest Covid-19 infection rate in the UK.

Nottingham had already become the highest seven-day infection rate in England with 689.1 per 100,000.

In Northern Ireland, Derry and Strabane's rate is 582 per 100,000, whilst Greater Glasgow and Clyde in Scotland has 237 per 100,000.

Merthyr Tydfil has the highest infection rate in Wales, with 192.3 per 100,000.

Image source, PA Media

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

The leader of Nottingham City Council has said a delay in imposing extra restrictions on the city is a "concern and a burden".

The government is expected to announce further restrictions in the city on Monday.

Image source, Getty Images

Councillor David Mellen fears some people will use this weekend to make the most of their freedom.

He said: “While we are already urging local residents to stick to their social bubbles and not mix with anyone outside their households, we are very concerned about the possible implications of the government not imposing extra restrictions until next week.

“It unnecessarily places a huge burden on our local resources to manage the clear potential for people to decide to go out and socialise one last time this weekend."

Alex Regan
BBC News

Gedling MP Tom Randall has advised residents to "not mix indoors with people from other households".

The Conservative politician said he would "wholly support calls" for people to follow stricter guidelines, despite the government not yet announcing new restrictions.

Health bosses in Nottinghamshire and Nottingham have also called on residents to avoid mixing with other households after a recent "extremely concerning" spike in cases.

The government is expected to announce new rules for people across Nottinghamshire on Monday, and they are expected to come into force on Wednesday.

Hugh Casswell
Political reporter, BBC Radio Nottingham

Five Nottinghamshire districts have Covid-19 infection rates higher than the national average.

These are the number of cases per 100,000 people in the week to 5 October - the average in England is 127.

Image source, PA Media

Ashfield: 100.8

Bassetlaw: 84.3

Broxtowe: 219.2

Gedling: 148.4

Mansfield: 67.7

Newark & Sherwood: 175.6

Nottingham City: 689.1

Rushcliffe: 209.8

Alex Regan
BBC News

Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood has called the delay to introducing measures in Nottingham "reckless and indefensible".

A leaked document suggests new restrictions for Nottingham will be announced on Monday, and imposed on Wednesday, despite the fact it now has the highest rate of infections in the country.

The Labour MP added: "It's outrageous that [MPs] only found out about this decision from the media."

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Nottingham now has the highest coronavirus infection rate in England.

In the week to 5 October 2,294 people in the city tested positive for the virus up from just 407 the previous week.

Image source, Getty Images

Its infection rate has risen from 122.3 per 100,000 people to 689.1.

People living in the city and county have been told to expect further restrictions to be introduced next week.

Bar and restaurant owners fear they will struggle to survive a second phase of lockdown closures.

The lack of strict coronavirus restrictions in Nottingham this weekend could mean there is a “last chance to party”, says the city council leader.

Safety issues were identified at the University of Nottingham's Newark Hall during recent checks.