THERE is only a "short window of opportunity" to slow the "rapid increase" of the new Covid-19 variant, people in Bradford have been warned today.

Those who live or work in the district are being urged to take extra steps to make sure they minimise the risk.

Latest figures from the seven-day period starting January 2, show that 46.5 per cent of positive cases in the Bradford district are the new variant, so it's estimated that between 50 per cent and 70 per cent of positive cases are now from the new strain, which is 50 per cent more infectious.

Overall, infection rates are starting to rise again locally and the increase in new variant cases suggests they will continue to rise for a period, said Bradford Council.

Sarah Muckle, Bradford Council’s Director of Public Health said: “We all need to do as much as we can to stem the spread of the new variant and reduce pressures on hospitals and the NHS while they roll out the vaccines.

“When Covid measures were first introduced we were all very careful about staying safe but now there is a danger that we may have let our standards slip almost a year into this crisis.

“Now is the time to check we are all washing for a full 20 seconds every time we arrive at a new destination, that we are keeping at least two, if not three, metres from people from other households and that we are wearing face masks over the nose and mouth where required.

“Not only will this help reduce infections and hospital admissions, but it will also help reduce pressure on the NHS so those who need help with medical issues that are not Covid can be seen quicker.

“The Council will be encouraging staff and visitors to adopt three-metre social distancing in all its buildings where possible given the highly infectious nature of the virus.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, added: “Everyone has a role to play in reducing the infection rate in the district. We only have a short window of opportunity to slow the rapid increase of the new variant.  We’re repeating the message to people to Stay at Home and focus on hands, face, space.

“The more people do this, the lower the infection rates and the lower the number of deaths we will have from this new variant.

“The vaccinations have started but there is no certainty from Government yet for its steady supply. So in the meantime everyone needs to take responsibility and help the whole community to stay safe.”