UK records 30,838 new coronavirus cases

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As part of a Government pilot scheme for large events, more than 40,000 people attended Latitude Festival in Suffolk from July 22 to July 25. The festival was part of the Government’s Event Research Programme.

Those attending had to show proof of a negative coronavirus test or to be double vaccinated in order to attend the festival.

However, data released by Suffolk County Council shows 1,051 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the days after the event.

It is believed at least 619 people got infected at the festival while 432 would have been infectious at the time of the event – and it comes just days after 5,000 tested positive at a similar event in Cornwall.

According to the data, 175 of those infected were people living in Suffolk.

Suffolk had a rate of 241 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people for the seven days up to and including August 20.

Stuart Keeble, director of Suffolk Public Health, urged people to continue to follow previous safety measures including masks and socially distancing.

He said: “Latitude Festival was part of an event research pilot by central government, which set the parameters and Covid guidance for the event.

“We were one of many partners who helped implement Covid-security in line with Government advice.”

He added: “As Suffolk reopens once again and people attend busy events or attractions, it’s important that people continue to be considerate of others and wear a mask or keep their distance where appropriate.

“Covid is still circulating in the county and whilst the majority of us are double jabbed, we cannot be sure that those people around us won’t become very unwell if they catch it.”

Other test events included the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final at Wembley Stadium as well as the Tramlines music festival in Sheffield.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden urged people to get vaccinated in order to keep large events safe and reduce the number of cases.

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He said: “We’ve shown that we can reintroduce mass sports and cultural events safely but it is important that people remain cautious when mixing in very crowded settings.

“So that we can keep the football season, theatres and gigs safe with full crowds this winter, I urge sport, music and culture fans to get the vaccine as this is the safest way we can get big events firing on all cylinders once more.”

This comes as Cornwall and Cumbria tourists have been told to stay away as cases of the virus continue to rise across the regions.

The latest figures show Cornwall has 770 cases per 100,000 people, double the previous week’s figure.

Malcolm Bell, head of Visit Cornwall, said: “We are asking people not to come unless they have booked ahead and request they take a lateral flow test before, during and after their stay so that people can be safe and help us to manage the current spike.”

In Cumbria, visitors to the Lake District have been told to get a Covid test before travelling to the county to curb the spread of the virus.

Colin Cox, the Director of Public Health for Cumbria, said it is “courtesy” for visitors to take a lateral flow test.

He told ITV: “I think it’s a courtesy that if you’re visiting somewhere else it’s good to take a lateral flow test.”

To date, more than six million people have tested positive across the UK with the death rate surpassing 130,000.

More than 47,000,000 people have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, with 41,942,036 being fully vaccinated.

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