More parts of the Anglia region moved into Tier Four from Boxing Day

The Health Secretary Matt Hancock has been speaking at a Downing Street press conference this afternoon ( 23rd December).

Cases have risen by 57% in the last week and the Health Secretary said Tier Three is not enough to keep the new variant in check.

Changes will come into force from Boxing Day.

Areas in the Anglia region moving into Tier Four from Boxing Day include:

  • Suffolk

  • Norfolk

  • Cambridgeshire

  • Parts of Essex who are not already in Tier Four

Areas in the Anglia region moving into Tier Three from Boxing Day include:

  • Northamptonshire

People in Northampton gave their reaction to ITV News Anglia on the move to Tier Three.

Norfolk Tier Four

Across Norfolk there are now 372 people being treated for coronavirus in hospitals and rates in the over 60s are rising at 124 cases per 100,000 in the week to 18 December.

Suffolk Tier Four

Cambridgeshire Tier Four

The leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Conservative councillor Steve Count, said that moving the county into Tier 4 restrictions will not "on its own" drive down rates.

Dr Liz Robin the Director of Public Health for Cambridgeshire says it is important that people follow the rules over Christmas to stop the virus spreading.

The MP for Cambridge Daniel Zeichner said, " Sadly I think it is the right decision for Cambridge to go into Tier 4. The new strain of the virus is spreading very quickly, Addenbrooke's is super-busy and more people are getting ill. Hopes were raised around availability of vaccines earlier this month but right now we need to take maximum care. " 

Essex Tier Four

Colchester, Tendring and Uttlesford will join the rest of Essex in Tier Four. Essex County Council says current data shows rates are:

  • Colchester 257.3 per 100,000

  • Tendring at 227.8

  • and Uttlesford at 314.3.

The number of people seriously ill with Covid across Essex is already having a significant impact on local health services across the county on top of the annual winter pressures.

  • 762 beds across Essex Hospital Trusts are currently occupied by confirmed Covid patients.

ITV News Anglia spoke to people in Great Dunmow in the Uttlesford district of Essex.

The Leader of Tendring District Council says they are disappointed with the decision, but but understand something needs to be done.

Northamptonshire Tier Three