Coronavirus: Arun residents issued firm warning as cases remain well above average

That was the message from Arun District Council leader, Dr James Walsh, as local coronavirus cases continue to rise at a concerning rate.

The infection rate in Arun stood at 743 cases per 100,000 people in the latest week (December 28 to January 3). This was up from 682 cases per 100,000 people in the previous week

The average area in England had 531 cases per 100,000 people, up from 453 the previous week.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to see the number of cases across each neighbourhood in Arun.

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"We are now in a very serious situation with the Covid pandemic, not just nationally but within the Arun district," Dr Walsh said, in a video message to residents today (January 7).

"The figures have shot up over the Christmas period and in the run-up to Christmas. The numbers of cases and people being admitted to hospital have doubled over the last couple of weeks.

"We have really got to take, what I hope will be the final phase of the pandemic — before the vaccination programme is truly rolled out — seriously. It affects each and every one of us.

"Children can transmit the disease to their children, parents and grandparents. Patients are dying and are being very sick and ill because of it.

"Please, please, please, don't think that because the vaccinations are being rolled out, that the pandemic is over. Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that we control this and don't let it get further out of control."

Dr Walsh reminded residents that the community hub is still open for people who need medicine or shopping deliveries.

He added: "I want to urge everybody to stay at home and work from home if at all possible and not to make non-essential journeys.

"Daily exercise is important. Please continue to do that but not in groups. Please wear your masks at all times when outdoors, especially when in shops and other places.

"We are keeping children's playground open at the moment but the situation is being reviewed on a daily basis.

"Please make sure children and young adults are not congregating in children's playgrounds. They are not places for socialising, they are places to exercise and to leave them once the exercise period is over.

"I want to make sure that everybody realises the seriousness of the situation.

"Our hospitals have declared a medical emergency across the whole of Sussex because the beds are overloaded and the Covid facilities are overloaded. Keep safe and keep well."

Neighbourhood data for the seven day period ending January 1, 2021 (and the increase/decrease from the previous week)

Nyetimber and Pagham – 48 (up from 39)

North Bersted – 87 (up from 71)

Aldwick – 49 (up from 45)

Westergate, Eastergate and Walberton – 83 (up from 79)

Hawthorn Road, Bognor Regis – 45 (up from 35)

South Bersted – 60 (up from 44)

Bognor Regis Central – 49 (no change)

Felpham – 64 (up from 56)

Middleton-on-sea – 45 (down from 46)

Yapton and Climping – 101 (up from 91)

Arundel – 27 (down from 28)

Littlehampton East – 70 (up from 61)

Rustington North – 86 (up from 68)

Littlehampton West and River – 37 (up from 30)

Wick and Toddington – 99 (up from 88)

East Preston and Rustington East – 55 (up from 49)

Angmering South – 69 (up from 53)

Ferring and Kingston Gorse – 41 (down from 43)

Angmering North, Patching and Findon – 53 (up from 44)