PEOPLE in Cornwall are being urged to stick to lockdown guidance as Covid-19 cases rise – putting the health and care system in the county under “real stress”.

Speaking as the second day of lockdown began, Cornwall Council leader Julian German said it was concerning to see a large amount of traffic on the roads, suggesting that people are still going out.

Two-thirds of the total number of coronavirus cases in Cornwall for the pandemic since last March have been confirmed in just the last two months, he said.

“We are still seeing quickly rising rates of transmissions and increasing numbers of cases of covid in Cornwall.

“It is really important that people take the lockdown seriously. We need to see people stop going out and staying at home.

“The amount of traffic on the roads suggests that people are still going out and we are concerned that people are not taking this as seriously as they should be.

“We know that the health and care system is under real stress, please, please take this seriously, please abide by the rules.”

Rachel Wigglesworth, director of public health in Cornwall, said that the sharp rise in cases seen in Cornwall had been far higher than expected.

She said that before Christmas there were rates of 18 cases per 100,000 people but the current rate for Cornwall was 301.7 per 100,000.

And she said that while some on social media had suggested that “Cornwall has been dragged into this lockdown for no reason” the current rates showed that lockdown was the only option.

Current infection rates in Cornwall, she said, were now higher than many other parts of the south west and the rest of the country.

She said: “For some time, cases in Cornwall were low compared to the rest of the country, but now it is quite different.

“We have the most number of positive cases we have had at any one time. The risk of transmission is higher than any other time.”

Rachel said that previously there were the equivalent of two busloads of people with covid in Cornwall – now there was the equivalent of 26 busloads of people.

She said: “It is going to go up and we could have 50 buses filled with confirmed cases of covid soon.

“We are only seeing the impact of Christmas gatherings now and it is only going to get worse.

Rachel said that Cornwall had asked to be moved into Tier 4 before the national lockdown was announced on Monday.

And she said that while some thought that the rise in infections had come from single workplaces this was not true.

She said: “This simply isn’t the case, it is community and household transmissions – friends, family and work colleagues.”

And she added that speculation on social media that the spike had been caused by people visiting from other parts of the country was also inaccurate.

She said: “There is very little evidence to suggest it is being driven by that.”

Liskeard Councillor Sally Hawken, who is Cornwall Council Cabinet member for public health, said that it was essential that everyone follows the lockdown rules.

She said: “The situation has deteriorated dramatically over the Christmas period.

“We believe that lockdown is the single best way for us to start to reduce the rate of infection in Cornwall.

“Unless your job demands it you must absolutely stay at home – lives depend on it.

“We know that families have started this year having lost loved ones.”

“It is absolutely time now to stay at home. It is the only way that we can keep case numbers down.”

Cllr Hawken added that testing capacity and capability was still working in Cornwall and that those who need a test should be able to access one.

“Another lockdown is a huge blow for residents and businesses but sadly a necessity.

“Please look out for friends and neighbours who could be struggling and use the dedicated council support routes if you have questions or concerns: [email protected] and for clinically vulnerable 0300 1234 334.”