Burnley Council leader urges residents not to mix with other households

"We have to do something now before it's too late," warned Coun. Townsend.

Burnley is well into the "red zone" in terms of the numbers of positive cases of Covid-19 and the figures are rising. Cases are increasing in every part of the borough.

The latest information shows that Burnley has an infection rate of 324.2 per 100,000 population. The next highest rate in Lancashire is Pendle with 214 and the national average is just over 50.

Coun.Townsend said: "The only way to drive these alarming figures back down again is by everyone following the rules, keeping social distancing, wearing a mask when required and avoiding mixing with others unless necessary.

"The vast majority of people have been fantastic following the rules and doing the right thing but we’ve all seen others failing to follow the guidelines and they are putting themselves and others at risk.

"I'm urging everyone to please follow the rules and do all they can to bring the infection rate in our borough back down.

"This kind of infection rate is going to be reflected in the numbers of people becoming seriously ill. We're already seeing hospital admissions across our county increase and I'm afraid that will inevitably mean more people dying unnecessarily.

"We all have a part to play in tackling this pandemic and protecting ourselves and everyone around us."

Coun. Townsend has called on the Government to introduce tighter restrictions on the borough to try and drive infection rates down "before it's too late".

"We're already top of the league and we don't want it to go any worse. We've seen other areas with far lower rates come under stricter conditions. It doesn't make any sense to me at all. I fear it's going to be too late by the time decisions are taken.

"No-one wants a lockdown because it'll have a devastating impact on the local economy.

"But I look at the numbers and I think we have got to do something now."