BROMSGROVE residents are being warned they could be heading towards a local lockdown after 'not following the rules' led to a huge spike of coronavirus cases in the district over the past few days.

Health and community leaders issued the warning after revealing that Bromsgrove now has an infection rate of 80 per 100,000 people - the highest in Worcestershire.

Tougher restrictions could be on the way if that rate continues to rise.

The Director for Public Health in Worcestershire, Dr Kathryn Cobain, has appealed urgently to Bromsgrove residents to follow social distancing rules to help reduce the rapidly rising infection rate.

She says that many of the cases in the district have been in those under the age of 50 and are not related to any known situation.

This indicates they could be easily prevented with simple measures, that individuals take as they go about their day to day lives.

While Public Health teams are supporting local areas, Dr Cobain says it is residents and their actions which are key to bringing the cases back under control.

Dr Cobain said; “I am extremely concerned to see the infection rate taking off as it has in Bromsgrove.

"This is the clearest indication yet, that some people are not following the rules.

"The rate is significantly high enough, to potentially see the district added to the Government’s watch list which could result in further measures being introduced. We don’t want to see that happen.

“I am now appealing to each and every person in Bromsgrove, now is the time to take this seriously.

"We must do everything we can to stop the virus spreading.

"It really isn’t that hard to think about how you are going about your daily lives, keeping your distance from others, reducing who you mix with, wearing a face covering and washing your hands regularly.

“These simple measures will make a difference because the virus only moves around when we mix and socialise. By sticking to the rules, you can reduce your risk and the risk of those you love.”

Councillor Karen May, Leader of Bromsgrove District Council added: “I cannot stress enough how vitally important it is for us to follow the rules.

"We must do this now or face tougher restrictions in the future.

“The figures clearly show that Covid-19 is in our community and spreading fast. When other areas have successfully followed the rules, their infection rate has gone down.

“Come on Bromsgrove, we can do this if we act quickly and together now."