SHOCK new figures showing the North West’s coronavirus reinfection rate is still above one are a ‘red warning light’ against further lifting of the lockdown, a health boss has warned.

The region’s ‘R’ number – one of the government’s key tests for easing restrictions – is at 1.01 new cases from each Covid-19 victim, the highest in England.

Professor Dominic Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen Borough’s public health director, said this was ‘a red warning light’’ confirming his view that the lifting of the lockdown was proceeding too quickly for safety.

His concerns were echoed by his Lancashire County Council counterpart Dr Sakthi Karunanithi.

Yesterday’s new figures follow an expert analysis of coronavirus infection rates which showed a North/South divide, with new cases in the North-West the highest in the UK.

The R rate statistics prepared for Public Health England (PHE) by a Cambridge University research team show that in the North West the median onward transmission rate per Covid-19 infected person is 1.01, worse than the South-West at one and exceeding the government target of keeping it below one per coronavirus case.

Prof Harrison said: “The North West ‘R’ number is now officially hovering around one.

“It could be just below or a bit over one.

“This is a red warning light for further lockdown lifting relaxations.

“Last week directors of public health warned the government that we felt the lockdown lifting was proceeding too quickly without adequate gaps between lockdown lifting measures to assess the impacts and outcomes of each measure.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Professor Dominic HarrisonProfessor Dominic Harrison

Dr Karunanithi said: “R values are one of the many factors that help us determine the level of transmission in our communities. An R higher than one, especially when it has been below one is of concern.

“We should be very cautious with the lifting of lock down in areas where there is ongoing high levels of community transmission.”

Prof Harrison added: “We all want to get back to the new normal as soon as possible - but we do not want the next six months to be a series of stop/starts.

“We now need to proceed very cautiously indeed.”

Dr Andrew Furber, PHE’s North West regional director, said: “We know here in the North West, we experienced a peak in cases later than the majority of other areas.

“We need to ensure all our communities continue to follow government guidance on social distancing and self-isolation. As lockdown measures are eased across the country, it is vitally important we do everything we can to slow the spread of the virus and save lives.”