Northumberland in Tier 3 'on its own merit based on present figures' insists Berwick MP

The county – along with the rest of the North East – will be placed in Tier 3 when the latest lockdown ends on December 2.

The news has dismayed some community leaders in north Northumberland who have questioned why it is included when its Covid rates are lower than Liverpool and London, both placed in Tier 2.

Ms Trevelyan, in an email to constituents, says: “Why is Northumberland in Tier 3? I am still being asked this, with many thinking we have been ‘lumped in’ with the rest of the North East.

"Whilst the council did originally ask to be included in the LA7 area, Northumberland would be in Tier 3 on its own merit based on the present figures.”

She goes on to explain that the criteria for determining the tier level of each local authority is: Case detection rates in all age groups; case detection rates in the over 60s; the rate at which cases are rising or falling; positivity rate; and pressure on the NHS, including current and projected occupancy.

“Those who have been watching the Northumberland figures will know they remain very high, although the rate of new infections has started to fall,” says Ms Trevelyan.

“I also receive emails from those who believe there are low numbers in the north of Northumberland. Again, sadly not the case, although rates in the south of the county are higher.

“Covid cases are increasing in our hospital at Cramlington. Regardless of where in Northumberland we live, we all rely on critical care beds being available in Cramlington should we need it. I want there to be a bed for any of us or our family members should we need one.

"As of Friday, November 20, Northumberland had 138 patients hospitalised with Covid, 17 of whom are in critical care beds.

"That is 138 beds which cannot be used for cancer care, or hip operations. That is 17 critical care beds that cannot be used by stroke patients or the victims of serious road traffic accidents.

"We must continue to get the numbers down, not least as we head towards the winter period with all the pressures that places on the NHS.”

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper. If you can, please do pick up a copy when you are at the shops. Thank you for your support.