How close Reading, Windsor and Maidenhead are to joining Slough in Tier 2

Slough has become the first Berkshire area to move into Tier 2 lockdown restrictions.

The town was escalated into the high alert level after coronavirus cases spiralled at an alarming rate. There were 231 cases in the seven days to October 19 bringing the infection rate in Slough to 164.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 138 cases in the week to October 12 - an infection rate of 92.3.

Slough Borough Council leader James Swindlehurst revealed increasing cases were not linked to a major outbreak at a particular venue or shop but were being passed from person to person in the community making it difficult to trace back to a place or time.

He added: “This means we and our health partners can’t take action alone to stop the spread; it needs you, each and every resident to play their part, do your bit, take the actions you can to protect yourselves, your families and your community.”

The rest of Berkshire remains in Tier 1 but all council bosses have warned people in their town, to help stop the spread of cases by following the rules. They also warned if cases continue to rise, the areas would be moved to Tier 2.

How close are Reading, Windsor and Maidenhead, Bracknell and Wokingham to Tier 2?

Towns and cities under Tier 2 lockdown typically have more than 100 cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days but this doesn't guarantee a move to Tier 2.

Towns with an infection rate of more than 100 per 100,000 people will be in talks with Government officials about moving tiers but that rate is only one factor.

You can find out the differences between Tier 1 and Tier 2 restrictions here.

The latest Public Health England figures show how close each area of Berkshire is to moving into Tier 2. Data for the most recent four days (October 20-23) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

Slough

Tier: 2

Infection rate in seven days to October 19: 164.5 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 19: 246

Infection rate in seven days to October 12: 97.6 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 12: 146

Windsor and Maidenhead

Tier: 1

Infection rate in seven days to October 19: 132.1 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 19: 200

Infection rate in seven days to October 12: 125.5 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 12: 190

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead leader Councillor Andrew Johnson said: "Last week given our borderline status and likely projected increase in cases I asked government to consider whether it was appropriate or not for us to move into high-risk Tier 2. Since then the rise in our number of cases has slightly abated, but the potential for underlying infection remains extremely high.

"As a result, and based upon the data before us, in discussions with government we have requested to remain in Tier 1 for now pending further review, to which the government has agreed. However, our numbers are such that we remain on the cusp of Tier 2 and all the additional restrictions on our lives this would bring.

"We must not be complacent. We must continue to follow the guidance. We must stop the spread. Doing this may help us avoid Tier 2."

Reading

Infection rate in seven days to October 19: 104.5 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 19: 169

Infection rate in seven days to October 12: 76.6 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 12: 124

Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock said moving to Tier 2 was a last resort, but action needed to be taken to slow the spread of the virus in the town.

He said: "What we have in Reading is a substantial increase in the number of cases. These numbers are growing at a faster and faster rate.

"It’s clear there needs to be some work to take those numbers down.

"I want to be really clear, I don’t want us to be into Tier 2, no one wants to go into Tier 2, that’s a last resort.

"We do need to start working proactively in Reading and the broader Reading urban area to bring those numbers down and get the rate of growth back under control."

Wokingham

Infection rate in seven days to October 19: 90.0 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 19: 154

Infection rate in seven days to October 12: 64.3 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 12: 110

Meradine Peachey, director of Public Health Berkshire, said if Wokingham borough's seven day infection rate continues "at the rate of the south east", then it will reach 100 cases per 100,000 people before the end of October.

Speaking at a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council she said reaching 100 out of 100,00 people is "one of the indicators" that could lead to going into Tier 2.

Bracknell Forest

Bracknell Forest Council has warned it could move to Tier 2 if the spread of coronavirus doesn't slow
Tier: 1

Infection rate in seven days to October 19: 79.2 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 19: 97

Infection rate in seven days to October 12: 57.1 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 12: 70

A Bracknell Forest Council spokeswoman said: “While Bracknell Forest is currently categorised as Tier 1 ‘medium risk’ the current rate of infection suggests that it will follow others in being categorised as Tier 2 ‘high risk’ within weeks if the spread isn’t slowed down.”

West Berkshire

West Berkshire has the lowest infection rate in Berkshire

Tier: 1

Infection rate in seven days to October 19: 63.7 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 19: 101

Infection rate in seven days to October 12: 46.1 per 100,000

Number of cases in seven days to October 12: 73

West Berkshire has had one of the lowest infection rates in the county throughout the pandemic.

The leader of West Berkshire Council Councillor Lynne Doherty, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I think we’re going to be living with Covid for many months to come and I’ve got no desire to rush my residents up to Tier 2 where they wouldn’t be able to mix with family members or visit their loved ones in care homes.

“As and when we have to, we will of course, but there is nothing within the current numbers that indicates we should do that.

“I don’t see why people should have to live in greater restrictions for longer than need be.