Has the second lockdown worked in Sunderland? - How the restrictions have affected city's covid case rate and deaths

A second lockdown was imposed across England on November 5, amid concerns the Government’s three tier coronavirus alert system was failing to stem the rise in cases nationwide.

The new regulations come to an end this Wednesday, December 2 – at which point Sunderland and the entire North East will be placed onto tier three of the Government’s coronavirus restrictions.

During lockdown, people were told to remain at home unless they had to leave for work, education, to shop for essentials or exercise.

Support and childcare bubbles remained in place and people were still able meet up in their bubble but non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues were ordered to close and bars, pubs and restaurants were only allowed to offer takeaway services.

The latest figures suggest the second lockdown has been successful in getting to grips with the rising number of coronavirus cases on Wearside.

Sunderland had recorded a total of 480 coronavirus cases in the week from Sunday, November 22 to Sunday, November, 29.

That is less than half the number of new cases confirmed in the city during the first week of lockdown when 1,169 new cases were recorded.

The weekly infection rate has also fallen during lockdown.

The case rate for the seven days to November 23 (the last four days’ figures are excluded in case of inaccuracy) was 239.5 per 100,000 people, a fall of 156 on the 397.5 a week earlier.

By contrast, the rate rose in the first seven days of lockdown.

There were 313.6 cases in the seven days to October 31 (the weekly rate cut-off for the day lockdown started), which rose to 398.3 a week later, a jump of 84.7 more new cases per 100,000 people each week.

The sad news, though, is that the city’s coronavirus death rate has risen during lockdown.

The South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust recorded 15 virus-related deaths in the seven days after November 5 when lockdown began.

There has been 22 virus-related fatalities in the trust in the seven days leading up to November 29.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.