Richmond Council leader has spoken to the borough about why the number of residents testing positive for Covid-19 is on the rise.

Richmond recorded its 600th positive test on Saturday, August 15. Three days earlier there were 11 new cases recorded.

Leader Cllr Gareth Roberts (Lib Dems, Hampton) said the increases were cause for "concern" but not something residents should be alarmed about.

Some of the people who recently tested positive have returned from holiday, Mr Roberts said, and may have "let their guard down" .

He urged residents to "follow three very simple instructions".

1) wash your hands wherever possible

3) maintain social distancing

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In a video message posted on Twitter, Mr Roberts said: "Hello, you may have seen reports in the press regarding an increase in the number of cases of Covid-19 identified here in the borough.

"For the period of August 10 to 16 we have had 33 new cases identified, compared with just 11 cases in the previous week.

"While this is a cause for concern, it is not a cause for alarm.

"Firstly we must remember that Richmond has a low rate of infection and any increase will look large in comparison.

"We have checked the new data and we are confident that there are no clusters forming. We are also confident that no particular part of the borough is being more directly impacted than any other.

"What we have been able to identify is that some of the cases are people who have recently returned from holidaying abroad.

"This gives rise to concerns that when people are on holiday, they are letting their guard down and not following the procedures with which we have all become used over the last few months: washing our hands, wearing a face covering when we're out and about on public transport, shops and supermarkets and maintaining social distancing.

"The only way we're going to get this number down to the low levels that we have become used to is if we follow those three very simple instructions.

"This is as vital when you're on holiday as when you're at home.

"We need to keep our vigilance high. This is not a time to let our guard down.

"If we can make sure that we are all following the correct procedures we can control the virus. Thank you."

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