New testing fiasco as students in Manchester add to Richmond's coronavirus totals

By The Editor

9th Oct 2020 | Local News

Coronavirus cases in Richmond, London and the UK up to October 6
Coronavirus cases in Richmond, London and the UK up to October 6
Breakdown of Richmond's 421 cases
Breakdown of Richmond's 421 cases
Richmond Council leader Gareth Roberts
Richmond Council leader Gareth Roberts

Richmond Council has found that 70 of its recent confirmed Covid-19 cases are young people who were tested away from London – as far away as Durham.

Cllr Gareth Roberts, council leader, has now called for an urgent review of the accuracy of the data.

There have been 421 positive test results in Richmond upon Thames since September 20.

As part of the council's review of the data, to identify any trends or linkages, it has found:

  • 40 per cent (117 tests) are missing the location of where the individual was tested
  • of these, 70 were tested far away from London – including places such as Leeds, Exeter, Manchester and Durham

The data also shows that these individuals are aged 17-21 years old.

The revelation comes on the same day that Richmond was confirmed as having the highest infection rate in London.

Cllr Roberts said: "This is the latest 'Testing Shambles of the Week' and the government needs to get a grip.

"This is not just a Richmond issue, it's not even just a London issue.

"This is a national issue. Before any further restrictions are put in place the data needs to be cleansed and correct.

"Some of our positive cases seem to be students who may have acquired the infection in other parts of the country.

"So why are they being attributed to Richmond?

"People need to have the confidence in the data, if they don't then how can we expect people to follow the rules.

"Come on Mr Hancock – we know your government struggle with algorithms – but get a grip!"

Richmond Nub News on social media

Join the conversation on our Facebook page

Or send us a tweet and tell us your view.

We can also be found on Instagram and LinkedIn.

     

New richmond Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
 Click here: richmond jobs

Share:

Prev

'Pubs are working in strictest of environments' - Richmond landlord Nick Botting

Next

Coronavirus in Richmond: 323 new cases in last ten days as spike continues

Related Articles

Pensford Field Environmental Trust argue that there was no prior consultation and that the decision goes against the council's climate goals (credit: Pensford Field Environmental Trust).
Local News

Local charity objects to Richmond Council's decision to end Pensford Field lease early

Learn More...
Kids under five eat free as part of Namaste Village Twickenham's new unlimited lunch time buffet (credit: Namaste Village Twickenham).
Local News

Local Indian restaurant announces new unlimited lunch time buffet

Learn More...

Sign-Up for our FREE Newsletter

We want to provide richmond with more and more clickbait-free local news.
To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following.
Help us survive and sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Already subscribed? Thank you. Just press X or click here.
We won't pass your details on to anyone else.
By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy.

We are using 🍪

Agree